38

8.—9.

in the erecting, establishing, and managing of a suitable home. When the trust had been in operation for some time it was found that the objects of the testator's bounty were too restricted. Carterton is a prosperous district, and there were frequently no indigent persons eligible for admission to the institution. Accordingly, in 1916 legislation was passed extending the area within which applicants for admission must have resided so that it would include the whole of the Wairarapa Electorate as it existed in 1896. At the same time provision was made whereby the wives of eligible aged poor men could also be admitted. This legislation also extended the Public Trustee's power of leasing the endowment lands. This trust property has been subdivided and is subject to a number of leases. The Public Trustee as trustee of the estate attends to the collection of the rents and the general management and running of the properties. In accordance with the benefactor's directions the home is controlled by a committee comprising the Mayor for the time being of the Borough of Carterton, the Vicar of the Parish of Carterton, and three members of the Borough Council elected annually by ballot of the said Council. On being satisfied that the provisions of the will are being complied with the Public Trustee pays over such funds as are required for the maintenance of the Home. Kirkpatrick Masonic Institute for Girls.—A recent public benefaction has been that of the late Mr. Samuel Kirkpatrick, of Nelson, manufacturer, who died on the 21st May, 1925, and who was well known throughout New Zealand on account of his connection with S. Kirkpatrick and Co., the noted manufacturers of " K " jam and products. The late Mr. Kirkpatrick was an enthusiastic member of the Masonic fraternity, and held the office of Deputy Grand Master for Westland and Nelson (English Constitution). By his will, in which the Public Trustee was appointed executor and trustee, the greater part of his valuable estate, including his large residence in Mount Street, Nelson, has been vested in his trustee to be administered as a perpetual trust for the establishment and maintenance of a home for the benefit of the orphan daughters of deceased Freemasons of the English, Irish, Scotch, and New Zealand Constitutions throughout New Zealand. The object of the trust is to provide board and maintenance, and, if circumstances permit, education for eligible orphan girls. Under the will a Board of Governors is directed to be set up to control the management of the institution. This Board has been duly elected, and at once set about making the necessary arrangements for the establishment of the home, which was opened at a representative gathering of Freemasons on the 4th April, 1926, and which has been designated " The Kirkpatrick Masonic Institute for Girls." The Public Trustee attends to the administration of the estate and accounts to the Masonic authorities from time to time for such portion of the revenue as is required for the purposes of the Home. The Renwick Cottages. —The cottages, which, in accordance with the directions contained in the will of the late Miss Adeline Renwick, were erected in Nelson for the free use of deserving poor people in that city, are controlled and administered by the Public Trustee. They have been under his management since their erection in 1883 and have served a very useful purpose. The cottages are built of brick and are in a pleasant locality. Recently certain improvements, such as installation of electric light and asphalting of paths, have been effected. There is sufficient vacant land in the front of each cottage to enable the occupiers to have a garden if they so desire. T. G. Macarthy. —The late Mr. Thomas George Macarthy, who died in 1912, made a very handsome gift for charitable and educational purposes. In accordance with the directions contained in his will, of which the Public Trustee is executor, one-half of the net income shall be applied to and for such charitable and educational purposes or institutions in the Provincial District of Wellington in such manner and in such shares as a special Board of Trustees named in the will shall direct, their decision to be final. The estate is a large and valuable one, and at the time of the late Mr. Macarthy's death it was valued at approximately £375,000, and with the advance in the value of land, and with careful management it has largely increased in value since that time. Thus it will be seen that the trust is a very important one, and one from which a great amount of public benefit is derived for educational and charitable objects.