UNION SECRETARY’S DEATH

Evening Star, Issue 23379, 23 September 1939, Page 22

UNION SECRETARY’S DEATH

SUDDEN COLLAPSE IN MOTOR CAR The sudden death at Milton yesterday afternoon of Mr 11. C. Ross, aged 56 years, has deprived the building trade of one of its most prominent members and one who was well-known and highly esteemed in labour circles in Dunedin. Mr Ross, who was secretary of the Dunedin Carpenters’ Union, ivas returning to Dunedin from Invercargill by car, being accompanied by two friends. The party had lunch at Milton, and shortly after they had proceeded on their way, Mir Ross complained of pains in his chest, and iomarking to his friends that thought it was indigestion, he pulled in to the sido of the road, intending to obtain

something from a grocery store to alleviate the complaint., On opening the door of the car, he collapsed and fell on to the roadway. Medical assistance was summoned, but Mr Ross was dead when the doctor arrived. For many years the deceased was & prominent member of the Amalgamated Society of Carpenters and Joiners, and about five years ago ho was elected its organising secretary. He w 7 as also secretary of the Plumbers* Union, and not only took a leading part in union affairs, but was closely associated with the local council of the Federation of Labour, of which ho had been a member for some years. Ho was held in the highest esteem and regard by his fellow secretaries in the trade union movement, and hia passing will bo regretted by a wido circle of friends. Mr Ross, who resided at 68 Union street, is survived by his wife, two "sons—Messrs L. and W. Ross—and one daughter, Mrs W. Nicholls.