PUBLIC TRUST OFFICE.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 2005, 22 December 1921, Page 5

PUBLIC TRUST OFFICE.

NEW BUILDING TN PALMERSTON NORTH. A PROGRESSIVE DEPARTMENT. When the New Zealand Government opened the first Public Trust Office in 1872, there were probably few of the politicians of that time who anticipated the tremendous growth which this branch of the Public Ser* vice was to attain, with the widened powers and expansion of functions which came in the course of its natural development. However, this important Government office has never suffered a set-back, and its business has grown to an extent hardly credible. The most pleasing feature of its progress is that since its inception the office has been entirely self-supporting, and has cost the taxpayers of the country nothing. Still more pleasing is the fact that out of is revenue it has contribued large sums by way of income tax to the public coffers, and incidentally has been able to add to the prosperity of the country by lending huge amounts to promote public enterprise. Some idea of the enormous growth of Public Trust Office business can be gained when it is stated that at the end of its first year's operations in 1873, the office was handling only 273 estates valued at £17,500. Figures taken out at the end of the last financial year, disclose that 10,175 estates valued at £22,304,319 were being handled. The sinking fund investments of Government and local bodies with the office amounted to £6,112,775. Common fund investments with the Department, including Government and local body debentures and mortgages on freehold properties, totalled £13,000,104.

THE PALMERSTON NORTH BRANCH.

With the huge development of the Department’s activities throughout the country, it was natural that a large amount of Public Trust business should be carried on in the progressive town of Palmerston North and the flourishing district round it. For 'many years the heads of the Department deemed it sufficient to employ agents of the office here, and in that period Messrs Rutherfurd and Connell ably acted in that capacity. It ms eventually found, however, that the agent system, involving as it did, continual reference to the Head Office in Wellington, and consequent delay was not productive of the amount of business which the Department expected from this district. In spite of that, the business continued to increase, and it was found necessary to establish a permanent branch of the Department in Palmerston North. This was accordingly done, and Mr A. D. MacFarlane, with a staff of four, was appointed district manager. From then on the Department’s activities in this district progressed by leaps and bounds. Later the post of Deputy Public Trustee was created, and Into this position stepped Mr J. E. Allen. This gentleman carried the service on efficiently till January, 1921, when he was succeeded by Mr P. R. Winchcomb. During this period the requirements of the extra amount of work had necessitated considerable increases „to the staff. Then came the further extension of the decentralisation policy which had been found necessary to speed up the administration of estates, and to enable the beneficiaries and other interested parties under the estates bandied by the Department to get into closer touch with the process of administration. Under this scheme, the branch at Palmerston North took over the control of the Public Trust business in Dannevirko, Peildlng Marton and Talhape. It Is interesting, while on this point, to note that the Department had become fully cognisant of the Importance of Palmerston North as a controlling centre, and their wisdom in establishing a central office here will not bo questioned. With representatives in the different districts alluded to, the staff had now risen to 22, twelve being employed In the local office. Recently Mr Winch! comb was promoted to the inspection staff, and his place has been filled by Mr A. S. Faire. Mr Faire is an old Palmerston North boy, who although a young man, has distinguished himself in ths service, and has all the progressive qualities necessary to make good. The achievements of those who have gone before him have laid a sturdy foundation for the business here. THE NEW BUILDING.

When the Public Trust Office first opened In Palmerston North, the staff were housed in offices in the Bank of New Zealand chambers. Though adequate for the requirements of the staff at that time, these premises have since become too small to accommodate them. Foreseeing this contingency, the Department some time ago acquired a section In Main Street next to the Supreme Court where stood a Chinese laundry which had for many years been an eye-sore to people passing on the trains and to the citizens of the town. Here has been erected a modern building of brick construction after the Doric order, which Is another asset to Palmerston North in the way of business premises, Its solidly ornamental facade fronts Main Street and presents a handsome appearance. Passing through the door, one enters a spacious vestibule opening on to the main publls office. On either side of the vestibule are large rooms, one for the use of the Deputy Public Trustee and tlie other for interviewing purposes. The public office is of roomy dimensions, 40ft by 85ft, and 16 ft high, and is built on the American officesupervision principle. This allows the whole staff tp be over-looked from the Deputy Public Trustee’s room, which is glassed In on the office side. The whole of the Interior of the office is beautifully finished with stained rlmu and Oregon pine panelling round the lower part of the walls, the remainder being completed in plaster with a decorative celling. Adjoining the office at the far end is a large strong room fitted with a Chubb door. A section of this room will be set aside to contain a Chubb safe-deposit vault, apartments in which will be available for public use. Two rest rooms with accessories, both for women and men employees, also adjoin the main office. The whole office is lit by large steel-framed windows arranged on a scientific principle for the best lighting effects. Illumination at night will be provided by a “Delco" electriclighting plant. An outhouse from the main building will contain a garage, bicycle room, store room and engine room. The whole building has a frontage ,of 40ft and a depth of 100 ft. Provision Is made in the plan for the addition of another two storeys it they are required at a later date. The