ENGINEER'S DEATH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18772, 28 July 1924, Page 8

ENGINEER'S DEATH.

MR. LAWRENCE BIRKS. NOTED CAREER IN SERVICE, j*BZ XBLECaAPH.—-OW3? COBJOESrONDEST.3 ' WELLINGTON, Saturday. The death is announced of Mr. Lawrence Birk3, chief -electrical engineer of the Public Works Department, in Wellington yesterday. Mr. Bieks was 50 years of age. His death wa3 not altogether unexpected, as he became seriously ill at Sydney a few months ago while proceeding to the World Pover Conference at Wembley Exhibition, and had to return to the Dominion.

Mr. Birks was -educated at Prince Alfred College, Adelaide, and the University of Adelaide, where he gained the degree of Bachelor of Science, with triple honours, mathematics, physics, and geology in 1895; and in the following year he won the Angas Engineering Uckoiarship, which entitled him to three years' training in Great Britain. This period was spent at the University College, London, and in the workshops and testing departments of Messrs. Easton, Anderson, and Goolden, of Erith, and Messrs, Calendar's Cable Company. He acted as lecturer in electrical engineering under Professor Sylvanus Thompson at Finsbury Technical College, and as assistant professor of engineering at the Heriot Watt College, Edinburgh. In 1900 Mr. Birks returned to Adelaide, and after one session as lecturer in electrical engineering at the Adelaide University, was appointed assistant engineer to the Sydney electric tramways in connection with the reconstruction of Ultimo power-house and the installation of an extensive system of high tension underground feeders and sub-stations. In 1903 he was appointed electrical engineer to the Christchurch C'ity Council in connection with the first installation of electric power in that city, the power being derived from the destruction of the city refuse. In 1904 Mr. Birks was appointed lecturer in electrical engineering at Canterbury College for one session, at the end of which he took up the duties of engineer to the New Zealand Electrical Construction Company—a local company formed for the purpose of constructing the Christchurch electric tramways —up to that time the largest single engineering contract placed in New Zealand (£260,000). This work proved thoroughly - successful, both Trom an _ engineering and a financial point of view. On its completion, Mr. Birks was appointed engineer in charge of the town of Rotorua. The Town of 'Rotorua Act of 1907 placed the complete administration of municipality in the hands of the resident officer. In IQIO, on the passing of the Aid to Water Power Act, Mr. Birks'was appointed assistant to Mr. Evan Parry, chief electrical engineer for the Dominion, and after assisting in the design and specifications for the Lake Coleridge works, was transferred to Christchurch in 1913 to supervise the construction of those works, and to manage- the commercial side of the undertaking. On Mr. Parry's resignation in March, 1919, Mr. Birks was appointed temporarily to the position of chief electrical engineer, and was confirmed in the position m January, 1920. The late Mr. Bilks married a daughter of Mr. C. M. Luke, of Wellington, who predeceased him by about 18 months. ; / The Minister for Public Works, Hon. J. G. Coates, last night sent the following telegram to Miss K. Birks, sister of the deceased: "The sad njsws of Mr. Birks' doath has just reached me, and Mrs. Coaites and I desire t<j extend to vou all our deep and heartfelt sympathy, Mr. Birks has been.a splendid officer and has rendered this Dominion valuable service. Th® loss which the Government has suffered will be .shared by the Dominion, and the results of his labours will be a lasting memorial to the people of New Personally I will miss him greatly."