DEATH OF PROFESSOR KIRK.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 10697, 10 March 1898, Page 5

DEATH OF PROFESSOR KIRK.

IB? TELEGRAPH— CO-RESPONDENT.] Wellington, Wednesday. Professor Kirk died last night at Plimmerton, aged 70 years. He was bom in Warwickshire in 1828. In 1864-5 he arrived in Auckland from England. He was brought up at the great timber mills of Newark. His great attainments as a scientific botanist after coming to Auckland, were at once recognised. He classified the New Zealand native flora, completing the work of Joseph Hooker. He was for many years curator of the Auckland Museum, and was one of the founders and contributors to the Transactions of the New Zealand Institute. In 1874 he came to Wellington upon receiving the appointment ot lecturer upon natural science at the Weilington College, which was then affiliated to the New Zealand University. He renamed the flora, and planted the most beautiful of the native trees in tho Auckland Uomain. He was next appointed to the omce of lecturer on biology at the Lincoln Agricultural College, Canterbury, He was appointed by Mr. Ikllance (Stout- Government), when Minister of Lands, Chief Commissioner of State Forests. He organissd a Forestry Department. His last work was the " Forest Flora of New Zealand " a work of great value and authority. Ho was engaged at the time of his death in preparing a "Student's Flora of New Zealand." He was a Fellow of the Linnaean Society His eldest son is Mr. T. W. Kirk, the Government Biologist. The deceased professor was a gentleman of amiable disposition. He leaves a family of three daughters and two sons.