SIR ROBERT STOUT.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 9989, 19 March 1898, Page 8

SIR ROBERT STOUT.

ADDRESS FROM WELLINGTON CITIZENS.

[By Telegraph.]

(FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.)

WELLINGTON, March 18,

At a meeting of Sir Robert Stout's friends and supporters to-night, it was decided that he should be presented with an address at a public meeting. The draft address was read as follows and approved, subject to any amendment thought desirable:—

"To Sir Robert Stout, K.CM.G.—We, the undersigned electors and residents of the city of Wellington, on your retirement from political life, desire to express our admiration for your personal character and political services. You have for many years occupied a leading position in politics in this country, and we regret very much that you are unable, from personal considerations, to continue to give the colony the benefit of your great ability, mature judgment and ripened experience. We recognise that all through your career you have set before yourself a high ideal, and while some of us who subscribe to this document may. not always be in accord with your views, we appreciate the fact that your efforts have uniformly been devoted to the promotion of such measures as would tend to elevate your fellow-colonists and further their welfare. Whether or not you will again see your way to devote your great talents to the service of your adopted country, your name will for ever be associated with the history of New Zealand as one who has sought at all times, whether as a worker in the ranks or as Premier of the colony, or in tbe many other positions whioh you have held, to advance the material and moral well being of tne inhabitants of New Zealand. "

A sub-committee was appointed to consider the details and report to a meeting on Tuesday. The matter is being very warmly taken up, and will be a great success.