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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Canterbury Provincial District]

Mr. Struan Robertson

Mr. Struan Robertson, of “Happy Home,” Cashmere, was born in the parish of Clunie, Dunkeld, Perthshire, Scotland, in 1833, and was brought up to farming. He arrived in New Zealand by the ship “Roman Emperor” in 1862, and after a short stay in Lyttelton proceeded to the Tuapeka gold diggings, where he secured a large tract of Crown land on which he carried, grazed, and fattened sheep. Later on, at the outbreak of the West Coast diggings, he went there with the intention of taking up land for grazing purposes, but, finding the country covered with dense bush, he returned by the Hurunui Saddle to Oamaru. He afterwards returned to the West Coast, and was mining successfully at Waimea for seven months. Mr. Robertson then devoted his energies to cattle dealing as between Canterbury and the West Coast, where there was a great demand for stock, and for three years he carried on a most flourishing business. About 1868 he began to confine his operations to Canterbury, when he became well known as a stock dealer. At first he resided at Christchurch, but was afterwards successively at Southbridge, Barry's Bay, and Poverty Bay. In 1896 he took up his residence at “Happy Home,” Cashmere, where he carries on the business of a grazier. On one occasion in the early days, he had promised to take part in certain sports which were to be held at Hokkika. He missed the coach, but in order to keep his promise he travelled from Christchurch to Hokitika in two days and a half, and arrived about noon of the day on which the sports were held in the old Montezuma yards. Notwithstanding the circumstances, Mr. Robertson won five prizes, running, jumping, and throwing the hammer. At the first sports held at Moko Moko, Invercargill, he won the 600 yard race, the high jumping, and stone-throwing. His very active life has left him with no leisure for public affairs, but he has always taken an active interest in sports and exercises. Mr. Robertson married Miss Braddell, and has a family of two sons and four daughters. His eldest son is on a cattle run, and his youngest, Mr. Struan Sholto Douglas Robertson, is qualifying for an engineer after a distinguished course at College.

Mr. S. Robertson.

Mr. S. Robertson.