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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Otago & Southland Provincial Districts]
Councillor William Robertson
Councillor William Robertson was the first member elected to the Palmerston Borough Council, when the town was incorporated as a municipality, and he has represented the ratepayers ever since, except for one or two years. Mr. Robertson, who has also occupied the mayoral chair, is a member of the Reserves and Sanitary Committees, and has also taken a keen interest in the welfare of the borough. He was a member of the Palmerston Road Board before the formation of the Waihemo County Council, and he has also served on the school committee and Athenæum committee, and is one of the original members of the Loyal Palmerston Lodge. Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows. Mr. Robertson was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, in 1841, and came to New Zealand in 1864, in the ship “Resolute.” After four months spent on Messrs Douglas and Alderson's station at Pomahaka, he came to Dunedin, and found employment with Mr. George Douse, saddler, Rattray Street. Four years later he left Mr. Douse to open a saddlery business for himself in Palmerston, and this he still conducts in Tiverton Street. Mr. Robertson was married in 1867, to a daughter of Mr. William Cochrane, of Palmerston, and has a family of four sons and five daughters.