DEATH OF SIR JOHN ROBERTS

Taranaki Daily News, 17 September 1934, Page 5

DEATH OF SIR JOHN ROBERTS

DISTINGUISHED CAREER. The death of Sir John Roberts, K. 8., C.M.G., following a stroke, has removed one of New Zealand’s most prominent citizens. He was chairman of directors of Murray, Roberts and Company, Ltd., which firm he founded in Dunedin in 1868. He was also chairman of directors of the Mosgiel Woollen Company, Ltd., and a director of other prominent commercial undertakings. He joined the board of directors of the Union Steam Ship Company of New Zealand in 1903, and acted as deputy-chairman from 1914 up to his retirement at the end of 1931. He was president of the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition held in Dunedin in 188990, Mayor of Dunedin 1900, member of the Otago University Council between 1885 and 1891, and again from 1907 to 1921, during the latter 14 years acting as vice-chancellor. He was a member for t\yo years of the Otago Provincial Council, and held office in numerous organisations. He was created CM.G. in 1891 and was knighted in 1920. Sir John was born in Selkirk, Scotland, in 1845. In 1932 he received the freedom of that town along with the Duke of Buccleugh, Major-General Sir Walter Maxwell Scott (a great-grand-son of Sir Walter Scott), and Sir John Buchan. M.P. (the historian and novelist). Following experience as a youth in his father’s mill, he in 1864 went to Victoria, Australia, joining John Sanderson and Company, merchants. In 1868 he arrived in New Zealand and founded the firm of Murray, Roberts and Company. In 1870 he married Miss Louisa Kettle, daughter of Mr. Charles Henry Kettle, New Zealand Company surveyor, who laid out the city of Wellington and carried out much pioneer survey work in the provinces. There are four sons: Messrs. John and Charles Roberts, who are with the firm in Selkirk, and Mr. James and Sir Alexander Roberts, of Wellington. The daughters are Mesdames Menlove, Hunter-Weston, Barron and Stead-