A lawyer by profession and a staunch advocate for a recreation ground Hughes was an original Board member remaining on the Board for almost 60 years.

He was a strong swimmer and it is said that on occasions when the sea was too rough for ships to land the mail Hughes would swim out and bring it back to shore. He often featured in the accounts of swimming galas, his most successful event was the long dive.

A leading member of the member of the Temperance Movement in the region Hughes was a member of the Temperance Alliance and the Band of Hope.

Amongst other talents he spoke several languages and played the violin. 

Picture right: Ceremonial planting of a Kauri tree by Robert Clinton Hughes. April 5, 1934. The planting was requested by the Pukekura Park Board who attended the ceremony along with the superintendent Mr. Thomas Horton (seen kneeling down) and Mrs. Hughes.

The Board members at the time, were James McLeod (chairman), Robert Clinton Hughes, Victor Davies, Fred Parker, Percy Stainton, Frank Amoore, Eliot King, Charlie Bellringer, William Short, Edward Carr, Everard Gilmour and Hector Dempsey. (private collection, Warwick Horton)