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administer the fund, with the Right Hon. the Prime Minister as chairman and the Public Trustee as executive officer thereof. The central committee set up local relief committees in Wairoa, Napier, Hastings, Hawke's Bay County, and central Hawke's Bay for the purpose of dealing expeditiously on the spot with local relief and the disbursement of funds, and of advising the central committee on all matters arising out of the administration of the relief funds. In centres outside the earthquake area the existing relief organizations set up by the citizens continued to function and to attend to the needs of the refugees who reached those districts. To each of the local committees set up in the earthquake area there was attached a representative of the Public Trustee as executive officer of the central committee. In addition, immediately after the earthquake, responsible and experienced officers from the Public Trust Office were sent to the Hawke's Bay District for the purpose of keeping a check on all expenditure and assisting the local committees in the performance of their relief work. A special staff is still stationed in Hawke's Bay. Further special staff was also set up in Wellington by the Public Trustee to deal with matters requiring attention. All committees and bodies carrying out the relief work have rendered very valuable service, and it can safely be said that the personal requirements of all genuine sufferers in need as a result of the earthquake have been met. 57. The relief funds are being applied towards the relief of distress, the provision of food and clothing, the replacement of household and personal losses, and the restoration of homes. As a result of the efforts of the local committees the repatriation of residents of the stricken area who took refuge in other districts was practically complete before the end of April last. For the purpose of enabling repairs to houses to be proceeded with as quickly as possible, assistance is being afforded from the relief fund to the extent of £100 in regard to any one house. Financial assistance is also being extended to a similar amount to those persons who have paid for their own repairs, and to owners, being tradesmen, who have carried out their own work. 58. In addition to the requirements for personal relief and the costs of the restoration of homes, it will also be necessary to consider the question of setting aside a sum sufficient to make provision in cases of necessity for those permanently injured and for the dependants of those killed or injured as a result of the disaster. In the meantime any relief required by such persons is being afforded. 59. The administration of the relief fund is being carried out free of cost, and the whole of the moneys subscribed are being made available for relief purposes. The Public Trustee, as executive officer of the central committee, has a large staff engaged solely on the relief work. In addition, the organization of the Office and of its Branches has been at the disposal of the relief committees in the earthquake area in the investigation of claims, in dealing with applications for relief, and in making the large number of payments which have been necessary. The Public Trustee is making no charge for the administration of the funds, all these services being rendered without remuneration. In addition, interest at the rate of 5j per cent, per annum is being allowed by the Office on the daily balance at credit of the fund. 60. The administrative task undertaken by the local committees and carried out in co-operation with the central committee and the Public Trustee has been one of considerable magnitude. It has involved attention to the needs of a population of over fifty thousand, the investigation and settlement of the claims and liabilities incurred during the period of emergency immediately after the earthquake when it was necessary to feed and clothe a great portion of this population, dealing with applications in respect of the loss of household and personal effects, and the restoration of thousands of homes. When it is remembered that the needs of all those requiring personal assistance as a result of the earthquake have been met, and that within a space of three months the repatriation of the whole of the residents was practically completed, it will be seen that a great deal of useful work has been accomplished under difficult and unusual circumstances. The carrying-out of the relief work and the principles which are being followed in regard thereto have given entire satisfaction to the members of the local committees, who are representative members of their communities. It is pleasing to be able to state that there has been almost an entire absence of complaint in connection with the administration of the fund.

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