THE LATE SIR JAMES HECTOR.

Evening Post, Volume LXXV, Issue 26, 31 January 1908, Page 3

THE LATE SIR JAMES HECTOR.

TRIBUTE OF SCIENTISTS. In the annual report of the' Xcw Zealand Institute, presented to the meeting of governors held yesterday, special reference -was made to the late fcjir James Hector, the former president of tha institute. "The world of scir-ncc in general and the New Zealand Institute in particular," the report stated, "have sustained a great loss by the death of Sir James Hector, F.R.S Hh additions to the knowledge of the bolany and zoology of the Dominion, especially in the earlier years of his work here, were extensive and valuable ; but it was chiefly in his position as fiist director of the" geological ourvpy of these islands that he made his mark as a scientific m«7n. Ho nct»:d as chief scientific adviser of successive Governments dm ing a period of o\er thirty yenrs ; while the Senate of tho New Zenland University showed their appreciation of his -work .in education by ejecting him chancellor, a position he heid for ninny years." The question of considering what steps should lie taken to perpetuate his memory in a suitable manner was brought up nnd the board of governors earned the following resolution, moved by the president (Mr. C 4. M. Thomson, F.L.S.) and seconded by Mr' James Stewart, tko whole 1 board standing: — "That the Board of Governors ot the Kew Zealand ' Institute desires (o express its profound regret at- the great loss sustained by the scientific woild -through the death of the Into president, Sir James Hector' By his own researches in geology, zoology, and' botany in the Dominion of Kew Zealand he added greatly to the knowlege of tho3e branches 01 science. As head v of the geological survey, and the meteorological department, and of the colonial laboratory; and as diiector of th.c colonial museum be was the scientific adviser of successive governments for a long period of years; wjnlo as chancellor oi the New Zealand University he was closely associated with the highest education of the Dominion. 'The boaid wishes to express its high appreciation of these eminent services to science, especially in Now Zealand." Professor Easterfield brought up the matter of the establishment of ( a. Hector memorial, which should t-iko the form of a medal and tho encouragement of research. Some st,eps had aheady been taken to do something (-o perpetuate the memory of Sir James Hector, but -whatever was done he (Piofessor Kasterfield) would be very sorry to .see anything .given on -examination. He thought greater public interest Mould \-6 manifested in tLo ptopo«ed memorial if it weie known that the institute was cooperating «ith those already moving in the matter. Mr. A. Hamilton supported Professor Easterfiold, and added that he thought any movement hi the direction of a Hector memorial would receive the attention and support of the public if it were known that the institute was identified with it. As a matter of fact he knew of one subscription already made for this purpose conditionally on the institute being associated with a memorial. It was resolved to form a committee to go into the matter.