OBITUARY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23610, 21 September 1938, Page 12

OBITUARY

MR JOHN MILLER (Special to Daily Times) INVERCARGILL, Sept. 20. The death occurred' suddenly this morning of the Mayor of Invercargill, Mr John Miller, who was 69 years of age. He took ill ir the early hours of the morning and died at 9 o’clock. Mr Millei was born in Johnstone, Scotland, and received his primary school education there and later graduated at the Royal Veterinary College, Edinburgh. He followed his profession in various places in Scotland, and then took up practice in Blairgowrie, Perthshire, where he lived until he left for New Zealand 27 years ago. He came direct to Invercargill and set up in practice as a veterinary surgeon here He had a wide disfrict to cover, and his services were in demand all over the province

Mr Miller first entered publu life in 1919 when he was elected a member of the Invercargill City Council He served as a councillor continuously until 1927, when he stood for election as Mayor. His first term in that office was from 1927 until 1929, and he again stood for the office in 1931, and he retained it right until his death. In May this year he was re-elected for a further f erm by a huge majority. He stood for Parliament in the interests of the National Party at the last election, but was defeated. Mr Millei held numerous public offices. He was president of the Southland Progress League, a member of the Southland Hospital Board, the Southland Boys and Girls’ High Schools Board, the Museum Board, executive of the South Islands Travel Association, executive of the Municipal Electrical Supply Authorities’ Association of New Zealand, chairman of the Southland executive committee of the Centennial Memorial and also of the Exhibition Court Committee, a member of the Invercargill Fire Board, chieftain of St. Andrew’s Scottish Society, a member of the Health Camp Committee, Crippled Children’s Society, and vice-president of the Royal Humane Society. A man of strong character, Mr Miller was a firm chairman at council meetings, and at all times he was actuated by the highest motives in the interests of the ratepayers. The welfare and progress of the city were his chief concern, and he was never afraid to take a definite stand in policy matters which .he thought would not be for the ultimate good of the community as a whole. By virtue of his office as Mayor, he was an ex-officio member of all council committees, and as such was a regular attender at all meetings, He held office during difficult years, and his foresight and determination helped the city and its citizens to tide over anxious periods. Critical decisions had to be made at times, and he was instrumental in carrying to a successful conclusion delicate negotiations which had a material bearing on the prosperity of the city. He was active in carrying out his civic duties right up until last night,_ when he attended a farewell function in Invercargill. , Mr Miller is survived by his widow, two daughters and four sons. The daughters are Mrs M. M. Stead (Invercargill) and Miss B. Miller (Invercargill), and the sons are Mr J. R. Miller (Sydney), Mr lan Miller (Sydney), Mr R. R. Miller (Auckland), and Mr C. Miller (Invercargill).

MR J. H. KIRK The death occurred at his residence, St. Albans, Christchurch, last week of Mr John Hobbs Kirk, formerly of Invercargill, who was well known in business circles in New Zealand. He was 82 yea/s of age. Born at Waikouaiti in 1856, Mr Kirk was a son of the Rev. William Kirk, who came to New Zealand in the brig Wesley Star in 1847. On his mother’s side, he was a grandson ot the Rev. John Hobbs, one of the first missionaries in New Zealand. As a child, Mr Kirk lived with his parents among the Maoris in the North Island during the Maori wars. Oh one occasion when the family was living in the upper reaches of the Wanganui River, a Maori rising caused some anxiety while Mr Kirk, sen., was absent in Wellington. A Government gunboat was sent up the river to evacuate his wife and children. One of the early pupils of Christ’s College. Mr Kirk joined the Bank of New Zealand as a young man and served in various parts of the Dominion. He left the employ of the bank to establish the firm of Messrs J. H. Kirk and Co., Ltd., wool and skin merchants, of Invercargill and Dunedin. Mr Kirk retired from business about 35 years ago and settled at St. Albans. He is survived by four daughters. MISS M. A. NEWCOMBE (Pen United Pkess Association) WANGANUI, Sept. 20. The death has occurred of Miss Mildred Anne Newcombe, a prominent social worker. BLATTENGATA HEROUY ABYSSINIAN MINISTER LONDON, Sept. 20. (Received Sept. 20, at 8 p.m.) The death has occurred of Blattengata Hcrouy, Abyssinian Foreign Minister. PAULINE FREDERICK SILENT FILM ACTRESS HOLLYWOOD, Sept. 19. (Received Sept. 20, at 8 p.m.) The death has occurred of Pauline Frederick from acute asthma. A resuscitation squad worked for two hours to restore respiration.