ENGINEER -IN – CHARAGE AT ROTORUA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 13227, 12 July 1906, Page 5

ENGINEER -IN - CHARAGE AT ROTORUA.

ME. LAWRENCE BIRKS, B.Sc, APPOINTED. • ■ A - . [by. telegraph.—press association.] -' Welli.vgtox, Wednesday. There were 51 applicants for the position of engineer-in-charge at Rotojua, under the Tourist and Industries Department. The offers of services came from all parts of New Zealand, and several were submitted .from Australia, though the vacancy was not advertised there. The appointment has been conferred on Mr. Lawrence Birks, B.Sc, A.M.1.C.E., A.M.I.E.E. He has had rather a striking career. After taking final honours in mathematical physics and geology, and intermediate honours in chemistry at the South Australian University in 1895, he went through a two years' course in mechanical engineering in the School of Mines there. In 1895 he went to Great Britain as part holder of the Angus engineering scholarship, and in 1896 was appointed assistant- professor of engineering at the Heriot College, Edinburgh. Subsequently he took responsible positions with leading English firms, and saw service ia Switzerland. In 1900 he returned to Adelaide, and was appointed lecturer in engineering at the University. Towards the end of the year be was selected as assistant electrical engineer to the Sydney City Council, and he'.d that office till 1903, when he left for Christchurcli, where he wae installed as. superintending electrical engineer for the municipality. In 1904 he joined the staff at Canterbury College as lecturer in electrical engineering, and in the same year he was chosen .by the New Zealand Electrical Construction Company as its engineer.