WARM TRIBUTES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 25 May 1938, Page 6

WARM TRIBUTES

MR J. D. ROBERTSON’S RETIREMENT

VALUABLE SERVICES TO COMMUNITY

PRESENTATION FROM CITIZENS

Mr J D. Robertson, of the firm of J. D. & L. Robertson Ltd., builders and contractors, who is retiring from active business, was the guest of a large gathering of Nelson businessmen and representative citizens in the City Council Chamber yesterday afternoon, when he was presented with a writing bureau. Tin* Mayor. Mr G. L. Page, presided. Mr Page said they had met to pay tribute to and show their esteem for a fellow-citizen. Mr Robertson was a true Nelsonian, and had always resided in the district with the exception of eight years in Palmerston North. Returning to Nelson 40 years ago he entered business with his four brothers, under the name of Robertson Bros. During the whole of that time his honesty of purpose. upright character, faithful workmanship. and his words and actions, had won the esteem not only of the business people, but also the goodwill of the citizens of Nelson. Mr Robertson had been at the head of a large business, but had found time to give his services to the city. During the time he was on the City Council his services were highly valued. Their guest was now- retiring from active business and those present had wished to express their thanks for the services Mr Robertsop had rendered to the community. Canon D. Haultain said that in representing the Bishop, who was on his way home from Sydney, he wished to express the warmest regard for Mr J. D Robertson and appreciation of his work. Mr Robertson had been closely associated with the building of the Cathedral so tar erected. "Wc appreciate him for his own worth, and for his high standard of workmanship. ’’ added the speaker. In building construction, as in all other spheres of effort, it was , the unseen work which counted, and Mr Robertson was one who did the unseen work just as well as he did the seen work. Mr J. Glasgow said the attendance at the function showed the esteem in which Mr Robertson was held. Mr Robertson was such a man that when he topped the poll in the City Council elections, he was the only one in Nelson who was surprised. The speaker recalled an occasion when one of Mr Robertson's workmen remarked . If there were a few more men in the world like the boss it would be a better place. That was a fine tribute by an employee. In conclusion, he wished Mr and Mrs Robertson all the happiness that they deserved. Mr L. Baigent. representing the timber trade in Nelson and Marlborough, said Mr Robertson had been an honoured member of the trade and was the oldest one in the Nelson and Marlborough districts at the present tune Always known as a hard and conscientious worker. Mr Joe Robertson had always had the respect of his competitors. Throughout Nelson and Marlborough there were many monuments to his industry in churches, dwelling.-, bridges, dairy factories and other structures and many stood to-day as good as the day when they were erected That was a tribute to Mr Robertson s firm's workmanship He wished Mr and Mrs Robertson many years of peace and contentment in their well-earned retirement. Mr C. Milner said he had known Mr Robertson all his life, and on behalf of his firm. Messrs S. Kirkpatrick and Co . and on his own account, he added endorsement of the complimentary references made by previous speakers. Mr Robertson s father was a gentleman of upright character and highly respected, and Mr J. D. Robertson and his brothers carried on the family tradition of straightforward dealing. Mr Robertson. after his brothers had passed on, continued the business and he had played a large part in the building trade and business life of the city. Mr Robertson’s sterling character won the esteem and respect of all who came m contact with him. His word was always his bond, and though Ins spoken words were few. his w-ork and conduct spoke volumes for the character of the man. Judged by those standards which counted most among business men and by which all should be judged, the name of J. D. Robertson stood high. He could now look back on his business life with pride and satisfaction, for by his honourable conduct he had won and retained the goodwill and respect of those who know him. Mr Milner wished him many happy, contented years of retirement. Dr. C. F. Pattie added a note ol praise to Mr Robertson's workmanship He had been in Nelson only two year? but it was a happy experience to have been associated with Mr Robertson whom he hoped would enjoy many happy years in his retirement. Mr C. R. Duke expressed his good wishes to Mr Robertson. Their guestV firm had always carried out work

i faithfully. | Mr B. O. Hamilton, in adding a tn- | bute. recalled the time when Mr j Robertson’s father had built the Pn - I byterian Church under the supervision of the speaker’s father. That budding | was typical of Mr Robertson’s firm j work. Mi- Page, on behalf of those present and the several hundred subscribers I prcsenlcd a writing bureau lo Mr Robertson and wished him evrrv happiness and many years to emov the fellowship of Iris many lriends and fei-low-citizens. Mr Robertson, in reply, sai d it had _? S 3 * su, P r * s e to him to learn of that days function and he sincerely thanked those responsible for flic presentation and the speakers for them firm k u d /' C T arks on himself and Ins nun. He had been elected to the Citv Council m it,no and had been eonneetcd with it until 1918. with the exrepiton of one term of office. After rovtcwm* some of the chief events in Counnl administration during thank y ? ar ! he aßain expressed his thanks to his fellow-citizens for their cxpre.s ,ons of goodwill Mr Robertson was accorded musical onours before the function concluded