THE LATE SIR DAVID HUTCHINS

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 302, 15 September 1921, Page 6

THE LATE SIR DAVID HUTCHINS

TRIBUTES TO MEMORY OF A GREAT FORESTER. A very interesting ceremony took place at the Karori cemetery yesterday afternoon, when a young kauri tree was planted oij the grave of the. late Sir David Hutchins, whose of forestry was most extensive. Sir Francis Bell (Acting-Prime Minister and Minister in charge .of the Forestry Department) and Sir James Wilson (president of the Forestry League) presided over the gathering, which included Mr. W. H. Field, M.P., Mr. L. Macintosh Ellis (Director, State Forest Service), Mr. Phillips Turner (Secretary, State, Forest Service), Mr. C. M. Malfroy (special officer), and Mr. A. H. Messenger (of. the State Forest Service), Mr. Will Lqwson (organiser of the Forestry League),' Mr. Jack (secretary), and Mr. Orchiston (of the Forestry League), Mr. Edwin Hall (representing the Board of Agriculture), Mr. J. -AV. Butler (president of the. Sawmillers’ Federation), Mr. A. Seed (actingsecretary of the federation), Mr. Milroy (secretary of the . Kauri Timber Co., I Auckland), Mr. J/K. Campbell (manager of the Southland Sawmillers' Co-opera-tive Association), Mr. J. Bush (secretary, Rangitikei Sawmillers’ Association), Mr. Valder (manager, Ellis and Eurnand Timber Company), and Mr. D. Tennant (president, Hokitika-Grey Sawmillers’ Association). Sir James Wilson, who performed the ceremony, sad that the tree was being planted to commemorate the memory of Sir David Hutchins. Many of the group present knew the full value of Sir David’s work, which would go down to posterity. He made many friends in New Zealand, and his work was of the very highest value to the Dominion. In ’.the past our forests had been ruthlessly destroyed, a fact which was to Be extremely regretted, and Sir David Hutchins had arrived on these shores just in time to help save what still remained. It was to be hoped that the action now being taken by the State Forest Service 'would restore in some measure our splendid forests, especially the kauri forests. Sir .David Hutchins had worked up to the very last. Dying in harness as he did, he could not have had a happier close to a life full of usefulness. Sir James AVilson closed by asking Sir Francis Bell to speak as the originator of the State Forest Service. Sir Francis Bell, who spoke with deep feeling, said that the tree planted that day would remind future generations of Sir David Hutchins and his work. He felt sure that Sir James AVilson and thoso present at this simple ceremony would remember it through the coming years, end that some among them would always take care of the free. ''All of you know,” continued Sir Francis Bell, "how greatly it was duo to Sir David Hutchin’s example and effort that the State Forest Service was inaugurated. It ma.y be that future generations will call him blessed, and not alone by this tree will his name be commemorated, but in the forests that I do hope will still remain, and which will bo the, best menu-, ment to his work in this country. I' feel sure that he himself regarded the work upon which ho was engaged as of the first national importance, and not merely ns a matter of giving advice. Ho did regard this ns the work of his life. Let. us see to it that what he urged shall not be wholly wasted, and that there slfall remain in Now Zealand forests to provide for the needs and use of future generations.” MAORI MANAGER’S COMMENT. Bv Telegraph—Press Aeßociatlon. Wanganu*, September 14. Mr. W. T. Parata, the manager and organiser of the Maori team, which recently played the Springboks at Napier. expresses regret, that the conduct of a certain section of the mixed crowd should have left room for complaint. 1 Mr. Parata and members of his team desire to s stato that they feol very grateful for the privilege and honour extended to the Maoris by Mr. Bennett, manager of the Springboks, in agreeing to play this game. They nlfo wish to say the M no,, ’ s believe in playing a keen, hard game, but are just as interested in maintaining the best traditions of the Rugby code, and anxious not to depart from the niceties and beauties of the game.

THE ARAWA’S PROTEST. Napier, September 14. Kiwi Amohau and Tai Mitchell, representing the Arnwas, have telegraphed the manager of the team, regretting that, the

Maoris, who extruded courtesy and hospitality to the Springboks at Rotorua, did not know their feeling in ths matter of playing a Native team.