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Hokitika Guardian, 23 October 1919, Page 2

In connection with the country’s forestry policy, Mr Joseph Butler gave excellent advice at the Forestry League meeting as to how reafforestation should be gone about. At present the country is committed *to a policy of importing an expert, and there is not any guarantee that the Dominion will make a good bargain. So far as experience goes the imported article in respect to various departments has not been very satisfactory. An impressive fee or salary is payable, but as regards practical results they are lacking sadly. Mr J. Butler, like his brother to whom we referred yesterday, is a man with a trained and observant mind affecting the handling of our forests. That lie knows what he was talking about is shown by the clearly expressed ideas regarding the habits of our native forests. It is to be feared that the imported expert, however full of knowledge he may be in regard to scientific training, will be lacking the practical knowledge of local conditons to apply his science successfully. The native bush once it is exposed to the wind and the weather quickly deteriorate, and shelter is a first consideration in the matter of regrowth. The very practical advice Messrs Butler Bros., were able to offer the Forestry League, suggests that any Minister of Forestry charged with the care of the forests unless he has first hand knowledge, and not only theory, should have about him, a council or board of advice to shape a policy of efficiency. It requires men with the local training and observing powers to do this satisfactorily and unless something of this transpires, the Forestry Department will be a very expensive and aimless appendage of the State’s administration.

i Ths late Mr Diedrichs who was laid t rest to-day was one of the old ban' of pioneers who braved mountain tor rent and trackless forest to help opei up the West Coast. He led a long busy life, and has died full of years and with a great heritage about him Mr Diedrichs was a thrifty man always He began with small beginnings, ant what he made came to* him only bj strenuous toil and often after laboi involving danger and even privation The pioneer band who came here in the sixties, made their way into the back blocks, and secured a competence, well earned their reward. Mr Diedrichs liked the open life, and his love for the j open took him into trackless places, where in time to oomo he created settlement and so was the pioneer in the truest sense of the word. The hand of men who were responsible for proving the worth of Westland as a pastoral country are fast passing away. Their work was performed in remote places, and it has taken time to bring it to fruition. Mr Diedrichs was one of thoso to whom camping out in lonely valleys and difficult places was part of the joy of living. Hie generation of to-day would not face similar hardships as cheerfully, hut Mr Diedrichs knew his work, and carried on to success. The

deceased was one of those who kept very much to himself, but the enterprise he showed always, and the faith he expressed in the future of West-

I land by- sinking his whole fortune in it, I showed a spirit of determination, which Jin time met its reward. His name will jbe honored always in this community ! for his uprightness. He was a man of simple character, but always, earnest in aiming at the goal he set himself.