8.—9,

in the number and volume of the estates reported to the Office for administration, the number and volume of the new intestate estates were approximately the same as the previous year. This is no matter for surprise when we consider that with the spread of knowledge, and the change in property and the conceptions concerning it, persons desire to dispose of their possessions in a way different from the stereotyped method laid down in the absence of testamentary directions or modifications. Old methods had been radically altered many years ago in New Zealand and some of the younger countries. Recently drastic changes have been made in the devolution of property in England. Owing to their importance, these have been dealt with at some length in my previous report and it is not necessary to revert further to them here. An important matter in connection with the administration of intestate estates is the establishing of the next-of-kin entitled to participate in the distribution. At times the details of family history available to the Office to commence its inquiries are very meagre. It has had a very longexperience in dealing with matters of this kind, and this, with the facilities afforded by the extensive organization reaching throughout the Dominion, with the assistance and co-operation of similar State officials and its agents in other countries, enables this important work to be carried out quickly and efficiently. A provision of the Office Act whereby the shares of subjects of foreign countries resident in those countries can be paid over to Consuls and Consular Agents facilitates distributions. Careful efforts are made to trace the next-of-kin, and before payments to the Consolidated Fund as bona vacantia are authorized all reasonable means to find those entitled are exhausted. Convicts' Estates. 49. By virtue of an appointment made by the Governor-General in pursuance of section 55 of the Prisons Act, 1908, the Public Trustee administers the estates of all convicts in New Zealand other than those of Natives within the meaning of the Native Land Act, 1908. During the past year arrangements were made with the Prison authorities whereby the reporting of estates requiring administration will be facilitated. This arrangement has now been in operation for some months, and is found to be working satisfactorily. During the year under review there have been no important developments to record in connection with the administration of convicts' estates. Agencies. 50. Another important service afforded by the Department is acting in the capacity of attorney or agent for persons resident in the Dominion or temporarily or permanently abroad. The machinery of the Office is eminently suited for undertaking this class of work, and increasing numbers of persons are each year availing themselves of the facilities afforded. Agency work is therefore now one of the classes of Office business which have shown a marked development in recent years, and from present indications it can be confidently anticipated that it will disclose a healthy progress in the future. A number of Office clients have had their affairs under its management for very long periods—in some instances for well over twenty years. A valued client of the Office for whom the Office had acted for nearly a quarter of a century recently died. Prior to his death he recommended those interested in his will to entrust the management of their affairs to the Office in the same manner as he had done for many years " with the utmost satisfaction to myself." Resealing. 51. Many requests continue to be received from executors, trustees, and administrators in foreign countries for the Public Trustee's services in respect to the administration on their behalf of assets situated in the Dominion, and the increase recorded in the Office business as a whole is equally reflected in this particular phase of the work. As the services which the Office is able to undertake become more widely known in foreign countries this class of administration service is more frequently availed of by foreign administrators and trustees, and the experience of the year just past and previous years points to a steady increase in business of this description.

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