SECRETARY FOR LABOUR.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXXII, Issue 15533, 6 February 1911, Page 9

SECRETARY FOR LABOUR.

APPOINTMENT OF MR LOMAS. Mr John Lomas lias been appointed to succeed Mr J 5. Tregear. <is Secretary for Labour and Chief Inspector of .Factories and Registrar of Industrial Unions. Mr F. Rowley has been appointed chief clerk of the Department, as well as deputy-chief inspector and deputy-registrar. Mr J. Lomas was born at Disley, in Cheshire and went to work in a coalmine at the age of seven. His mining experience extended over a period of thirty years, and-during tho last live years he was underground manager. Mr Lomas arrived in Nelson in 1819, in the ship Opawa, under engagement to the Westport Coal Company, and worked at Springfield and Doimiston. In 1891 ho entered the Labour Department in Wellington, and two years later was promoted to take charge of tho Canterbury district. During his residence on the West Coast Mr Lomas was actively connected with the New Zealand Miners’ Association. He was tho first president and held tho office for several years. A few years ago he was transferred from Christchurch to Wellington.