SIR JOHN ROBERTS

Press, Volume LVI, Issue 16853, 5 June 1920, Page 7

SIR JOHN ROBERTS

Sir John Roberts, whose name appears in the list of Birthday Honours, was born at Selkirk in 1845. In 1862 lie entered his father's v.'oollcn manufacturing firm. He arrived in Victoria in 1861," where he was for four years. In ISG4 lie left for Melbourne, where he was for four years in the employment of Sanderson and Co. In 1868 he came to New Zealand, and opened business in Otago under the style of Murray, Koberts and Co. Though his business was such as to take up a great deal of his time, Mr lloberts realised his duty to the community from tlv.> earliest of his days in New Zealand, and the following summary of his public activities illustrates this:—He was a mymb-ar of the last Provincial Council, representing Kaikorai; he was one of the first members of the Taieri Connty Council, and was for some time chairman ; ho was president of the New Zealand and South Seas Exhibition in 1839-50; he was Mayor of Dunedin, 188990. Ho and Mr \Vm. Souter are the only survivors of the founders of the Otago A. and P. Association. Ho was a member of the Federation Commission, anci a member of the Alien Enemies Commission. Ho was appointed to the Otago University Council in 1885, and held office till 1891. Ho was reappointed in 1907 and still.holds a seat. He lias been Vice-Chancellor for the past seven years. In regard to public companies, he was an original director of the Mosgiel Woollen Company, and has continuously held a seat on the board, and for the past 45 years has been chairman. Ho was ah original director of the New Zealand "Refrigerating Company, and long Iteld a seat on the Board. He has been. a director for the past 17 years of the Union Steam Ship Company, nnd has been acting-chairman for five* years. He is also a director and chairman of the New Zealand Hardware Company, a director of the Milburn Lime and Cement Company, a director of Donaghy nnd Co., and of the Trustees and Executors and Agency Company. Sir John Roberts was married in 1870 to - a daughter of the late Mr C. H. Kettle, and celebrated his golden wedding a month ago.