Giles, Edward, Farmer and Traction Engine Proprietor, Clarkville; Postal address, Kaiapoi. Mr. Giles was born in 1857 at Clarkville, and has always followed outdoor work. He commenced bullock driving at the age of seven, and gained his early experiences in connection with threshing machines when he was thirteen. In 1879 he began farming on his property of thirty-three acres of freehold land, and two years later started a threshing machine, to which he has since added a traction engine. In the year 1868 Mr. Giles, while engaged in bullock driving, had an accident which resulted in his losing one of his legs, but notwithstanding this, he has succeeded in working his plant and machinery in various parts of the district. He has always had a liking for mechanical work, and does most of the repairs. Since 1892 he has been a member of the Clarkville school committee. Mr. Giles was married in 1880, to a daughter of the late Mr. E. Clothier, of Castle Cary, Somerset, England; his wife died on the 27th of January, 1900, leaving one daughter and three sons.