SIR JULIUS VON HAAST.

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume I, Issue 29, 18 August 1887, Page 2

SIR JULIUS VON HAAST.

The colony loses a good and faithful public servant by the death of Sir Julius von Haast, the curator of the Christchurch museum. Originally coming to the colony with Hochstetter as a young foreigner full of ambition to distinguish himself in the paths of geographical study and natural history, Von Haast settled down in Christchurch as curator of the museum there. He devoted special attention to the study of the habits of the extinct moa bird of New Zealand, and by his perseverance and industry of search got together a large quantity of specimens of the bones of that curious creature. The surplus not required for his own museum, he exchanged for geological specimens from the principal European and American museums and so gradually acquired the nucleus of a scientific collection which has grown into what is now perhaps the best classified museum in the Southern Hemisphere. His contributions to the journals and transactions of various foreign societies won for him considerable distinction and numerous scientific honors were gained

thereby. Appointed one bf the New Zealand Cdmtr'isfeicfie'rs to the Indian and ColohUl Exhibition held in London last Vear, he devoted himself to the task of organising the New Zealand Court with most laudable zeal, and although the Court partook perhaps too much of the aspect of a mere museum of Maori curios and the scientific element predominated too much, yet the general arrangements were much admired. After a lengthy tour on the Continent Dr Voh Haast returned to London to be knighted in honour of his services, and returned to-, the colony some four or five months ago to resume his old from which he has now been so suddenly removed by the hand of death. In private life Von Haast was one of the most amiable of men, his cheery bonhomie and unfailing courtesy of manner deservedly gaining him a wide circle of true friends. He Was both a good fellow and a good worker, and Canterbury people and New Zealanders generally will much regret his decease.