Former President of the Canterbury District Law Society and member of the NZLS Council, Victor Gerald Spiller, died in Christchurch in July, aged 86.

He had been awarded an MBE in 1977 in recognition of his services to sport, the community and law.

Mr Spiller was admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court on 23 April 1931 by Justice Adams on the motion of GP Purnell. He graduated with an LLB from Canterbury University College in 1932.

During World War II he served in the Royal New Zealand Air Force in the Pacific; later he became Judge Advocate for the RNZAF in Christchurch, a position he held for 20 years.

A keen swimmer, he had a life-long association with the sport in the Canterbury region. He was instrumental in setting up the Canterbury branch of the Royal Surf Life Saving Society in 1924, remaining associated with it for more than 50 years, including terms as president. He was awarded life membership of this organisation, in addition to life membership of a number of other local surf/swimming clubs.

Mr Spiller served as a Riccarton borough councillor and deputy mayor from 1955-1962.

This obituary was first published in LawTalk 441, 21 August 1995, page 4.