DEATH OF MR. J. McCOMBS

Hawera Star, Volume LIII, 2 August 1933, Page 4

DEATH OF MR. J. McCOMBS

MEMBER FOR. LYTTELTON

VICTIM OF SUDDEN STROKE

(I3y Telegraph —Press Association.* CHRISTCHURCH, Aug. 2. The death of Mr. .1. McCombs, member of Parliament for Lyttelton, oeurred suddenly after a stroke early this morning. He was CO years ol age. . . . Mr. McCombs was suffering from ins heart for the past weeft and was under medical attention, but his death was unexpected, as yesterday his hearth appeared generally satisfactory. He leaves a widow, Mrs. Elizabeth Me* Combs, a member of the Christchurch City Council; a daughter, Miss Patricia McCombs; and a son, Mr. I. McCombs, the last-named being on the staff of Canterbury College.

The late Mr James McCombs, Labour ALP. for Lyttelton, was born in County Leitrim, Ireland, in 1573, and arrived in New Zealand in 1370. He was educated in Christeliurdi and Studied for the Church of England ministry, but diverted, bis '.studies to .social and polltical work. He wars a prominent member of tlie Labour- Party, which lie had represented in Parliament since 1913, succeeding Mr G. Lanrenson as member for Lvttelton. He was a member of the Christchurch City Council m 1913-17 and was re-elected in 1931. Mr. McCombs was prominent in the prohibition movement and "was at one time a no-license organiser in Christchurch. In his earlier days he was prominently associated with trade unionism, having been president of the drapers’ assistants union. His widow, Mrs. Elizabeth McCombs, is also prominent m public life, being a meinbei of the Christchurch City Council, the North Canterbury Hospital Board, Training Board and other local bodies. She lias also contested Parliamentary elections in Labour interests.