James Begg Kent

James Begg Kent (1885 – 4 November 1970) was a New Zealand politician of the Labour Party. He served as a Member of Parliament and was both a borough councillor and deputy mayor of Greymouth.

Biography

Early life and career Kent was born in Dunoon, Argyll, Scotland, in 1885. There he studied as a sign writer at Dunoon Grammar School winning many awards before becoming a teacher at the same school. He then moved to London where he became the head sign writer for the London City Council works department. He became a member of the Independent Labour Party and served as a party organiser before being elected as a member of the Patrick Town Council.

Kent emigrated to New Zealand in 1909 and settled in Greymouth and established his own sign writer business. He then became secretary of the Grey Labour Paper Board which purchased the Grey River Argus in 1920 and was a director of the paper for 40 years. He then became a member of the Greymouth High School board of governors for 24 years from 1923 to 1947 and was chairman of its finance committee from 1941 to 1942. Though he was unsuccessful with Robert James Ware ultimately being selected. Five days later however, Ware was taken ill suddenly on the same day he was due to open his campaign at a meeting in Ngahere. After receiving medical advice Ware withdrew his candidacy and Kent was selected as his replacement as the Labour candidate. He won the election and represented the West Coast electorate of Westland from 1947 to 1960, when he retired. Kent was a well read man and well versed in classical literature. Despite this he was not confident as an orator and seldom spoke for the full hour allotted to him in the house, a habit which earned him frequent heckling from National MPs.

In 1953, Kent was awarded the Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal.

Later life and death Kent was elected as a member of the Grey County Catchment Board from 1965 to 1968. In 1966 he became president of the West Coast Composite Coal Committee for two years.

Kent died in Greymouth on 4 November 1970. He was survived by his two sons and a daughter, his wife having predeceased him by three years.