PIONEER’S LIFE CLOSES

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 994, 10 June 1930, Page 11

PIONEER’S LIFE CLOSES

DEATH OF DR. J. GILES AN ACTIVE CAREER A life crowded with incident in many parts of the world closed with the death yesterday morning, at his home in Chamberlain Avenue, Mount Eden, of Dr. J. Giles, aged 97. One of the “grand old men” of Auckland, Dr. Giles's career was remarkable for its various spheres of interest and activity, not only in New Zealand, but in many parts of the world. A native of Frome, Somersetshire, Dr. Giles was born in 1532. He was a young man studying surgery in London when the Crimean "War broke out. Throwing overboard his student work, he enlisted for active service, but was stationed at the base camp at Scutari, where he formed a close personal friendship with Florence Nightingale. Back in London on the cessation of hostilities, Dr. Giles completed his medical studies, and then in 1858 left the shores of England behind him for ever. He arrived in Auckland in the steam and sailing ship Lord Ashley. Dr. Giles took up land at Mauku, where he engaged in fattening store cattle. Then came the gold rush of Gabriel’s Gully, in which Dr. Giles joined as a prospector. On the outbreak of the Maori War, Dr. Giles disposed of his stock, and joined the First Waikato Volunteer Regiment, seeing fighting both here and at Tauranga. Excluded from active fighting, the war palled on Dr. Giles, who then entered upon a journalistic career, first as editor of "The New Zealander.” then of the “Nelson Examiner.” MANY DUTIES Successively Dr. Giles was goldfields’ warden, resident magistrate at Nelson. He then became magistrate at Wanganui and later Under-Secretary of Lands, Mines and Immigration, but on tiring of routine work he took the appointment of resident magistrate at -Hokitika, and later served in a similar capacity at Auckland. He was a member of 13 Royal Commissions during bis life. Dr. Giles returned to his farm at Mauku, which he had retained sine© 1858. He lived there several years before making his home in Chamberlain Avenue, Mount Eden. In latter years he was the recipient of manv birthday congratulations, notably one from the Auckland Law Society. Dr. Giles, who was a non-smoker and a total abstainer from alcohol, enjoyed good health until his fatal illness, accepting his philosophy of life “by taking it as it comes and enjoying it ” Mrs. Giles died in 1912. An adopted daughter, Mrs. F. Drake, lived with Dr. Giles.