Obituary Notice

Abstract

RARELY indeed in the history of Science can significant researches have been accomplished under conditions calling for such heroic courage as that displayed by the subject of this brief memoir. In August 1911 while still a student at Cambridge he was climbing in the Tyrol with Charles Meade the Himalayan explorer. He dived into a mountain lake, striking his head on a submerged rock. This so damaged the spine that the spinal cord was practically severed at the level of the sixth cervical vertebra, and paralysis from the waist downwards, with incomplete use of the'hands and arms, was the necessary consequence. Though never again to move from his bed Onslow faced his tragic destiny with high courage. He determined still to be of use in the world, and the moment the verdict of " incurable " was pronounced he settled down to pursuits involving not only intense intellectual activity but also scientific experimental work most of which, in spite of his grave disabilities, he carried out by himself. To this end he with immense determination compelled his partially paralysed arms and hands to the attainment of quite remarkable skill. No one ever stood at his bedside without feeling almost overwhelmed with the poignancy of what he saw. On a raised pillow the handsome intellectual face lit up with keen interest; the powerless body.... Huia Onslow, younger son of the fourth Earl of Onslow, was born on Nov. 13, 1890, at Government House, Wellington, New Zealand, while his father was Governor. He was the godson of Queen Victoria. The circumstances of his infancy were romantic. When about 12 months old he was inducted as Chief of the Ngathuia, an ancient and powerful Maori tribe. His unique Christian name, Huia, was given him in token of friendship between the British Government and the Maori race, and has reference to' the Huia bird of New Zealand, of which the feathers were the tribal emblem of the Ngathuia! When fourteen years of age he again visited New Zealand and was welcomed with high festival by his tribe. He was educated at Eton and Trinity College, Cambridge. While at the University he read natural science for one year, and then for two years turned his attention to mechanical science with the intention of qualifying for the Parliamentary Bar where he expected to find a knowledge of engineering very useful. He entered at one of the Inns of Court in 1911, but almost immediately after this, and only two months after he had qualified for his Cambridge degree, occurred the tragedy which cut him off from an active career. Active that is in the common sense; as already said there was scarcely a breach in his real