LATE MR. ROBERT FLETCHER

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 300, 7 September 1918, Page 7

LATE MR. ROBERT FLETCHER

. '' CITY COUNCIL'S TRIBUTE. Before the business of the City Council commenced last evening, '.the Mayor (Mr. J. P. Luke, O.M.G.)'referred to ■ the death of Mr.: Robert. Fletcher, ■. ■ M.P., ah ex-councillor. The.Mayor said he knew the late Mr. .Fletcher almost' ' from the first day ho accepted service with the Harbour Board, and had alwaysfound him an energetic and cour- - teoue officer of the board. Later camo his elevation to the Harbour Board as a member,"and-'subsequently'as chairman. It .was an experiment so far as the political-life of the city was concerned, but' Mr. Fletcher justified his election, for his. services on the Harbour Board redounded to his credit. : A' . thing about the late councillor that . was' interesting was his regard and . ' .friendship for thoso who canje in contact with him in his municipal and political life.. Hβ never forgot them .and maintained the most. cordial rela- , tions' with them. When lie entered the council he made his mark very quiek- ! .ly. At the council table he was regarded with the very highest esteem, for ■he had a. very/bright and hapny. disposition, and was always anxious to push on the work. Most of the councillors, present were colleagues with tho late Mr. -Fletcher while lie was a member of the council,' and they wo,uld .■all remember that whatever differences he may havn bad with councillors- ni\ meetings, outside the council ho show-

Ed no resentment, nor did he make any-references to the difference. Mr. Luke then referred- to. Mr.' Fletcher's work-in Parliament, and.stated that his death ■ was- a ivory serious,' loss to the city, but. thp loss to Mrs. Fletcher was greater. They had -lost a friend and a useful, , conscientious worker. He moved .that a Inttpr of condolence be. .sent-to'.Mrs. ■>•-•■■'■ :-.; .-.--,-:.■ ' Councillor'W. H: P. Barber; who seconded thn-motion, also snoke in siilo•ftistic .terms' of the services rendered by the late Mr. Fletcher. Councillor J. II: Fitzgerald said that Hie. late councillor was pctnated by the true spirit of citizenship.', and he was sure even- oiip rpurrited his rlpnth. •■• Councillor W. Hilflreth. rn intimate fripnd rif "Mr. Fle-Wier, said that one of the greatest monuments to the memory of the late Afv. Fletcher wns the superannuation -fund of the Harbour Bonrd. ....-'■" The motion was carried in silence.

The general respect in which the lat Mr. Fletcher was held was evidence! by the very large and representativi assemblage at the funeral obsequie J esterday-.afternoon. All the mem bers of the Ministry in town were pre sent. '' These were the Actine-Prim Minister (Hon. Sir James Allen),. Si Francis Bell, the Eons. W. H. Hemes 6. W. Russall, W. D. S. Mac Donald D. H. Guthrie, T. M. Wilford, J, A Hanan, and Sir William Fraser. Ther were also present Messrs. R. A bright, J. P. Luke, Dr. A. K. New man, M.P.'s for Wellington City am Suburbs; and Messrs. J. T, M. Horns by. MP. (Wairarnpa), G. Witty, M.P Ricoarton), and J.S: Dickson, M.P (1 arnell), and a- very largo' represents tion.of the.,official.staff of Parliament ary Buildings and the- Public Service The Wellington City. Council- (of. whicl ■.the deceased was a member for man; years) was represented by the Mayor most of the councillors; tlie Town Clerl m 4 R TT P ?!? ner) ' the Cityßngineei Mr. W. H. Morton), the City Valuei ,(Mr. James Ames), the-City'Solicitoi m* J T ohI LQ Shea),-the City Librariai (Mr. H. Bailhe), and other municipa ■officers; Representing tho Wclliiigtoi Harbour Board were Messrs. C. E M ble W W W W , allls '' B- E.Sinclair, Z i'M F ?, rI T I™"*™ 'of the board), Mr HA. Nipholls (secretary), Captain J E. Dawson (harbourmaster Captain A. \. Munro. (traffic manage *l>d.chef wharfinger), Mr. A. iZtl bS™™ l " n i assietant socre- !• y) H r G ' Turner (adang-en-S ln , e er), Mr. J. E. Gamble (accountant end cashier), and Messrs. T, Stupples » n f Ale f nder - and F. Bull (assist In v %rs ; Ca P tain Shilling (pilot), Messrs. ,E. Quinhin, Anderson, Martin Jackman. M'Mana way, Spearmnn, Carroll,' Brenton trombie, and Backhouse (employees of the board, most of whom had been associated in the board's employ with the deceased). The chairman- of the •board (Mr Daniell), represented the Harbours' Association. The U.A.O D brand Lodge executive was represent ed by tho following: Bro. A. Mowburn, Grand President; Bro. R p . l'lauagan, Vioe-Graiid President- Bro' Lee Martin (Hamilton), Grand' Guarand Bro. J. N. Grant, General Secretary- together with representatives of all tho city and suburban ■.Jociges. riio Masonic Lodge was represented by the following :-MW Bro. Niccol, Grand Secretary; M.W P™-H; J« Williams, P.S.M.; Bro. J. W. Ellison, Prov. G.M.; P.W. Bro. w \t on ' P - G ' w -: Bro. C. W. Noilsorf, Grand Registrar: W. vw n' R " SSGiI ' Gra,ld Treasurer; T;1 ' H -, B ' BridgC ' Past G ™t i/octuier; and representatives of St Andrew Lodge, of which deceased was ft. member. The Wellington Licensing .Uomnnttee, of which deceased was also a meniber, was represented by Mr. W. &. Rlddell. S.M. (chairman), Messrs. G. Tlle £ % r Potl 'erick, J. W. Helver and R, P. Ward (clerk). " v Tho officiating clergyman was tho Rev. W Shirer. Tho remains weri cremated.