Christie, Robert Douglas, J P, Q S M.

Biography

Biography Suzanne Margaret was listed as a spinster in 1960, and was named as the daughter of R D and Judith Christie in the Novemberr 1, 1962 article describing her marriage to Terence Gilbert Hand. Robert Mungaven Christie and Vera Lilian shared a Mangaroa address; son and daughter-in law, probably.

Mr Christie came to reside in the Upper Hutt district in 1929, and was working for the Wellington District office of the Lands and Survey Department.
On the outbreak of World War II, Mr Christie joined the Forces and left with the Advance Party for Egypt on December 12, 1939. After serving overseas he was sent back to New Zealand on a special tour of duty. Leaving the Forces, Mr Christie went back to the Lands and Survey Dept., for a little while, after which he was appointed as representative to the Wellington Rural Land Sales Committee. In March, 1944, Mr Christie, was appointed District Rehabilitation Officer for Wellington, an office he held until he retired in February 1952 and took up farming at Kaitoke. Some electoral rolls list R D Christie & Son.
Many references in the 'Leader' from 1949 appear to be about another Bob Christie; rugby player and motorcyclist; probably his son.
Bob Christie's Kaitoke farm was the venue for RSA February picnics from 1956.
He was appointed a Justice of the Peace in November 1957.
He was listed in a 1970 electoral roll at 15 Akatarawa Road, but his wife was not; deceased?
After years as a Labour member of the Hutt Valley Electric Power and Gas Board, he stood as an independent for his attempt at joining the City Council, as did Mrs Joan Knox, rather than join the new 4-man Labour ticket; his advertisement also had him standing for the Board. He was unaware that in addition to there was a last-minute Labour candidate for the two vacancies, Bob Dall, and had left it too late to say that he was a labour candidate for the Board. Mr Dall came third with 25.6% of the vote.
By September 1986, when he announced his retirement from politics, he had served 33 years as a member of the Hutt Valley Energy Board or its predecessors, with two terms as chairman. In 1977 he stood as an independent for both City Council and the Board, after years as a Labour candidate, unaware that there was a Labour candidate, R. Dall. There were 2 places; Mr Dall came third of three.
He had also been on the Earthquake and War Damage Commission for 24 years, the Upper Hutt City Council 12 years, and the Hutt River Board for 17 years.
The 'Leader' of August 2, 1988 reported that he had died in Hutt Hospital on July 24.
The obituary listed the following (some data have been added):-
Energy Board member 33 years, serving twice as chairman and as deputy; had topped the vote count 10 times out of 11;
Chairman, Hutt River Board, for part of his 17 years there;
Upper Hutt City councillor 12 years from 1977;
Earthquake and War Damage Commission member for 24 years;
Rotary, Lions, and Workingmen's Clubs founder member;
RSA executive member;
Masonic Lodge member;
Wellington& Hutt Valley Agricultural and Pastoral Association president;
Also involved as;
City representative and executive member, Wellington Free Ambulance Association;
Executive member, Disabled Servicemen's Re-Establishment League;
Wellington Noxious Weeds Committee member,
Member of the Trade Practices & Prices Commission and Price tribunal;
He was pictured in the August 28, 1979 'Leader' with one of seven Wellington-area certificates of merit from the New Zealand Litter Control Council.

Election results; year, placing/candidates, positions, ward:-

Borough or city council:-
1974
1977; 3/14, 8, city
1980, 6/11, 8, city
1983; 10/16, 9; city

Energy Board or equivalent;

1977; 1/3, 2
1980; 1/4, 2
1983, 1/5, 2 Last edited by: Don McLeod