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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

Mr. Robert Little

Mr. Robert Little, the Superintendent of the Sailors' Home, was born at Enniskillen, County Fermanagh, Ireland, in 1847, and was brought up to farming. He came to Auckland by the ship “Ganges,” in 1864, and started farming at Pukekohe, where he remained only twelve months. Then he returned to Auckland and entered the employment of Messrs Mark and McClay, boot and shoe merchants, of Queen Street, with whom he remained fourteen years as foreman. About 1879 Mr. Little began business in Queen Street on his own account, as a boot and shoe importer, and carried on successfully for seven years. He was then offered the position of superintendent of the Sailors' Home, and retired from business to take up his present duties, which he has since carried
Mr. and Mrs. R. Little.

Mr. and Mrs. R. Little.

on to the utmost satisfaction of the managing body. Mr. Little has great musical ability; he plays the piano, organ, and cornet with equal facility, and even does justice to the Scottish bagpipes—a thing proverbially believed to be rare in an Irishman. In all the socials and entertainments Mr. Little takes a leading part, and their popularity is in a great measure due to his efforts. With the object of affording fresh entertainments, he has imported, at a personal cost of £40, the latest Edison concert phonograph, with a large number of records, and lanterns for kinematograph entertainments, with thousands of feet of films. Mr. Little gives a limelight entertainment once a month. Altogether he has spent over £200 from his private purse in these expensive machines for entertainments. Mr. Little's private room is adorned with curios from all parts of the world, presented by his numerous nautical friends, by whom he is held in the highest esteem. Mr. Little is a member of Oddfellow and Forester societies.