Dr Joseph Garston GILES [9768]

  General Notes:

GILES Joseph, LSA 1856, MRCS 1856.
Born in Frome, Somerset 1832.

Joseph studied medicine and was awarded the gold medal at the London Hospital

Scholefield 1:293 - Giles met Florence Nightingale at Scutari while serving in Crimea (prior to completing MRCS) - spent some months at Gabriel's Gulley after arriving in NZ - sometime editor of the New Zealander then of the Nelson Examiner pro tem and of Southern Cross magazine

Arrived in NZ from Australia on the Lord Ashley 1859.
Regd under NMO at Gabriel's Gully, Tuapeka Goldfields 14 Oct 1861 and in Nelson 31 July 1867; under 1867 Act 11 April 1868: Westport / Hokitika / Auckland / Mauku, Auckland / Mt Eden, Auckland.

Practised homoeopathy. Appointed surgeon Forest Hill Rifle Volunteers 6 July 1861; native med attendant Waiuku 1 March 1862; surgeon Auckland Militia 6 Oct 1863. Served in Waikato campaign and at Tauranga; resigned 19 Nov 1864.
Appointed coroner for Westport 20 Jan 1868; resident magistrate Wanganui 19 Jan 1876, resigned 1877.
Appointed under-secretary for crown lands, goldfields and immigration 15 Feb 1877; resident magistrate, coroner and commissioner of crown lands Hokitika 1 Feb 1878; resident magistrate for Auckland 21 March 1888.
Member of Senate, Univ of NZ 1882-99. Classical scholar, non-smoker and temperance advocate.
Deleted from NZ register at own request 7 Feb 1927.
Died in Mt Eden, Auckland 9 June 1930, probably last survivor of 1868 registrants.
Obit NZ Medical Journal 1930; Pgs 29: 266

TWICE SIXTY YEARS SINCE.
It is always gratifying to see the guilds of literature, science, and art, welcoming colonial members, who seem almost physically isolated from the great family. The following letter and verses of Dr. Giles,of Westport, form the subject of a preface to the latest volume of the venerable Gentleman 's Magazine :
Mr. Urban. As you are the oldest conductor of periodical literature in England, so I imagine you must take the greatest pleasure in referring to the illustrious memories which are associated with your youthful days, and this without showing any signs of that imbecility which belongs to the mere laudator temporis acti. If you are susceptible of such feelings, I suppose you can never peruse without gratification the elegant little ode which, according to Mr. Boswell, appeared, fresh firom the hand of Johnson, in the number of your Magazine for March, 1738. I find from the Bame authority, that in the following May appeared a translation, which is given at full length in the notes to Boswell's great work. It is my extreme dissatisfaction with the manner in which the elegant simplicity of the original is diluted with clumsy verbiage in this translation, which has induced me to offer you, what I consider, a superior version. Trusting that you will receive my contribution with some favour, if not for its own merits yet for the opportunity it gives you of recalling the cherished glories of 133 years ago.
I remain, Mr. Urban, your sincere friend, Joseph Giles, Resident Magistrate, Westport, New Zealand. February, 1871.
Ref: Papers Past. NELSON EXAMINER AND NEW ZEALAND CHRONICLE, VOLUME XXX, ISSUE 28, 5 AUGUST 1871

The NZ Goldrush Journal.
Vol 5 (2021)
Editor: Kae Lewis.
Refers as follows to Joseph at work as Warden of the West Coast NZ.
Mr Warden, Joseph Giles held a Court at Christie's Accommodation House last Tuesday, during which he addressed two or three important mining cases, and upwards of 40 applications for water rights, machine sites, protections etc. On the following day, Dr Giles visited Reefton, and the next morning, he went out to the reefs in the company of Mr Surveyor Henry Lewis (who had surveyed the Lewis Pass in 1860) and others. After examining the jumped claims under dispute, they started on an exploring expedition on foot to find a short cut to William's Accommodation House on Fern Flat (Upper Inangahua River).
https://kaelewis.com/reefton/goldrush.htm

