GREAT LOSS TO GOLF.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19714, 13 August 1927, Page 12

GREAT LOSS TO GOLF.

DEATH OF MR. R- C. KIRK.

ENTHUSIASTIC SPORTSMAN.

SUCCESS IN MANY BRANCHES. [by telegraph.- —own CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON. Friday The death occurred to-day at his residence, Petone, of Mr. Richard Clement Kirk, known throughout New Zealand in his earlier days as a great all-round sportsman, and for the past five years as chairman of the New Zealand Golf Council.

Born in North Auckland, the son of the late Rev. William Kirk, a Methodist minister, who filled many circuits, Mr. Kirk had lived in Nelson, Christchurch, New Plymouth, Auckland ,and Wellington. There was scarcely a branch of sport in which he did not take active part, and he was interested in all. While at the Auckland Grammar School, before he was 16, he developed into a long-distance runner of promise, competing with distinction in adult cvpnts. On returning to Wellington he was only a year at Wellington College when he was articled to Mr. William Miller Lewis, partner of Sir Walter Bui lei . In 1832 he joined the Athletic Football Club, which, with the Wellington, Greytown" and Masterton Clubs, formed the Rugby Union of those days, and subsequently played for Wellington and Taranaki combined against the touring New South Wales team.

Long Service to Petone. Before he was 21 Mr. Kirk passed his final law examination, in the same year as Sir Charles Skerrett, now Chief Justice, and in 1884 commenced practice on his own account in Lambton Quay. In 1886 he married the daughter of the Hon. J. W. of Richmond, Nelson, and settled permanently in Petone. A keen angler, he was also well known on the tennis courts at Petone, and in addition captained the Petone Cricket Club which won the junior championship in 1889. Mr. Kirk had a wide influence on the progress of, Petone in its earlier days. He acted as legal adviser to the Town Board in the early "eighties," and in 1880, at the request of the board, undertook the offices of town clerk and returning officer. In 1888 the town was given borough status, and the following year Mr. Kirk was elected Mayor, an office he held until 1901 with the exception of a break of a year in 1891-2. On his retirement from the Petone Mayoralty Mr Kirk was appointed borough solicitor, and continued to assist the progress of the distinct.

For 16 years following 1889 he was a member of the Petone Navals. He developed into an enthusiastic and excellent rille shot, and was one of the committee which, with Colonel Sommerville, first explored the swamp, at Trentham with a view to leasing it and making a rifle range there. The first shoot was held in 1892. Mr. Kirk was one of the founders of the Petone Rifle Club, and shot with the Ballinger brothers and others who made history in New Zealand rifle shooting. Twice refusing trips to Bisley on account of business, he won the Kynock Cup in 1895. . Achievements in Golfing World. When he reached 40 years of age Mr. Kirk took up golf, with the same thoroughness which characterised his association with all other sports. With the aid of golfing literature and by watching better players he was soon winning handicap events, and after ten years had brought his handicap down to scratch at the age' of 50. He held the Hntt Club championship four times. Mr. Kirk was captain of the Hutt Golf Club continuously during the time he played golf. Four years ago he was elected a life member.

Five years ago he was professionally retained to frame a better constitution for the New Zealand Golf Council, and after the rules were adopted he was elected its chairman, a position he retained, During his term as chairman of the council Mr. Kirk was particularly interested in the prosperity and growth of outlying New Zealand clubs, and made many tours of inspection, during which his advice proved invaluable. Golf owes Mr. Kirk more than any other man in New Zealand, as besides many trophies given locally he was the originator of the indeyer Cup, \rhi<"b. oomncfed for annually by Australian and New Zealand teams, has done so much to- broaden the national standard of golf. Air Kirk is survived by Mrs. Kirk, one son, Mr. J. F. Kirk, of Petone, and a daughter, Mrs. Dennis Hnrsthcmse, of Hastings: Another son, Mr. Edward Kirk, died of enteric fever contracted on Gallipoli. DEEP REGRET IK AUCKLAND.

A SUGGESTED MEMORIAL. The news of the death of Mr. Kirk was received with deep regret by all Auckland golfers yesterday. Although Mr. Kirk spent most qf his time in the South, he was well known in Auckland as a man who had spared no effort to help forward the game. A suggestion •was made* by one golfer that as a tribute to Mr Kirk, golfers throughout the country should combine to raise a fitting memorial.