Obituary.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 57, Issue 4, 20 October 1938, Page 335

Obituary.

Mr. J. A. Campbell, Director, Horticulture Division.

WITH the death of Mr. James Angus Campbell, Director of the Horticulture Division of the Department of Agriculture, on 24th September, New Zealand has lost one of its most prominent horticulturists. Mr. Campbell collapsed while attending a Masonic Lodge gathering at Island Bay, Wellington. He was sixty-four years of age. Mr. Campbell was a native of Victoria, Australia. He arrived in New Zealand forty-one years 1 ago and became a landscape gardener and horticulturist, and among his many achievements was the laying out of the grounds of the Christchurch Exhibition and the supervision of that work, which was under the control of the Department of Agriculture. Mr. T. W. Kirk, who was Director of the Horticulture Division, at that time, was so impressed with Mr. Campbell’s work that he persuaded him to join the Department in 1908. Later he was appointed Orchard Instructor at Hamilton and then at Hastings. In 1915 he was appointed Assistant-Director of the Horticulture Division. . Mr. Campbell in 1919 paid an extended visit to the United States of America in the interests of his Department. Shortly after ' his return Mr. Kirk retired, and Mr. Campbell was then appointed Director of the Horticulture Division. ' ' Work for Fruit Trade. During Mr. Campbell’s term of office the fruit-export trade of the Dominion has been created and has grown to main importance. The success of this industry is the result in no small measure of Mr. Campbell’s kindly interest, wise counsel,

and untiring service. His qualities as a leader have been of great value to the fruitgrowers and honey-producers of the Dominion. Himself so greatly interested in the land, he had a complete understanding of the producers’ problems, and his advice was much sought after and highly valued in Government circles. In association with the late Mr. G. A. Green, Mr. Campbell assisted in the organization of the New Zealand Institute of Horticulture, and it was largely his zeal in this work that has enabled the institute to stimulate interest in and raise the status of New Zealand horticulture. “Service Before Self.” Mr. Campbell’s enthusiasm and organizing ability were as keen in recreation as

in business, and this gained him many friends. Always a keen bowler, he had a long and pleasant association with the Island Bay Bowling Club and had served the club as president. ■ Throughout his business and private life his motto was always “ Service before self ” ; it was his appreciation of this that led him to join the Wellington Rotary Club, where he enjoyed companionship with kindred spirits. A foundation member and a past master of the Island Bay Lodge of Freemasons, Mr. Campbell always regarded it as his favourite lodge. He was a man of plain tastes, unswerving loyalty, and genial disposition. A fluent speaker, he had a great faculty for gathering up possibly conflicting arguments and making some proposal satisfactory to all parties. His death is a tremendous loss to the orcharding industry. Mr. Campbell is survived by his wife, two daughters, Mrs. D. M. Grover and Mrs. W. A. Simpson, both of Wellington, and one son, Roderick. There is one grandson. 4 Largely-attended Funeral. The funeral of the late Mr. Campbell took place on 27th September at the Karori Cemetery, and was very largely attended. Floral tributes were received from Great Britain and from all parts of the Dominion. The service was conducted by the Rev. Brian Kilroy, of St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, and the Masonic portion of the ceremony by the Master of the Island Bay Lodge, Mr. W. F. C. Vine.

Mr. K. W. Gorringe.

A FORMER Supervisor of the Pig Industry for the Department of Agriculture, Mr. Kirke Wood Gorringe/ died recently at his home, 66 Kelburn Parade, Wellington. , Mr. Gorringe was born in 1871 at Bexley, Kent, England. He came to New Zealand in 1891. For a number of years he was engaged in farming in Taranaki. Later he set up the first model pig-farm at Te Rapa, Hamilton.

In 1920 Mr. Gorringe joined the Department of Agriculture as Supervisor of the Pig Industry. He lectured throughout both the North and South Islands. Mr. Gorringe was responsible for improving the standard of pig-keeping in the Dominion and played a large part in developing the export industry. He retired at the end of last year. As a young man in Taranaki he took a keen interest in amateur drama. For the last seven or eight years he was a

very enthusiastic member of the Kelburn Bowling Club, and represented the club in local tournaments. He is survived by his widow, one brother, Mr. A. R. Gorringe (New Plymouth), and two sisters, Mrs. Florence Crane (Auckland) and Mrs. Mary Mahlstedt (Melbourne). The funeral service was conducted at St. Peter’s Anglican Church, Wellington, by the Rev. D. C. Bates. The service at the Wellington Crematorium was also conducted by Mr. Bates.