G. F. J. M. Britton, Coccidologist.

Transactions and Proceedings of the Royal Society of New Zealand, Volume 70, 1940-41, Page XXXVII

G. F. J. M. Britton, Coccidologist. We regret to announce the death on January 28, 1940, of Mr. G. F. J. M. Britton, the coccidologist, at the age of 62 years. Mr. Britton came to New Zealand at an early age. His original intention was to enter the legal profession, but he was handicapped by deafness. He then spent some time in a newspaper office in Christchurch, and finally took up fruit farming in the Motueka district, where he resided for some 24 years until his death.

When living in Christchurch he was one of a small group of enthusiastic microscopists, and this led him to specialise in the Coccidae. He published a number of works on the subject, and, in spite of the severe handicap of ever-increasing ill-health, maintained his activities practically till the time of his death. He frequently visited the Cawthron Institute in the course of his studies, and was of considerable assistance in the identification of scale insects. He had amassed a valuable collection, which he bequeathed to the Institute.—D. M.