MR JUSTICE GILLIES. INTERESTING REMINISCENCES.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 392, 10 August 1889, Page 4

MR JUSTICE GILLIES. INTERESTING REMINISCENCES.

Auckland, A ugust 5. Some interesting reminiscences of the late Mr Justice Gillies, and ot his connection with the Auckland Institute, were related at the ordinary meeting of that body last evening. There was a large attendance of members, and Professor Thomas (President) occupied the chair. Professor Thomas said it was his sorrowful duty to remind those present of tho loss of a valuable member of the Institute and of the Council — the late Mr Justice Gillies. He proposed to move a resolution asking them Co join in recognising the great services rendered by the deceased, who was one of the founders of the Institute, and to whose liberality was to a large extent owing the existence of the Museum. Judge Gillies was always the triend of every scientific movement and every movement of progress. He proposed therefore, "The members of this lnstituto desire to take this opportunity of expressing their recognisancoof the valuable services and great liberality of the lace Mr Justice Gillies in furthering the objects of this Institute." Dr. Purchas said that there were partiular reasons why he was able to speak of what Mr Justice Gillies had done as he had been a member of the Institute for the twenty - one years that had elapsed since the Institute was founded. Referring to the minute book, he found that, after two or three preliminai'y meetings the first of which was called by Mr Gillies, the Institute was founded on March 6th, 1868. Since that time, Mr Gillies had up till his lamented decease been its constant friend. He drew up the first rules which were intended foy the government of the body, then proposed to be called a Literary and Philosophic Society, but afterwards named the Auckland Institute. Mr Gillies was one of the first Council of eight members, and Sir Frederick Whitaker was the first President. JVir Gillies was the second President. Mr James, as one of the original founders of the Institute, also made a few pertinent remarks. He &aid Mr Justice Gillies was really the father of the Institute, and few of the present members knew how much they owed to him. He obtained for them ground on which the building was erected, and probably they would not have had the building but for his liberality. He came forward anonymously and offered £500 towards the building of a museum, provided £1,000 were raised otherwise. That £1,000 was virtually subscribed in the room in which the announcement was made, the late Mr Williamson contrbnting £500. Mr Gillies had been three times President of the Institute, and had done a great deal for them in many ways. Mr A. E. Mackechnie said that during his own term of office as President he had on two occasions to move votes of thanks to the late Mr Justice Gillies for special donations and for services rendered to the Institute, and since then he had been more than once President of the Association, only retiring from the office to enable others to rill the position. Judge Gillies had done much for the Association, and he (the speaker), in common with other members, felb profoundly that the death of Mr Justice Gillies had deprived the Institute of a very active member and most liberal supporter. Tho resolution was put and carried,