24 YEARS’ LABOURS

Dominion, Volume 25, Issue 170, 14 April 1932, Page 6

24 YEARS’ LABOURS

Acclimatisation Secretary MR. DASENT HONOURED Many Presentations Made Members of the council of the Wellington Acclimatisation Society, representatives of the Internal Affairs and Fisheries Departments, and all members of the staff attended at the society’s rooms on Wellington Terrace yesterday afternoon to bid farewell to Mr. C. I. Dasent, who has retired after being secretary for nearly twenty-four years. The chair was occupied by the president of the society, Mr. Leonard Tripp, who after reading many apologies stated that he had received appreciative messages from the Otago, Hawke’s Bay, Woimarino, Grey, Wanganui, and Auckland Acclimatisation Societies referring to the great assistance Mr. Dasent had always given ’to their societies and acclimatisation generally, s Mr. Tripp said he was very glad to see so many present, and in particular welcomed Mr. L. G. Reid, a foundation member, and Mr. J. Bennett, of the Internal Affairs Department. It was a tribute to one who had given splendid service to the Wellington society and to acclimatisation societies generally. Right-hand Man.

“In parting with Mr. Dasent,” said Mr. Tripp, “I suppose I feel it more than any of you, as for twenty-four years he has been my right-hand man, and has guided me in the many problems which have cropped up from time to time during our tong association, Now he had to give way to others, as I myself will have to do shortly. I don’t suppose there is anyone with a better knowledge of the Animals Protection Act and the Fisheries Act -a New Zealand than has Mr. Dasent. I have always found him ready to answer any question withoufmy having to look up the Acts. As secretary of the associated societies he was brought in contact with all the sportsmen in New Zealand, and received letters frequently from the different secretaries, all of whom looked to him for advice and guidance in respect to the various Acts in which they were concerned. Though not a pioneer himself he had the advantage of having worked with the old pioneers of acclimatisation, to whom we owe a great deal. He became imbued with the ideals of such men as Mr. Rutherford and Mr. Beetham, who did much good work in the early days.” Mr. Tripp then presented Mr. Dasent with an easy chair from the society, saying he hoped he would live long to enjoy its comfort, and suggested that he might turn his attention to writing something of the history of the society and his memoirs of New Zealand. To that end he presented Mr. Dasent with a fountain pen. From the associated societies he handed Mr. Dasent a purse “with contents," expressing all good wishes for his future happiness and prosperity. Mr. L. G. Reid, who had been the first treasurer, and had carried out those duties for twenty-five years, said he had always received the utmost courtesy and consideration from Mr. Dasent. All information was given freely, and, moreover, it was always of value. Mr. J. Bennett, of the Internal Affairs Department, said Mr. Dasent had always been helpful and tactful when matters were referred to him. He wished him all health and happiness for the future. Mr. J. G. Miller, manager and curator of the hatchery, speaking on behalf of the staff, said that Mr. Dasent had always kept the staff together. There had never been any disagreements or backbiting, and if they did chance to go wrong, Mr. Dasent always put them “in their place.” On behalf of the staff he presented Mr. Dasent with a smoker’s stand. Messrs. F. Dyer and George H. Nathan, members of the council, also expressed their warm regard and appreciation of the service of Mr. Dasent. “Bather Overwhelming.” “I have not blushed for forty years,” said Mr. Dasent in reply. “Yet for tlie last twenty minutes I have been doing nothing else, from the crown of my head to the soles of my feet. I generally receive a good deal of abuse, which I can always deal with, but this is rather overwhelming. I did not think I would hear all this in my lifetime. They usually wait until a man dies before they say anything good of him. All I have tried to do during my term with the society was to do my work as well as possible and give all the information in ray power.” Mr. Dasent 1 hanked the speakers for what they had said and for the presents which had been showered upon him. He specially thanked the chairman for his remarks and the associated societies for their gift. He paid a compliment to the work of the curator. Mr. Miller, and of the rangers, Messrs. Wilson and Andrews —there were not two better men in New Zealand, be said. Mr. Dasent also paid a tribute to the pioneers of acclimatisation in this district, mentioning the names of Messrs. Macgregor, Rutherford, A. F. Lowe, Sir Walter Buchanan,, and the late Mr. W. H. Beetham. “I want, to say that Mr. Rutherford held the most correct views about fish and fish culture,” said Mr. Dasent. “There are things written about now and proclaimed as new which Mr. Rutherford wrote about t}venty-tive years ago. It was -he, with Mr. Beetham, who brought the first lot of ova up from Otago and liberated it in the Waipoua. At the conclusion of the gathering cheers were given for Mr. Dasent, with vocal accompaniment.