R.—9.

of relatives and others, and who subsequently place their affairs under the management of the Office. Indeed, this increase in the business, begotten of satisfaction with the transaction of previous business, is a marked characteristic of its activities. This personal confidence is built up by close attention to the special features and characteristics of each individual estate. It is often urged that a corporation can manage estates only on a machine-like basis, and that individual attention cannot be bestowed upon them. It is the endeavour of the Public Trustee to give absolute satisfaction to those whose interests he controls. The human element in administration work should not be overlooked. Standardized methods and uniformity make for efficiency, but if the personal element of those with whom the administrator deals is neglected misunderstandings and dissatisfaction may arise. Officers of the Department strive to come into close personal contact with the beneficiaries and other parties interested in the estates administered by the Public Trustee. The work in all the larger offices is divided into alphabetical sections, irrespective of the class of estate under administration. This arrangement possesses advantages both for the public and for the staff, enabling an inquirer to be directed without difficulty to the officer dealing with the estate concerned, and permitting each officer to be trained in all classes of administration. In charge of each section is an experienced officer, who checks the administration, subject to the direction of the Controlling Officers. Care is taken to assign to an officer only such a number of estates as he can conveniently handle. This permits him to be acquainted with the special features of each estate under his care, and, moreover, he acquires the " personal touch " with the relatives and beneficiaries. As early as possible the beneficiaries who reside in the neighbourhood are interviewed by responsible officers whom they will be able to consult in the future concerning administration matters. Where the beneficiaries reside elsewhere the same principles are observed in the correspondence incidental to the administration. Letters of a stereotyped and machine-made type are avoided, and the position put before the interested parties as clearly and simply as possible. In other words, it is the aim of the Office to conduct the administration in as efficient a manner as possible, and at the same time by close individual attention and sympathy to encourage cordial relations with its clients and to inspire confidence in its administration . Advisory Trustees. 48. The operations of the past year show that the scheme of advisory trustees is still increasing in popularity with business and professional men. During the year there has come under administration a number of estates in which the provision for appointment of advisory trustees has been availed of. Moreover, many testators whose wills are deposited with the Public Trustee have taken advantage of this provision, which, besides affording assistance to the Public Trustee as executor or administrator, gives to the beneficiaries the advantage of expertindependent advice. The Public Trustee welcomes association with these experts, for the arrangement facilitates the administration and furthers co-operation between him and the beneficiaries. Maintenance op Tneants. 49. A feature of the Office administration of estates is the attention devoted to maintenance, education, and advancement of infant beneficiaries. There have been conferred on the Public Trustee wide powers of applying for their benefit funds to which the infants are entitled, these powers embracing almost every case which is likely to occur. For instance, section 21 of the Public Trust Office Act, 1908, as amended by section 15 of the Public Trust Office Amendment Act, 1921-22, in an intestate estate where the net residue does not exceed ,£5OO, empowers the application of such residue for the maintenance and benefit of the widow or infants as the Public Trustee at his discretion shall think fit. Again, by section 25 of the Office Act, 1908, as now amended, the Public Trustee may apply for the benefit of an infant up to £500, or up to one-half offthe capital share to which such infant is entitled in addition to the income thereon.

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