OBITUARY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22191, 19 August 1935, Page 12

OBITUARY

MR. JAMES CRAIG IE LONG POLITICAL CAREER [BY TELEGRAPH —PRESS ASSOCIATION"] TIMARU, Saturday The death has occurred of Mr. James Craigie. formerly a member of the House of Representatives and also of the Legislative Council. Born in Perthshire, Scotland, in 1851, he arrived in New Zealand in 1867, accompanied by his parents, who settled at Timaru. He commenced business here six years later as an importer and general decorator. Mr. Craigie entered public life as chairman of the Kingsdown school committee. He became a member of the j Borough Council in August, 1901, and | was Mayor for 10 years from 1902. He also served as member and chairman of ! the Timaru Harbour Board, and was a member of the Hospital Board for eight years. Mr. Craigie was elected to Parliament in the Liberal Party interests, and retained the Timaru seat till 1922, when he voluntarily retired, and in the following year was called to the Legislative Council. He was regarded as the first authority in the Dominion on tho life and works of Robert Burns, and was the sole overseas vice-president of the Burns Federation. He gave Timaru a fine statue of Scotland's national poet. Mr. Craigie was a liberal benefactor to Timaru. He enjoyed good health until a few weeks ago. He leaves a widow, one son and six daughters, and a number of grandchildren. MR. JAMES HILL The death has occurred in Wellington at the age of 74 of Mr. James Hill, for many years a leading wheel and carriage builder. Mr. Hill, who was born in Auckland, served his apprenticeship as ft wheelwright with Messrs. Gee and Potter. Later he conducted business on his own account, first in Karangahape Road and later in Symonds Street. As a younger man he was a keen athlete and took an active part in the affairs of a number of sporting clubs. On retiring from active participation in sport, Mr. Hill became interested in horse racing and owned horses which won a number of races. He was also for some year a steward of the Otahuhu Trotting Club. Interested in local affairs, he was one of the last surviving members of the Grafton Bridge Committee. Mr. Hill is survived by one daughter and two sons, all of Auckland. There are four grandchildren. The funeral took place at Waikumete on Saturday afternoon. MR. ALEXANDER NEIL The death occurred at Northcote yesterday of Mr. Alexander Neil, aged 53, who was well known in many centres of New Zealand as a gas manager. Born at Glasgow he came to New Zealand when 11 years of age with his parents, who settled at Christchurch, where his father became manager of the gasworks. Mr. Neil was educated at the West Christchurch School and at Canterbury College, and afterwards served his apprenticeship with the Christchurch engineering firm of Anderson and Company. Returning to Glasgow, he joined the Provan Gas Company. On coming hack to New Zealand he went to Dunedin, where he assisted to rebuild the corporation gasworks. He was later appointed manager of the Footscray Gas Company, at Melbourne. Two years later Mr. Neil returned to New Zealand as manager of the Nelson Corporation Gasworks. After four years he went into military camp on the outbreak of war. He later served at spa as marine engineer. After peace was declared he was appointed manager of the Birkenhead and Northcote Gas Company, retiring six years ago, owing to ill-health. Mr. Neil is survived by Mrs. Neil and two sons. MRS. DAVID FAULKNER [by TELEGRAPH—OWN" correspondent] TAURANGA, Sunday The death has occurred at Opureora, Matakana Island, of Mrs. Faulkner, wife of Mr. David Faulkner, of Bowentown. Mrs. Faulkner, who was about 40 years of age, was a woman of high rank in the Nguiterangi tribe, and was a stepsister of Messrs. John and Walter and Witana Murray, former Tauranga, Rugby representatives. The customary tangi is in progress, and is being attended by natives from all parts of the Bay of Plenty.