Robert William Rutherford was a well-known Caversham man who played a prominent role in public affairs. He was born in Glasgow in 1858 to Helen and Robert Rutherford, his father later becoming Caversham’s first Mayor. The family emigrated to Dunedin on the Vectis in 1864 and built a house at 56 College Street, Caversham, where Robert grew up.
On Christmas Day 1884 Robert married Emily Basket and they raised one son and three daughters. In 1895 Robert joined with his father and John Watson to co-found the South Island’s first wax-match factory in Caversham. Robert followed his father’s example not only in business but also in politics, being elected to the Caversham Borough Council in 1898. He served as chairman of the Council’s finance committee and, after the merging of Caversham and Dunedin, he held a position on the Dunedin City Council. Altogether he spent an impressive 20 years in a Council seat. In 1908 he also took a position on the Council’s Library Committee while continuing his duties as a Justice of the Peace.
Robert died at home on 5 July 1921 after a long bout of illness, leaving behind his wife, Emily, and four children. Their only son, Robert Malcolm Rutherford, became a well-known local cricket player.
Mr Robert William Rutherford