103 / 300
but every effort is being made to reduce them. The
reorganisation of the legal/clerical structure of the Land
Registry which was carried out in 1970 has increased
be output bv 23 per cent over the corresponding period
, 0 r
last year.'
However, I am still extremely concerned about the
ari
'ears in the Land Registry and in particular about
arr
ears in the Mapping Branch. The Mapping Branch
l as
also been reorganised recently on the same lines as
be legal /clerical side with a view to providing a more
et
hcient service. In addition, I have recently obtained
Auction for an extra 12 posts in the Mapping Branch
a
bd I have arrangements for the attendance by some of
be staff of the branch at special training courses. A
?°phisticated type of copying machine will be installed
j
n
the branch shortly which, as far as I am aware, will
e
the only one of its kind in use in this country. I
ex
pect that as a result the issue of copy-maps to the
Public will be speeded up. I am also arranging to have
le
accommodation at present used by the branch re-
esi
gned to provide better working conditions. I have
Pranged that I will be kept regularly informed about
b
e
arrears position in the registry as a whole and, in
Particular, in the Mapping Branch and I shall take
°ther remedial measures if there is no appreciable
re
duction in the arrears in the near future. In
a
Parliamentary Question last July I indicated that I
Bpe to introduce at an early date a system of payment
' Land Registry fees by cash. This system will
^bviously facilitate most solicitors. The existing system
- payment by Revenue stamps will continue to operate
°
r
those who find it more convenient. The necessary
j*aff f
o r t
j
i e
implementation of the new system have
j^n assigned and an order has been placed for the
bice machinery. It is necessary to have these machines
specially constructed and because of this there is some
e
'ay in the delivery date. It will be possible to have
le
new system operating soon.
The Registry of Deeds and the Charity Commissioners
There has al o been a general increase in the volume
of work arising in the Registry of Deeds. The number
of deeds registered has gone up from just over 46,000
in 1972 to almost 51,300 and this upward trend is likely
to continue.
As a result of representations which were made to
me that the service provided for searchers in the Registry
of Deeds was inadequate I had an examination carried
out and the staffing cadre has been increased.
The Commissioners of Charitable Donations and Be-
quests are a statutory body originally incorporated in
1844. Their main functions, which are now derived
from the Charities Act, 1961, are of an administrative
character. They have power to advise charity trustees,
to institute legal proceedings and to certify cases to the
Attorney General with a view to his instituting such
proceedings, power to frame
cy prés
schemes, to accept
gifts for charitable purposes, and to dispense with the
publication of advertisements of charitable devises and
bequests.
The commissioners have a long and distinguished
record of public service. The last report which the com-
missioners made to ine is in respect of the year 1972.
Cash totalling £140,630 and stocks to the nominal
value of £7,600 were transferred to the commissioners
during that year and at the end of the year the nominal
value of investments standing in their name was some
£2,806,000.
In conclusion, I would like to take this opportunity
to pay tribute to all bodies and commissions which are
associated with my Department. It is heartening to note
that so many people are prepared to devote their
valuable time and expertise as well as their leisure hours
to work of national importance.
The Incorporated Law Society of Ireland
Summer Meeting
^ 4 he Summer Meeting of the Incorporated Law
'Society of Ireland will be held in Ennis, Co. Clare,
10th to 12th May 1974. The headquarters will be
t h e
Old Ground Hotel.
Friday,
M a y 10th
p.m. Arrival.
B.00 p
>m
Medieval Banquet, Knappogue Castle.
'•30 p.m. to 2 a.m. Midnight Caba r e t: Old Ground
Hotel.
Saturday, May 11th
9.15 .a.m. Ordinary General Meeting.
. ' 45 a.m. Morning Coffee.
•30 a.m. "The Solicitors Public Image". Speaker:
Mr. Gerald Sanctuary, Secretary, Professional
and Public Relations, The Law Society, Lon-
don.
Medieval Tour to Folk Park, Bunratty and
,
Quin Abbey.
•45 a.m. "Legal Aid". Speaker : Mr. Declan Costello,
S.C., T.D., Attorney General.
1.00 p.m. Official Launching of the Irish Edition,
New Law Journal.
1.30 p.m. Lunch.
Afternoon Golf Competition; Fishing Competition;
Tour of the Burren.
7.15 p.m. Reception by Shannonside and the Clare
Bar Association.
8.00 p.m. Dinner (Black Tie). Cabaret and Dance.
Sunday, May 12th
8.30 a.m. onwards : Church Services.
10.30 a.m. Morning Coffee.
11.00 a.m. "T he Financial Management of the Legal
Practice". Speaker:
Margaret
Downes,
Coopers & Lybrand, Dublin.
12.00 noon "Legal Education". Speaker: Mr. Martin
L. Edwards, DL, President of the Law
Society, London. Member of the Ormerod
Committee on Legal Education.
1.30 p.m. Lunch and Departure.
100