MR CHARLES SPEIGHT.

Evening Star, Issue 19795, 20 February 1928, Page 6

MR CHARLES SPEIGHT.

Tun late Air Charles Speight had not by several years reached the threescore years and ton which the Psalmist has stated as man’s allotted span here below. Indeed, except to his intimate acquaintances, it may come as a surprise that ho had entered his sixtythird year. For bo looked a man in the prime of life, and tho energy and unremitting attention be bestowed both on his own business and on the many outside activities which must have claimed a considerable part of his time showed that his powers had not passed their zenith when the call came with dramatic suddenness. Nevertheless, Mr Speight had evidently been feeling the stress, for it is understood that it was his intention to take a. long holiday as soon as he had so arranged his varied affairs as to enable him to do so with the minimum cause for worry. Naturally his own firm’s business came first, but some years ago his cares in this direction were increased by tho breweries merger, in forming which he was largely instrumental ami in the conduct of which he had since taken a loading part. It was distinctly the wisli of his fellowdirectors in the amalgamation that he should take matters somewhat easier in the immediate future; but, with the next licensing election looming, Air Speight preferred to await the issue before slackening his activities. The result of that issue Air Speight lias not boen spared to see, but it is safe to say that bis opponents on the licensing question would have had no qualms on tho score of fair and honorable tactics on his part throughout tho contest. For Air Speight gave the impression to newspapermen who had occasion to interview him fairly frequently on this matter of maintaining an attitude of impartiality more characteristic of an umpire than of a contestant. Circumstances had placed him in the position in which he found himself, and he gave his powers unreservedly to the contesting of Prohibition without stooping to seek any unsportsmanlike advantage. Tho concentration, the pertinacity, the system, and the ability which he threw into his business would probably have enabled him to take a high place in tho conduct of affairs in any other sphere. He was the financial adviser of many confidants and many societies, particularly those of a philanthropic nature. Certainly he had behind him the resources of a powerful firm, but it was his prompt handling of these which enabled many a public function to proceed with ease and smoothness when before his intervention difficulties loomed large. His work on the Exhibition Executive was particularly notable for the swiftness witli which a troubled outlook resolved itself into plain sailing when be took charge. A good deal of this has already been known and recognised. Not so well known, perhaps, was the extent of his private benefactions. It was throughout his firm resolve that these should not be divulged, wherever possible, and maybe for that reason his reputation as a keen business man has lacked the qualification which might otherwise have been attached—that of generosity in many directions. In tho matter of remembrance of the interests of* returned soldiers, from wartime to the present day, Air Speight has left a record which possibly may revive the flagging activities of those of his fel-Icw-citizens who were equally enthusiastic with him at the start.