A GENEROUS GIFT.

Evening Star, Issue 21835, 26 September 1934, Page 8

A GENEROUS GIFT.

The City Council has not lost any time in deciding to accept the generous gilt offered by the family of the late Sir John Roberts of his beautiful residence, “ Littlebourne House,” to be a permanent possession of the city. The gift is such a handsome one and the property so attractive that a great deal of disappointment would have been felt if acceptance, for any reason, had been judged impracticable. The gift was made free of conditions, except that the property should be kept intact and that the name of “ Littlebourne House ” should always be associated with it. It was a fitting coping stone to the benefactions by which Sir John Roberts in his lifetime had been distinguished. The suggestion of the donors was that the property should be used for a vice-regal residence, but in case there should be difficulties in this utilisation of it they were quite willing to see it devoted to any other civic or public purpose which the council should approve. It is natural that during many years a desire should have been expressed at intervals in Dunedin that this city should possess a vice-regal residence. Successive Governors-Gcneral have had the knack of jnakiug themselves extraordinarily popular during the time that they have remained in the dominion, and all too little of their time has been spent here. It would be more conducive to their dignity and convenience, and it has been thought that they might spend more time here, if a vice-regal home could be provided. From its situation, and apparently from all other viewpoints, Littlebourne House would be ideal for the purpose. The council, in accepting its new gift, has decided to approach the Government with a request that it should furnish Littlebourne House suitably for that purpose. The Government may not be willing; it may think that two vice-regal residences are sufficient. If it consents the sole charges that would fall on the council presumably would be those of maintaining the buildings and grounds in a fitting state and of insurance. The grounds would come easily and naturally under the reserves department. A Governor-General takes his own staff with him when he stays at another Government House, so that no difficulties on that account would arise. If a staff had to be improvised on each occasion, as might happen in the case of other, possibly even more exalted, visitors, a different position entirely would be created. It is too soon yet to say for certain that Littlebourne House will be a vice-regal residence for Dunedin, but no council could have passed by such a gift.