OBITUARY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23015, 18 April 1938, Page 9

OBITUARY

MR. BERTRAM MILLS BRITISH CIRCUS PROPRIETOR (Received April 17, 5.5 p.m.) LONDON, April 16 The death has occurred of Mr. Bertram Mills, circus proprietor.

Mr. Bertram Mills, originally an undertaker, became the proprietor of tlie largest circus in Britain. He was the son of an undertaker who revolutionised the business in London by introducing the glass hearse and bay horses instead of black. Brought up among horses, young Mills had the greatest affection for them and had no other desire than to keep in touch with their training and employment. After assisting in his father s business for some years Mr. Mills set up for himself as a harness and carriage maker and travelled all over Europe attending horse shows in order to study foreign ideas and to further his business.'His leisure time was spent in watching the training of horses for circuses. After the world war he decided to form a circus of his own and assembled a large company of riders, acrobats, clowns and other performers, together with the finest equipment that any circus could possess. The greatest display of his circus was given annually at Olvmpia, London. and was one of the most popular shows of the winter season. To produce it between 4000 and 5000 persons were employed in some way. In 191.12, Mr. Mills was elected to tlie committee assisting Lord Lonsdale in the organisation of the International Horse Show held in London, and played a very enthusiastic part in the work of making it successful.