DEATH OF MR. ROBERT STAINS

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 107, 6 May 1912, Page 8

DEATH OF MR. ROBERT STAINS

Intimation of tho death of Mr. Robert Stains, one of the founders of tho local firm of Kirkcaldio and Stains, ha» been received in Wellington from London by private cablegram. The deceased gentleman, who was 77 years of age, died at hio residence, Westwood Lodge, Upper Norwood, London, on Friday last. He was bora at Dartford, in l^ent, aiid at liw age of 16 was apprenticed to the drapery trade. After finishing his apprenticeship, he was in the employment ot several leading soft goods firms ill London. In 1861 he went out to Sydney under engagement (o a linn of drapers in that town,_ and it was while there that bo made the acquaintance of Mr. John Kirkcaldie. He imd Mr. Rirkcaldie \fii'e in the, same, establishment in Sydney for about two years, and they then decided to enter into bus 'lies.'! on' their own account. On the 9th of December, 1865, th'j firm of Kirkcaldie and Stains opened premise* on Lambton-quay, and the partnership was continued for twpnty-thi-co year*, viz., until September, 1886. With tho exception of one trip to New Zealand, Mr Stains had resided in London from tho time ho retired from business until his death. For tho past Wo or three years lw had been in frail health. Mrs. Stains died on 3rd December, 1910, leaving him with a son and three daughters— ono of them married. As a mark of ncspeet, the premise* of Messrs. Kirkualdio and' Stains woro eloped between 2 and 3 o'clock thh afternoon.