LABOUR CANDIDATE FOR PATEA SEAT

Wanganui Chronicle, 5 September 1946, Page 4

LABOUR CANDIDATE FOR PATEA SEAT

MR. R. J. O’DEA, HAWERA

Labour's official candidate to cantest the Pa tea seat with the sitting member, Mr. VV. A. Sheat (National) will be Mr. Richard John O'Dea, Hawera barrister and solicitor, 36 years of age, and son of the late Mr. P. O'Dea, a well-known barrister in his time, who contested the same seat just 36 years ago in the interests of the then Liberal Party. Mr. O’Dea's candidature was announced yesterday by Mr. A. H. Langslow. of Patea, secretary of the combined Taranaki Labour Representation Committees, who stated that the nomination had the unanimous endorsement of all the committees. Mr. O'Dea was born in Hawera and educated at the Hawera Convent and Main Schools and at the New Plymouth Boys’ Fl'll! School, where he showed marked ability and matricu-

ated at an early age. He proceeded to Auckland University College and at the age of 18 years graduated LL.B.; the following year he gained two senior University scholarships, and at the age of 20 years he graduated LL.M, with first class honours. In 1931 Mr. O Dea, then 21 years of age, was admitted to the Bar and won a travelling scholarship in law which he was unable to accept for personal i easons.

Mr. O'Dea has practised his profession in Hawera since 1931. specialising in Common Law. He enlisted in lhe aircrew section ot' the Royal New* Zealand Air Force soon after lhe outbreak of war and proceeded overseas in the rank of Leading Aircraftman, receiving his commission in Canada. After four and a-ha If years' service, in which he reached the rank of Flight Lieutenant and was mentioned in despatches. Mr. O’Dea was invalided home after receiving serious

injuries on combat duty. Mr. O’Dea has since resumed the practice of his profession in Hawera, and is a keen supporter of a’ll forms of spurt, although precluded from active participation owing to his war disability. He also devotes considerable time to the interests of the Returned Services Association, being a vice-president ot the South Taranaki Association.