A NOBLE BEQUEST.

Wairarapa Times-Age, 12 June 1940, Page 4

A NOBLE BEQUEST.

exceptionally able and learned lawyer, though one who came little into public prominence, and a very kindly, and courteous gentleman, the late Dr M. Trimble, in the impressive bequest to the Masterton County Council which was made known yesterday, found an admirable means of conferring lasting and far-reaching benefits on the district in which many years of his life were spent. Subject to life-interests, the income from a sum of nearly £20,000 will eventually^become available to the County Council for purposes of afforestation. This is a truly noble bequest and one that, wisely used, will confer benefits far exceeding in value the amount of revenue directly provided. Afforestation, efficiently- directed, is a richly productive investment from a community standpoint.

It is a rather sad reflection on the manner in which the development of this country has been carried out that one of the most profitable forms of community enterprise which can be undertaken is that of re-establishing tree growth on areas from which it need never have been removed. The most that can now be accomplished in this replacement will be less than enough, but it is highly desirable on all grounds that it should be carried as far as possible, and the late Dr Trimble’s fine bequest, when it becomes available, will very greatly assist the extension of afforestation in the Masterton County area.

In the conditions of the bequest, time will be afforded to study and consider methods of utilising it to the best advantage and full use should be made of this opportunity. The chairman of the County Council (Mr Gordon Lee) said on this subject:—

The activities to follow will depend on our enthusiasm in this matter, and I know there will be no lack of enthusiasm, for the definite value to the County of Masterton of afforestation made possible by this endowment will spur on every councillor, and 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. . . .

One essential aim no doubt will be to obtain the best technical advice that is available on the subject of afforestation. Handled as it should be, the administration of the endowment will become a means,, not only of establishing productive and. revenue-producing plantations, but of opening the way to a great extension of planting for Water-protection, shelter and other purposes. Action should be taken, too, to determine, through years of experience, the trees which may most advantageously be grown in different parts of the benefiting district. It is most desirable that such experiments should be extended as widely as possible and that efforts should be made to interest young people, as well as those of more mature years, in investigation and enterprise on these lines.

It is no doubt to bo taken for granted that in the administration and development of the endowment, adequate measures will be taken to perpetuate the memory of the testator and so to give him a monument worthy of his generosity and of the wisdom and foresight to which his princely bequest to the Masterton County Council bears witness.