CANNY CRAIGIE

NZ Truth, Issue 1127, 7 July 1927, Page 6

CANNY CRAIGIE

OVER seventy long years ago, m that braw land of haggis, there was born one who has carried through life the name 'of James Cralgie. , He had not long discarded the short kilt for the long "trobsers" when he landed at Lyttelton. to go thenoe to that -New Zealand Mecca of Scots-— Dunedin. ' . -.-.■ >. There he was started on his road In , life at a trade, which— lf hot exalted— was at least practical; and being possessed of most of those reputed vir.tues of his race, he watched; the bawbees, slowly but surely accumulate. That long-headedness which .has stood by, him all his life caused him to be elected to a host of' local bodies until at 'last the thriving town of Timaru honored him as mayor. .': A mayoralty is'but a stepping-stone to ; greater fame, it would seem; Jfcmes Craigie, being' no.' exception and being: by this time a man of some substance, shed his pin feathers of. munioipal mediocrities and had a fly for politics. 'He retained his seat m Parliament from: 1908 until 1922." Faithful service ever brings its own reward, and those who contrive such ' matters saw fit to reward . the ambitions of Craigie by plaping him on the roll of those^ who may inscribe after their names letters which are as mystic as mystifying to the mob— MX.C. . . :