DR. TILLYARD RESIGNS.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 37, 13 February 1934, Page 6

DR. TILLYARD RESIGNS.

A BRILLIANT CAREER. i (From Our Own Correspondent.) SYDNEY, February 0. Though Dr. Tiliyard was only eight years in New Zealand —during the period 1920-28, j when he was chief of the biological department of tho Cawthron Institute at Nelson — his. name aiul his work are so well known that the facts of his public career should be of as much interest there as in Australia. Since 1928 Dr. Tiliyard has been associated with the Federal Industrial Research Council, and he has been in charge of the division of economic entomology. He has resigned office this month on -account of ill-health; for he has not yet recovered from the effects of a severe nervous* breakdown which he suffered in Chicago last year. Acting on medical advice, Dr. Tiliyard has applied for superannuation. But so anxious are his colleagues on the Council of l Scientific and Industrial Research not to lose his services that he will be required to resume his duties, in some capacity or otheiijjt as soon as the state,, of his health will permit. Early Setbacks. Unfortunately, this is by no means the first time that an unkind fate has interfered with Dr. Tillyard's career. He intended to enter the Army, but after passing with great credit he was rejected at Woolwich because he was subject to rheumatism. He then won two entrance scholarships—one for Oxford in classics, the other for Cambridge in mathematics. He went to Cambridge and for three year.s. he read science and Oriental languages as well as mathematics; but his rheumatism then became so serious that he was forced to leave England. He came to Australia, and took a position as mathematical master in Sydney Grammar School. In 1913 lie resigned from the school to take lip his studies at the University and work for a science degree. But just before the war ho was badly "smashed up" in a railway accident on the North Shore •line, and for two years he was told that he would not 'l>e able to work again. When he recovered he had lost Jive inches in height and could not use his right arm. But he went on with his studies, the university gave him the privilege of a special examination at his own home, and he finally secured tho first B.Sc. for research ever granted in Sydney. For the next five years he held a Linnean Mficleay fellowship here, and during this period he produced a valuable text book on "The Biology of Dragon Flies," and wrote a large number of original papers.

World-wide Reputation.

In 19*20 came Dr. Tillyard's removal to New Zealand, and while at the Cawthron Institute he wrote his great work on "The Insects of Australia and New Zealand," and secured a world-wide reputation as a scientific advocate of the biological control of plant and insect pests. The "Sydney Morning Herald" tells us that Dr. Tillyard's introduction of a small wasp to control the woolly aphis "was so successful that in four years the aphis had practically erased to be a pest and the apple output of New Zealand had increased enormously." All this work naturally enhanced his scientific reputation, and he has received his due reward. Queen's College gave hiin an honorary fellowship. Cambridge made him a doctor o.f science, and, when only 42 years old, he received the highest honour that the British scientific world can bestow —the fellowship of the Royal Society. Since 1920 he has visited Europe three times and America five times, working at a large number of universities and research stations. Incidentally, while he was in New Zealand his left arm was broken in an accident, and while he was in America one of his ribs was smashed. He completed his American experiences last year with the nervous breakdown which lins now compelled him to put aside work once more — let us hope, only for the time. It is indeed a wonderful record, and it is remarkable not only for Dr. Tillyard's scientific achievements but for the extraordinary courage that has impelled him to struggle against all the disadvantages and disasters with which an envious destiny has so plenteously 'bestrewn his path.