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policy enunciated above, it has been found possible to effect still further concessions during the past year, as follows :• — Workers' Compensation Act: It is well known that moneys payable' by way of compensation in respect of the death of a worker are, unless the Arbitration Court directs otherwise, paid to the Public Trustee in terms of the Workers' Compensation Act, 1922. In regard to the administration of such funds held in terms of orders of the Arbitration Court, the commission charged by the Public Trustee has been reduced from 2j per cent, to 1 per cent. It is to be noted that this is not an annual charge, but a fee levied once only —namely, at the commencement of the administration. This substantial concession will be of material benefit to the widows and dependants of deceased workers on whose behalf the funds are administered. Very important and useful are the services rendered by the Public Trustee in connection with the administration of these funds. These services are set out in another portion of this report, and when it is seen what a large amount of work is performed for this fee of 1 per cent, it will be realized what a moderate charge it is. Administration of Estates —Minimum Fee: The minimum fee for administration of estates has been reduced from three to two guineas. This minimum fee applies to a large number of small estates, which will obtain the benefit of the reduction. Mortgage Work —Legal Charges: With a view to assisting those persons who are not in prosperous circumstances, a new scale of charges for the preparation of mortgage documents by the Public Trustee has been brought into effect. Previously a reduction of 331 per cent, on the Law Society's scale was made. The reduction now being made will be seen from the following : — A . xt Reduction per Cent, from Amount 01 Loan. x a ■ a i Law Society s Scale. Up to £100 .. .. .. .. .. ..50 Over £100 and up to £500 . . . . . . . . 45 Over £500 and up to £1,000 . . . . . . . , 40 Over £1,000 and up to £2,000 . . . . . . . . 35 Exceeding £2,000 .. .. .. .. . . 33g This reduced scale applies both to loans from the Common Fund and to loans from individual estate funds under the Public Trustee's administration, and is of material benefit to borrowers generally. The increased reduction in regard to loans not exceeding £2,000 is most valuable to town-dwellers desirous of erecting homes, and to small farmers requiring finance. Thus it will be seen that the maximum benefit of the reduction will be enjoyed by those classes of the community who are least able to afford heavy fees. 18. By the regulations governing the Public Trust Office the rates of commission and charges applicable to the various classes of estates are set out in detail, so that testators and other clients are able at any time to calculate for themselves the charges which will be made for the administration of their affairs by the Office. I wish to stress that the fees prescribed in the regulations are the maximum amounts which may be charged. It is recognized that under a fixed scale of charges it is wellnigh impossible to provide for all cases and circumstances, and that without some safeguard rigid operation of such a scale would at times work an injustice. It is to be noted, however, that under the Office- regulations the Public Trustee has power to review charges made for the administration of estates, and in appropriate cases to grant reductions. In practice the charges made in every estate or trust are so reviewed, and the fee which is fixed is one considered commensurate with the services rendered. By this means elasticity is given to the operation of the prescribed scale, and provision made for regulating the amount charged by the work involved. The reductions made in this way must also be taken into account when considering the concessions made to the Office clients. Moreover, it must not be overlooked that the Public Trustee's commission charge covers not only the duties of administration, but also legal and other professional services, and that there are no additional fees for numerous matters incidental to the administration, such as the obtaining of probate or letters of administration, filing stamp accounts, preparing annual tax returns, preparing statements of account, obtaining orders of apportionment in workers' compensation cases, &c.

2—B. 9.