VPRS 1705 General Cash Books

The volumes in this series are part of the records relating to the Lunacy Cash Account which dealt with the administration of the estates of lunatics or those judged to be incapable of managing their affairs.The Master in Equity (and Lunacy) was responsible until 1940 (and the transfer of the function to VA 719 Office of the Public Trustee) for the general care protection and management or supervision of the management of the estates of all lunatics, persons of unsound mind and those incapable of managing their own affairs. With very considerable powers over the management of estates, the Master was to charge all expenses incurred against the estate from which they were to be paid and from which they were recoverable. In addition, a percentage of the estate, set out in the Act (S 135-136), was to be paid into the consolidated revenue. Moneys collected were to be paid to the credit of a fund to be called the Lunatic Patients Estate Fund from which they would be placed to the credit of the particular estate of the patient(S 188). All management of estates was to be subject to the provisions of the Audit Act.Records were kept according to the double-entry system with receipts recorded on the lefthand side and disbursements on the righthand page. The main Source or type of Payment was that for Maintenance with other patients being in receipt of Pension, Income, Dividend, Rent, Salary or Sick Pay. Most outgoings went to the Receiver of Revenue as Maintenance, as a Percentage (the charge made for administration) or to the L[unatic] P[atients] Fund. Other items described cheques drawn for payment to the dependants of some patients.