8.—9.

22. Number of Staff. —The following statement gives the number of staff, including the Public Trustee and the Assistant Public Trustees, engaged in the work of the Department as at 31st March, 1940 and 1941, at the Head Office and at the district offices : — Head Office. On 31st March, 1940 — On 31st March, 1941 — Permanent . . 92 Permanent . . 80 Temporary . . 23 Temporary . . 29 — 115 — 109 Unattached . . 8 117 District Offices. Permanent . . 640 Permanent .. 606 Temporary . . 219 Temporary . . 265 859 871 Unattached .. 57 Unattached .. 122 — 993 Total .. 1,031 Total .. 1,110 Increase in staff during the year, 79. Of the officers shown as " unattached," 18 have been temporarily released for service in Departments associated with the war effort, 107 are absent on active service with the armed forces, whilst the remaining 5 have been granted special or sick leave for extended periods. 23. Officers deceased.—lt is with regret that the death of the undermentioned officers is recorded : — Player, G. G., Senior Estates Clerk, Wellington. Hill, R. J., District Manager, Westport. 24. Officers released for Service in the Military Forces.—As at the 31st March, 1941, 107 officers had been released for service overseas with the armed forces. It is recorded with deep regret that two officers—Mr. I. Dromgoole, formerly stationed at the Christchurch branch, and Mr. J. M. Gilmer, of the Wellington branch— have been killed in action. Eighty-two officers were granted leave to enable them to attend Territorial training. 25. Qualifications of Officers. —Practically without exception junior officers are engaged in the study of law, accountancy, or commerce. An analysis of the professional qualifications of officers of the Department is as under : — Admitted as barristers and solicitors .. .. 37 Holders of degrees— Ph.D. .. .. 1 LL.M. . . . . . . . . 26 LL.B. .. . . . . .. . . 35 M.A. . . 4 B.A. 3 B.Com. . . . . . . .. . . 20 — 89 Passed Law Professional Examination . . .. 51 Passed Accountants' Professional Examination .. 164 26. Employment of Female Office Assistants.-—ln view of the constant drain on the trained staff of the Office by the release of officers for military service it has been necessary to appoint female office assistants to undertake ledger-posting, cashier, and other suitable duties, and further appointments of this nature will be made as suitable applicants become available.

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