The Colonist, Volume X, Issue 758, 3 September 1867 - lengthy attack on JG for his comments on Medical Practitioners' Bill, and his apparent defence of Dr Fischer the homoeopath

Giles on eugenics and sanitary police
NZ Magazine January 1876, 22-34

Dr. GILES PROMOTION.
(Evening Argus.)
Seldom has any Government been guilty of a more disgraceful abuse of patronage than is exhibited in the appointment of Doctor Joseph Giles to the Position of Under Secretary of Crown Lands He owes his promotion to pure personal favoritism, and we must express our surprise that the other members of the Ministry have allowed themselves to be made tools of by the Premier, in such in important matter. Mr Donald Reid, the Minister of Lands, we entirely acquit of blame, as the appointment was virtually made before he joined the Ministry. Dr Giles does not possess one single special qualification for the office into which he has been pitchforked over the heads of far better men. He is a medical man, but apparently finds the Government easier to bleed than patients. He was at one time a resident in an Auckland country District ; then, if we mistake not, he shone or a brief time on the Otago diggings, being about the first medical man on Gabriel's ; then he returned to Auckland and obtained a surgical commission in the 1st Waikato Regiment. Subsequenty he shifted to Nelson, where for some time he edited the Examiner in the interests of the Richmond-Atkinson family ; and it was here that he laid the foundations of those claims which have now been recognised by Major Atkinson, at the public expense. Afterwards Dr Giles was appointed a Warden in the West Coast goldfields, whence he was, not very long ago, transferred, as Resident Magistrate, to Wanganui. When we add that Dr Giles has written a paper in the New Zealand Magazine, we think we have fairly sketched the public career of the gentleman who is now appointed to one of the most important situations in the service of the Colony. We could have understood this office being given to a political supporter, for there is a recognised duty incumbent upon every Government to provide for certain supportsrs who may wish to retire from political life, and service in the House, will naturally often be considered as legitimate a road to Under Secretaryships as service in the departments. Or had the appointnent been given to some gentleman who was specially qualified for the duties, and who had held a high position in one of the Provincial Governments, as, for instance, Mr Alex. Willis, the late Under-Secretary for Otago, there would have been nothing objectionable in it ; but it is monstrous that for purely personal reasons the Government should appoint to an office of this kind a man in Dr Giles' position. Verily, Resident Magistrates are in luck now. One was not so very long ago made Minister of Justice, another has been made Commissioner of Crown Lands in Otago, and now a third is made Under Secretary for Crown Lands. The duties of the Bench cannot be held to in any way qualify for the performance of departmental work, and it is a great injustice when appointments, which might fairly be looked for as prizes by the members of the Civil service qualified to fill them, are given to outsiders, such as Resident Magistrates, who have neither official experience, special knowedge, length of service, nor any other qualification, except that of a friend to the Ministry. Dr Giles is absolutely without the slightest experience in the matter of the land laws of the colony, and yet he will be called on daily to administer them. It is most unfair to the officers of the department to place an ignorant chief over them, and expect them to teach him the very ABC of his work. For nearly six months this department has been admirably managed by Mr H. J. H. Eliott, an experienced officer of nearly twenty years' service, and yet, after having been Acting Under Secretary for so long a period, a new man altogether is placed over his head. It is no wonder that good men lose all heart and interest in the service of a Government where all kissing goes by favor, and neither merit nor long and faithful service are ever recognised as claims to promotion. Of Dr Giles as a gentleman we do not wish to say a single unfavourable word. He has always borne a high character in private life and as a magistrate, but we should that he cannot feel very comfortable in his own mind in being the recipient of undeserved favors, bestowed at the expense of others better deserving consideration. Probably no one was more surprised than himself when the position was offered him. He must feel that his promotion is a violation of every principle that should regulate such matters and an injustice to others, and feeling this he probably requires fully £600 a year to reconcile him to the position. When Parliament meets this appointment will form another count in the indictment, which will cerrtainly be presented against the present Ministry, on which, we have no doubt, the House will find them guilty, and sentence them to be drummed out of a position which they seem unable to fill honestly or fairly.
Wanganui Herald, Volume XI, Issue 2845, 5 February 1877, Page 3

