Mr. Robert Shanks, the Canterbury representative of the Mosgiel Woollen Company, was born near Airdrie, Scotland. In 1866 he came out to Dunedin per ship “Paria,” and at once became connected with the soft goods trade in the Colony. He was for some years in the employment of Messrs. Kirkpatrick and Co., and came to Christchurch in 1872, to take charge of the soft goods branch of Messrs. Twentyman and Conzens' business. Six years later he was appointed general manager of the Kaiapoi Woollen Company, and held that position till 1887, when he resigned and accepted the agency of the Mosgiel Company for Canterbury.