Thomas Kirk

From Wiki

Mr Thomas Kirk F.L.S (18/1/1828-8/3/1898)

Biography

Born 18 January 1828 Coventry, Warwickshire, the son of George Kirk, a nurseryman, and Sarah née West, nurserywoman and florist.
Worked first as a nurseryman then at Newarks' timber mill in Coventry.
25 December 1850 married Sarah Jane Mattocks, a silk marker.
1862 poor health and economic circumstances led him to emigrate to New Zealand, arriving in Auckland on 9th February 1863.
1868 meteorological observer in Auckland.
1884 commissioned by New Zealand government to compile report on the indigenous forests.
1885 appointed Chief Conservator of Forests.
Died impoverished at Plimmerton 8 March 1898 and buried in unmarked grave Karori cemetery, Wellington.