MR. JOHN BARR.

Mr John Barr was born in Paisley, Scotland, in 1867, and was educated at s public school at Pollokshaws, near Glasgow. After leaving school he commenced work in one of the large weaving (factories for which that town is famous, but Decerning dissatisfied with the state of the trade, he relinquished that pursuit and entered the stonemason trade, serving his apprenticeship with a well-known Glasgow firm. After leaving Scotland he visited America and spent some time in Canada, the United States and British Columbia. In 1902 Mr Barr came to New Zealand, landing in Lyttelton. He obtained a position at his trade with Messrs Graham and Greig, who were at that time making additions to the Cathedral, and ho has followed hia calling since his arrival in Christchurch. Mr Barr, who has resided at Redciiffs for some years past, has taken an active part in local politics Ht Sumner, ami occupied a seat on the Sumner Borough Council for a year, during which period he was chairman of the Works and other committees. He has also been connected with educational matters in his dis ; trict of late years, and during the past two years has been chairman of the Sumner fcWhool Committee, a position which he still retains. It has always been his desire to advance the claims of tho worker, and while at Home he took a great interest in social reform for many years, principally temperance and unionism. Of recent years he was elected a delegate of the Union to the Trades and Laoour Council, and subsequently became acting-president. He has now represented this body at three conferences.