B.— 9

20

and to qualify themselves for more responsible duties by undertaking some course of study which will be beneficial to the Department and to themselves in their official career. In any large business establishment it is inevitable that a number of the juniors are placed upon more or less routine work, and that in consequence it is extremely difficult for them to acquire an all-round knowledge of the scope and activities of the concern. Others, although they acquire valuable experience from the duties allotted to them, do not gain full value therefrom by reason of the fact that their controlling officers cannot devote sufficient time to their detailed instruction. In view of this it has been found of distinct value to place upon a systematic basis the training of junior officers who have passed the probationary stage, and who thus have had sufficient service to enable them to acquire some degree of experience and knowledge of the Office and its operations, and to benefit by tuition in higher work. Accordingly, for several years past a system of training classes has been in operation. From suitable juniors of about three to four years' service a selection is made annually to form a class for the year. When the term of class training of these juniors has expired they are allocated amongst the various branches as requirements demand. Experience has shown that the best method of instruction is one combining theoretical with practical training, and this is the system which has been adopted. An officer experienced in administration, legal, and other phases of the Office work controls the class as Director, and gives instruction in the theoretical portion of the syllabus. With him are associated two instructors —one experienced in administration and legal matters, and the other a professional accountant qualified in all branches of the Office accounting work—who direct and supervise the practical work of the class. The Office training system has been well tried over a period of years and has fully justified itself. The result has shown it to be of very material assistance to the Department in providing a staff fitted to carry out the exacting and onerous duties devolving upon it in the course of the conduct of such a large estate administration and trustee business. SHORTHAND-TYPING WORK. 40. Nowadays shorthand-typing represents a very necessary and important portion of the duties which require to be performed in connection with the conduct of business, and in an office like the Public Trust Office a competent staff of shorthandtypists is especially essential. The preparation and typing of so many wills and other important legal documents require scrupulous care, and at times the utmost promptitude ; no erasures or blemishes can be permitted, and often a long and complicated will has to be typed at very short notice. The typing and setting-out of the voluminous correspondence and the endless stream of statements of account call for minute care and prompt handling. Particular attention is therefore paid to the shorthand-typing work. With a view to improving the standard at the smaller branches and ensuring uniformity, some of the shorthand-typists from these centres have, during the year, been brought to Head Office and given special training and tuition. The arrangement has been found to be of distinct advantage, and will be repeated as occasion requires. Experience has shown that a period of about three months' training is necessary to enable the operators selected to take advantage of the facilities which the scheme affords. LIBRARY. 41. It is very necessary for the proper performance of the work that officers have available for reference a well-equipped library. The administration of estates includes a wide field of human activities, and in its extensive ramifications involves the handling of matters covering finance, commerce, accountancy, law, and investment work. Moreover, with its rapidly expanding business it is very necessary for the Office to keep abreast of developments in matters of organization, routine, business methods and practice, especially those pertaining to its particular field— that of trustee work.