The following interesting particulars of the loan transactions of the Public Trust Office and new business reported during the month ended 31st August, 1928, are now available:—

The amount paid out in settlement of new loans was #204,724.

Further new loans were granted to the amount of #37,345, and the total new loans now waiting completion is #377,781, while offers of loans less than the full amounts applied for amount to #172,551—a total of #550,332.

Applications for additional new loans amounting to #267,475 are now under consideration.

The new business for the month was again very satisfactory, estates of a value of #594,140 having been accepted for administration. On 31st March, 1928, the total value of the estates under administration was #44,155,548, and the new business for the five months ended 31st August last (#2,974,503) exceeded that of the same period for the previous year by #371,488.

Five hundred and fifty-nine new wills appointing the Public Trustee executor were deposited for safe custody with the Public Trustee by living testators, and the total number now held is 60,062, representing an estimated present value of #238,000,000.

Famous Last Words.

“I wonder if it's loaded. I'll just look down the barrel and see.”

“Oh, listen! That's the train whistle. Step on the accelerator, and we'll try to get across before it comes.”

“They say these things can't possibly explode, no matter how much you throw them around.”

“I think this rope will hold my weight.”

“It's no fun swimming around in here. Let's go out beyond the life lines.”

“These traffic cops can't stop me.”

“What's wrong with you? You can't see the scenery unless you lean out.”

“It smells like gas, but I think it's all right. Lend me a match.”

“I took some medicine in the dark, and I must have got hold of the wrong kind.”

“I'm going up on the roof to cool off.”

“I'm not afraid to walk on the track.”