RESIGNATION TO BE DEFERRED

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22339, 1 March 1938, Page 6

RESIGNATION TO BE DEFERRED

PLANTATION BOARD’S SUPERINTENDENT MR R. G. ROBINSON ASKS TO RETIRE One of the leading forest experts in New Zealand, Mr R. G. Robinson, of Darfleld, informed the Sehvyn Plantation Board yesterday of bis desire to resign from the office of superintendent of the board’s plantations, for reasons of health. Board members expressed the keenest regret at Mr Robinson’s proposal, and asked him to reconsider it for at least three months. It was hoped that his services could be retained in an advisory capacity, and another officer appointed to take over the heavier duties. Announcing his decision, Kr Robinson said he had had 27 years’ association with the board, the first seven years as Government forestry adviser, and about 20 years as superintendent of the board’s reserves. He had been entirely happy in his work with the board, and was sorry to have to present his resignation. He wished to make a gift to the board of all his forestry books, and of the 700 timber specimens in his possession. He had prepared plans for the working of the plantations for the next 20 years, and was confident that under careful management a successful future awaited the board. The chairman. Mr F. C. Kensington, said that this announcement would be received by the board with great reluctance. The whole question would have to be gone into, “A Thunderbolt” Mr E. Nairn, chairman of the board’s finance committee, said that Mr Robinson’s desire to resign came as a thunderbolt to the board. The matter must be seriously considered, to see if his services could not be retained for a period. To have Mr Robinson withdraw would be a catastrophe. He had made the success of the board. It was his work, not members’, by which the board had achieved such success. His services should be retained as adviser. Meanwhile, he should be asked to withdraw his resignation for three months. Mr Godfrey Hall (Hororata) moved that Mr Robinson be asked to reconsider his resignation for at least three months, and that the finance committee be asked to review the position. Mr C. H. Adams seconded the motion. He suggested that Mr Robinson should be retained as adviser, and that a working foreman be appointed. There was a great amount of work to be done in the board’s 15,000 acres. Mr W. P, Spencer, in support of the motion, said it would be a calamity to lose Mr Robinson. Mr C. W. Woolf said he wished to add his tribute to .the work Mr Robinson had done for the board. The motion was carried.

Mr Robinson thanked the board for its comments, which he ’ greatly appreciated. He felt he was not able to give the active attention he considered necessary to the board’s plantations. He was happy to accept the suggestion contained in the resolution.