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Session 11. 1918. NEW ZEALAND.

PUBLIC TRUST OFFICE (REPORT OF THE) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1918.

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly in accordance with Section 47 of the, Public Trust Office Amendment Act, 1913.

Pursuant to section 47 of the Public Trust Office Amendment Act, 1913, I have the honour to lay before Parliament the attached report on the working of the Public Trust Office for the year ended 31st March, 1918. The chief matters appearing in the report to which attention may be directed are, — 1. The profit of £68,602 on the year's working of the Office, after making due provision for depreciation of buildings, equipment, &c. 2. The increase of 2,981 in the number and £2,087,448 in the value of the estates, agencies, &c, under administration. 3. The increase of £1,184,931 in the investments controlled. 4. The excellent position of the finances generally. 5. The growing confidence reposed in the Office by the public, as evidenced by the large increase in the number of estates reported for administration and of wills deposited for custody. 6. The improvements in the Office organization and practice which have been effected by the Public Trust Office Board.. 7. The abnormal expansion of the work in connection with soldiers' estates and agencies. 8. The difficulty of maintaining an adequate staff of skilled officers. 9. The reorganization of (a) the accounting work, (b) the correspondence work. 10. The progress made in the inspection of the District and Branch Offices of the Department. 11. The purchase of new premises to meet the growing demands of the Office. I—B. 9,