SIR JOHN ROSS, AGED 92, DEAD.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18046, 5 January 1927, Page 9

SIR JOHN ROSS, AGED 92, DEAD.

BENEFACTOR OF CHURCH AND KNOX COLLEGE. Per Press Association. DUNEDIN, January 5 The death is announced from Dunedin of Sir John Ross, aged 92, the founder of the firm of Ross and Glendining. Sir John Ross was born in Caithness, Scotland, and came to New Zealand in 1861. His benefactions during his lifetime included £20,000 to the Presbyterian Church and to Knox College £SOOO. The Ross Home was named after him. The life of Sir John Ross is a record of successful business, for during the greater part of his life, he was head of the firm of Ross and Glendining, Ltd., a wholesale drapery and woollen manufacturing firm that is now one of the largest in the Dominion. Starting life as a draper's apprentice in ?. little Scottish town, Mr Ross, the son of a miller of Caithness, was soon manager of the drapery department of a general store in Scotland. In 1861. he sailed from London in the barque Velore, bringing with him a stock ofdrapery valued at several thousand pounds. After a voyage of five months, he arrived in Dunedin and joined the firm of Begg. Christie and Co., being a partner in 1861-62. The year 1862 was one of great business activity in Otago. The discovery of gold had resulted in a huge influx into the province. Business was brisk and Mr Ross bought out his partners, lie was then joined by Mr Robert Glendining, thus forming the firm. The year 1870 saw Mr Ross headed to Great Britain. He took charge of the London end of the firm’s business until 1902, when he returned to Dunedin on account of his health. During his stay in the metropolis, he was associated with many phases o( life in the city. Ile became a member of the London Chamber of Commerce, a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Soviet \ , ;» Fellow of the Royal Colonial Institute and a Fellow of thej Japan Society. I l e was also the London adviser of the National Insurance Society. At the time of his death, Sir John, who was knighted in 1922, was chairman of directors of Ross and Glendining. Ltd., his son, Mr j. Sutherland Ross, being managing director. Sir John was formerly on the Council of the Otago University, lie was also a member of the Knox College Council and e. member of the Otago Harbour Board. Always a staunch Presbyterian, Sir John, on several occasions, made substantial donations to the church. lie also asisted Knox College to a great extent from a financial point of view. The Ross Home for old people, in Dunedin, has been named after him.