MR JAMES CRAIGIE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume L, Issue 12145, 27 November 1908, Page 3

MR JAMES CRAIGIE.

Mr James Craigie, who contested the Timaru seat as a supporter of the present Government, is a native of Perthshire, Scotland. As a boy of fifteen ho left the Old Country in the ship Glenmark, and came on to Timaru in the William Miskin, arriving on the day of the general election 41 years ago. He remained in Timaru for about eighteen months, when hey went to Dunedin and learned his trade ; returning in 1873 to commence business on his own account •■as an importer and general decorator. His business, started in a small way, has developed with tho progress of the -town. For twenty years he resided on his farm at Kingsdown, and his first public duties were in tho direction of establishing a school for the district, of the committee of which he was chairman for eleven years. In August, 1901, he was elected a member of tho Timaru Borough Council, and at the election in April of tho following year he was returned to the Mayoral chair. He- has occupied tho position ever since. Two years ago he was elected to the Timaru Harbour Board, of which he is now chairman. His name is familiar throughout NeAV Zealand as the originator of the battleship New Zealand presentation fund.