PUBLIC TRUST OFFICE

Grey River Argus, 9 October 1934, Page 7

PUBLIC TRUST OFFICE

ALTERATIONS COMPLETED. The completion of the additions to the Greymouth Public Trust Office are now completed, except for minor finishing details, and the office is now probably the most modern building of its kind in Greymouth. Not only has the floor space been doubled, but it is equipped in the most modern style, affording improved accommodation both for the staff and the clients of the office. The additions now completed provide for improved facilities for the interviewing and at the same time an additional . strongroom has been built as further provision for the safe custody of securities, valuables and the records relating to estates and funds under administration, and a central heating system has been installed.

I The alterations were designed by the District Engineer of the Public Works Department at Greymouth, and the contractor for rhe work: was Mr. E. 11. Shirley, of Greymouth.

The public counter has been much enlarged, and is adjacent to the new interviewing ropm, which will afford a much-desired privacy to members of the public who may wish to discuss business of a private nature with any members of the staff. The main office is 57 feet in length, and varies between 30 and 20 feet in width. The staff are thus enabled to be accommodated efficiently, in contrast to the awkward congestion that existed previously. At the rear of the main office are situated commodious dressing rooms for the staff, the floors being of imitation granite, and all fittings of porcelain. Also in the rear portion is a stationery room, and the boiler room for the new central heating system. The new building takes up almost the whole of the available section, which will be realised when it is noticed that the new structure is twice as long as the old building. Throughout special attention has been paid to the lighting, and there is a maximum of window space.

Tt is interesting to note that more than half a century has elapsed since an agency of the Public Trust Office was first opened in Greymouth in charge of Mr. R. Nancarrow as agent. To meet the convenience of the public the agency was converted in 1895 to a district office in charge of a permanent officer of the Department, and since that, time the work has been carried on continuously by members of the Public Trust Office staff.

Tn pursuance of the office policy of decentralisation, the status of the branch was on the Ist June, 1921, raised to that of a District Public Trustee Office, since which time the whole of the administration and accounting work in connection with estates in the Greymouth district has been conducted at the local office subject to the general supervision and direction of the Public Trustee. The steady growth of the Public Trust Office business throughout the West Coast district, coupled with the raising of the status of the branch in 1921, and the delegation by the Public Trustee from time to time of fur ther increased powers to the District Public Trustee at Greymouth, have rendered necessary the provision of the additional accommodation which has now been completed. The needs of the district office in the future have also been considered and provided for.

Business of a considerable value is transacted from year to year at the Public Trust Office, Greymouth, and as at the 31st March last, estates and funds of a total value exceeding half a million pounds were under administration at the branch.