GENEROUS PUBLIC CITIZEN.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 August 1919, Page 5

GENEROUS PUBLIC CITIZEN.

THE LATE MR. JAMES POWELL. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Westport, August 10. The late Mr. James Powell, whose will (published last Saturday) has something of the Cecil Rhodes touch, was a native of Liverpool, and S3 years of age. Aa a lad he went to America, where he stayed for some time and then returned to England. In 1860 he arrived in Dunedin, and found his way ■ to the Dunstan mining fields. After varying success Mr. Powell returned to Dimedin, where he served in a store, Hia early friends included Mr. Ross and Mr. Sargood. He also took a keen interest in Knox Church. From Dunedin he went to Hokitika, where he was in business as a storekeeper until about ten years ago, when he retired into private life. He took a keen interest in volunteering, being, while in Dunedin, a member of a corps there. He was the first captain of the Westport Fire Brigade, and served on the Borough Council, Har bour Board and Education Board, and with Mr. Baillie, who survives him, took the initiatory steps to establish the hospital in Westport. This necessitated many canvassing trips to the coal mining township. Mr. Powell, it is understood, was the first J.P. in Westport. Hi! Was a man of genial disposition, with a broad outlook, and was fond of travelling, his trips including several to ths Old Country, and. ajao to the Pacific