Death of N.Z. Historian

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 45, 23 February 1938, Page 5

Death of N.Z. Historian

Mr. T. Lindsay Buiclr

AUTHOR OF MANY VALUABLE WORKS

Death has closed the career of th* able New Zealand historian, Mr. T. Lindsay Buick, C.M.G., of Wellington. Mr! Buick’s passing will come as a great shock to those who knew him personally as well as to all others who knew of him and his works. He had been in somewhat indifferent health intermittently for several months past, but was at work as usual last week. Oa Sunday, however, he entered b private hospital in Wellington and there he died yesterday morning. He was in his 72nd year.

Mr. Buick’s life was a busy and romantic one, his talents having been, turned to lecturing, politics, business, journalism and authorship. As an authority on New Zealand history he was well known. In this sphere of endeavour he carved a niche for himself and made valuable contributions to the historical records of this country which will stand forever as a monument to him. He was industrious, painstaking and reliable, and willingly made the sacrifice of the personal pleasures the nature of his work necessitated. He in survived by a widow.

The late Mr. Buick, who was born aft Oamaru in 1866, was educated at th* Oamaru State School. As a young man he represented Marlborough at Rugby. He first entered upon public life as Vt lecturer and as ono of the original members of the Labour Party was elected as M.H.R. for Wairau in 1890. He seconded the Addrcss-in-Reply in 1891 and was selected by the Premier; (John Ballance) to act as organising secretary for the National Liberal Federation established by him in 1892. He was re-elected for Wairau in 189 J and was whip for the Scddon administration in that year. He took up journalism in 1897 when he became part proprietor of the Manawatu Standard, and in 1903 he became part proprietor of the Dannevirke Advocate. He was s member of the Marlborough Education Board in 1896 and represented Waipawa County on the Napier High School Board of Governors in 1910 and wa« a J.P. and coroner for the Dominion. As a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society of London he was the author of “Old Marlborough or the Story of a Province” in 1900; “Old Manawatu or The Wild Days of the West” (1903); “An Old New Zealander or the Napoleon of the South” (1911); “The Treaty of Waitangi” (1913); “New Zealand’s First War, or Hone Heke’* Rebellion” (1926); “Romance of the Gramophone” (1927); “The French at Akaroa, an Adventure in Colonisation” (3928); “Wellington the Growth of * Great Port” (1930); “The Mystery of the Moa” (1931). He established the Marlborough school honour known as “The M.H.R. Medals”, in 1895.