This long article in the Kumara Times concerns a mining dispute ruled over by Joseph Giles, opinions by both his detractors and his supporters
Ref: KUMARA TIMES, ISSUE 2316, 30 JANUARY 1884
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/KUMAT18840130.2.4?query=Dr%20Joseph%20Giles

We must still draw attention to some beautiful verses in the "Contributor" written by Dr. Giles, resident Magistrate of Auckland, in
memory of the late Mr Whitefoord.
Ref: Press, Volume XLVIII, Issue 7845, 23 April 1891, Page 4

RETIREMENT OF DR. GILES.
VALEDICTORY ADDRESS.
PRESENTATION FROM THE BAR.
When a gentleman retires into private life after a lengthy career in a public capacity, it must be gratifying to both himself and his friends to learn that he is almost universally esteemed. That such is the case with respect to our worthy R.M., Dr, J, Giles, was shown by the fact that almost every legal gentlaman in Auckland attended at the R.M. Court this morning in order to testify, by their presence the regret they felt at his retirement. The Courtroom was crowded, and the President of the Law Society, Mr C. E. Button, who is also the father of the Bar in Auckland, officiated as spokesman. When Dr. Giles ascended the Bench all present remained standing while Mr Button presented an address from the members of the Bar. In doing this Mr Button said he had been deputed by his professional brethren in Auckland to present a valedictory address to Dr. Giles on his retirement from his duties as Resident Magistrate for this district.
He had been selected for this office chiefly for two reasons, one being that his name stood earliest on the list of solicitors in Auckland, and secondly, because of the length of time during which personal friendship had existed between Dr. Giles and himself. As the representative of the legal profession practising in Auckland, he might safely say they all felt that this district would sustain a very serious loss indeed by his retirement (applause). It would be impossible for him to speak too extravagantly of the sense they entertained of the manner in which Dr. Giles had discharged the duties devolving upon his office. In doing so he had manifested very great courtesy and consideration for all with whom he came in contact. (Applause.) He had also brought to bear on the cases before him an amount of legal knowledge which was really astonishing, on the part of one not trained in the profession. He had displayed care and painstaking impartiality throughout, which had gained their respect and esteem. (Applause.) In the future Dr. Giles would be known as the Lord Manfrid of the R.M. Court. (Applause.) He might also say that Dr. Giles had been warm and sincere in his personal friendships and had fully discharged his duties as a good citizen, having always taken an interest in public matters, both as a member of the University College Council and in other ways. His example had been of great good to the community. Mr Button said he could also testify from personal knowledge that Dr. Giles had also shown equally pleasing characteristics in his home life. The public generally would feel the loss of Dr. Giles, and any person would find it difficult to fill his position. Should his successor only manifest a small amount of the skill, care and impartiality shown by Dr. Giles the public of Auckland would have every reason to be satisfied. Mr Button then read the following address:
Auckland, October, 1893. Joseph Giles, Esq., Resident Magistrate, Auckland, Now Zealand.
Dear Sir,
As you are about to retire from the position of Resident Magistrate, which you have filled so satisfactorily and with so much ability for so many years, we the undersigned practising solicitors desire to express our deep sense of the loss the profession and the public will sustain by your retirement. During the time you have filled the magisterial bench in Auckland, we have had ample opportunity of forming an opinion of the manner in which you have performed the duties of your office, and we feel bound to say that those duties could not have been discharged with more impartiality, ability, dignity and courtesy than you have at all times manifested. We would conclude by assuring you that our hearty good wishes will accompany you into your private life.
The address bore the following signatures : C. E. Button, Walter James Hill, A. Devore, R. Laishley L.L.D., etc., John A. Beale, James Russell, Edwin Hesketh, Thos. Buddie, E. T. Dufaur, A. E. Whitaker, Thomas Cotter, Theo. Cooper, S. Hesketh, M. G. McGregor, Frederic W Brookfield, C. F. Buddie, C. Tylden, C. F. Reid, E. A. Mackechnie, J. P. McAlister, Fredk. E. Baume, William F. Buckland, Edmund Mahony, junr., Sam Jackson, W. J. Napier, W. H. Armsstrong, John W. Stewart, Charles E. Purchas, Chas. F. Griffiths, F. J. Hammond, Fred Earl, Percy F. Battley, C. S. S. George, C. J. Parr, J. 0. S. A. Tole, Peter Oliphant, Adam Brock, Hugh Campbell, E. W. Burton, Wm. Coleman, Charles E. MacCormick, G. N. Brassey, W. Read Blomfield, Charles W. Cave, J. O'Meaghaer. The address was an artistic production, the illumination being the work of Mr Ashley Hunter, and the handsome binding was done at the office of the Auckland Evening Star. Mr E. Hesketh handed the address to His Worship.
Dr. Giles, in returning thanks, said he was at some loss to find words wherewith to express his thanks for the kind sentiments used, and also for the really beautiful work of art presented. He felt it would be impossible for him to abrogate to himself all the complimentary terms used. At the same time, it would be simple affectation and almost impertinent if he ignored the deliberate verdict of a jury of professional experts like that before him. He felt pleased that he had secured their approbation. He was prepared to accept those expressions as referring to the Resident Magistrates throughout the colony. He thought this a fitting occasion to point out that the jurisdiction of the R.M. Court in New Zealand was both criminal and civil. Such positions at Home were filled by barristers of considerable standing in the profession. In New Zealand those duties were at times placed upon men who had no legal training, and he thought he might say that upon the whole the Resident Magistrates of New Zealand had managed to secure the approbation of the public. He felt sure this would still be the case if the Government knew how to appreciate good services, and did not sacrifice too much upon the altar of economy and retrenchment
Referring to the powers of an R.M., in equity and good conscience, Dr. Giles said he had never felt inclined to fall back upon that position. He feared it might be made an excuse for laziness and laxity on the part of the Bench and cause uncertainty at law.
In conclusion, Dr. Giles thanked the members of the Bar for the uniform courtesy displayed, and said that their legal arguments had often been of great assistance to him. He thought that the cantankerous advocate was conspicuous by his absence amongst the members of the legal profession in Auckland. He parted from them with the warmest and most sincere feelings of respect, gratitude and friendship for everyone of those present.
Ref: Papers Past. AUCKLAND STAR, VOLUME XXIV, ISSUE 258, 31 OCTOBER 1893.

