27

B.—9

The machinery and organization of the Public Trust Office are much more extensive than that of any other concern conducting similar business in the Dominion, and it has offices or representatives in a very large number of centres throughout the country. The result is that clients are assured of personal attention no matter where they may reside, and even though they may move from one part of the Dominion to another they may conveniently consult an Office representative and obtain the benefit of his advice and assistance. It will be readily seen, therefore, that the suggestions which have been made to discredit the Office administration are wholly unjustified, and that those who deal with it receive close personal attention from qualified officers. Transfers from Private Trustees. 40. A noticeable feature of new estates reported for acceptance is the number that are being transferred from private trustees. For one reason or another many persons who undertake trusteeships find it necessary subsequently to be relieved of their duties. Some do so for health reasons ; others find 4 ,that their own business does not leave them time enough, or energy enough, to conduct other people's affairs. There are others who have an uneasy feeling that they have not the necessary experience for the proper performance of the duties appertaining to trusteeship. Whenever from any cause private trustees desire to be relieved from their duties the Public Trustee can be readily appointed in their place. Assets. 41. The estate business of the Public Trust Office is now so large that the assets handled by the Public Trustee are of a very varied nature. It is easy to realize that in a large trust and administration business like that of the Public Trust Office the interests controlled will be almost as varied in their range as the property and beneficial interests of the members of the community in which the operations are carried on. Rural Property. —The Public Trustee has under his management a large number of rural properties, and each year brings an increase in these. In some cases, for various reasons, farming operations are actively carried on on behalf of estates. No pains are spared by the Office to see that the best results are obtained. Competent managers are selected, and the advice of the Departmental Farm Inspectors, or of outside experts where necessary, is freely availed of. Proper systems of recording and accounting and careful checks are put into operation, so that beneficiaries can rely upon their interests being scrupulously safeguarded. Of course, by far the largest number of the country properties are leased. In arranging leases it is the aim of the Public Trustee to secure the maximum return from the properties controlled by him, and at the same time to maintain, or if practicable to enhance, their earning-capacity. Appropriate conditions to be inserted in leases receive careful consideration, and the needs of a particular locality and each individual property are borne in mind. Modern methods of husbandry and the advantages of top-dressing, &c., are fully realized, and every effort is made to ensure that the estates shall gain the benefit of these. Close attention is devoted to subdivision of large holdings of the better-class land, for by intensive working of reduced areas larger yields can be obtained by the occupiers and, as a result, greater returns secured for the estates by way of increased rentals. It has been said that in certain classes of land requiring special treatment, such as scrub-cutting, draining, keeping down fern and other rank noxious growth, or special methods of cultivation, the term of five or even seven years usually granted by trustees is too short a period to enable lessees to do what is required to keep up the earning-capacity of the properties they occupy and at the same time to yield them an encouraging return for the expenditure involved. Furthermore, it is urged that grants and concessions to assist in developmentwork should be more freely made by the Public Trustee. Many of those who make these charges do not appreciate the true relationship of a trustee to the