Georg Maximilian Borns
Georg Maximilian Borns (1852-1893)
1893 Obituary [1]
GEORG MAXIMILIAN BORNS was born at Stettin on 18th May 1852, his father Leo Borns being at that time chief engineer on one of the mail steamers running between Stettin and Cronstadt.
He was educated at Halle-on-the-Saale, and in 1866 was apprenticed to Mr. Christian Botticher, an engineer in that town having a reputation for accurate workmanship. After serving three years he proceeded to the trade school and technical college at Halle, where he remained another three years, passing his matriculation examination in September 1871.
He next went as improver into the works of Messrs. A. L. G. Dehne and Co. of Halle; and early in 1872 was appointed draughtsman and assistant manager in the works of Messrs. Kaltwasser and Co., hydraulic engineers, Halle, where he remained until 1873, when he joined the Polytechnic at Berlin.
Having unfortunately from family reasons to abandon the college course, in September 1873 he came to England and was engaged as draughtsman by Messrs. Allen Ransome and Co., Chelsea, until April 1874, when he obtained an engagement with Messrs. Maw, Dredge, and Hollingsworth, first as draughtsman, subsequently as head draughtsman, and later as chief engineering assistant. In this latter capacity he had the direct supervision of a variety of work carried out under difficult circumstances and requiring the exercise of much care and judgment.
In September 1891, owing to ill health, he was compelled to leave England for a less trying climate. Proceeding to New South Wales he was appointed engineer to the Shoalhaven Syndicate, to supervise the establishment of their gold-washing plant in the Shoalhaven district. Unfortunately his health did not materially improve, and although he carried out the work he had undertaken, its execution had to be followed by a prolonged rest.
Ultimately, not benefiting by the climate of New South Wales, he proceeded to New Zealand, and took up his residence at Masterton, North Island, intending to devote himself for a time to agricultural pursuits; but his illness still continued, and at this place he died on 27th September 1893, in the forty-second year of his age.
He became a Member of this Institution in 1892.