APPOINTMENT OF A CONSERVATOR OF STATE FORESTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XII, Issue 4291, 14 August 1875, Page 3

APPOINTMENT OF A CONSERVATOR OF STATE FORESTS.

[By Electric Telegraph.] [from OUR SPECIAL CORUE.SPONDNET.] Government Buildings, Wellington, Friday. The following papers, relative to the appointment of a Conservator of State forests, is printed :— " Mr. Vogelto Dr. Pollen, 23th May.— Sir, —I have the honor to forward you copy of a letter that I have addressed to Captain Campbell Walker, at Madras. That letter sufficiently explains the nature of the offer I have made to Captain Walker, in pursuance of the direction of the Government, to select an officer to preside over the Forest Department of New Zealand. I did not come to the conclusion to make the appointment without much careful enquiry and correspondence, mostly of a private character. I have made inquiries at the India Office, and, from all officers of the India Service who were connected with the Forests Department of India. I have also made some independent enquiries. From all I have learned I have concluded that we could not do better than secure the services of Captain Walker. It is the representations made to me by his brother that I have reason to believe he will be inclined to accept the appointment. Captain Walker is the gentleman whose report was republished last year in a New Zealaud blue-book, and may be said to have been in a large measure the cause of the people of the colony taking so much interest in the forest question. I feel sure that we shall lind Captain Walker in every respect a most suitable man for the office."

The following is Mr. Vogel's letter to Captain Campbell Walker: —"Sir, —l understand from your brother that you are willing to accept the appointmeutof Conservator of State Forests in New Zealand. There is, of course, a great disadvantage in making an appointment without previous personal confidence, but in the circumstances this seems unavoidable. It would, however, be better if you are prepared to accept the appointment. The conditions I propose are, —that you should have the alternative open, if you should not like New Zealand, or if in the colony the appointment should not be approved, to re-consider the engagement. With this object, I think if you could obtain a year's leave of absence from the Government of India, and proceed direct to New Zealand, it would be the better course. My proposal, therefore, resolves itself into this :—That you obtain leave of absence without pay from the Government of India ; .that we pay the actual cost of your passage down to New Zealand, and salary at the rate of £SOO a-year, from the time of leaving India. If you should not remain in the colony wo to pay your return passage, continuing the salary at the rate mentioned until the estimated date of your return to your station. I only make this proposal on the assumption that you are willing to accept a prolonged engagement, as it would not suit us to merely obtain your temporary services. I ask you, therefore, to take advantage of my olfer only if you think you will be inclined to remain in the colony. In that easel propose that your position shall be that of head of the Forest Department (" Conservator of State Forests" is the terra used in the Act), at a salalary of £SOO a-ycar ; and that you shall be entitled to travelling allowances at the rate established in the colony, in proportion to yout salary. I propose that if you obtain the year's leave and go to Now Zealand, it shall be with the view of permanently taking the ollice on tei ins such as I have stated, unless some objection which you cannot foresee should arise in your mind, or unless some objection should present itself to the Government. I-Jut I cannot disguise from myself that it is very likely you may not be able to obtain the leave of absence. In that ease I am willing at once to make the appointment without your first visiting the colony. The salary would be iIHOQ a-year, ami allowances, as already described. The Act gives us power to guarantee employment for four years, but I need scarcely say that the probability is your appointment would be a permanent one. I cannot make anythiug like a promise of increased salary, but should you succeed with the department I believe that there will be from time to time increases. In the case which lam now considering of your taking the appointment without leave of absence, the Government would pay the actual cost and your passage to >'ew Zealand, salary to commence on your arrival in the colony. lam convinced that, with your knowledge of forestry, you will not liud it difficult to satisfy the people of New Zealand that the establishment of State forests and the organised management of all forests will be an incalculable boon to the colony, and therefore, that you will have the opportunity of a successful career before you in a colony, the climate of which, at least, you will find agreeable."