GILES, JOSEPH (1832-1930) was born at Frome, Somersetshire, and educated there and in London. His medical studies were interrupted by the Crimean War, for which he enlisted and was stationed at the base at Scutari, where he met Florence Nightingale.

After returning to complete his studies at London Hospital (M.R.C.S.) he came to New Zealand in the Lord Ashley (1859) and took up land at Mauku, fattening stock for the market at Drury. He spent a few months at Gabriel's Gully, and then served as a surgeon with the 1st Waikato Regiment in the Waikato campaign and at Tauranga. He saw no fighting, but tended the wounded in both fields, especially after the fight at Te Papa (1864). He intended to practise in Auckland, but acted as editor of the New Zealander for some time. He moved to Nelson with the intention of practising, but again became involved in journalism as editor of the Examiner (while Hugh Lusk was absent in Sydney sitting his law examinations). He then became warden and resident magistrate at Westport and Reefton. After fifteen months as magistrate in Wanganui, he became Under-secretary for Lands, Mines and Emigration, but, disliking the office routine, he resumed duty as a magistrate (at Hokitika) and commissioner of crown lands (1885-86). In 1888 Giles was transferred to Auckland, and five years later he retired to resume farming at Mauku. He acted on several royal commissions, notably to inquire into the Dunedin Benevolent Institution (1882), the Rakaia railway accident (1899) and the Christchurch Hospital.

Giles was a fine classical scholar and at one time edited the Southern Cross magazine. In this and elsewhere he wrote many poems, a collection of which he published (1908). His diamond jubilee poem, Dies Memorabilis, was noteworthy. In later years he contributed much to the New Zealand Herald and other papers. Giles was a member of the senate of the New Zealand University (1882-99). He was a non-smoker and a strong advocate of temperance and no-license. He died on 9 Jun 1930.

Giles, op. cit.; Barclay; Otago Daily Times, 26 Jul 1882; Westport Times and Star, 28 Dec 1926 (p); N.Z. Herald, 10 Jun 1930.

Reference: Volume 1, page 163

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