8.—9

20

Stamp accounts : The valuation of assets, such as loans, book debts, &c, for deathduty purposes. Custody of estate deeds and estate securities in estates to which advances have been made from the Common Fund. Mental Defectives Act, 1911 : Form of statement to be furnished to the Public Trustee by private committees. Standard letter containing information required by intending testators. Attestation of wills where testator is illiterate. Accounting instructions : Issue of booklet. Realization of co-owned property: Arrangement with parties concerned as to apportionment of expenses. War-loan insurance policies in names of minors : Approval of Public Trustee to surrender. Introduction of code for transmission of amounts by telegraph. Gifts for purposes of charitable trusts : Death Duties Amendment Act, 1923, and Finance Act, 1923 (section 11). Advising beneficiaries of progress of administration. Banking arrangements when signing or countersigning officers proceed on leave. Partnership assets : Commission on estate's share. Tenants' rent-books : Use of numbered receipt form. Certain District Public Trustees authorized to take and receive statutory declarations. Public Trust Office Regulations : Rulings regarding interest allowed and commission charged. Domicile of deceased person : Requirements of English Revenue authorities. Rent and interest cards : Checking of postings. Advertising for missing beneficiaries. Conditions of sale : Provision of amended forms. Mortgages : Exercise of power to lease security. Distribution of assets while liabilities are outstanding : Shares : Contingent liability for uncalled capital. ADMINISTRATION OF ESTATES. Statistics. 46. During the year a total of 2,739 new estates came into the Office. The estates were of the following classification : — Number. ~ Wills estates .. .. .. 844 1,956,080 Trust estates .. .. .. 217 561,383 Intestate estates .. ..- '.. 621 460,078 Mental patients' estates .. .. 311 331,771 Miscellaneous .. .. .. 746 471,843 Totals .. .. ..2,739 £3,781,155 The estates closed during the year numbered 2,052. Of these, 478 were closed within twelve months of their being reported. On the 31st March, 1924, there were 10,537 estates under administration. These are classified as follows : — tv i Value. JNumoer. „ Wills estates . .. .. .. 2,478 7,231,097 Trust estates .. .. .. 1,848 5,683,311 Intestate estates .. .. .. 2,050 1,414,597 Mental patients' estates .. .. 1,121 1,345,419 Miscellaneous .. .. ..3,040 16,730,300 Totals .. .. 10,537 £32,404,724