Annis and George Bills: George Bills

A Bills Hitching Post

Tue, 10 Jan 2006 10:14:21 GMT

Written on a brass plate: In Appreciation, G & A Bills from the citizens of Melbourne 1909. Thanks Kathleen for allowing me to use this photo.Is there any one who can help with more information about these hitching posts

Love of animals

Thu, 01 Sep 2005 00:46:30 GMT

George and Annis also took an interest in seeking out cases of human hardship. They gave many thousands of pounds to assist the needy people. These feelings were reflected in his will, which after providing some personal requests directed that the income from the residue of his estate be used to provide watering troughs for horses, and the purpose of preventing cruelty and to alleviate the suffering of animals in any country.

George died on the 14th December 1927 and was cremated at Fawkner cemetery.

The will was handled by Wynne & Riddell Solicitors Melbourne

In the will George Bills directed that after many generous bequests to family and friends, that the income from the estate reads.

To pay such sums or sums of money as they in absolute discretion think fit. To any Society or Societies for the protection of Animals, or for the alleviation of cruelty to Animals either in Australia or the British Islands or any other part of the World and for the purposes aforesaid.

I empower my said Trustees at the expense of my estate to have each of such Horse Troughs wherever erected suitably inscribe with the name of Annis and George Bills.

Note It is not known the value of the estate was but believed to be about 70.000 to 80.000 Pounds.

The Bills Trust was established to manage the estate which consisted of over 70,000 pounds, requests started to arrive, from local Councils for horse troughs, and more than 500 troughs were made and installed whenever they were requested. Most of these troughs were made by "Rocla Concrete Pipes" and most of the troughs were installed in Victoria and NSW from 1930 no troughs were made after 1939. The cost of the troughs was about 13 pound plus the transport and installing costs.

Business interests

Thu, 01 Sep 2005 00:37:19 GMT

In 1882 George opened a bird dealers shop on the Corner of Queen and Edward Street in Brisbane. While working in Brisbane he met Annis Swann and they married on the 18th May 1885. He also started to do some wire weaving and with his brother Dick they started to make wire mattress. This was the start of a very successful, business making inner spring mattress. In 1884 George quit the shop and moved to Sydney where with his brother Harry set up a factory in Liverpool St, his other brothers Walter and Jack were also working at the factory at that time. By 1890 they move to larger premises at 60-62 Harbour Street and with improved equipment the business continued to prosper. They traded as Henry Bills till 1st March 1898 when the name was changed to Bills brothers.

In August 1900 they registered the trade mark "Lethe" which is a Greek word meaning "sleep well" The business continued to grow and in 1901 moved to Kent Street.The fame of their mattress had spread so they move into other fields

The will of George Bills

Thu, 01 Sep 2005 00:35:18 GMT

The will was handled by Wynne & Riddell Solicitors Melbourne

In the will George Bills directed that after many generous bequests to family and friends, that the income from the estate reads.

A trust fund be formed to construct, and erect, and pay for Horse troughs, wherever they may be of opinion. That such horse troughs are necessary, or desirable for the relief of horses or other such dumb animals either in Australasia in the British Isles or in any part of the world subject to the consent of the proper authorities being obtained. To pay such sums or sums of money as they in absolute discretion think fit. To any Society or Societies for the protection of Animals, or for the alleviation of cruelty to Animals either in Australia or the British Islands or any other part of the World and for the purposes aforesaid.

I empower my said Trustees at the expense of my estate to have each of such Horse Troughs wherever erected suitably inscribe with the name of Annis and George Bills.

Note It is not known the value of the estate was but believed to be about 70.000 to 80.000 Pounds.

George Bills 11-3-1859 To 14-12-1927

Thu, 01 Sep 2005 00:29:33 GMT

George Bills was born in Brighton, England on the 11th of March1859.He was the fourth child of Richard and Elizabeth Bills. Three of the children died at Birth. The family first migrated to New Zealand and from there the family moved to Echuca, Victoria in August 1873.

In his early life he worked in Echuca with his father and some of his brothers they were involved with trapping and trading in Birds, it was there that George developed a great love for all animals