Sir Robert Gillespie, Dead

In Sydney

PART founder of a firm well known in the Pacific Islands, Sir Robert Gillespie, died in Sydney on August 2.

He was born in Melbourne, the son of George Gillespie, a flour miller, and in 1903 came to Sydney to found, with his • two brothers John and George, the firm of Gillespie Bros., proprietors of Anchor Brand Flour.

He was one of Australia’s most promi nent business jnen, and one of hor most generous benefactors.

He became president of the Flour Mill Onwers’ Association, was a director of the Bank of New South Wales, and later president; he was on the board of che Colonial Sugar Refining Co.; a director of the Queensland Insurance Co., Ltd., Ball & Welch, Ltd., of Melbourne; and the Scottish Hospital.

He was a staunch Presbyterian. He was one of the founders of Knox Gram mar School in Sydney, and was chair man of the Presbyterian Ladies’ College in Pymble, NSW, for 12 years. He was part donor of several of the college build ings. He contributed generously to St.

Andrew’s College and other Sydney Uni versity projects. For the past 20 years he has been an active member of the board of the Burnside Homes, and was one of the founders of the Fairbndge farms scheme in New South Wales.

Sir Robert was knighted in 1941.

The Reverend R. C. Rudgard, well known to many friends of Melanesia in New Zea land, has seen service with the British Forces in Africa, and has been awarded the Order of the British Empire. For some time he was in charge of the senior native school on the island of Ugi, BSI.

The Rev. C. Beharell, who has been in Queensland for some time, has received a cable from the London Board of the LMS advising him that he has been appointed to his old station at Niue, South Pacific, He will take up his new duties in August.