Obituaries Australia

Councillor J0hn Andrew Niland, a member of the Tarro Shire Council, died suddenly last evening in the Mater Misericordiae Hospital at Waratah.

He was prominent with various movements at Tarro, where he had lived for many years, and on the Lower Hunter. While returning home from the Tarro Shire Council meeting at East Maitland last Tuesday, he was taken ill and on Wednesday evening was admitted to the Mater Misericordiae Hospital. For the succeeding two or three days he appeared quite well and was able to have his tea last night. He then seemed to be in good health but collapsed and died at 6.45.

Councillor Niland, who carried on a farm at Tarro, was in his 67th year. He was a councillor of the first Tarro Shire Council, and had retained a seat on the council for, the greater part, of the term since then. For several terms he occupied the presidential chair.

In addition to this public office he also took a keen interest in relief work in the Hunter district, and was a member of the Federated Milk Producers. In the capacity of a member of the Tarro School of Arts Committee and the Tarro Progress Association he gave service that will make these two bodies the poorer for his loss. 

He was prominently associated with political bodies, and had offered himself for selection for local seats, '

Few in the district, perhaps had flood mitigation on the Hunter more at heart than did. Councillor Niland. He was fully conversant with all the schemes that had been prepared by the engineers for many years and was to the fore in all movements aimed at lessening the flood risk in these parts.

The late Mr. Niland was a native of the Grafton district and took up residence at Tarro about 35 years ago. Prior to this he was a clerk to the Public Service Board and in the Prisons Department before retiring 30 years' ago to go on the land.

He is survived by a widow and five daughters, Mary (Walgett), Mrs. H, Dhampion (Morowether), Mrs. It. Humphreies (Tarro), and Misses Kathleen and Clairo Niland who live at Tarro. He also has a sister living at Balllna and one brother, Mr. Will Niland, a solicitor, of Sydney.

The funeral took place this afternoon leaving St. Joseph's Church, East Maitland for the East Maitland cemetery.