B— 9.

For some time past in the Invercargill district periodical visits have been paid to certain of the country towns by an officer detailed from the Invercargill Office, the object being to acquaint residents in the district with the functions of the Office and the facilities provided for the administration of estates. As the purposes for which the part-time offices were established have been fulfilled, it has been found possible to discontinue the visits to Tuatapere and Wyndham. Residents in those centres who desire to avail themselves of the services of the Public Trustee are now kept in direct touch with the Invercargill District Public Trust Office. The Public Trustee is now represented in 107 towns and cities throughout the Dominion. ISSUE OF PRINTED MATTER. 40. The policy of issuing printed handbooks and other matter dealing with the functions of the Public Trustee and the work of the Office generally has been continued throughout the year. The Office Handbook, which contains an outline of the system followed by the Office in the administration of estates, has been reissued, and in addition a booklet explaining the various modes available for the investment of funds held by the Public Trustee has been printed and widely distributed, A further booklet, which will contain illustrations of the various types of assets under the care of the Public Trustee, is now- in course of preparation, and will be available for use at the coming Dunedin and,' South Seas Exhibition. These publications, which are supplementary to the regular newspaper advertising which is maintained throughout the Dominion, have served to remove much of the ignorance which has hitherto existed regarding the powers and functions of the Public Trustee. INSPECTION OF SHORTHAND • TYPING WORK. 41. During the year just closed a thorough inspection of the shorthand-typing work at practically all District Offices and in the Head Office has been carried out by the Supervisor of Shorthand-writers and Typists. Speaking generally, the work was found to be in excellent condition and reflected credit on the Office. The Inspecting Officer has, however, been able to effect improvements in various offices and make the work approximate to a general standard. Special attention was paid to the condition of the machines which the shorthand-typists were using, and to the economical use of stationery. Attention was also given to the introduction of standard forms where necessary in order to conserve the time of the typists. The Office has provided for the female staff suitable rest and retiring rooms at all the Branches, and these were inspected by the Supervisor during her visit. They were found to be kept in a tidy and orderly condition, and the provision of them was appreciated by the female staff. At each office visited the Supervisor conferred with the District Public Trustee or other controlling officer, and brought under his notice any matters in which improvements could be effected. The visits also proved of use when the salaries of the shorthand-typing staff were reviewed in connection with the classification list at the end of the year. CONSOLIDATION OF INSTRUCTIONS TO OFFICERS. 42. The functions and duties of the Public Trustee have developed and extended on a very wide scale with the progress of the Office, and as a result the officers of the Department now require to be conversant with the general principles of law and of accountancy, for they are constantly called upon to solve difficult problems of a highly technical and involved nature. In addition they must be able to explain to the general public simply and concisely, the difficulties and legal formalities which must be complied with by any administrator of an estate before a distribution may be made to the beneficiaries. To assist officers in their duties instructions have been issued regularly for many years past for their guidance in various matters of Office routine and practice. The instructions have also explained many of the difficulties which constantly

24