Obituary MR J. SHANKLAND

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31030, 9 April 1966, Page 20

Obituary MR J. SHANKLAND

Mr James Shankland, sen., who died in Christchurch on Thursday, was secretary of the Canterbury General Labourers’ Union for 20 years from 1943. He succeeded Miss M. B. Howard. M.P., when she relinquished the post to take up politics. Mr Shankland, who was 73, retired as secretary in May, 1963. after becoming ill while returning from a Federation of Labour conference. He was born at Renton, Dumbartonshire. Scotland, and came to New Zealand in 1923. Mr Shankland was wounded at Gallipoli while a seaman in the Royal Navy. He also fought at Antwerp, and was proud of being an “Old Contemptible.” For 27 years till 1956, Mr Shankland visited patients at the Christchurch and Burwood Hospitals to cheer them up. Mr Shankland was not known in the industrial movement for being prominent in any major dispute or conflict. But he was proud of the fact that during his secretaryship the Christchurch - Lyttelton road tunnel was completed without a major stoppage. He gave much time as a member of the Christchurch Technical College board of governors. He was elected to the City Council in 1953 and served one full term. He also served a three-year term as the first Labour Party representative on the North Canterbury Catchment Board. Mr Shankland was a pastpresident of the St. Albans branch of the Labour Party. He is survived by his son. Mr James Shankland. jun.. of Christchurch, and daughter. Miss Nancy Shankland, of Christchurch. I.