Obituary.

Cromwell Argus, Volume LXI, Issue 3167, 15 June 1931, Page 4

Obituary.

JOHN W. McLEAN; Aged 08. It came as a shock to the people of Quecnstowu to learn on Saturday, otll mst., of the sudden deatli earlyy that luorning of Mr John William McLean, who for the past 18 months had l.ttya, in charge of the Queeustown breajcwater construction on behalf of vie Public Works Department (says the "Mail"). Mr McLean retired to ijed on Friday night in his usual health, out on rising just before 6 o'clock exfc morning he felt very unwell. He called to a neighbour, asking him to summon Dr Anderson, but before the latter arrived he had passed quietly away. The cause of death was heart failure.

Mr McLean, who wan born at Waikouaiti on May 24, 1863, served his time as a carpenter in tlio employ of the late Mr Pullar of Waitati. Subsequently he spent a couple of years with the Government Survey Department, but it was not long before lie became attracted to mining, which he followed closely for a great many years. His first post of importance was that, of manager of the Island Block Claim, Central 'otago. From there he went to Alexandra, where he engaged in both hydraulic and dredging enterprises, one of these beings the Molyneux Hydraulic. Over 30 years ago Mr McLean moved to the Nevis, where ne was manager for the Ngapara Co., also for the Graham, Jones mining company. Except for a couple of j.ears when he went across to the West Coast and was dredging on the Buller, ho iived for about twenty-four years «t Nevis. Fight years ago Mr McLe-m secured a position with the Public Works Department, in which employ, he worked as foreman at Terras, on the Kingston road, at Arrowtown, and in (Jueenstown in succession. Ml" McLean was a very resourceful and all-round workman, and was most conscientious in the discharge of ms duties. The faithful manner in which ho carried out the local breakwater construction will" serve as a lasting monument to his memory. A man or hip-h principle, he earned nniiversjl respect, while his quiet, unassuming nature and friendly salute won tor Hi in warm esteem. Besides his widow, who resides at Nevis, Mr McLean leaves a family of live sons and one daughter. Those arc John Samuel McLean, of the N.Z.R. staff, Dunedin; Frank Andrew, Larnscleugh; Samuel, Dunedin ; 1211 Alex, late ol Poolbum; Gordon, at Glen Nevis Station. Kingston; and Miss Ivy McLean, Nevis. Deceased is also survived by a sister, Mrs Ja."k McDonald, Tapanui; and by three brothers—Messrs Messrs Kenneth McLean, who is in the employ of the Oamaru Borough Coiuncil; Donald, Waipori Powc/r ißoa/rd >works; and Alexander. Dunedin City Corporation. The funeral took place on Monday afternoon, the remains being interred i.n the Queenstown cemetery. Deceased s five sons and a nephew acted as pall-bearers. The service at St. Andrew's church and at the grave was conducted by Mr Wilkinson, a Knox College -student, in the absence o the minister, Rev. J. S. Murray,