DEATH IN ROTORUA

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19522, 3 January 1938, Page 4

DEATH IN ROTORUA

MAORI ARTS DIRECTOR MR. HAROLD HAMILTON (Per Press Association.) ROTORUA, this day. The death has occurred after a long and painful illness of Mr. Harold Hamilton, director of the school of Maori arts and crafts. The late Mr. Hamilton was a son of the late Mr. Augustus Hamilton, who was well known for many years as director of the Dominion Museum. He was well known as an able geologist, biologist and entomogolist, and was the author of a number of scientific papers. He was a member of Sir Douglas Mawson's Antarctic expedition in 1911, returning in 1914 when he was the recipient of the coveted Antarctic Medal. He enlisted in the Royal Navy in 1916, serving with the rank of lieutenant on special duty in England. He returned to New Zealand in 1919 and was appointed assistant at the Dominion Museum. He specialised in the study of Maori arts and crafts, and in 1927 was loaned to the board of Maori arts and crafts to act as director of the arts and crafts school at Ohinemutu, a position which he continued to fill until his death. He took an active part in various sports and other organisations in Rotorua during the period he resided in the district.