XIV

H.—3

what respects, in his opinion, if any, the administration of such branches and their convenience to the public can be improved. Besolved, That the Public Trustee be requested to furnish to the Commissioners a return of all mortgages in existence in the Public Trust Office in all classes for moneys lent, showing names of mortgagors, numbers of mortgages, the amounts of moneys lent, terms of mortgages, dates on which moneys were lent, rates of interest, mortgagor's valuations of securities for the purposes of the loans, the valuations of the department by its valuers, and the property-tax valuations. Besolved, That the Public Trustee do furnish a return showing all properties, if any, bought in or taken over by the department for non-payment of interest and mortgage advances, such return to specify the amount advanced, the amount of arrears of interest, and net amount realised, and how such properties are being carried on, showing revenue, expenditure, &c. The Commission adjourned at 5 o'clock.

Friday, 20th Maech, 1891. The Commission met at 10 a.m. Present: The Hon. W. J. M. Larnach, C.M.G. (Chairman), A. Loughrey, Esq., andT. Kennedy Macdonald, Esq., M.H.R. Examination of books and records continued. Besolved, That the Public Trustee be requested to furnish a return showing the items that compose the balance of Returned Cheque Deposit Account on the 31st December, 1890; also, a similar return of the Suspense Account on same date. Besolved, That a return be furnished of the particulars composing the balance at credit of Unclaimed Dividends Account on the 31st December, 1890. Besolved, That a return be furnished showing the number of accounts open in the books of the Public Trust Office under and in connection with Acts of Parliament of New Zealand, giving names or headings. Besolved, That a list be furnished of all complaints made from time to time to the Public Trust Office, the names of the parties complaining, subjects of complaints, and how disposed of. The Commission adjourned at 5 o'clock.

Saturday, 21st Maech, 1891. The Commission met at 10 a.m. Present: The Hon. W. J. M. Larnach, C.M.G. (Chairman), A. Loughrey, Esq., and T. Kennedy Macdonald, Esq., M.H.R. Examination of books and records continued. Besolved, That a return be furnished showing all accounts in connection with the Native reserves now in the books and under the control of the Public Trustee, giving particulars of date of coining into office and present position of each account, conveniently arranged under classes. Besolved, That the Public Trustee be requested to furnish a memorandum showing what steps are taken by the Public Trust Office with respect to the acquirement of personal estate on receiving news of the death of a person dying intestate. The Commission adjourned at 1 o'clock.

Monday, 23ed Maech, 1891. The Commission met at 10 a .m. Present : The Hon. W. J. M. Larnach, C.M.G. (Chairman), A. Loughrey, Esq., and T. Kennedy Macdonald, Esq., M.H.R. Examination of books and records continued. Besolved, That the Public Trustee be requested to furnish to the Commission the original rough cash-books, memorandum-books, or journals containing the first entries of all cash coming into the office, say, from the commencement of the business of the office to the end of 1890. The Commission adjourned at 5 o'clock.

Tuesday, 24th Maech, 1891. The Commissioners met at 10 a.m. Present: The Hon. W. J. M. Larnach, C.M.G. (Chairman), A. Loughrey, Esq., and T. Kennedy Macdonald, Esq., M.H.R. Examination of books and records continued. Besolved, That the Public Trustee be requested to furnish a return of all stationery purchased or imported for use of the Public Trust Office since commencing business, showing nature of stationery and cost, from whom purchased, and date of purchase; also, list of books and stationery on hand to the 31st December, 1890, or to date. Besolved, That the Public Trustee be requested to furnish the following returns : (1.) Return showing all officers and agents employed in connection with the administration or otherwise of the Native reserves department, specifying salary or other remuneration, their duties, and date when they entered the service. (2.) Return snowing annual rents received for Native reserves (West Coast Settlements), cost of administration, amount paid to Natives, and balance in hand. (3.) Return of all Native reserves in the colony, showing— (a) Those administered by the Public Trustee ; (b) those vested in the Public Trustee, but not administered by him, and the reasons for such non-administration ; also, any reports in possession, of the Public Trustee respecting the