DEATH OF MR C. SPEIGHT

Evening Star, Issue 19795, 20 February 1928, Page 5

DEATH OF MR C. SPEIGHT

A PEACEFUL & SUDDEN PASSING FOREMOST IN UNDIVULGED ALMSGIVING In any list that could bo compiled of the names of Dunedin men who Jived the injunction “Take heed that ye do not your alms before man ” Charles Speight must have a prominent place, and the news or Ins unexpected death yesterday afternoon is sincerely mourned not only by his relatives and personal friends, but by hosts of men and women who knew him only by name. It was Mr Speight’s habit to take a quiet walk by himself on a Sunday morning. Yesterday he came down town from his residence in Upper York place, apparently in his usual health, and was about to turn back, when an inward admonition brought to his mind the fact that he had been cautioned against exertion in hill-climbing, and as the weatho’ was hot he decided it wise to telephone for his car. His son Hugh answered tho call and took him homo. Nothing serious was leared, then or when he reached tho house. He said it was probably a touch of indigestion. Ho was persuaded, however, to lie in bed for a little, and he did

so, taking a book with him. In the afternoon nothing happened to cause alarm, and he was asleep about 4.30, when the call came—a painless and reposeful exit fitting in with the life of a man who abhorred fuss and publicity.

Mr Charles Speight was horn in Dunedin, on 801 l Hill, in July of 1865, a son of Mr and Mrs James Speight, who arrived from the Old Country in 1861 and settled in Dunedin. Tho name of Speight became known through tho establishing of the brewery in Battray street that (swell known throughout tho dominions and overseas. There were three members of the founding firm — Mr James Speight, tho man with tho commercial knowledge; Mr William Dawson, the practical brewer; Mr C. F. Greenslade. who knew all about maltir •. Mr Speight died in 1888. His sou Charles, the subject of this notice, was'educated at tho Normal School, now known as the (Moray Place School. After leaving school he became associated with the business, and thus gradually qualified to take Id’s father's place. He became in course of time tho managing director of the firm of James Speight and Co., and after the breweries’ merger of four years ago lie accepted, the position of manager of the Dunedin branch of New Zealand Breweries, Limited.

Being a. very busy man, occupied with his own affairs and a multi! ude of duties which hifi kindly nature led him into, and finding it the delight of his life lo serve and glory in New Zealand, he did not. like many of the well-to-do, seek pleasure in foreign travel. He did become casually acquainted with Australia, and once made a trip to the South Sea. Islands, but be was not a tourist, in any sense of the word. Ho loved Now Zealand and was content to abide hero. Most of his life was spent in his native town. (t, may also bo mentioned that ho never bad a serious illness. About a year ago, in conscqnonco of premonitions of faintness, bo consulted a. medical man and learned that it would be wise to refrain from taxing his heart heavily. That, however, is no more than the majority of busy men learn if they take the trouble to inquireMr Speight married a niece of Andrew and John M’lfarlanc, and ibis lady is now left with four sons and a daughter. Dr- Norman Speight, the oldest son, is in practice in Dunedin; Mr Allan Speight, second son, manages the Redcliff run, near Lake Manaponri (Southland) ; Mr Hugh Speight is in business in bis father's firm; and the youngest son, Mr Colin Speight, is on the Redcliff run. His daughter, Miss Winifred Speight, resides at home. Dour members of the family to which ho belonged arc resident in New Zealand. His brother, Mr Walter Speight, lives in Dunedin, and his sisters arc Mrs T. D. P.earce, of Invercargill, Mrs G. Frier, of Wellington, and Mrs W. Livingston, of Wellington. The only other member of the family was Mrs Frank Holmes, of Wellington, who died a year ago.

As a young man, Mr Speight became a member of the Dunedin Cycling Club, the Dunedin Rifle Club, and the B. Battery. Subsequently lie was appointed lieutenant in the Naval Reserve. The Caledonian Society knew him well as a steadfast supporter. JI o rose to the presidency of that body, and was treasurer at the time ol Ins death. Ho was also interested in bowling, and became president of the Otago Bowling Club. Golf was one of his personal pleasures, and be supported belli cricket and football. Yachting owes him deep respect. Amongst Ins many contributions to that pastime ho built the Ll-footer Winifred ip race lor the Sanders Cup, this boat being named after Ins daughter. Me was also a member of the Fernhiil. the Otago, and the Commercial Travellers’ Clubs, and a constant friend to the annual chanty “ Rig Day.” The Arthur Street School Committee had the advantage of ins influence and Ins personal work, and ho was made chairman of that committee at the last annual meeting. This, but an imperfect list of Mr Speight’s activities, may serve to show what can be done by an earnest and loveable man, though be be “up to his eves” in business, in directorship, and ni all sorts of duties.

Mr Speight’s first .important public service was performed during the Boer War, when he became a member of the Organising Committee that was responsible for raising and equipping the Fourth and Fifth Contingents, _ and he was prominently associated with the work of promoting the welfare of the men on their return. Durfing the last war Mr Speight assisted in organising the carnivals and other efforts planny.d for the welfare of the men. He was a member of the Otago Patriotic Association, which controls the expenditure of funds raised for this purpose, and was deputy-chairman of the Soldiers and Dependents’ Welfare Committee. _ Jn this line of duty he came closely into touch with the returned soldiers, and visited the Montecillo Home every Friday. Ho was prominently associated with the 1925-116 Exhibition from start to finish as director, as rifle-chairman of the board,’ and as chairman of the Finance Committee He gave a great deal of his time in looking after the men belonging to the Argyll-and Suth-

erland Highlanders’ Band. For. his work as vice-chairman of the Exhibition Company Mr Speight received the distinction of Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the King’s Birthday honors list last year. It is recalled, also, that Mr Speight was one of the foundation members of the Red Cross Society and a most generous contributor. To the St. John Ambulance he also gave material and willing aid in time as well as money. Though not of the Anglican Church, it is still thankfully remembered that he gave the site for the church at Woodhaugh. His last business enterprise was m connection with the Queen’s Buildings in Princes street, now'approaching completion. This big work was undertaken primarily as a contribution to the architectural beauty of Dunedin, not solely as an investment. One of Mr Speight’s close personal friends says this of him: “Charles Speight was a unique personality in Dunedin. He never neglected anything. He never failed with an appointment. He never turned you away empty-handed. He ungrudgingly gave of his best in public service. He was modest almost beyond man’s understanding, and, best of all, he had a trait in his character as rare as the most costlv gem, in that he never adversely criticised. I think that I can honestly add that he was loved by men.’-'