FARMING PIONEER

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20018, 17 August 1939, Page 4

FARMING PIONEER

LATE MR, J. B, KELLS

DEATH OCCURS TO-DAY

LONG BUSINESS CAREER

SERVICES TO COMMUNITY

The Gisborne district lost to-day, through the death of Mr. Joseph Burton Kel-ls, of 16 Score road, one of its most respected residents and one who demonstrated, during his long life, -a capacity to meet changing circumstances which might well be said to have been characteristic of the best type of his generation in New Zealand.

In recent years Mr. Kells 'had not enjoyed good health, and lately he suffered a seizure which led to his collapse at an early hour this morning. He -had reached his eightysecond year, and only last month he and -Mrs. Kell's had celebrated -the fiftieth anniversary of their wedding. Very deep sympathy will- be felt for Mrs. Kells and her son, Mr. George Walter Kells, who is the only child of the late Mr. J. B. Kells. - j

Born in How-ick, Auckland, in 1858, the late -Mr. Kell's was tire only 'son of -Captain George Kells, of the Imperial Army, who took up land in the Waikato after completing a number of years’ service. The family consisted of one son and five daughters, of whom four now survive at advanced ages. Fanning Experience

At the age of 19 years, Mr. Joseph Kells owned his own farm in the Waikato, but he took up employment later with Mr. W. Shximpton, on the Matapiro property, Hawke’s Bay, and subsequently was appointed manager of Tangoio station. In July, 1889, he married Miss Lucy Crowley, daughter of well-known residents of Hawke’s Bay.

From the management of Tangoio, Mr. Kells -came to Gisborne -to a post as -shock agent and -auctioneer for Messrs. Common. Shelton and Company, Limited, in 1897, and later 'hie became managing director of the firm, a position which he held for a number of years. His sound judgment and knowledge of stock was largely responsible for the rapid rise of tlje firm to prominence, and -he had -a connection reaching far beyond the confines of the Gisborne district. He was closely identified with the general interests of woolgrowers, and for many years represented the Poverty Bay Sheepowners’ Association at conferences, taking a keen interest in the -problem of rising costs of production. He held a prominent position in the association, and in the councils of the New Zealand federation.

Active Worker During War Years

During the Great War, Mr. Kells Was one of .an active group of businessmen in Gisborne wlio did much to raise levies of remounts for the army, and funds for the care of siek and wounded soldiers.

He was a member of the Citizehs’ Defence Committee, and took a hand in moulding the policy of that body, when it was decided to set a major portion of the district patriotic funds aside to meet the difficulties of ageing ex-soldiers in later years. Another local foody on which he served was the Revaluation Board of Soldier settlers’ lands.

He also was a leading member: of the committee which raised funds f6r the district war memorial, designed by Mr. Edward Armstrong and recognised as one of the finest monuments in New Zealand. Keen Sportsman During his earlier years, Mr. was a keen supporter of amateur' sports and athletics, and played a stout game of Rugby football, as one of the original Hawke’s Bay team which enjoyed a long rim of successes. He is remembered .by the survivors of his generation as a forceful player, and one of the best of his day in New Zealand. He continued his interest in Rugby football throughout his later years, and until his health failed he was a regular patron > of tlie code ,in Gisborne.

Among his many interests, his connection v/ith the land had been almost always naramounl, and since his early f association with the Gisborne district . he had had an interest in backcountry fanning, in partnership with Mr. W. Turnbull, their MangatU station having turned off some of the best stock produced in the high country.

The late Mr. Kells will be buried tomorrow afternoon at the Taruheru cemetery, following a short service at Holy Trinity Church at 2 o’clock-