OBITUARY

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 September 1938, Page 4

OBITUARY

MR J. B. KEITH. It is with deep regret we have to chronicle uie passing yesterday afternoon of a highly respected resident of Masterton in the person of Mr James Bertram Keith, at his residence, 94 Cole Street. The late Mr Keith was born at St Cyrus, Kincardineshire, 82 years ago and came to New Zealand in the ship Oamaru in 1875, landing at Port Chalmers. He resided at Riverton, West Southland, for a period and then entered the service of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Ltd., and became manager of various branches, finally at Masterton. In 1892 he left that company to take up the managership of the Masterton Permanent Investment Building Society, which position he filled with conspicuous ability until laid aside by ill health about two years ago.

The late Mr Keith took a great interest in Masterton affairs and was a member of the Masterton Borough Council, Hospital Board, Chamber of Commerce and other bodies. An outstanding accountant, he was auditor of many concerns in the Wairarapa district. In his younger days he was an enthusiastic swimmer and oarsman. Besides a widow, he leaves three sons, Alexander (Masterton), Kenneth (Auckland) and Basil (Auckland) and two daughters, Miss Eleanor Keith (Masterton) and Mrs C. C. Farquharson (Dunedin). The funeral will be private. Sympathetic reference to the death of the late Mr Keith was made by the Mayor, Mr T. Jordan, at last night’s meeting of the Masterton Borough Council. Mr Keith was an ex-council-lor, stated the Mayor, and in later years the council had availed itself of his knowledge as a valuer in connection with borough properties. He was a man who always erred on the safe side. It was decided to send .a letter of sympathy to the relatives in their bereavement.

At today’s meeting of the Wairarapa Hospital Board, a vote of condolence was passed with the relatives of the late Mr J. B. Keith. The chairman, Mr H. H. Mawley, said the late Mr Keith had been a member of the board for many years, and had been at one time chairman of the Masterton Hospital Committee. .