HENRY, RICHARD (1845-1929) was an accomplished bushman and observer, who took an interest in natural history and especially bird life. Henry had a sheep station in Canterbury adjoining crown lands and at one time had 20,000 sheep, but was ruined by the depredations of rabbits. He paid great attention to methods of extermination, but failed to suppress the pest. He accordingly sold the property but took it back again a year or two later. Again he had to abandon the run, but he believed that if he had studied the natural history of the rabbit he could have fought them successfully. In 1888 he published an interesting pamphlet on methods of combating the pest.

Henry then took up a place on Lake Te Anau, where he encountered T. Mackenzie, M. Ross and others assisting in the search for his friend Q. McKinnon (q.v.). In 1895 he was appointed ranger under the animals protection act and stationed at Dusky Sound, with instructions to report on the best site for a house for observation and the protection of native fauna on Resolution, Parrot and Pigeon islands, and means of obtaining wingless birds from other parts of New Zealand to place in sanctuary there. He made valuable reports to the Government in which he described Maori relics on the beaches and articles left by the sealers. He described the kiwi (apteryx australis), and felt confident he could catch a takahe if he heard one.

Henry's natural history notes, many of which were printed in the annual reports of the departments and in the Otago Witness, are of great interest and considerable value. In 1904 it was considered advisable to recall him since he had no companion, and he was transferred to Kapiti island. He retired in 1911, and died at Auckland on 13 Nov 1929.

App. H.R. C1, 1895-1904; H2, 1905-09; Otago Daily Times, 11, 24 Jan 1893; Henry, op. cit.; Otago Witness, 31 Dec 1896.

Reference: Volume 1, page 207

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