Captain I. J. Burgess has been connected with Auckland almost from its foundation. He was born in London in 1824, completed his education at Greenwich Hospital Upper (Naval) School and then entered the merchant service, serving his apprenticeship in the ship “Forester,” Captain McArthur, trading between London and the WestIndies, Having subsequently made other voyages to Australia, South Africa, and North America, he salled for New Zealand, in March, 1846, as chief officer of the barque “Madras,” arriving at Nelson in July and thence to Wellington, Taranaki, and Auckland. He left the “Madras” at the latter port and entered the Government service as chief officer of H.M. Colonial brig “Victoria,” Captain Richards. The vessel left for the south shortly afterwards, and in August, 1847, while she was lying off Wanganui, in company with H.M.S. “Calliope,” Captain Richards, in attempting to communicate with the military authorities ashore, was accidentally drowned and Captain Burgess was appointed to the command of the brig, which he retained until 1850, when he resigned and was made chief pilot and acting-harbour master at Auckland, during the absence of Captain Rough; on the transfer of the latter to the Customs Department, Captain Burgess was permanently appointed harbour master, which position he held up to December, 1894, when he retired. For many years, up to the date of the abolition of the provinces, Captain Burgess was chief harbour master for the province of Auckland, with general supervision of Manukau, Kaipara, Hokianga, Thames, Tauranga, and other harbours. Captain Burgess had also a great deal to do with the preliminary work in connection with the erection of the Flat Rock beacon, Tiritirl, Sandspit, and Bean Rock light houses. In 1876 the “Alpha” dredge was secured by the Harbour Board, and the first dredging operations were carried on under Captain Burgess' supervision. In 1878, the Auckland graving dock was completed and Captain Burgess appointed dockmaster; in 1888 the Calliope graving dock was opened under his charge. On Captain Burgess' retirement after forty-four years direct service at the port of Auckland, and forty-eight years in the Colony, he was presented by the officers of the Auckland Harbour Board with an illuminated address, accompanied with a silver tea-set and salver. Captain Burgess has been the recipient of letters from the early Governors, including one from Sir George Grey, as well as from the Naval officers commanding the station, and from the mercantile marine, thanking him for his many valuable services. He was married on the 6th of June, 1848, to Miss Sarah Hammond, eldest daughter of Mr. James Hammond, of Freeman's Bay, and has a grown up family of sons and daughters.