RETIREMENT OF MR. DAVID ROBERTSON

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2775, 19 May 1916, Page 3

RETIREMENT OF MR. DAVID ROBERTSON

FROM HOSPITAL BOAii];. At yesterday's meeting of the Wellington hospital and Chantablo'Aid JJoart, the loiiowitiy letter was received tram Air. David Hobertson "With nitich j'ejjret I bejj to tender my resignation as a member of tho board. As yon are aware, my health during the pust year or so has not been very good, so that I have not been able lo attend your meetings. During that time I have accepted your kind indulgence in tho matter of leave of absence, in the hope that X would soon bo able to resume an active part in the board's business. That hope, i am sorry to say, has not been realised, and I ieel it would be unfair to yourselves and those who elected uio to delay longer in affording yon and them an opportunity of filling my place with a more active member, if it is desired so to - do. 1 can hardly tell you what a wrench it is to give up work with which I have been connected, so long. Sleeted to the old Benevolent Institution in its somewhat dark days in January, 169'J, and to this board when the former was dissolved in 1!)10, tor seventeen years without a break 1 have taken an uclive part in, charitable aid and ltospna. administration, so that I have proiiablj a longer unbroken, connection with tliose mcercats i than any other member of tin. present board. Looking back over years, I recall the many pleasant associations with j thoso with whom the .work has brought me in. contact, as colleagues and other-1 wise. Some of these have passed away, but many of them aro fortunately still ivith us, and among those 1 count the! members of the present board, between whom and myself the relations liavo always been of the friendliest. Little differences of opinion, of course, have arisen occasionally, and perhaps for a moment looked bigger than fchey really were, but 1 am glad to believe that they never left any permanent bitterness. Of his work I am aware that a man should not speak, but perhaps my 73 years may excuso my vanity if 1 go so far as to say that I believe myself to have been able to bo of somo uso in the position which I have occupied. At any rate that is what I have always aimed at, and I think I liave sometimes managed to hit the -mark. In bidding you as members of the board farewell, I do so, therefore, with nothing but pleasant memories and best wishes, both personally to you all and to tho board as a whole." On. the letter being read, the chairman (Mr. H. Baldwin) moved that the board record its profound regret at ilr. Robertson's resignation, and referred to his work, throughout his long association with tho board for the benefit of the community as a whole. No member had taken a keener interest in the work of the board than Mr. Robertson.

In seconding the resolution the Eev. Dr. Kennedy Elliott, D.D., said that ho and Mr. Robertson had been the . best of friends and companions for many years— ever ance he had arrived here an exile from tha Old Country, Mr. Robertson had showed him the greatest kindness and had stood by him iu hours of 6orrow and trial. Mr. Robertson .was a man of sound sense and shrewdness, and ono, moreover, who had the courage of his convictions. One of his chief aims on the board had always been to savo the public expense. They were not always able to agree with him, as he was a Scotchman—(laughter)— which reminded him of one of his countrymen, who, when on his death-bed, was being ministered to. They sent someone, to read to him. but he said that "he didna need onyone to read tae him," so they sent for a parson to pray with him, but ho "didua need prayin' wi." At last they asked him what he'really did want, and lie replied: "Sand someono to argue wi me!" 'l'hoso opinions he had were held to, tenaciously. When the' time arrived when any of those present had to relax their hold upon the work through stress of ill-health tliey would regret it just as much as Mr. Robertson did. Mr. John Smith paid a tribute to Mr. Robertson's intense honesty and straightforwardness. Tributes were also paid to Mr. Robertson by the Rev. Van Staveren aud Messrs. D. Campbell and C. M. Luke. It will now be the duty of the Wellington City, Miramar and Karori Borough Councils to appoint another member to succeed Mr, Robertson. Mr. Robortson is also resigning his position as chairman and member of the Wellington 'Technical School Board, lie lias been connected with, the'work of the school and the board ever sinco its inception.