OBITUARY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 418, 1 August 1908, Page 3

OBITUARY.

“Melbourne Jack.” Mr J. McConville, better known on this coast as “ Melbourne Jack,” one of the finest whips the Dominion has known, died on Thursday at Palmerston from heart failure. The late Mr McConville leaves a widow and a son and daughter. “Melbourne Jack’s” fame dates, back to the old coaching days. Before Wellington and the West Coast of this Island were connected by rail the route followed by travellers was one which presented many difficulties. From Foxton the coach was ferried across the Manawatu, and then it proceeded along the beach to Waikanae, thence onward, striking inland over the hills at Paikakariki and down into Wellington by the Ngahaurauga road. For many years “ Melbourne Jack ” guided the coaches with consummate skill over this tortuous and difficult route, and often his way led him through flooded rivers and over almost impassable roads, but he always came out safely. After the Manawatu railway was opened he went to the West Coast ot the South Island with his employer, Mr A. Hall, and was there for some years, and when Mr Hall bought the trams in Wellington, “ Melbourne Jack” came with him. About ten years ago the deceased driver took up bis residence in Palmerston North, where he has remained ever since, working for Messrs Stevenson and Woodfield. Many thrilling stones are told of his prowess as a whip, and he was always interesting by reason of his rich fund of anecdotes. The late Mr McConville, who was 52 years of age, will be buried on Sunday afternoon.