OBITUARY

Southland Times, Issue 23693, 16 December 1938, Page 6

OBITUARY

MR JAMES W. KELLY The death is reported from Timaru of Mr James Whyte Kelly, who was the first Labour member of. Parliament for Invercargill. He was 84 years old. Mr Kelly represented Invercargill for three terms in the House of Representatives before being defeated in 1899 by the Hon. J. A. Hanan now Chancellor of the University of New Zealand by a margin of 259 votes. He was one of several Labour members supporting Mr John Ballance, who was later Prime Minister. Practical sympathy with the workers was early shown by Mr Kelly. On October 13, 1889, he was responsible for convening a meeting in Invercargill to discuss ffie lot of saw mill workers, labourers and other workers. The outcome of that meeting was the formation of the Southland Trades and Labour Union, a body for the “purpose of mutual protection.” Mr Kelly stated at this meeting that men were being asked to work for 5/- a day. It was his opinion that if the working men did not unite “this grand country would soon not be fit to live in.” Mr Kelly was made the first. secretary of the union. MR ROBERT SWEETMAN One of the oldest residents of Southland, Mr Robert Sweetman, died at his home in Herbert street, Invercargill, yesterday. Mr Sweetman, who was born in Ireland in 1852, came to New Zealand with a brother when 22 years old. After working on various farms in Southland he took over the hotel at Wreys Bush. He was subsequently in a hotel at Bluff and then took over the Crown Hotel at Otautau, where he lived until the time of his retirement 32 years ago. Since retiring he lived in Herbert street. He was a member of several racing and jockey clubs and athletic associations.

In 1878 Mr Sweetman married Miss Julia Hughes, who came from County Galway, and there were five daughters and one son by the marriage. Mrs Sweetman died 34 years ago. Mr Sweetman is survived by four daughters, Mrs J. G. Manson (Gore), Mrs H. B. Ireland (Invercargill), Miss Sweetman (Invercargill) and Mrs J. J. Perry (Gore).