Obituary PROFESSOR CARL SKOTTSBERG

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30179, 10 July 1963, Page 9

Obituary PROFESSOR CARL SKOTTSBERG

(N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 9. The famous Swedish botanist, Professor Carl Skottsberg, whose work on Southern Hemisphere plants for more than half a century greatly contributed to understanding of the relationships of New Zealand flora has died, according to news received by Dr. C. A. Fleming, president of the Royal Society of New Zealand. Professor Skottsberg first visited New Zealand in 1938 after work on the peat bogs of Hawaii at the invitation of the' Royal Society and lectured in all the main centres. His second visit was in 1949 during the Pacific Science Congress. As a youth, Professor Skottsberg joined the Swedish Antarctic expedition of 1901-1903. which made significant discoveries of ancient plant life in the rocks of Grahams Land in western Antarctica. He developed the theory that the Antarctic continent, now a frozen desert, formerly supported a rich vegetation, and that many southern plaints owe their puzzling distribution to an Antarctic origin. Professor Skottsberg conducted expeditions to many parts of the Pacific. He did more than any other scientist to explore the remote Chilean islands of Juan Fernandez — Robinson Crusoe’s islands — to record their native plants and animals. DR. STALLWORTHY (N.Z. Press Association) AUCKLAND, July 9. Dr. Kenneth Robert Stallworthy, Medical Superintendent of Tokanui Hospital and described by his contemporaries as an outstanding figure in New Zealand psychiatric medicine, died at Waikato Hospital last week. He was 47. His standard textbook of psychiatry for nurses has had five editions. His latest work, "Mental Abnormality and the Law,” written in conjunction with Mr H. Jenner Wily, an Auckland Magistrate, was recently well received by critics in medico-legal journals overseas and in New Zealand. Dr. Stallworthy, whose father was a former Minister of Health, the Hon. J. A. Stallworthy, went with his brother. Dr. J. A. Stallworthy, from Auckland to the Otago Medical School, where he gained his degrees as bachelor of medicine and bachelor of surgery in 1939. With his brother he was awarded a travelling scholarship by the Medical School which took him to England where he obtained a diploma in psychological medicine. Dr Stallworthy became a member of the Royal College of Physicians and the’Royal College of Surgeons in 1947. He returned to New Zealand in 1947 to appointments at Porirua Hospital and as senior medical officer at Oakley Hospital. Auckland. He was appointed Medical Superintendent at Tokanui in 1956. He is survived by his second wife, a daughter, and four sons. MR W. DICK (N.Z. Press Association) BLENHEIM, July 9 The death has occurred of Mr William Dick acknow-

ledged as Marlborough’s oldest" returned serviceman. He was 87. Mr Dick was one of the few surviving members of the Ist Contingent which sailed from ’ Wellington on October 21, 1899, to serve in South Africa. A retired farmer and local body member, Mr Dick was born at Tua Marina, near Blenheim, and spent all his life in Marlborough.

MR G. G. GRIFFITHS (N.Z. Press Association) WELLINGTON, July 9. The dearth occurred recently at Opofbiki of Mr Gerald Giitmiore Griffiitlhs, a former well known journalist, at the age ot 77. Bom ait Belfast, Ireland, he later came to New Zealand where he was, ait ddfferenit times, managing-editor of the “Putaruru Press” and the “Matamata Record,’’ and editor of the “Raglian Chronicle.” Mir Griffiths was elected a J.P. at Maitamaita in 1928 and served in this capacity tor about 30 yeans. He was president of the Mlatamata R.S.A. for a period, a foundation member of the Maiamiaita Roitary Club, and the South Auckland Chambers of Commence Association, and served as vice-president of the New Zealand R.S.A. for one term. Mir Griffiths served with the New Zealand Rifle Brigade in France in World War I and gained the Military Medal at Messines after being commissioned in the field. He is survived by a wife and tour Children.