VISITING SCIENTIST.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 201, 26 August 1935, Page 10

VISITING SCIENTIST.

DR. W. KIRK'S TOUR. PRAISE FOR NEW ZEALAND. A passenger by the Mariposa on Saturday afternoon was Dr. William Kirk, of Clarcmont, California, who has been touring the Dominion and is now returning to America, via Honolulu, where lie will visit Dr. Peter Buck, of the Bishop Museum, an old friend and co-worker in the scientific field. Dr. Kirk's tour was framed with the express object of coming into contact with the cultural and scientific life of the Dominion as far as was possible in the short time at his disposal and a recital of what he has achieved since his arrival in July leads one to conclude that lie has seen more of New Zealand in a few weeks than many New Zealanders see of their own country in a lifetime. He travelled from Dunedin to the Far North, his longest stops being at Christchurch, Wellington (where he did research work at the Turnbull Library and the Dominion Museum); Rotorua, where he made many notes of Maori life and arts and crafts and collected pictures and specimens; and Auckland, where he found wonderful material for observation at the War Memorial Museum. The museum, he said, was a monument to the magnificent public-spiritcdness of Auckland's citizens and an institution which would be noteworthy anywhere in the world. He spent much time discussing Maori history, folklore and ethics with Mr. George Graham, chairman of the anthropology section of the Auckland Institute, who it will be remembered was co-founder, with Dr. Peter Buck, of the section in 19-22. Of all the souvenirs acquired by Dr. Kirk during his visit, he said the one he most valued was an ancient wooden "patu," or battle club, simply but exquisitely carved, which was presented to him by the members of Te Akarana Maori Association in Auckland. Dr. Kirk said he found New Zealand scenery amazingly beautiful, especially the glow-worm caves of Waitomo, and he commented upon the beauty of much of the roadside scenery, especially in the Auckland province. Ho felt deeply touched, almost embarrassed, by the kindness and cordiality of all he had met in New Zealand.