Robert McMillan

Immigration: 1863 Christchurch, NZ-National Archives 1m-CH 4\54 Ship and Arr: 1863 Brothers Pride Occupation: Architect and Carpenter Religion: Presbyterian Birth Addres: 5 Merry St, Motherwell

A Sad Fatality. West Coast Times , 16 April 1909, Page 2

A Sad Fatality. Quite a gloom was cast over the town yesterday morning when it became known that Mr Robert McMillan, the well-known Borough Inspector, had accidentally shot himself with a pea rifle, It appears that the deceased took up the weapon, belonging to one of his sons, for the purpose of shooting oats in the back yard. Shortly afterwards a report was heard by the members oE the family who on going outside found Mr McMillan sitting on the verandah in a state of collapse. The unfortunate man said that while he was handling the rifle it had gone off acoidentallyjand shot him in the region of the heart. The bullet was little more than a pellet but it entered a vital part and the deceased only lived for about half an hour dei spitd the fact that medical aid was called in immediately* The late Mr McMillan was widely known and his sudden death will con*) as a shock to the community,

Although not a native of Hokitika the late Mr McMillan had practically spent the whole of his life her 3, He at one time held a position With J&eSsrs Sinclair and Jack (formerly monu. mental masons of this town) for many years. He afterwards launched out on his ow# account as a builder and contractor, His work as an architect was well-known throughout the district and he leaves behind him a number of monuments to his con* spicuous ability. When he discon* tinued business he entered the sers vice of the Borough Council with which body he held the position of .Inspector and Architect until his untimely end. The late Mr McMillan on his retirement from the Hokitika Fire Brigade (of which he was in former years a prominent member) was elected a life member. The deceased, who had been married twice, leaves a widow and family of nine three sons and six daughters who will, have the sincere sympathy of the community in their sad affliction, Mr George Mc- Millan is a brother of the deceased and he will also have the sympathy of a large circle of friends in his sorrow.

An inquest is to b 8 held this morning at 9 o'clock.

McMillan and Thompson

Posted 14 Oct 2014 by Hugh Winters BUILDERS AND CONTRACTORS. MCMILLAN AND THOMPSON (Robert McMillan and Henry Thompson), Builders, Contractors, Undertakers and Monumental Masons, Gibson's Quay, Hokitika. Bankers, National Bank of New Zealand. P.O. Box 26. Private residences:— Mr. McMillan, Sale Street; Mr. Thompson, Weld Street. The firm's freehold premises are built on a double section with a frontage of 30 feet. They include an ironmongery store, well equipped with a full and complete stock of furnishing and building materials. Messrs McMillan and Thompson have a most complete plant for the carrying out of the work entrusted to them. Their machinery is driven by means of a Campbell's gas engine. Among the buildings which testify to the enterprise and ability of this firm may be mentioned the Hokitika Club and Horticltural Hall and the business premises of Messrs Thomas Cahill, E. J. Lloyd and J. H. Arthur. Besides transacting an extensive business as builders, the firm does a considerable trade as undertakers, and imports the best monumental materials direct from Italy. In all cases the firm's customers can depend upon prompt and efficient service.

Mr. ROBERT MCMILLAN , the senior partner of the firm, was born near Glasgow, Scotland, in 1861. When quite an infant he came to New Zealand with his parents in the ship “Brother's Pride,” well known to old colonists on account of forty-nine deaths occurring through fever during the voyage, and two after the vessel was quarantined. He commenced to work at his trade with Messrs Shain and McGregor, of Hokitika, but left them after three or four years and went to Christchurch, where he was enabled to gain further experience with Mr. D. Reese. He eventually returned to Hokitika, and was with the firm of Sinclair and Jack for some years. Mr. McMillan is a prominent member of all the local sports clubs, in the interests of which he has always been a hard and intelligent worker.