AFFORESTATION

Wairarapa Times-Age, 11 June 1940, Page 6

AFFORESTATION

BEQUEST BY LATE DR. TRIMBLE TO MASTERTON COUNTY INCOME IN PERPETUITY FROM £20,000 ESTATE. COUNCIL EXPRESSES DEEP APPRECIATION. Under the will of the late Dr M. Trimble, LL.D., the .income in perpetuity of the residue of his estate of nearly £20,000, subject to certain life interests, has been left to the Masterton County Council for the purpose of public afforestation in the area of Hie present County of Masterton.

A statement on the matter was made at today’s meeting of the Masterton County Council by the chairman, Mr R. E. Gordon Lee.

“At the annual meeting of the council. held on Wednesday, May 22, tribute was paid to the services rendered to the County of Masterton, as county solicitor over a long period of years, by the late Dr M. Trimble, LL.D.,” said Mr Lee. “I will read the letter forwarded to his wife, Mrs Trimble, expressing the sympathy of every member of this council following that meeting:—“Dr Trimble was legal advisor to this council since it was first constituted in 1901. and prior to that date, he served the Wairarapa North County Council and several road boards and his great ability will ever be remembered. He was greatly esteemed by every counci llor who has served as a member of the County of Masterton during his long term as legal advisor, indeed he was an outstanding personality and will ever be remembered as a most conscientious and painstaking advisor and one who applied his wonderful knowledge in the conduct of the affairs of the county, with remarkable judgment. He was versed, not only in the written law, but he had a sound knowledge of the principles on which it is based and having a clear and logical brain, and a personal gift of expression, he was able to expand those principles as few men have been able to do. He was a widely recognised authority on Local Government Law, and he took a deep and personal active interest in everything that concerned this county, and he had a way of leaving his mark on the characters of all those with whom he was associated. Over a long period of years he won the deepest respect and affectionate regard of us all.” “By his will, a copy of which is before the Council,” said Mr Lee, “Dr Trimble left the income in perpetuity of the residue of his estate, subject to certain life interests, for the public afforestation in the area of the present County of Masterton. It is estimated that this residue will be nearly £20,000 and the income available for that purpose should therefore, on a

conservative basis, be at least £6OO a year. “I feel that words cannot adequately express our admiration and appreciation of a man who had the courage to dedicate his life's savings to such a thoughtful purpose, but that action was typical of the late Dr Trimble,” said Mr Lee. “This endowment will be of inestimable value as the years pass by and will remain a permanent monument io his memory. I suggest to you. that we as a council immediately take steps to discuss the position with his trustees and make such arrangements as may appear conducive to that purpose. The activities to follow will depend on our enthusiasm in this matter, and I know there will be no lacking of enthusiasm, for the definite value to the County of Masterton of afforestation, made possible by this endowment, will spur on every councillor, indeed those interested outside the council, to see that the project is established on sound lines. The possibilities and magnitude of this bequest are tremendous and it is for us to assist in laying the foundation and planning a scheme of afforestation so as to encourage and secure the co-operation of those who following in the administration of the inestimable asset so to be created."