FLETCHER, ROBERT (1866-1918) was born at St Andrews, Scotland, and educated there. He was for some time with the Midland Railway Co., and spent eight years at sea before the mast. He landed in New Zealand in 1883 and found work in the Kaipara and Bay of Plenty coasting trade. In 1885 he became a wheeler for the Wellington harbour board and later improved his position. He took part in the maritime strike (1890). He was afterwards shipping clerk for J. Nathan and Co. for six years and then (with a fellow clerk) started a carrying and shipping agency.

Fletcher was a member of the Wellington harbour board from 1906 till his death (on 4 Sep 1918), and chairman (1910-15) and a member of the City Council (1907-15). He represented Wellington Central in Parliament (1914-18). He was a prominent freemason and member of the order of Druids.

N.Z.P.D., 25 Oct 1918; Beauchamp; N.Z. Times, 5 Sep 1918.

Reference: Volume 1, page 150

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