MY WORK, STAFF, AND CHIEFS 49 



schemes so large as to frighten those apprehen- 

 sive birds that frequent Whitehall, I was able 

 generally to get all my estimates through. 



The successor to Sir Henry Loch in the 

 Commissionership of Woods was Mr. George 

 Culley, C.B., a gentleman who owned considerable 

 property in Northumberland, and had already 

 done service under the Local Government Board. 



A more kindly, considerate, and withal capable 

 chief no Civil Servant has ever had to serve 

 under. Mr. Culley had considerable tact, but 

 also very considerable firmness in dealing with 

 the troubles and disputes so rife in New Forest, 

 and he did very much to allay them. It was 

 only when the verderers had finally made up 

 their minds to go to law with the Crown that 

 he was driven to accept battle. 



Mr. Culley had a very clear knowledge of 

 estate management generally, and was always 

 happy on the back of a nice hack looking over 

 the woods and property. He was able to pass 

 in review, in a short visit, the conditions and 

 main points of the woods he passed through, 

 and to give a sound and considered opinion 

 when he got home as to what was the proper 

 course, quite regardless of what my view might 

 be, but always kindly and gentle in explaining 



why he had formed a different opinion from myself. 



D 



