TIMARU’S OLDEST EX-MAYOR

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIX, Issue 21960, 12 May 1941, Page 4

TIMARU’S OLDEST EX-MAYOR

Death In Wellington Last Week Early Activities In South Canterbury One of Timaru’s early Mayors, and * man who had a part in the founding of several South Canterbury institutions, Mr James Stephen Keith, died in Wellington last Wednesday in his eighty-fifth year. When he visited Tlmaru in February, 1940, Mr Keith was the oldest living ex-Mayor of the town. Mr Keith’s interest in public affaire was widespread and from 1880 to 1890 he was a leading citizen of Timaru. He was a borough councillor from 1882 to 1888 when he was ele f£?J Mayor, a position he held during that and the following year. Mr Keith was formerly a member of the old South Canterbury Education Board, chairman of the Main School Committee, a foundation member and officer of the Timaru Lodge of Druids and the convener of the first conference of school committees that led to the formatton of the South Canterbury Primary Schools’ Association. Bom in 1856 in Aberdeen, Scotland, Mr Keith received his early education at day and night schools in that city, after which he spent some years at sea. In 1881 he settled in Timaru, where he obtained employment in the ship-chandlery and provldoring business of Edward Wade Grave. In the following year he commenced business on his own account as a ship-chand-ler and sailmaker in premises in Strathallan Street where the CF.C.A. now stands. Mr Keith went to Wellington in 1889. commencing business as ship-chandler and sail-maker in the film of Keith and Hutchison. Some three or four years later he left the firm to become manager of the ship-chandlery business of E. W. Mills and Co. After a quarter of a century with Mills and Co. Mr Keith retired from active work. He had always been a bowler. Taking to the game in Timaru. he joined the Victoria Club on going to Wellington, and It was not very long before he was elected a meriber of the committee of management. Later he was elected president and for some yearn served as its delegate on the Wellington Bowling Centre. Mr Keith leaves one daughter. Mis* Margaret Claudine Keith, and one son, Mr Howard Keith, both of Wellington. ___________