DEATH OF PUBLIC TRUSTEE

Evening Star, Issue 21753, 22 June 1934, Page 8

DEATH OF PUBLIC TRUSTEE

MR J. W. MOD*RAID'S CAREER VALUED STATE OFFICER [Peb United Press Association.] WELLING-TON, June 21. The death occurred suddenly at his residence this afternoon of the Public Trustee, Air J. W. Alacdonald, C.AI.G. Air Alacdonald was the eldest sou of Air J. A. Alacdonald, of Timaru, and was horn at Christchurch iu 1882. He received his education in Timaru, and on leaving school joined the staff of the ‘Lyttelton Times,’ Christchurch; but on subsequently qualifying for admission to the public service he was

appointed to the Justice Department, and took up duty in the Warden’s Court at, Clyde. From this position he was transferred to the staff of the Magistrate’s Court at Wellington, where he applied himself to the study of law and qualified for admission to the legal profession. In 1906 he was appointed to the legal division of tho Public Trust Office, and in the succeeding year he received appointment to the position of assistant solicitor. On the retirement of Mr F. J. Wilson in 1909, Mr Macdonald was appointed solicitor to the Public 'Trust Office, and in that capacity inaugurated and developed the progressive policy with regard to legal work which has been an outstanding feature of the Public Trust Office since that time. Further promotion came in 1917, when he was appointed assistant Public Trustee. In that position he played an important part in the reorganisation of the office rendered necessary by the rapid growth of business and the extension of the principle of decentralisation of tho office work. Mr Macdonald’s appointment to the position of Public Trustee in 1920 gave him the opportunity of developing and completing the policies which he had already assisted to inaugurate. The important development in rural finance which was marked by the passing of the Rural Intermediate Credit Act of 1927 imposed additional duties on him. Under the <Act the Public Trustee is, ex officio, constituted the chief executive member of the Rural Intermediate Credit Board with the designation of Commissioner of Rural Intermediate Credit. In this capacity it fell to Mr Macdonald to carry out the organisation and administration of the new scheme. He was also a member of tho Government Railways Superannuation Board, the State Advances Board, the Government Insurance Board, and the Public Debt Commission, besides holding the position of chairman of the Advisory Committee to the Board of Governors which deals with the allocation of grants to charities under the will of Mr T. G. McCarthy. He had served since 1914 as one of the members of tbe Public Service Superannuation Board elected by the Public Service, and since 1923 he had occupied the position of chairman of that board. In the New Year honours in 1929 he received the insignia of C.M.G. PREMIER’S TRIBUTE. The Prime Minister (Mr Forbes), in a statement to-night, paid a tribute to Mr Macdonald. “It was with the deepest regret that I heard of Mr Macdonald’s death,” he said. “ The Public Service in New Zealand has lost one of its most'able members , and an officer who, in the responsible position which he held for many years, rendered valuable service to the State. He was a strenuous and conscientious worker, and there is little doubt- that in the recent years of economic depression the responsibilities of his office have very largely increased. The strain and anxiety have, I feel sure, affected his health. In addition to his duties as Public Trustee, he was called upon to perform valuable services as a member of various statutory investment boards. I can say from my own personal knowledge, that Mr Macdonald, as the custodian of trust funds, was, within legal limits, always sympathetic towards the mortgagor, particularly during the recent times of hardship. As Minister in Charge of tho Public Trust Office, I feel I have lost a most efficient officer and a personal friend, and the country a faithful servant.’ *