iv Obituary. 



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 Stock well 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 dis- 

 trict, and as Consulting Engineer to the Rangitikei Road Board. 



