15 



capacity as a leading member of the Interim Authority, but also 

 on account of his personal qualifications. We are all very glad 

 to see our genial friend Colonel Sutherland among us. We 

 certainly missed him sadly, but the period of service he has 

 spent in France has been turned to good account from what he 

 has stated to you. As you are all aware, we are far behind our 

 neighbours on the Continent in the management of forests, and 

 we hope Colonel Sutherland, as I have said, will give us the 

 benefit of his additional knowledge in the management of affairs 

 in Scotland. I beg to move a vote of thanks to these two 

 gentlemen." 



Colonel Balfour seconded the vote of thanks. He said, 

 ■" I think we may congratulate ourselves that Colonel Sutherland 

 will be here in Edinburgh, and that Colonel Fothringham is on 

 the Interim Authority, as we know both these gentlemen are 

 such enthusiastic foresters and take such close interest in all 

 matters to do with forestry. I think Colonel Fothringham kept 

 the kernel of his remarks to the end when he told us that the 

 Bill which is being promoted is in a very forward condition and 

 will be presented to Parliament at an early date. That, I think, 

 is gratifying information to all of us, and we only hope it will be 

 passed through Parliament without any undue delay, so that the 

 permanent Authority will be set up and can take steps towards 

 the engaging of men to be trained as permanent forest officers. . 

 Colonel Sutherland is again back with us in Edinburgh, and I 

 am sure the negotiations which he spoke of with proprietors in 

 respect of the acquisition of land for forestry purposes by the 

 permanent Authority could not be in better hands than in his." 



The proceedings terminated with a cordial vote of thanks to 

 the President. 



