OBITUARY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2299, 24 March 1898, Page 40

OBITUARY.

PROFESSOR KIRK,

(Feom Our Own Correspondent.) Wellington, March 9.

Professor Kirk died last night at Plimmerton, aged 70 ye»rs. H« was born in Warwickshire in 1828, and in 1864- 5 be anived in Auckland from England. lie was brought up at tbe great timber mills .of Newark. His great attainments as a scientific botanist were, after bis coming to Auckland, at once recognised. He classified tbe New Zealand native flora, completing the work of Joseph Hooker. For many years curator of tbe Auckland Museum, he was one of the founders and contributor* to the " Transactions of the New Zealand Institute." In 1874- be came to Wellington. Upon reoeiviog the .appointment of lecturer upon natural Bciei.ee at Wellington College, which was then affiliated to tha New Zealand University, he renamed tbe flora and planted tbe most beautiful of tbe native trees in ths Auckland Domain. Ho was cszt appointed to the office of lecturer on biology at the Lincoln Agricultural College, Canterbury. Mr Ballance, when Minister for Lands in tho Stout- Vogel Government, appointed him to the post of Cbicf Commissioner of tfba'e Forests, and be organised a Forestry department His last work was the " Forest Flora of New Zealand," a work of great value and authority. He wag engaged at tbe time of his dfatb in preparing -a •' Student's Flora of New Zealand." Deceased tva3 a Fellow of the Linsasean Society. He was a gentleman of amiable disposition. He leaves a family of three d.-vughters and two sons, tbe eldest son being Mr T. W. K)rk, tbe Government biologist.