A GREAT FORESTER

Evening Post, Volume CII, Issue 66, 15 September 1921, Page 4

A GREAT FORESTER

TRIBUTE TO LATE SIR D. HUTCHINS.

To commemorate the forestry work of the late Sir David Hutchins, a young kauri tree was planted on his grave in Karori Cemetery yesterday afternoon. 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 Lawson (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. W. Butler (president of the Sawmillers' Federation), Mr. A. Seed (acting-secre-tary of the federation), Mr. Milroy (secretary of the Kauri Timber Co., Auckland), Mr. J. K. Campbell (manager of the Southland Sawmillers' Cooperative Association), Mr. J. Bush (secretary, Rangitikei Sawmillers' Association), Mr. Valder (manager, Ellis im\ Burnand Timber Company), and Mr. 13. Tennant (president, HokitikaGrey Sawmillers' Association). Sir James Wilson planted the tree, and spoke of the work done by Sir David Hutchins in helping to save what remained of New Zealand's forests. Sir Francis Bell, who spoke with deep feeling, Baid that the tree planted that day would remind future generations of Sir David Hutchiiis and his work. He felt sure that Sir James Wilson and those present at this simple ceremony would remember it through the coming yetira, and that some- aniong ithem would always take care .of the tree. "All of you know," continued Sir Francis Bell, "how greatly it was due to Sir David Hut chin s's example and effort that the State Forest Service was inaugurated. It may-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 be the best monument to his. work in this country. I feel sure that he himself regarded the work upon which he was engaged as of the-first national importance, and not merely as a matter of giving advice. He did regard thisas the work of his life. Let us see to it that what he urged shall not be wholly wasted, amd that thews, shall remain in New Zealand forests to provide for tha needs and use .of future generations.".