B—9

1949 NEW ZEALAND

PUBLIC TRUST OFFICE (REPORT OF THE) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31st MARCH, 1949

Presented to Both Houses of the General Assembly in accordance with Section 47 of the Public Trust Office Amendment Act, 1913

Pursuant to section 47 of the Public Trust Office Amendment Act, 1913, I have the honour to lay before Parliament the attached report on the working of the Public Trust Office for the year ended 31st March, 1949. The new business accepted for administration during the year reached the satisfactory total of £7,679,136, representing 3,614 estates and funds, an increase in number of 63 over the figure for the previous year. The continued confidence of the public in the efficiency and service rendered by the Department is shown by the number of persons, 7,881, who have made wills in the year under review appointing the Public Trustee executor. This is a record for any peacetime year. Wage increases granted to officers of the Department in common with other members of the Public Service have' resulted in higher operating costs, and this matter is dealt with in the Public Trustee's report. By using simplified methods the staff has been reduced from 935 as at the 31st March, 1948, to 902 at the same date this year without impairing the services rendered to clients of the Department. On the 31st March, 1949, Mr. W. G. Baird, C.M.G., who had occupied the position of Public Trustee since the Ist July, 1942, and Mr. C. J. Playne, Assistant Public Trustee, retired on superannuation. In succession to Mr. Baird, Mr. H. W. S. Pearce, who had earlier in the year been appointed Assistant Public Trustee, vice Mr. F. Menneer, retired on superannuation, was appointed Public Trustee. Messrs. G. E. Turney, formerly Assistant Public Service Commissioner, and Mr. D. R. White, Office Solicitor, were appointed to the vacant positions of Assistant Public Trustee. H. G. R. Mason, Minister in Charge of the Public Trust Office. Wellington, 16th August, 1949.