In Memoriam. Robert Gillies.

Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 24, 15 June 1886, Page 3

In Memoriam. Robert Gillies.

It is with deep repfrot that wo notice tho death of Mr. Robert Gillies, late M.H.Rv for Bruce. A moro genuine man or a hotter colonist novor lived. Ho arrived in tho colony about 1853, if wo mistako not, as a boy with his father, mothor, brothers, and sisters. His father was the lato Mr. John Gillies, for many years Bosident Magistrate of Dunedin, a Scotch Writer of the Signet, who had held highly responsible professional positions in tho North of Scotland, of which ho was a native. Mr. T. B. Gillies, the eldest son, settled down as a farmer at Warepa, whenco after a few years ho went back to Dunedin to comploto his law studies (commenced in Scotland), as an articled olork to his father and Mr. John Hyde Harris, then practising in partnership in Dunedin. Afterwards a successful lawyer, a prominent politician and Minister, and now a Judgo of tho Supremo Court, the crreor of Mr. Jnstico Gillies is well known. Another brother, Mr. John Lillie Gillies, settled as a farmor in Tokomairiro, entered the Provincial Council, held office in the Otago Executive, became a member of the House of Representatives for Bruce, and is now Secretary of tho Otago Harbour Board. Mr. James Gillies, another brother, is a leading merchant in New Caledonia. Bobt. Gillies, as a youth, joined the survoy department in Otago as a cadet, together, wo think, with tho lato Mr. Mitchell, of Palmcrston, and much about the same time as the present Surveyor-Genoral, Mr. M'Kerrow, joined the department. After qualifying himself, Mr. Robert Gillieabocamo a District Surveyor, and in 1861 commenced business on his own account as a land surveyor and estate agent, afterwards joining Mr. C. H. Street, now of Auckland (his father-in-law), in establishing the well-known Dunedin firm of Gillies & Streot. Mr. Robert Gillies was an exceedingly ablo man, and would, like his brothers, no doubt havo attained a prominent political position had not hia health broken down almost immediately after he entered Parliament. A staunch friend, a good citizen, an oxomplary husband and father, and a man worthy of the highest respect in overy relation of life, Robert Gillies has passed to his rest at a comparatively early ago, mourned by all who knew him. The cause of death was aneurism of tho heart.