SUDDEN DEATH OF MR. JAMES ROBERTSON.

Colonist, Volume XL, Issue 8958, 27 August 1897, Page 2

SUDDEN DEATH OF MR. JAMES ROBERTSON.

The nawg which spread yesterday morning of the sadden death of Mr James Bobertson, the well-known builder, cams as a very great shock, more especially as be had been at his business as usual on the previous day. The evidence given at the inquest, which was held in the afternoon, relates sufficiently the sad circumstances ; it being further required, however, to mention that it was Mrs Win. Eobertaon, a daughter-in-law, who,- when, taking up a cup of tea to him, first discovered the fact that Mr Robertson had passed awav\

As will be seen, Mr Robertson made no com* plaint previous to yesterday of feeling at all unwell, though the foreman of the jury mentioned that ho and others had observed that deceased was not looking himself for a day or two previously. Mf Robertson had followed his occupation as a builder in this place for forty-three years, and though he did not take a prominent part in public affairs, his business was so conducted that the name of James Robertson was a synonym for sterling uprightness and business integrity. Mr Robertson in his time was connected with the erection of some of the most notable buildings in the town, among then! being the Wesleyan Church preceding the present structure, the present Presbyterian and Baptist Churches, and many private houses. Mrs Robertson predeceased her husband about three years, and a grown-up family of five sons and two married daughters survive. Two of the sons, Messrs John and William, are connected with the business, and Mr George Robertson, builder, of Brightwater, is another son, the others being in different paf ts of the Colony,