Page:The Dictionary of Australasian Biography.djvu/87

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DICTIONARY OF AUSTRALASIAN BIOGRAPHY.
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spective ports on Nov. 27th, 1847. The John Wickliff reached Port Chalmers on March 23rd, 1848, and the Philip Laing on April 15th following. The day after the arrival of the Philip Laing being the Sabbath, the passengers on both ships assembled on board the Philip Laing for Divine service, which was conducted by Mr. Burns. On the following Sabbath Divine service was held in Dunedin, when Mr. Burns preached. From that time to February 1854 Mr. Burns continued alone to minister to the religious needs of the settlers, the majority of whom had located themselves in Dunedin and neighbourhood, while some had settled at Port Chalmers, and others had taken up land in the Taieri, Tokomairiro, and Clutha districts, all of whom were periodically visited by Mr. Burns. From his ministerial visits southwards Mr. Burns was relieved by the arrival, in February 1854, of the Rev. William Will and the Rev. William Bannerman, with whom he took part in constituting the Presbytery of Otago in June following, and of which he was the first Moderator. Further relief was given him by the settlement of Rev. William Johnstone, at Port Chalmers, in June 1858, and by the subdivision of the Free Church, Dunedin, by the formation of Knox Church, under the pastorate of the Rev. D. M. Stuart, in 1860. In 1861 Mr. Burns received the diploma of Doctor of Divinity from the University of Edinburgh. In 1866, on the formation of the synod as the Supreme Court of the Church, rendered necessary by the increase of ministers throughout Otago and Southland, and the formation of several presbyteries, Dr. Burns presided as first Moderator. Advancing years and failing health led to the appointment of a colleague and successor in the person of the Rev. George Sutherland in 1868. Towards the close of 1870 Dr. Burns retired wholly from public duties, and died on Jan. 23rd, 1871. A monument to his memory has been erected in Dunedin, not far from the spot where one of his illustrious uncle has stood for some years past. Whilst Captain Cargill was the lay organiser and ruler of the Otago settlement, the late Dr. Burns was its spiritual guide and adviser. It was in 1844 that the New Zealand Company, perceiving the wonderful life which animated the free Church, approached her with a view to found a Free Church colony in New Zealand. The offer was entertained, and the Laymen's Association for planting the colony of Otago was organised, with Dr. Alcorn for its secretary in Glasgow and Mr. John M'Glashan for its secretary in Edinburgh. The Association, with the utmost unanimity, fixed on Captain Cargill to be the Moses and Dr. Burns to be the Aaron of the enterprise, as Dr. Stuart phrased it. It is well known that Sir William Chambers was one of those who directed attention to Dr. Burns as in all respects suitable for the office of pioneer minister. The doctor devoted much time to the advocacy of the scheme, and in his speeches he gave prominence to its objects—the settlement of the people on their own acres and the planting of church and school within their reach.

Burrowes, Hon. Robert, M.L.A., formerly Minister of Mines, Victoria, was born at Perth, a township near Ottawa, Canada, in 1827. After experience in the lumber trade he left Canada in 1852, and arrived in Melbourne in April 1853. He almost immediately afterwards left for the Bendigo (Sandhurst) diggings, where he took an active part in creating Sandhurst municipality, and was chairman of the local council on the occasion of railway communication being established between Melbourne and Sandhurst in 1862. He was returned to the Victorian Assembly for Sandhurst in Jan. 1866, and held the seat till his defeat in May 1877. In 1880 he was re-elected, and still sits for the same constituency. From August 1881 to March 1883 he was Minister of Mines in the O'Loghlen Government. Mr. Burrowes married in 1858 Sarah Ellen, daughter of P. Vickery.

Burt, Sir Archibald Paull, son of George Henry Burt, was born in 1810, and educated at a private school at Richmond. He was called to the bar at the Middle Temple in 1845, and emigrated to the island of St. Christopher, where he practised his profession, being Attorney-General from 1849 to 1860. He was Speaker of the House of Assembly, a Member of the Executive and Legislative Councils, and for some time Acting Chief Justice. He was also a Member of the Administrative Committee and Chancellor of the Diocese of Antigua and the Leeward Islands, In 1860 he was appointed Civil

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