THE LONG DAY CLOSES

Southland Times, Issue 25305, 7 June 1935, Page 6

THE LONG DAY CLOSES

For over sixty years Mr James Beattie was associated actively with the making of Southland s history and his passing, which came yesterday at the end of a brief twilight, rounded off a life full of incident, of progressive energy through which a deep affection for the province was expressed. Mr Beattie crowned a youth of labour with an age of activity, and only in the last few years did he yield to the weight of his years and content himself with retirement in which to enjoy the memories of a colourful and useful career.' In his biography is to be found a rich store of incident, the development of a youthful Scot into a stdtdy Southlander, of a young farmer to a keen business man and energetic public representative and municipal leader. His first five years in New Zealand were spent in many parts and in them Mr Beattie wandered adventurously, so that in later years he was able to draw on exciting experiences for writings which found an honoured place in the pages of Chamber’s Journal, a periodical of high standing whose interest stamped Mr Beattie’s literary work with a hall-mark of excellence. In the middle years of his long life he settled in Gore and there found opportunities for the application of his energy and enlightenment in public affairs. Largely through his efforts the borough was founded, and in many varied spheres of interest' he assisted to lay the foundations of institutions which are to-day the pride of a thriving, progressive town. With a forceful pen he strove valiantly for causes making their appeal to the mind and to the body, and, in addition, he set down in lively records much of his personal contact with the early life of Southland and New Zealand, and now that his long day has closed his friends can say of him that he gave to his province more than he took from it, leaving Southland eternally a debtor to his great energy, his vision, and his lively and varied capacity.