The Register (Adelaide, SA : 1901 - 1929)(about) |
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Wednesday 4 February 1914
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MR. R. BARR- SMITH.
All South Australians and 'many people beyond the borders of this State will be interested to learn that Mr. Robert Barr Smith comnletes iila 111110.
tieth-year to-day. The cordiality of the congratulations to 'a citizen, who has been/a pillar of the ^tate for well nigh 60 years will be^ enhanced by the pleasing factrf that his faculties are unimpaired, and he continues to devote keen attention to everyday affairs.' For many years Mr. Barr- Smith has ex hibited a public spiritedness which is practically without limitations.' As the owner of wealth earned. from bold and sound enterprise, which has con duced to the State's welfare, he is known and beloved for his princely philanthropy .'and munificence. All classes and all institutions have' bene- fited by his liberality, but he has al ways sought to avoid making tlie public acquainted with his good deeds. He .has detested anything in the nature of personal parade, lest it should be thought he was desirous of popularity,. and those familiar with his kindly nature and his love of Australia are aware that he would -prefer that no notice should be taken even of the memorable natal anniversary he ' at tain^ t-Mlay. Tli&ir very nature, now ever, made It Impossible to conceal from time to time £18 splendid gifts to State, Church,. University, and other public Iri8tltutlons; but few of the public will ever know the extent of the private charity which Mr. and Mrs. Barr Smith have dispensed so gene rously. Like his famous countrymen, Mr.- Carnegie and the late Lord Strath cona, Mr. Bait Smith has earned thp
gratitude of present and future gene rations for wise and discriminate dis tribution of wealth. Like them, he has recognised tlie personal obligations which the amassing of riches has en tailed, and he has gladly and ably dis charged his sacred trust The grand old gentleman was asso ciated with his illustrious brotherin law, the late Sir Thomas Elder, in laying the foundations and building of the house of Elder, Smith, AV ! Co., Limited* which is widely known for its' high traditions of commercial enter prise and progress. Mr. Barr Smith was a pioneer In Australian commerce, shipping, and pastoral .development, a great Australian whose name will be honoured in history for having pro.
vlded encouragement for our explorers to go out into the unknown to blaze the track for settlement and expansion. Public life has never attracted him. Still he has ever been a potent force in the community. Mercantile men,' financiers, and politicians have turned to him often for counsel and assistance, which he has freely given. Mr. Bare Smith was born at Lochwinnock, Ren frewshire. His father was the Rev. Dr. Smith, of the Free Church of Scotland. He attended Glasgow Univer sity in the days of 'Wally Thomson,' who became Lord Kelvin, the 'Napoleon of Natural Philosophy.' As a young man Mx. Barr Smith was engaged hi commercial pursuits In Glasgow, where he laid a solid foundation for that busi ness career which -made him the Aus tralian merchant prince he afterwards became. His fellow Australians to-day will in spirit fervently extend to Mr. Barr Smith congratulations upon be coming a nonogenarlan, and cherish the wish that.he will yet be spared for a long period of peaceful retirement, in which he may find satisfaction in further contributing to the State's social and educational' advancement, .