CRIMEAN VETERAN

Hokitika Guardian, 6 September 1929, Page 2

CRIMEAN VETERAN

Dll GILES'S VARIED CAREER. With anot'h ?r year added to a full life of great ’activity, Dr J. Giles, of Auckland, cek’b-_ atcd his 97th birthday on Tuesda/'V A New Zealander of over 70 years’' l , standing,- he has embraced many .-a- eers during his lung lrfe,' and has g-'accd them all. Medical practitioner Land army surgeon in other parts the world, pioneer settlor, farmer,'* gold-digger, magistrate, mining w A cn > newspaper editor, departmo.'Vi al undersecretary, and a member c't. 13 Royal Commissions, those are soineV () 1 the posts-that Dr Giles has filled tvJth distinction!, says tlie *‘New . r A aland Herald.' 1

Born at Frome, Somerset, e. ght years before Hobson came to -N -W Zealand, Dr Giles is a link with t,--Victorian days. George IV had a.> vended the throne only two yeaa-s be- | fore, and D‘r Giles stul retains memories of England as it was in tlie short reign of William IV. Dr Giles’s early medical studies in London were interrupted by the Crimean War. Ho enlisted, but never reached the front, being detailed for service at the base camp at Scutari. It was there that he met Florence Nig'atiivgale, worked with her and formed a close personal friendship with the famous “lady with the lamp.” After the war Dr Giles completed his medical course, and in 1858 came to New Zealand. He has remained here ever since. His first activity in the land of his adoption was to take up farming at Mauku. Later he participated in the gold rush to Gabriel’s Gully, and for a time was editor of one of Auckland’s early newspapers, the “New Zealander.” After newspaper work in Nelson Dtr Giles entered the magistracy, serving at Hokitika and at Wanganui and Auckland before his retirement in 1893. After spending many years at Mauku, he settled permanently in Auckland. Mrs Giles died several years ago.