PUBLIC TRUST OFFICE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3864, 3 April 1928, Page 69

PUBLIC TRUST OFFICE.

BUSINESS FOR FEBRUARY. Particulars of the loan transactions of the Public Trust Office and new business reported during the month ended February 29, 1928, are supplied by the Prime Minister (Mr J. G. Coates). New loans totalling £142,795 were completed, making a total of £2,296,267 for the 11 months of the financial year commencing on April 1 last. Further new loans granted amounted to £97,389, making the total of new loans awaiting settlement £650,857. In addition, offers of amounts legs than the full advances applied for have been made to the extent of £232,376, making the grand total of loans not yet completed £883,233.. New loan applications received and at present under consideration amount to £328,840. . ; The amount of new business for the month was again very gratifying. New estates and funds to the value of £513,560 were accepted for administration during the month, making the total of new business for the 11 months from April x last £5,923,095. an increase of £908,286 over the corresponding period of the previous financial year. The total value of estates and funds under administration on April 1, 1927, was £41,043,523. Four hundred and forty-nine new 9 ills appointing the Public Trustee' executor were deposited by testators during the month, for safe custody, the total now held being 57,519.. •

Goats arc becoming as great a nuisance in Taranaki’s back country as in the mountain reserve, according to a well-known sportsman (says the- News). At Tarata the other day he went out for a day’s shooting and secured over 30 goats. In tho Tongaporutu back district the goats are increasing, as they Were in the steep country right back to- tho Tangarakau. Wherever they were to be found they were clearing the country of vegetation and the young trees of their bark.

A farmer from Marton was one of the early callers at the Wanganui Council office the other morning in an endeavour to trace the owner of a motor car (reports the Herald). The said car, a big highpowered machine, with a woman driver, went right through his mob of sheep at Fern Flats, killing five outright and wounding scores of others. He intends now to make the pace just as warm for the lady as she made the pace warm • through .the sheep.