OBITUARY

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 199, 20 May 1936, Page 13

OBITUARY

Mr. T. tV. Kirk Aiilioimli retired from the service iff the Agricultural Dep.irtmem: for -to rears, the influence iff -Mr. Thomas V>. Kirk,' F.L.S.. F.R.M.S., F.G.S.A., who died vesterdav ar Far.-iparaumu. remained a very real thing in Unit, department. He was one of a small ..roup of distinguished men upon whom devolved the task of building tip tlie department In lie one of material service to the Dominion. As its first Government Biologist and Director of the Horticultural Division. -Mr. Kirk did notable work. .Mr. Kirk was born in Coventry, England, on June 3". IS.*O, and came to New Zealand with his parents in 15C,.”.. He was educated in Auckland. On leaving school he entered the Geological Survey Department as a cadet, and in 1874 was assistant to the late Sir .lames Hector, on whose staff he remained for 17 years, during which time he contributed several valuable patters to the New Zealand Institute, annuals, magazines of natural history, “Nature,” “Science Gossip,” the French Journal of Conehology, the jouriial. of the Roval Society of South Australia, ami others. Mr. Kirk was elected a member of tlie New Zealand Institute in 1878. of the Geological Society of Australasia in ISB7, a Fellow of the Microscopic Society of London in 1889, and in IS'JO, on the nomination of Sir Walter Buller. Dr. Gunther, Sir Joseph Hooper and Professor Flower, he was received as a Fellow of the Liunaean Society of England, a great distinction in those days. On the establishment of the Agricultural Department in 1892, be was appointed as head of the zoological and botanical branch, and he wrote the first advisory pamphlets issued to farmers ami horticulturists. During the whole of his service with the Department of Agriculture, he was intimately associated with tlie development of the horticultural industry of the Dominion, the present-day importance of which is largely due to his untiring energy and great ability. Since his retirement from official work, Mr. Kirk had maintained close touch with all movements designed to promote horticultural interests, but. the closing years of his life were principally devoted to Masonic research. He was’ a Past-Master of the Coronation Lodge, a foundation member ami the first Master of Lodge Tawera-o-Kapltl, and a Fast-Senior Grand Deacon of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand. Mr. Kirk was possessed of a strong sense of humour., and was an excellent raconteur. By his keen intelligence, kindly disposition, bright personality and broad sympathies, he endeared himself to all with whom he came in contact. He is survived by his wife and by his only son, Mr. B. C. Kirk, of the’ Colonial’ Motor Company, also by his sisters, Miss A. Kirk and Miss C.- E. Kirk, of Kelburn, and by his younger brother, Professor IL B. Kirk, of Victoria University College, all of whom reside in Wellington. Mr. J. C. Spencer The death of Mr. John Clarence Spencer, who was prominent in Rugby football in Wellington for many years, occurred on Monday. Mr. Spencer was a staunch member of the Melrose club, and a Wellington and New Zealand representative. He played for Wellington iu over forty matches, and for New Zealand iu 1903, 1905 and 1907, being captain of his country’s' side against Australia at Dunedin iu 1905. He was a representative Rugby League player also. Retiring from play, he continued to assist the game by coaching club teams. He was associated with the Foneke and Berhampore clubs as well as Xlelrose. Air. Spencer was a prominent competitor in championship billiards also, and his death, which occurred at the age of 55, will cause a gap in a number of Wellington organisations. A. tribute to tiie valuable services which the late Mr. Spencer had given to the game of Rugby football was paid by the chairman of the management, committee of Hie Wellington Rugby Union at last night's meeting. After sketching his Rugby career, Mr. Frendeville said that Mr. Spencer had not only been a great player but an ornament to the game. A vote of condolence with the relatives was carried, members standing. Mrs. Mary Louisa Scott The death occurred recently at Wellington of Mrs. Mary Louisa Scott, in her eightieth year. Mrs. Scott was the widow of ilr. David Scott, of the Marine Department, and daughter of Die late Mr. R. B. Haybittie, one of Wellington's earliest pioneers. Mrs. Scott was born in Wellington, and the whole of her life was spent in the city, where she had a wide circle of friends. She was an active church worker, and at the time of her death was the oldest member on Die roll of St. John's Presbyterian Church. She is survived by one son, Mr. Horace Scott, Auckland, and three daughters, Misses Myra and Teddie Scott, Wellington, and Mrs. Arthur Munro, Wanganui. Mrs. W. M. Horsburgh News lias been received by cable of the death of Mrs. Horsburgh, wife of Mr. Weston 31ilne Horsburgh. a first engineer for Die White Star lino, states a “Doniinion” Special Service message from Grey town. Mrs. Horsburgh was Ihe eldest daughter of -Mr. and Mrs. S. Keedwell, of Greytown, and married Mr. Horsburgh some 26 years ago, and went immediately io England, where she Ims lived ever since, with the exception of a sluii'l. visit to her parents a few years ago. she leaves a husband, a son, ami daughter, who live at Birkenhead. Liverpool, England.