Sir Robert's civic activities have embraced nearly every position of importance in this town, and as we all know, in the realms of company management he occupies a position of paramount importance. His generosity is proverbial.
And so I ask you all, ladies and gentlemen, to drink to the health of our very loyal old friend. May we all have the benefit of his wise counsel and sage advice for many years to come.
The portrait was then presented by Sir Robert, who afterwards said:
Ladies and gentlemen, I have, in the course of half a century, been the fortunate recipient of various honours from several quarters; but none has conveyed the same significance nor given me such a lively sense of satisfaction as that implied by to-day's unveiling ceremony.
The firm of Jardines,—the "Princely House" as it is known in this part of the world—has become so much a part of my commercial life that I naturally share that sense of pride which every member of the firm feels when the name of Jardine's is mentioned.
This feeling of pride is enhanced by the fact that during the time of my active association with it I was privileged to see its growth and expansion until it had attained the fullness and stature of an outstanding business organization in the Far East.
Since 1900, I have been closely associated with every head of the firm, including our ' honoured host. The names of those I can best recall are William Gresson, Charles Ri David Landale, Henry Keswick, John Johnstone, J. R. Anton, D. C. M.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.