CASUAL COMMENT

Hokitika Guardian, 18 September 1937, Page 2

CASUAL COMMENT

AND SOME OBSERVATIONS. (By Observer). Many will remember Douglas ol South Westland, to whom a tiibute has been paid by Mr A. P. Harper of Wellington, in an article in a local publication. The late C. E. Douglas was an explorer of the south district, who in the nineties covered most of the far south territory. Much of his valuable work is on record, though little heard of. In the local survey office there is a large scale map of the country traversed, on which he plotted various finds of minerals etc., and noted important features. He wrote numerous reports on his travels, some* oi which are embalmed in official publications, but much of the very interesting matter (.as it must have been) appears to be lost. A man who loved na ture, he was a friend of the birds, and made many sketches of points of interest in his travels. Some of these are in the local library. Mr Harper, who accompanied Douglas on some ol his explorations, bears testimony to the zeal and energy of his teacher, who loved his work and took personal risk and inconvenience as part of his day’s work to carry through his mission.

“Charlie” as he was known L.mi.iarly, was something of a recluse, and kept very much to himself. When spending a brief holiday in town In was to be seen taking his daily walk, pipe in mouth, with measured Head, indoubt. reflecting on the scenes he hau left behind. Mr Harper quotes him as a dry humorist, and he had some rathcn apt sayings. Speaking of the weather, he said: “Don’t worry about the bare meter, it doesn’t affect the weather 01. the Coast.” Here was one of his rule: of life: “Better do it now, may sav an oath later,” while he remarked one he didn’t “believe in any man wh hadn’t a petty vice.” He remarked more than once “not being able t swim had saved his life many a time.’ He roughed it in plenty, often alone foi weeks with only friendly brds for company, but he bore his lot cheerfully loved it in fact, and was happy out ii the wav-baek communing with nature and seeking to find out her secret de posits. All his wanderings were chro nich'd with care, and it is a pity tha diaries of such value are lost to th< world at large. He could present’!

picture of Westland very few had seen for few have passed where he Jound ii a pleasure to make his way.

It is interesting to hear Mr Harpe, pay this tribute to an unsung hero o Westland, wlio wed deserves praise. There are others in the same categoryearly surveyors who went into South Westland, trackless and unknown t, pry into its resources. One of tiies was C. H. Mueller, afterwaids Chief J Suiveyor. Mr MuelTer made many ex I ploratory trips and he, too, reported o the fastnesses of the south. All hi:, work was not retained, but it was in teresting to learn recently that in con nection with the historial research won undertaken in regard to the Lenten nial commemoration, that the Auck land Committee had approached Mis: Mueller in regard to the publication o extracts from the diaries and in pub fishing reports, and these should prov> of special interest. Mr Mueller was a close observer and his impressions o our difficult and remote country should prove very informative, now that it is being brought more to public not ee. H made many difficult journeys in th high country, and it is interest.ng to re call that Mr J. A. Cuttance, still re siding here, was one of those who at companied the intrepid surveyor on his tours of exploration. Parliament has been on the air thi: week, and one can hardly say the in formation conveyed has been very ill urninating. There has been much cross talk, and in the ordered system ol opponent following opponent, each has striven to confound the other. Then: have been many references to “the' wretched past,” with struggles t 0 alio cate blame, or provide excuses. Wha. the taxpayer would like, is to s.ee Par liament get on with the business side, of the order, and set about its future which may count for so much. The past ha s gone beyond recall, and it !• to be hoped all are wiser in the knowledge gained. The present should b used in preparing for the future, eliin inating mistakes of the past and ovei coming shortcomings which the politi cian thinks are so much to the detriment of the' people. In short, the Government might set about its policy measures and so come down to the reat business ior which Parliament has been called together. Still tradition even to the dress suits for the add. ess-in-replv, must, he observed whatever th< party in power.

A member of Parliament has become interested in the timber in Jackson Bay region. Those residing in treeless Canterbury are perhaps to he excused lor failing to grasp the extent of timber lands°in Westland. There are miles of forest in the region referred, as testified by, residents of the district, while visitors come away from the south satisfied with the never-ending timber lands. Quite a false impression has grown up about the extent ot the forest. Nor is this altogether lomarkable. Some officials unfamiliar with forestrv and timber content, have reported’on Westland timber lands in the past setting only a decade or two as the life of the sawmilling industry. It may sound ridiculous, but it is unfortunately true that responsible officers have reported to that effect about our timber assets. Perhaps it is not surprising that members of Parliament unfamiliar with existing conditions rush in with alarming mistatements. Tt seems a pity that some comprehensive report by those capable of

judging the timber supply of the district, is not made available for public information.

The new methods of the modern Sherlock Holmes do not appear at all orthodox. A serious crime is committed and the police officers at once give the newspapers quite a host of details, even to describing their own movements. This publicity on the face of it should be of service to the culprit evading detection. He can also study the general trend of the police investigation. But perhaps we are all wrong after all, the new method is a form of subterfuge to throw the hunted off the scent. While one detective may go one way and another in the opposite direction, there is the silent man on the job whose movements are not reported, and who is in the considered key position. This is a changing world, and the detection of crime now more varied in its form, has caused the alteration in methods on the part of the authorities to seek out offenders. The law is credited with having a long arm in any case, and those associated with its enforcement certainly show ability and enterprise in assisting the machine to do its work very effectively. The cricket team which concluded this week the tour at Home, did not disgrace itself. It is true perhaps they did not meet England at its best, and the Home authorities are worried about the strength of the team to meet Australia for the ashes test. However, many notable names were included m the opponents to New Zealand, and the oversea representatives made a showing which was on the whole creditable. In the various departments of the game they showed marked proficiency at times, and individuals were able to put up good records with batting, bowling, and fielding. A major tour such as the one under notice to the home of cricket, must be an interesting experience, and those participating in it will have gained knowledge of the finer points of the game which it is hoped they will be able to impart in the club matches to be played in the future. Now that there is the extra leisure., votaries of cricket should increase in number in the Dominion, and with the extra practice possible, should make a better showing at the ancient pastime.