Deaths
GILES. On June 9, at 8 Chamberlain Avenue, Mount Eden, Joseph Giles, M.R.C.S. (Eng.), dearly beloved husband of the late Louisa Giles and father of Mrs. N T. Drake; in his ninety-eighth year. Funeral leaves residence at 2 p.m. Tuesday, for Waikumete.
AUCKLAND STAR, VOLUME LXI, ISSUE 134, 9 JUNE 1930

Waikumete Cemetery Records
Joseph Giles
Occupation Retired
Date of death 9 June 1930
Age at death 97 years
Plot location Waikumete Cemetery, Eucalyptus Glade, Row Sc - Ash, Plot 0
Remains type Ash
Date of burial 9 June 1930
Date of cremation 10 June 1930
Funeral director W H Tongue

NZ Probate Ref, Retired Magistrate BBAE 1570 437/30

  Research Notes:

Research courtesy Derek Dow 2017.

Joseph's image courtesy of Barbara Smith.

  Other Records

1. Census: England, 30 Mar 1851, Frome SOM. Joseph is recorded as a brother unmarried aged 18 a surgeon's apprentice born Frome SOM

Joseph married Louisa Sarah Henrietta DRAKE [9769] [MRIN: 2980], daughter of Dr James Augustas DRAKE [11493] and Anne Elizabeth GOODLAND [11817], on 13 Jan 1857 in Stoke Newington MDX England. (Louisa Sarah Henrietta DRAKE [9769] was born on 9 Sep 1831 in Mells SOM, baptised on 29 Aug 1834 in Mels SOM and died on 21 Jan 1911 in Mt Eden Auckland NZ.)