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or letters of administration granted in such a Court are recognized, and, as it were, validated, in New Zealand, by the operation of sealing such grant with the seal of the Dominion Supreme Court. By this simple process representation is obtained in this country, and the attorney appointed is enabled to attend to the administration of the assets situated here. During the year under review the Public Trustee has acted on a number of occasions on behalf of executors and administrators in other parts of the Empire. 44. Administration of. Assets abroad. —As administrator or executor of New Zealand estates during the year the Public Trustee had to deal with assets situated overseas. In these cases it has been necessary to appoint an attorney in the country concerned. Sixty-two such cases arose last year, and in regard to them exemplifications of the New Zealand grants of probate or administration were extracted, sealed with the seal of the New Zealand Supreme Court, and forwarded to the attorney appointed to enable him to take the necessary action. Workers' Compensation Act, 1922. 45. The stress and strain of modern industry, the speed required, the complexity of the operations conducted, and the ever-increasing use of machinery, have brought about conditions which were unknown half a century ago. These factors combine to carry with them risks for the personnel of industry in the pursuit of their work which, unfortunately, take a toll of life and limb. A measure which is of inestimable value both to workers and to their dependants is the Workers' Compensation Act, by which it is provided that if any person coming within the definition of a " worker " sustains personal injury by accident arising out of and in the course of his employment, compensation shall be payable to him, or, in the event of his death, to those who were dependent upon his earnings. All cases arising out of the death of a worker or injuries to a minor come before the Public Trustee, who acts as custodian of the compensation moneys pending the final distribution of the moneys in accordance with the directions of the Court. He may also be interested in proceedings as the legal representative of the worker injured, or as employer or representative of an employer. 46. Where he is custodian of compensation moneys it is the Public Trustee's duty in all cases to look into the circumstances of the dependants, and to place before the Court a report conveying the result of his investigations and embodying his recommendations as to the method of apportionment of the amount of compensation. During the year under review the Public Trustee made forty-six applications to the Arbitration Court for apportionment orders, and reports were filed in a number of cases in which applications were made by private solicitors acting for the dependants. 47. The need for a safe and reliable custodian is nowhere more pronounced than in regard to workers' compensation moneys. In the majority of these cases the dependants are the widow and infant children of the deceased worker, possessing no means beyond the compensation money. It is the endeavour of the Office to make its services available to these people at a minimum cost. The services rendered in the ordinary course comprise the conduct of the claim for compensation, involving at times protracted negotiations and legal argument; application to the Court for an order of apportionment; payment of maintenance allowances, frequently over long periods ; and sometimes the purchase of a home on behalf of the widow and children. These services are all covered by the small charge of 1 per cent, upon the moneys collected. Furthermore, the moneys received are invested in the Common Fund, and interest is allowed thereon by the Public Trustee at the ruling rate, commencing from the time when the moneys are received, and continuing uninterruptedly whilst any portion is held by the Public Trustee. The present rate of interest allowed is 5| per annum. Claims for Damages. 48. The Public Trustee's interest in claims for damages under the Deaths by Accidents Compensation Act, 1908, usually arises in his capacity — (a) As legal representative of a person whose death has been caused by the wrongful act, neglect, or default of some other person ; or

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