OBITUARY

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25249, 30 July 1947, Page 9

OBITUARY

MR J. A. MCCULLOUGH

Workers’ representative for many years on the Arbitration Court, and a member of the Legislative Council for 11 years, Mr John Alexander McCullough died at his home, 16 Princess street, Riccarton, yesterday. Born at Belfast, Ireland, in 1860, he came to New Zealand at the age of 20, having served his apprenticeship as a tinsmith and brazier. He entered the employ of the Railways Department as a tinsmith, but was dismissed in <907 for “actively engaging in politics.” A strong Labour supporter all ’his life, he urged the control of politics by the workers. By a large majority, Mr McCullough was elected workers’ representative on the Arbitration Court the year fol-

lowing his dismissal from the railways. He held this position until 1921, when he resigned on a point of principle. When nominations were called to fill the vacancy, Mr McCullough was nominated by practically every union in the Dominion. This was intended to express approval of his action in resigning, but Mr McCullough found it impossible to accede to the unions’ request, and handed in his resignation for the second time.

He unsuccessfully contested the Riccarton seat in 1922. His appointment to the Upper House was made in 1936. Mr McCullough had been president of the Canterbury Trades and Labour Council, and represented the council at many conferences. He was one of three representatives of trades unions invited by Professor (now Sir James) Hight xto discuss the formation of a Workers’ Educational Association in Canterbury in 1915. When the branch was formed, Mr McCullough was a member of the district council, and kept up his interest in workers’ education throughout his life. He married Miss Margaret Garvin in 1885. Mrs McCullough, three sons, Messrs F. McCullough (U.S.A.), R. McCullough (Auckland), and W. McCullough (Christchurch), and a daughter, Mrs E. Daly (Christchurch), survive him. Another son, Mr James McCullough, was killed in the 1914-18 war. MR ROBERT CONN The death occurred on Saturday at bis home in Fendalton of Mr Robert Conn, M.8.E., well known in Christchurch as a pharmacist. Mr Conn was the youngest son of Sergeant C. Conn, of the New Zealand Police Force. He was .35 years of age. Born in Papanui, Mr Conn worked in a pharmacy in Dunedin before starting his own business there. He was a life member of the Otago Hunt Club and a steward for the Forbury Park Trotting Club. He was awarded the M.B.E. for his work in the Red Cross in Dunedin during the first World War. Mr Conn returned to Christchurch in 1930 and conducted a pharmacy until his retirement in 1936. He was an official of the Christchurch Kennel Club, and a Justice of the Peace. His wife survives him.