AN APPRECIATION.

Wairarapa Age, 3 February 1927, Page 5

AN APPRECIATION.

(Contributed.)

The passing of James Robicson severs yet another of the few remaining links with the early days of Wuirarapa. Connected with Charles Rorking Carter and Alfred Renall, who had so much to do with founding the Wairarapa towns, he had a first-hand knowledge of the happenings of those stirring early days. This he used to impart with a humorous turn that added much, to the interest of the narrative.

He himself was a fine type of pioneer. He early took up the farm known as Cavelands. He steadfastly held to the one place where he and his wife, who predeceased him by many years, brought up and educated a numerous family. This was not done off the earnings of the farm alone. Mr. Robieson himself waa a most capable and trusted supervisor of building construction—particularly bridge construction—and soma of the best pieces of work in both islands were built under his watchful eye.

For many years he wa« little in Masterton, but in his declining years he left the farm and came to Masterton to live.

He then proceeded to enjoy an Indian summer—which he spent largely on the bowling green. There his geniality and dry humour made him over welcome. Of small, slender, active frame, with keen eyes peering from beneath bushy eyebrows, it was hard to believe that he was a great age. .Mr. Robieson’s outstanding <hara<teristics, which he shared with munv another early pioneer—were sturdy self-reliance and absolute integrity. (A biographical sketch of the late Mr. Robieson appears in another column.)