CONTRACTOR'S DEATH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVI, Issue 23340, 8 May 1939, Page 12

CONTRACTOR'S DEATH

MR. NEIL McLEAN EARLY RUGBY FOOTBALLER [by TELEGRAPH —OWN CORRESPONDENT] WELLINGTON, Saturday The death has occurred in Wellington after a brief illness of Mr. Neil McLean, aged 83. Mr. McLean was born at Cape Breton, Nova Scotia, a son of Mr. John McLean, who came to N ew Zealand in 1860 and commenced business 1 as a contractor. He served his apprenticeship as a shipwright, and then joined his father and brother, the late Mr. Murdoch McLean, in the contracting business under tho name of John McLean and Sons.

The firm developed the largest contracting business in New Zealand at that time. The McLeans were responsible for many railway and bridge works, the construction of the Auckland tramway system, and the majority of the Wellington Harbour Board's wharves. They also played an important part in the initial stages of the construction of the Otira tunnel. They were also associated with the project for the construction of a graving dock in "Wellington near the Taranaki Street wharf. Mr. Neil McLean retired in 1921.

Fifty years ago Mr. McLean was a prominent Rugby footballer in Auckland and represented the province on four occasions when representative matches were not so common as they are to-day. He played for Auckland against Stoddart's English team in a drawn match in 1888, and tho following year played against Nelson, Taranaki and Wellington.

Racing also occupied much of his interest, and he was one of the original guarantors in the acquisition of the Trentham racecourse by the Wellington Racing Club, of which he was a steward from 1905 to 1913 and again from 1921 until the time of his death. In conjunction with his brother ho raced a number of horses between 1897 and 1902.

Mr. McLean is survived by two sons and one daughter.