THE LATE MR. FLETCHER

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 148, 18 March 1919, Page 5

THE LATE MR. FLETCHER

REFERENCE IN 'HARBOUR. HOARD'S REPORT. In the report of the Wellington Hnrbonr Board presented at the annual meeting yesterday, the following reference was made to the death of the late Mr. Robert Hotelier, M.P.:"Tho last monthly meeting of tho board's year was saddened by tho news of tho death of a man whose name will always bo remembered in connection with the Wellington Harbour Board and its activities. ( Mr. Robert Fletcher, M.l'. Mr. Hotelier died on Wednesday, September i, 1918, at tho comparatively early agr. of 5-4. He had been in failing health for nearly two years, but up to one or two meetings before his death ho had regularly attended both board and committer meetings, and took tho keenest and most active interest in all board mattors. Connected with tho waterfront for over thirty years, a member of tho board from February, 190(i, and chairman without a break from February, 1910, to Miy, 11)15, Mr. Fletcher's namo was a household word while ho lived, and it will not be forgotten now that he has passed away. • His was a. strong personality, characterised by breadth of outlook, courage, vigour, and persistence. H:s constant aim was to advance the port and at tho samo time better tho conditions of tho waterside worker, whether permanent or casual. He was an able chairman and an impartial administrator, giving to the service of the board a ureat amount of time and attention. Tho employees of tho board have good reason to he grateful to him. Baths and lockers for workers, annual holidays on pay, appeal committee, and, above all, superannuation, owe their inroption and establishment to his courage and persistonoo." '