8.—9

3

brought into force in the country to which it is proposed to extend the operation of the sections. The Governor-General, having been satisfied that the foregoing requirements were met by the laws of South Australia., declared by Proclamation given under his hand and issued under the Seal of the Dominion on the 2nd October, 1922, and published in the New Zealand, Gazette of the 12th October, 1922, that sections I I and 12 of the Mental Defectives Amendment Act, 1921 22, should apply to the State of South Australia. A similar Proclamation by the Governor of South Australia, extending the provisions of the corresponding statutory enactment of South Australia, (namely, sections 5 and 0 of the Mental Defectives Act Amendment Act, 1914) to New Zealand appeared in the, South Australian Gazette of the 26th October, 1922. 8. In last year's report reference was made, to the interest, displayed in other parts of the Empire and in foreign countries regarding the principle of State trusteeship, and it was then mentioned that inquiries had been received from the United States of America, and from Canada. During the year just closed further inquiries have reached the Public Trustee from Rhodesia, Ceylon, and the Province of Alberta, Canada. In each case the inquirers have been supplied with full information regarding the, constitution and working of the Public Trust Office of New Zealand. It is gratifying to find that the principle which has been in operation in New Zealand for so long a, period is commending itself more and more to the authorities in other parts of the British Empire. 9. I desire to direct attention to the comments appearing in the Public Trustee's report with reference to the, system of investments observed by the Public Trust Office. The, Public Trustee's remarks should, serve to remove much misconception which at present exists as to the working of the " Common .Fund " of the Office. 10. The system of conferences between officers of the District Offices and those attached to the Head Office stall is an excellent one, and was inaugurated with my cordial approval. The conferences will have a most beneficial effect in increasing the efficiency of the Office. 11. Apart from, the foregoing matters attention may be directed to the following features appearing in the Public Trustee's report: — (1.) The increase in balances at credit of estates and funds from £15,329,125 to £17,466,787. (2.) The increase of £3,407,019 in the total value of estates and fundi; administered by the Office, making the total value as at the 31st March, 1923, £28,904,798. (3.) The investment of further sums, totalling £2,441,404, from the Common Fund during the year. Out of this amount £1,275,659 was advanced to private mortgagors, and '£955,877 to local bodies for works of public utility. (4.) The, increase of the Office reserves to a total of £491,775. (5.) The receipt of deposits to the value, of £1,012,500 from insurance companies in terms of the Insurance Companies' Deposits Act, 1921-22. (6.) The closing of tin; administration of 461 estates in the year in which they were accepted, thus giving convincing evidence of prompt administration. In each of these cases the realization, of the assets was undertaken at the request of the beneficiaries or because the market conditions were favourable. On the other hand, where it, is advantageous to retain the properties, the Public, Trustee has special financial Facilities which enable him to avoid forced sales. (7.) The reduction of twenty-one in the. number of stall' employed, in addition to the reduction of 121 effected during the preceding year. (S.) The development of the system of training junior officers to provide adequate staff for future requirements. (9.) The establishment of one permanent full-time branch office ; five parttime offices ; and six agencies of the Office, making the total number of offices and agencies 100.