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by you are still at Mr. Morrison's, and will be forwarded to you, with your gold watch and your mother's brooch, if you pay the carriage. Your claim to the residue, as sole next-of-kin, cannot be established without proofs of kinship.—E. C. Hameeton " ?—lt is a general rule of the office to put in that schedule. I have no doubt it was put in, and it ought to have been marked there " Enclosure." 2560. What is your opinion as to the position of the Public Trustee with reference to intestate estates ? How does he hold—as trustee for the estates ?—He holds as trustee for the estates. 2561. And therefore should he not take every care to see that they realise to the best advantage. Do you think the Public Trustee is realising to the best advantage when he allows personal estate to be sold in an auction-room without giving the names of the estates to which they belong?—ln some cases it might be better to give the names. As a rule, I think he acts rightly. 2562. In the case of a person dying intestate having a valuable personal estate, would it not attract purchasers if the name of such person were given ? —Yes, perhaps it would. We have advertised the name in one instance—that of Gordon Allan. He had a valuable law library. We advertised his books as " the effects of the late Gordon Allan." 2563. And it being known he had a good library, it would be certain to attract purchasers ? —Yes, it did. We have an idea that we ought not to give names in any case, merely as a matter of delicacy. 2564. Would it not be advisable also to give a list of the articles to be disposed of ?—That would involve expense in advertising. 2565. Would the estate not get the benefit afterwards ?—I think not. 2566. Is the reason you do not advertise the articles on account of the expense in advertising?— We leave the advertising, generally speaking, to the auctioneer. We let him advertise whatever he thinks right. 2567. Have you ever seen the personal estate of a private gentleman advertised ? —Yes. 2568. Have you ever noticed that schedules are sent out detailing every article ?—Yes. 2569. Would not that be an advantage in the case, of intestacies ?—ln certain estates. 2570. Of course you would be allowed a discretion. If it was a mere swagger's kit you would not think that necessary ?—No. Carpenter's books were advertised, for instance, and circulars were sent out and particulars given. 2571. In what position would a private trustee be, in your opinion, if he sold estate of which he was trustee and purchased himself the same estate ?—I cannot say; that is a question for a lawyer. 2572. Looking at it from a moral point of view, if he purchased publicly or privately any portion of it ?—I do not see the objection to attend an auction-sale as one of the public. 2573. Do you see no objection to the Trustee bidding for the goods he was putting up himself? —I do not see any moral objection. It is for the good of the estate to get as many bidders as we can. I may go to a sale and bid more than another man. That is to the advantage of an estate. 2574. You have already stated there is no inventory attached to these papers in the estate of Mrs. Dallon ?—No. 2575. And the papers are therefore incomplete ? —The account sales represent the inventory. 2576. The papers are incomplete as far as the inventory is concerned ?—There is no inventory. 2577. The private papers have also been destroyed?— The private letters. 2578. The record is incomplete as far as that goes? —Yes. 2579. The record does not disclose the whole of the affairs of the estate ?—The letters were bulky. We could not keep a parcel of bulky letters. Ido not know how many is the number of estates now in the office. 2580. Was any notice sent to Mr. Dallon that, unless he proved his legitimacy within a certain period, the Public Trustee would sell the balance of the estate of his mother ?— No such letter that I know of was sent to him. 2581. Do you know who purchased this jewellery ? Did any one in the office purchase any portion of it ?—Yes ; some officers did purchase portion. 2582. Can you give the names of the officers, and what they purchased ?—Let me look at the account sales. [Account sales examined by witness.] Ido not know of anything but a gold watch that was bought here. 2583. By whom? —By Mr. Hamerton —bought by me for him. 2584. The Chairman.} By his wishes and instructions ?—Yes. Mr. Hamerton said at the same time if this boy made a claim for it within a reasonable time he would give it up to him—that is, if he made a proper claim—a legal claim. 2585. Do you know the price Mr. Hamerton gave for that watch ?—£6 55.: a very good price it was, I think. 2586. What class of jewellery was it—good or otherwise ? I see two diamond rings sold for £1 ?—Very small diamonds. It was a very poor lot. 2587. What was the object of keeping this lace that we have referred to? —Because it was not worth anything. 2588. When the clothes were being sold, why not have sold it ? —lt was in the box with the jewellery. I did not think it worth sending. It may have been an error of judgment on my part not to have sent it. 2589. Mr. Loughrey.] In the event of a stranger succeeding you and Mr. Hamerton, in looking through the records in the oflice, would he be able to obtain a full history of any case ? Take the case of Mrs. Dallon, for instance ? —The private letters are not there. 2590. Just answer the question. You cannot live for ever. Supposing your successor wants to know the history of the Dallon estate, is there sufficient information here to let him know the history of the case ?—I think so. 17— H. 3.