The Other Bob Duff

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30823, 7 August 1965, Page 11

The Other Bob Duff

npHERE is another side to x Bob Duff that is a far cry from his deeds as a great Rugby player. At this time, Springbok time, with a thrilling Lancaster Park tussle still fresh in most people's minds, thoughts will turn to the man who is one of Canterbury’s two selectors, and who commanded the winning New Zealand team in the rubber in 1956. But there is another Bob Duff, or Robert Hamilton Duff to give him his full name, who was bom and lives at Lyttelton. Known as Rob to his intimate

friends In the port, he is perhaps one of the busiest men there. For instance, while Rugby matters occupy much of his time in the winter, he is also heavily engaged in civic affairs besides operating his own business—he is a public accountant Apart from being fond of reading, he admits to having little spare time. Indeed, his activities make a formidable list. There is Duff, the DeputyMayor of Lyttelton for almost three years and a member of the Lyttelton Borough Council for nearly

six years. He is also a justice of the peace; in 1956 when he was appointed to this position, he was the youngest J.P. in the country. He is a member of the Lyttelton Rotary Club and a former president. He is also chairman of the Port Conciliation Committee, which bandies industrial disputes, and in any large industrial centre such as the port of Lyttelton, this can make further demands on a man's time. A member of the Charteris Bay Golf Club, Rob Duff has a handicap of 10. In summer, as a member of Lyttelton’s Te Whaka Club, he enjoys an active game of tennis. He is also a steward of the Canterbury Park Trotting Club. Apart fron. this, he likes to swim occasionally and Lyttelton lends itself to this recreation admirably. In private life he presents a tall, strongly built, but conservatively tailored figure. He is quiet mannered but has a persuasive, even determined manner in debate. Some might say he was Inclined to be serious, but he also has a sense of humour and a ready smile. After all, All Black captains are people.