Recently a New Zealand Herald correspondent, an Andrew Tichborn of Green Bay wrote, “Way back in the 1970s Wellington property owner Bob Jones made the comment that he loved Labour governments because they generated so many new government and quasi-government departments. It was a golden time for owners of commercial property to provide work space for them all”.
I imagine readers accepted Tichborn’s assertion as fact, given the certainty in which he wrote. The truth is he made it up.
In the 1970s my commercial property involvement was almost entirely with industrial buildings, mainly in Sydney. Back then I owned a single office building in New Zealand and that was in Auckland.
But I’m used to reading this sort of crap about me, albeit usually anonymous.
For example, a bevy of keyboard cowards’ letters appeared about me last year on the internet.
The first cited my reputation for dining out in Wellington restaurants in groups and then claiming I’d left my wallet at home and leaving others to pay. This spawned half a dozen more letters confirming my reputation for this.
I will deposit ten million dollars in each of these anonymous cowards’ lawyer’s trust accounts if they can tell me of a single occasion that has happened and if so, the money is theirs.
Another chipped in that I had a shocking reputation for rudeness to waitresses, who all hated my appearance in their restaurants.
As my partner and I travel a lot and she likes cooking as a change from our mostly eating out when abroad, we only occasionally frequent the same two local restaurants where I certainly get a big welcome from waitresses, simply because of my over the top tipping.
I’m sure readers will agree that $10million is worth trading one’s anonymity for. But don’t hold your breath. It won’t happen.
8 Comments
I have no comment about keyboard warriors other than to say they are rife these days nor Sir Robert’s like or dislike of any political party but having been in business around the Wellington region I can certainly attest to the loose flow of money that seems to follow the arrival of a labour government. Now that is certainly not a good thing in my mind most of the time but for a few the “make hay while the sun shines” is a prevailing attitude.
I remember you coming into Cin Cin some 30 odd years ago for lunch. I recall you were alone.
I mentioned to the waiter serving you that he should make certain to look after you.
You tipped him $70. That was equivalent to around 4.5 hours wages
Envy consumes these types.
The world is full of envy, which is largely a byproduct of poor financial literary and socialists wasteful spending; including less than honest dealings…
Democracy is infested with rats, who care not for the public purse, but their over inflated ego’s and lust for power and control; maintained by sweet deals for those who abuse the system….
Keep up the good work Sir Bob.
Don’t believe that nonsense. Successful people are inevitably polite, respectful of all of the strata in society and rarely shy of bills. Just envy speaking.
I have eaten with Bob at restaurants on several occasions. They have always been enjoyable and humorous experiences – for me and the people serving in the restaurants.
As for Bob dodging paying the bills, I can only say that if those accusing him knew how much he donates anonymously to charity every year they would know how misinformed they are.
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