OBITUARY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 65, Issue 205, 12 June 1945, Page 4

OBITUARY.

MR JAMES THOMPSON 19 YEARS ON BOROUGH COUNCIL. Mr James Thompson died at his residence in Wakanui Road last night after a short illness, at the age of 76, A well-respected and familiar personality in Ashburton as a result of bis long residence in the town, Mr Thompson had many friends and his passing will leave a gap in many circles. Born at Weedons, he first came to Ashburton at an early age as engineer for the Canterbury Roller Flour Mills, installing the first gas engine at the mill. Afterward he operated chaff-cutting and hauling plants in the district for many years. Mr Thompson’s wide practical knowledge of civil engineering and drainage and sewerage works stood him in good stead during his long term of 19 years; as a member of the Borough Council. He installed water and sewerage at Havelock North and Methven, in addition to which he was clerk of works for the installation of the Temuka water supply.

Interest in Domain. Apart from water and drainage works, Mr Thompson’s chief interest in borough affairs centred round the Domain and he was chairman of the reserves and Domain committee at the time of his death. As a councillor he worked hard and unrelentingly in the interests of the Domain and carried his service further by taking a keen personal interest in all domain affairs, his intimate knowledge of conditions there being frequently of great assist* ance to the council. He was for several years chairman of the works committee. He had the longest service of any sitting councillor, being first elected to the council in 1923. He was consistently near the top of the poll at elections. He did not seek election in 1924, but held office continuously from 1927. Mr Thompson took a great interest in croquet and was a familiar figure at tournaments in Ashburton, frequently taking part with success. He was a member of the Ashburton Croquet Club and was for many years a vicepresident of the Ashburton Sports Association. He was a Dominion referee for croquet tournaments.

Mr Thompson was a member of the Thistle .Lodge, N.Z.C. In addition he was a member of the Loyal Ashburton Lodge, M.U.1.0.0.F., and represented it for five or six years on the Friendly Societies’ Council, of which he was president for a term. Mr Thompson is survived by his widow (formerly Miss Martha English), one son (Mr M. Thompson, of Te Kuiti), and one daughter (Mrs A. Fletcher, of Darling Downs, Queensland). The Borough Council last evening passed a motion of sympathy with the relatives of Mr Thompson and stood in silence as a mark of respect. MR J. S. BARNETT. (P.A.) CHRISTCHURCH, June 11. Mr John Septimus Barnett, a former deputy-Mayor of Christchurch, aged 76, collapsed in the street to-day and died almost immediately. He was a prominent figure in the Labour movement in the South Island, both in the industrial and political branches. After 40 years’ service in the Railways Department lie retired in 1923 and became secretary of several trade unions. He was a member of the Christchurch Drainage Board, being chairman for a term, and of the North Canterbury Hospital Board, as well as of the City Council. He was chairman of the original Christchurch Manpower Committee and continued as chairman when it was reconstituted as an Armed Forces Appeal Board.