People and Their Doings.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20231, 15 February 1934, Page 8

People and Their Doings.

Dr Tillyavd has Pursued His Brilliant Scientific Career in Spite of Many Difficulties : A Bluff Sailor Who will be Associated with Prince Georges Visit. ■tt /-vr T TT rry-rr t • ni-. i •. 1 . ~W~y.r- < nnA T-x "T-> •11 1 > 1 A.-. AYT AT A Y will OmKaVlK' 6criir#» TAT

'J'HOUGH DR TILLYARD was only eight years in New Zealand—during the period 1920-28, when he was chief of the biological department of the Cawthron Institute at Nelson—his name and his work are so well known that the facts of his public career are of much interest. Since 1928 Dr Tillvard has been associated with the Federal Industrial Research Council in Australia, and he has been in charge of the division of economic entomology. He has resigned office this month on account of ill-health; for he has not yet recovered from the effects of a severe nervous breakdown which he suffered in Chicago last year. Unfortunately, this is by no means the first time that an unkind fate has interfered with Dr Tillyard’s career. He intended to enter the Army, but after passing with great credit he was rejected at Woolwich because he was subject to rheumatism. He then won two entrance scholarships—one for Oxford in classics, the other for Cambridge in mathematics. He went to Cambridge and for three years he read science and Oriental languages as well as mathematics; but his rheumatism then became so serious that he was forced to leave England. §? 41? D R TILLYARD then went to Australia and took a position as mathematical master in Sydney Grammar School. In 1913 he resigned from the school to take up his studies at the University and work for a science degree. But just before the war he was badly “ smashed up ” in a railway accident on the North Shore line, and for two years he was told that he would not be able to work again. When he recovered he had lost five inches in height and could not use his right arm. But he went on with his studies, the university gave him the privilege of a special examination at his own home, and he finally secured the first B.Sc. for research ever granted in Sydney.

TN 1920 came Dr Tillyard’s removal to New Zealand, and while at the Caw* thron Institute he wrote his great work on “ The Insects of Australia and New Zealand,” and secured a world-wide reputation as a scientific advocate of the biological control of plant and insect pests. The “ Sydney Morning Herald ” tells us that Dr Tillyard’s introduction of a small wasp to control the woolly aphis “ was so successful that in four years the aphis had practically ceased to be a pest and the apple output of New Zealand had increased enormously.” Incidentally, while he was in New Zealand his left arm was broken in an accident, and while he was in America one of his ribs was smashed. He completed his American experiences last year with the nervous breakdown which has now compelled him to put aside work once more—let us hope, only for the time. €$ |g sSJ GIXTY YEARS AGO (from the “Star” of February 15, 1874) : Wellington, February 14—The New Zealand Steam Coippany has decided to withdraw the Phoebe from the Sydney and Manakau trade, and again place her in the interprovincial trade. It is said the Government have arranged with the above Company for the conveyance to and from Napier of the Volunteers for the colonial firing. Invercargill, February 14.—The first section Of the Invercargill and Mataura railway, twelve miles 5Vi length, was formally handed over by Messrs Brogden to the Government to-day. Art excursion train carried 500 persons to Woodlands, where luncheon was provided bv Messrs Brogden. Mr Weld, Governor of Western Australia, was a passenger bv the train, and was present at the luncheon. Theatre Royal.—The bill for this evening includes the drama “ The Sergeant’s Wife ” and the farce “ His Last Legs.” Miss .Aitken will also recite the poem “Mary, Queen of Scots.”

QNE MAN who will probably figure prominently in the news during the forthcoming visit of Prince George to Australia and New Zealand is Vice-Admiral Sir George Francis Hyde. Commander of the Australian Navy. It does not seem more than thirtyyears ago since a brilliant career was predicted for this bluff and hearty sailor by Lady Margot Asquith, when, as LieutenantCommander George Hyde, he handed her a goblet of Australian wine after she had christened the Australian destroyer, “ Parramatta.” Shortly before he had come into prominence through a masterly essay on naval tactics in the Russo-Japanese War, which he had written while undergoing annual drill with the Mediterranean Fleet, on special leave from the merchant service. Following this a special Order-in-Council took him into the Royal Navy. He first served in the Australian Navy in 1910, and in 1914 was commander of the cruiser Australia in the North Sea. Then he took the scout, Adventure, to the south of Ireland, to chase submarines. His appointment to the command of the Australian fleet was a surprise to many, but his work since he arrived has fully justified the judgment of those responsible for his selection.

■\7TSCOUNT CHURCHILL, who died from pneumonia at his Scottish residence at Galashiels on January 3, was a godson of Queen Victoria. Chairman of the Great Western Railway for over a quarter of a century, the Viscount had another “ job,” a difficult one, which required the maximum of tact. For many years it was his duty to decide who should and who should not be admitted to the Royal enclosure at Ascot. It was said of him that though he had to refuse many applications he managed to do so without ever giving offence.