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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Auckland Provincial District]

Mr. James Barclay Blaikie

Mr. James Barclay Blaikie, sometime of Tower View, Churton Street, Parnell, and Victoria Street, Auckland, was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, in the year 1836. He learned the trade of a plasterer, and his talent as an artistic decorator secured him an engagement at the erection of Balmoral Castle, and he was for four years employed on the internal ornamental plastering of that favourite Royal residence. On the 30th of July, 1858, he was married at Stonehaven, to Miss Margaret Taylor, and the newly wedded pair left in the following month for Cape Colony. There Mr. Blaikie soon obtained employment at his trade, and was for six years engaged with Messrs Welchman and Reid, noted architects, of Capetown. On leaving Cape Colony in 1864, for New Zealand, Mr. Blaikie was presented by the firm with a most flattering testimonial. He and his family arrived in Auckland at the end of 1864. Attracted by the glowing accounts of the Thames goldfields, he went there, and was soon engaged in the alluring, but uncertain, occupation of the goldseeker. He remained at the Thames some time, lost his capital, and then returned to Auckland. With a never-failing courage, he braced himself afresh for the battle, and started in his own more certain line of business. Success soon followed his endeavours, and, in connection with his specialty of ornamental plastering, he soon succeeded in obtaining large building contracts. Shortly afterwards Mr. Blaikie added ironmongery to his business, and established in Victoria Street the business which is so successfully carried on by his son, Mr. W.
The Late Mr. J. B. Blaikie.

The Late Mr. J. B. Blaikie.

page 427 A. Blaikie. He was accounted one of the best plasterers in Auckland, and his work still ornaments some of the finest public buildings in the city. During the later years of his busy life, his health began to fail, and finally he passed away on the 12th of February, 1898, through failure of the heart, at the age of sixty-three, leaving a widow, a son, and a daughter to mourn their loss. Mr. Blaikie attributed much of his success in life to the courage and attachment of his wife, who cheered him through all the worries of business, and over all the obstacles he met with in connection with his early pioneer work in Auckland. Although requested several times to take a part in the affairs of the city, he always declined, as his time was too fully occupied in looking after his own large business concerns. All through life he had an unblemished reputation, and died deservedly respected by a large circle of friends.
Mrs J. B. Blaikie.

Mrs J. B. Blaikie.