8. H. C. RUSSELL. 
mining districts of New England. I well remember Mr. Adams 
shewing Mr. Wilkinson’s report on the tin country to me, and his 
expression of satisfaction that he had obtained such a valuable 
officer. That good opinion increased upon acquaintance, and a 
year later Mr. Wilkinson was appointed Geological Surveyor in 
the Survey Department, in order that he might devote the whole 
of his time to a work for which he was so well fitted. In 1875 
he was made Geological Surveyor in the then newly organized 
Department of Mines. From that time onwards Mr. Wilkinson 
marked his’ career by intense application to the study of that 
science which both inclination and duty called him to follow. - 
Some indication of the success of that work is found in his success- 
ful creation and organization of the Geological Department and 
the Museum in connection therewith, of which he was without 
doubt the founder, and in the multitude of valuable contributions 
to science which are left as a record of his untiring energy and 
zeal. He was the first to urge upon the Government, for geological 
reasons, the necessity for seeking subterranean waters in our 
western districts, and the first bore for water was put down under 
his direction. 
The end came unexpectedly ; he had it is true, been ailing for 
some time, but he thought it was nothing more serious than a 
passing fit of indigestion, and he made all arrangements to go on 
an official visit to the silver mines. Meanwhile the symptoms of 
disease became so severe that he was obliged to rest, and instead 
of gaining strength as he anticipated, he became rapidly worse, 
and in a few weeks passed away. He was a sincere Christian 
and gave much of his spare time to the elucidation of the connec- 
tion between science and religion, and in his later years at 
Burwood, had a class of working men to whom he regularly 
lectured on every available Sunday afternoon upon geology in its 
bearing upon religion. He was a truly scientific man, unosten- 
tatious but enthusiastic in his work, and at all times ready to help 
those who needed it. In manner, courteous and kind, a cheerful 
and pleasant companion, he was the friend of every one who 
