OBITUARY.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 258, 31 October 1929, Page 7

OBITUARY.

DIAMOND MAGNATE PASSES

CAPETOWN, October 30.

The death has occurred of Sir Joseph B. Robinson, a pioneer of the diamond and gold mining industries. He sent the first parcel of diamonds from South Africa to London.

The late Sir Joseph Robinson was born at Cradock in the. east province of South Africa in IS4O. He started life as a wool buyer and farmer, and acquired about 20,000 acres at Vaal River. He discovered diamonds on his property, and thus started one of South Africa's richest industries. He took an active part in public matters in Kimberley, and became Mayor in 1880. He represented Griqualand West for four years, and during his term in Parliament had the Diamond Traffic Act passed. He fought in the Free State in the Basuto War.

RICH PASTORALIST,

SYDNEY, October 30. The death has occurred of Mr. Franc Brereton Sadleir Falkiner, who was considered to be one of the wealthiest pastoralists in Australia, aged 62. His death occurred after a brief illness at Foxglow station, Queanbeyan. He leaves a widow and two daughters, one of whom is Mrs. Lowry, of Hawke's Bay. I Mr. Falkiner was the owner of the ; famous Haddon Rig station in the Riverina. His sale of stud rams each year realised on an average £50,000. He had also owned several racehorses.