PUBLIC TRUST OFFICE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LV, Issue 14135, 15 February 1910, Page 3

PUBLIC TRUST OFFICE.

PRESENTATION TO MR, POYNTON. IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT. Per Press Association AVELLINGTON, Feb. 14. Mr. J. W. Poynton, formerly Public Trustee, who recently became secretary to the Treasury and Superintendent of ,the State Guaranteed Advances Board, was presented to-day by his old staff with a massive silver salvor. The presentation was made by Sir Joseph Ward, Prime Minister. Sir Joseph said tho Public Trust Office was entirely free from political control, 'and the way in which the department has moved ahead by leaps and bounds was the greatest tribute to the confidence of the public in its administration. -It was alsoik striking example of the progress of tho dominion. In a very short time the business had trebled, anil when one realised that tho estates now under administration numbered 5000, and ran into the large suin of £7,000,000, -it spoke eloquently of the large, and varied natqro of the work. Probably no commercial or trading concern had been so economically managed, and notwithstanding this, he was pleased to bo able to announce that from April I" next, a very largo reduction would, be made in the charges for dealing with business. The commissions to be charged would bo 24 ner cent, on the first £IO.OOO, aim if per cent. On sums beyond that, instead of 5 per cent, on tho first £IOOO, 3 per cent, oh the next £3OOO, 2'per cent, on the next £6OOO, and If per cent, on sums over £IO.OOO. Such, low charges meant fresh business for the office, and it vvohld not'ho - .too much to anticipate that probably a, thousand more wills per annum would come into the department. The fine new office for the department had come none too soon, and at the present rate of growth he could sec that before long tho tenants who filled the rooms .unoccupied by the Public Trust Department would have to go. Ho believed also that .the tiipe would soon come when the staff, which numbered IOV, would have to be increased. It was very pleasant to realise-the potentialities hf the department, and his hearers should look forward to those future changes-which were , hound to bring them promotion before long. SUICIDE OF LIONEL TUKE. HE SHOOTS HIMSELF: Per Press Association. BLENHEIM, Feb. 14. The body of Lionel Tuko, auctioneer for Clouston' and Co., was found this morning in a grain store on the bank of the Opawa River, with a bullet wound iu tho forehead and a revolve? in his hand. He had been dead for some hours. Tuko was last seen on Sunday evening. He was a well-known tennis player, and had resided in Blenheim for two and a half years. , [Lionel Tuko was very well known in New Plymouth, being tho eldest son of the late Major Tuke. ’ It is understood that ho was recently ..advised by a doctor that his lungs were affected, and that this knowledge caused him to become severely depressed in spirits. Much sympathy Is felt'Toi - 'life - brothers and; sisters.] . ,