BULLER, Sir Walter Lawry 1838–1906

Born Newark, Bay of Islands, son of Wesleyan missionary the Rev. James Buller. Educated Wesley College, Auckland and initially entered bank service. Became Maori interpreter 1855, later a Judge of the Maori Land Court and in 1866 Resident Magistrate at Wanganui. Was a friend of William Swainson FRS and himself become noted ornithologist and Fellow of the Linnean, Geological, and Royal Societies. Visited England 1871–74 to supervise publication of first edition of his History of the Birds of New Zealand, 1883. Acted NZ Commissioner for the Indian and Colonial Exhibition and 1888 was created KCMG; in this year also published the second edition of his Birds. Exhibited: NZ International Ex Chch 1906–07, watercolours of New Zealand birds.