MR. C. D. WHITCOMBE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 6670, 2 February 1885, Page 2

MR. C. D. WHITCOMBE.

On Saturday last Mr., C. D. Whitcombe, late Commissioner of Crown Lands, terminated his connection with the; Governmont. His absence from a department he has so long and ably presided over wilLbe much felt by the publics, for everyone can bear testimony to the efficient and courteous manner he discharged his duties; and\ the zeal displayed in his administration of Waste Lands in the . district. • Mr. v Whitcorribe has been resident in Taranaki for over twenty years, and since his advent here has been more or less intimately interwoven with its progress and its poopld, having ' ocoupied several public positions. In 1868 he was elected to a seat in the Provincial Council; and occupied the position of Provincial Secretary under Mr. Carrington's superintendence until 1874, when the Commissionersbip in the Crown Lands Officer becoming vacant he accepted it and retired from public life Previous to his taking over that office, the Commissionership was almost a sinecure, as there was little or no land in the district for disposal. About that time, however, a change came over the natives; large blocks of land were acquired, und a Land Board had to he created for its disposal. Mr. Whitcombe was the Commissioner who set the working of the Board 1 in motion, and as the same members are still in it as when it started, they may be considered excellent authorities when complimenting him on the manner he has conducted the business of the department. Mr. Whitcomba took great interest in disposing of the land, and many of the settlers who are now comfortably dwelling on their farms are indebted to him for the information he afforded them when making -their selections. In 1869 he was appointed a Justice of the Peace for the colony, and has ever been most active in the discharge of his duties as a magistrate. In 1874 he was appointed Sheriff, which office he held until it was taken over by the Registrar of the Supreme Court. He was the Chairman of the Cemetery Trust, Commissioner of Lvst Land Order, Chairman of the Land Board, and has other small offices which on the ..amalgamation of departments were thrown on to his shoulders, He was also instrumental in forming the first Agricultural Society in Taranaki, as well as an Acclimatization Society. He was for ten years Hon. Secretary to the Taranaki Institute when it was in its prime. . Outside his official duties, Mr. Whitcombe has always been foremost in promoting intellectual amusements ; and being well-informed on most subjects, through a course of extensive reading, the lectures he used to deliver here were largely attended, and listened to withwin terest. L When Sir Julius Yogel started the idea of a " New Zealand Hand Book," it was Mr. Whitcombe who was chosen to, contribute the portion referring to Taranaki. In June 1882 owing to ill health, Mr. Whitcombe tendered his resignation to the Government, but the then Minister for Lands declined to accept it and in consideration of his services granted him eighteen months leave of absence. Mr. Whitcombo took advantage of this to spend his holiday at Rotorua, when he not only got cured of a disease which must have terminated fatally had he not used the Hot Springs, but be there collected valuable materials for a work on the Rotorua district and its mineral springs whioh we hope some day to see published. Mr. Whitcombe returned to New Plymouth with renewed health and vigour and has carried on the business of the office since. About a' month ago, however, the Government announced to him that owing to reductions in the Civil Service, his office was amongst those to be dispensed with, and he would have to retire. From the abovo it will be seen that Mr. Whitoombe's career in Taranki has not been an uneventful one. We have always found him courteous and obliging in affording such information as we might require from his department or otherwise. With others who have so long known him, we must express our regret that the Government has thought fit to dispense with Mr. Whitcombe's services. We should have thought that some other position might have been given him where his abilities might have fuller qoope, and tho colony thus benfited by his talent. However, that ha& not been dqne, and as he leaves hero shortly for Christohurch, we feel sure that the good wishes of the community will accompany him, for one and all will only be too pleased to hear of his prosperity.