OBITUARY

Southland Times, Issue 25763, 29 August 1945, Page 6

OBITUARY

MR M. J. REARDON The death has occurred of Mr Michael John Reardon, who was Conciliation Commissioner from .1936 to 1943. Bom at Waikouaiti in 1876, Mr Reardon was a farmhand at 13 years of age, and then in turn he was a blacksmith, sawmill hand, engine driver and journalist. He had an extensive experience in athletics administration. He was organizing secretary to the Wellington General Labourers’ Union from 190619; secretary to the Wellington Slaughtermen’s Union 1907-16; secretary to the N.Z. Federation 1909-16; president of the Trades and Labour Council 1912-13 and 1915-16. He was information officer at the British Empire Exhibition at Wembley in 1924-29, and in 1926-27 he was Parliamentary representative of The Sun. He was secretary to the SelfDetermftiation for Ireland League in 1920-21. He was the secretary to the Wellington Retail Fruit Trade Association. He was deputy chairman of the Prices Investigation Tribunal in 192021 and of the Commission of Fixation of Prices in 1927. He was a member of the Court of Arbitration in 1921-23.

MR MICHAEL O’CONNELL

The death occurred at Invercargill recently of Mr Michael O’Connell. Born in County Kerry 95 years ago, Mr O’Connell emigrated to New Zealand at the age of 20. He worked for some years at contract ploughing in Hawke’s Bay. About 1877 he married Miss Nora Fitzgerald and shortly afterwards they went to California. Two years later they returned to New Zealand. In 1882 they came to Southland and Mr O’Connell took up a bush section at Te Wae Wae, where he lived for many years. His wife died eight years ago. He is survived by three sons, Mr Timothy O’Connell (Tuatapere), Mr Maurice O’Connell (Palmerston North) and MiDaniel O’Connell (Papatotara), and two daughters, Mrs C. E. Knowler (Happy Valley) and Mrs K. Forde (Invercargill).

MR JAMES BROWN

The death has occurred at Gore of Mr James Brown, who was closely associated with agricultural development in Eastern Southland in the early days of settlement. Born at Horsemuir, Stewarton, Scotland, 85 years ago, he was educated at a Free Church school and worked on a number of farms till he left for New Zealand on November 2, 1835. After his arrival in this country, he was employed by the late Mr Alexander Dickie, "Edenglen,” Tuturau, until his parents, sister and brother arrived from Scotland in January 1887. His father then purchased the farm of the late Mr Aim at Tuturau, where the late Mr James Brown remained until the property was sold about six years later. He then took up a farm at Knapdale and lived there with his parents and sister for two years. On the death of his father, Mr Brown bought a farm property at Kaiwera, near Gore, remaining there till he retired and went to live at Gore about eight years ago. While at Kaiwera Mr Brown was a member for many years of the local school committee. He was also greatly interested m the work of the Presbyterian Church, of which he was a member of the management committee. In 1899 he married Miss Margaret Elliott, the eldest daughter of the late Mr and Mrs James Elliott, of Kaiwera. He is survived by his wife and two sons Mr James Brown (Kaiwera) and Mr Alexander Brown (Paretai). He is also survived by a sister, Mrs M. Clements (Kaiwera).