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The New Zealand Railways Magazine, Volume 4, Issue 11 (June 1, 1930)

A Veteran Naturalist

A Veteran Naturalist.

Thirty or forty years ago the name of Richard Henry was often before the public, in association with matters of natural history and exploration in New Zealand's Fiordland. He was one of a small band of Southerners who did a great deal to make that untamed corner of these islands better known to the world, and he was always a strong advocate of the preservation of native wild life there. The Government appointed him custodian of the bird sanctuary, Resolution Island, in Dusky Sound, and he lived alone in that magnificent solitude for years. His home was on Pigeon Island, a bush-covered dot near Resolution, and the Government steamer “Hinemoa” called once in every six months; his only regular link with the outer world.

Henry's periodical reports to the Lands Department on his life and bird-study in Dusky Sound made quite fascinating reading. He was the Gilbert White of Fiordland. Later on he was in charge of the Kapiti Island sanctuary for some years.

Now, long retired from Government duties, Mr. Henry is living at Helensville, up on the Kaipara, a very old man. One would like to see some of his reports of thirty years ago reprinted for popular information.

The Pretty Seaport Of South Canterbury. (Rly. Publicity photo.) The Christchurch-Invercargill Express passing Caroline Bay, Timaru, South Island, New Zealand. (Timaru is the branching-off place for visitors to the world-famed Hermitage at Mt. Cook.)

The Pretty Seaport Of South Canterbury.
(Rly. Publicity photo.)
The Christchurch-Invercargill Express passing Caroline Bay, Timaru, South Island, New Zealand. (Timaru is the branching-off place for visitors to the world-famed Hermitage at Mt. Cook.)