MR. JOHN KIRKCALDIE

Evening Post, Volume CX, Issue 82, 3 October 1925, Page 8

MR. JOHN KIRKCALDIE

The death took place at his residence, Kclburn, this morning of Mr. John Kirkcaldie, co-founder" of the firm of Kirkcaldie- and Stains, and for many years one of the leading figures in the commercial and financial world of Wellington., He had retired Irom active business some years ago owing in the advance' of age and declining health, and the end was not unexpected. Will) him passes one of the stalwart, upright pioneers of commerce in the Capital City, and another link with the early days of the Dominion. His passing will be felt with sincere regret by a wide circle of friends and by the community in which he was hold in high respect and honour. Mi. Kirkcaldio was in his eiahtynighl.li year. Born in Kennowny, Fifoshire, Scotland, on Kith February, 3833, bfi .served four ymirs' apprenticeship )o the drapery trade in his native town. This was followed by a period of two years in Dublin in the employment of two [iiominc'il linns mid a further period of a vein in London wilh Messrs. Hi.ll .in;l Allen. *.!. Paul's Uiurehvanl.

'J iif> ainhi'l fun f.'iiiiß fii liini to ti'v lii.s fort,/no further afield, and in !5T,1. at (he .i.'O of. '_M, lie f-aiied from London on 1 Tic Damascus, nn ,\lipiilccn liiipr, for Ailsliiiii;i, landing in Sydney in Mnv of tli.-.1, war. In the Australian city ho f.p»:<t, another pen'o^ ncquirin™ know, k.'l^o M th« r/.il'vriia) i-reel?, fliitl ili'ti, with tlis Uto Ml', Eobei't Sta-itis, lie

came to New Zealand with the intention of going into business on his own account. ' This was in ISG3, and Wellington, where the partners had decided to set up, was but a small place. The firm of Kirkealdie and Stains opened first in premises opposite Barrett's Hotel—the old "Noah's Ark" of those days. Success attended the venture, and in IS6S the partners purchased two sections in Lambton quay and Brandon street from the Provincial Government at £12 and £]0 a foot respectively, figures which seem remarkable to-day. From this nucleus the premises grew with the growth of the business. Further adjoining sites were acquired, and handsome buildings erected from time to time, constituting the- present spacious premises. Quite apart from his own personal business, Mr. Kirkcaldie took an active share in various commercial enterprises with which Wellington was associated. He was a- director of the Wellington and Manavvatu Railway Company almost from its inception, and chairman for soms years before and at the time-when the railway was acquired by the New Zealand Government. He was also a director of tho Commercial Union Assurance Company, Ltd., the Kelburn Land and Estate Company, and the Kelburn Tramway Company, the Wellington Deposit, Mortgage, and Building Association, and the New Zealand Investment, Mortgage, and Deposit Co. He retired from active association with these various companies several years ago on account of failing health. He retired from the chairmanship of his firm at the end of 1918, and resigned his directorship in January, 1919.

The late Mr. Kirkcaldie is . survived by his widow, two sons, Sidney and Edward Keith Kirkcaldie, and four daughters, Mrs. A. W. Rattray, Mrs. C. "ll Mirams, Mrs. C. E. Finch, and Mrs. A: B. Rose. Two sons, Herbert and Norman, predeceased him several years ago. As a mark of respect to the memory of the founder of the firm the premise's of Messrs. Kirkcaldio and Stains- will be closed all day on 1 Monday. The funeral will take place on Monday afternoon, at 2.30 o'clock.