Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker, O.M., F.R.S.
(1817–1911.)

Through the lamented death of Sir Joseph Hooker, the greatest of British botanists, the New Zealand Institute has lost not only the most illustrious and revered of its honorary members, but one whose hand has laid an impress on New Zealand science never to be effaced.

Hooker's connection with New Zealand botany commenced so long ago as the early summer of 1840, when, as naturalist to the famous Antarctic Expedition under Sir James Ross, he explored botanically the Auckland and Campbell Islands. How thoroughly this work was conducted is evidenced by the fact that, notwithstanding subsequent visits of several experienced botanists and one well-equipped scientific expedition, only twenty-five additions, many of which are doubtless extremely local, have been made to Hooker's original list of 124 species of vascular plants. As for the lower cryptogams (277 species), they remain virtually as they were. Three months (August-November) of the succeeding year were spent by Hooker at the Bay of Islands, where he made a collection of about three hundred species, and gained at the same time a first-hand acquaintance with a portion of the New Zealand flora proper. Perhaps even more important was his meeting Colenso, who, through contact with the brilliant young botanist, was stirred up to that life-long enthusiastic devotion to science which yielded such valuable results.

Immediately on the return of the Ross Expedition Hooker commenced the study of his collections, and, notwithstanding their magnitude, the first volume of the magnificent “Flora Antarctica,” devoted to the New Zealand Subantarctic Islands, Islands, appeared in 1844, and marked the commencement of a new epoch in New Zealand botany.

The years 1853 to 1855 saw the publication of the “Flora Novae-Zelandiae,” a quarto work in two volumes similar to the “Flora Antarctica,” consisting of 729 pages and 130 coloured plates. In this and the last-mentioned work the species are not merely described, but their affinities and geographical distribution most thoroughly considered. Further, the essay on the New Zealand flora which formed an introduction to the “Flora Novae-Zelandiae” is a phytogeographic classic of the highest excellence. Written presumably to educate the colonial collector and to stimulate botanical research in the new colony, it deals in a most searching manner with the origin and affinities of the flora, and as a contribution to philosophical plant-geography has never been excelled in its admirable marshalling of the facts, clearness of style, moderation of tone, and carefully balanced conclusions. Another portion of the essay, treating of the limits of species, their dispersion and variation, is full of matter interesting even yet to a present-day student of evolution.

Hooker's investigations in New Zealand botany extended far into the “sixties,” when his “Handbook of the New Zealand Flora” (1864–67) appeared. This was no mere reproduction of his former works, for many colonial collectors had been hard at work (Colenso, Travers, Haast, Hector, Buchanan, &c.), and a vast quantity of fresh material awaited examination. Indeed, the task was one of no small magnitude, and when the marvellous accuracy of the descriptions is considered it is hard to believe the fact that they were drawn up from herbarium material alone. Assuredly, well might Darwin exclaim, “Oh, my heavens! to get up at second hand a New Zealand flora—that is work.” How original the treatment was is shown by Hemsley's computation that sixteen endemic genera and half the species described have the affix “Hook, f.”

The indebtedness of New Zealand science does not end with Hooker's published work. To all serious investigators of the flora he was a friend, guide, and counsellor. There is, indeed, no name of moment in the later botany of the Dominion but is deeply indebted to Hooker's influence and assistance, generously given.

Almost to the last did the great botanist feel keen interest in the progress of knowledge in that far-off region where his spurs had been won. Writing to the Council of the Canterbury branch of the Institute on the 24th June, 1910, he said, in reference to the recently published “Subantarctic Islands of New Zealand,” “I was aware of the scientific expedition to the Auckland and Campbell Islands organized in 1907, and was looking anxiously for some records of its results.” After explaining that, of course, he was specially interested in the botany, he adds, “There is really no section, biological and geological, which I can afford to overlook.”

Hooker's work on New Zealand botany, to which the above sketch does but scant justice, extending over a period of nearly forty years, reflects but a portion of that genius and untiring industry which have so strongly influenced botanical research throughout the Empire.

L. Cockayne.

H. C. Field.

Henry Claylands Field was born at Holybourne, Hampshire, England, in 1825. He received his education at Stockwell Grammar School and the City of London School, and completed the scholastic portion of his life by a course at King's College, London.

Being destined for the profession of a civil engineer, he was articled to Sir John Rennie, whose name is well known all over the world in connection with great works of engineering, and who was the builder of the present London Bridge.

At the age of twenty Mr. Field entered the service of an English railway company, where he remained for ten years. The colonies then attracted him, and he came out to New Zealand in the ship “Simla,” and proceeded to Wanganui. The young settlement was then governed by a Town Board, which appointed Mr. Field its Clerk and Engineer. Subsequently he acted also as Engineer to the Road Boards of the district, and as Consulting Engineer to the Rangitikei Road Board.

By the construction of good communications Mr. Field left his mark all over the district, being responsible for the construction of no less than two thousand miles of roads. His name is perpetuated by Field's Track from Wanganui to Karioi, the half of which nearest to Wanganui now forms part of the Parapara Road. This track has been and is still used by thousands, and is known as one of the best surveyed and graded roadways in the country, even though part of it never got beyond the track stage. In 1884 Mr. Field retired from active pursuits.

He published several papers on scientific subjects, and a book entitled “Ferns of New Zealand,” which gives a popular account of the ferns of these Islands and its immediate dependencies, and is noted for its good descriptions and excellent illustrations.

He was an ardent supporter and exhibitor of the Horticultural Society, and took a great interest in harbour matters and public affairs generally.

He died at Aramoho, Wanganui, at the advanced age of eighty-seven years.