ROBERT HALL

HALL, ROBERT (b. Taieri Beach, Otago, NZ, 7 Aug 1881; d. Mornington Island, Qld, 17 Oct 1917). Presbyterian missionary to the Aborigines of Mornington Is.

A farmer's son, Robert Hall was brought up in a devout Presbyterian household in Edendale, Southland NZ. He trained in Christian Endeavour, and recognised a call to foreign mission service. At twenty-one he became engaged to Catherine Tonkin, a Presbyterian of Weston, Oamaru, NZ. Both trained in Adelaide at Hope Lodge and Angas College, under Rev W Lockhart Morton (q.v.). They were appointed assistants at Weipa Moravian Presbyterian Aboriginal Mission, Nth Qld married on 3 June 1909 and commissioned that day by Presbytery of Adelaide. They served briefly at Weipa where Hall began an extramural course of study for the ministry. In 1914 he was appointed superintendent of the new Presbyterian Aboriginal Mission on Mornington Is. The ketch Morning Star was provided. Hall soon proved he could turn his hand to anything. Amid bouts of malaria, changes of staff and incessant labours he finished his examinations for the ministry and was told to report to any Presbytery in Qld for ordination. He found no opportunity to do so. On the night of 17 Oct 1917 Hall was murdered while away from his station on reconnaissance. An Aborigine named Burketown Peter had returned from escapades on the mainland, demanding tobacco and work which Hall refused. The Aborigine, with two accomplices, stalked Hall and battered him to death while he slept, took his gun and besieged the Mission for ten days. Two Aboriginal lads Gully and Mami, saved the lives of the remaining mission staff and children. They later professed their faith. After the murder trials Mrs Hall and her two children returned to NZ where her son Ian entered the Presbyterian ministry in 1942 and in 1986 published A Missionary Pioneer. Robert Hall of Mornington Island.

J GRAHAM MILLER