Obituaries Australia

Sir Charles McCann, by Henry Krischock, 1934

State Library of South Australia, B 6490

With the death in London on the 5th inst. of Sir Charles McCann Australia lost one of her most outstanding ambassadors and the pastoral industry was deprived of the services of a loyal and hard-working friend, who for many years had kept producers advised as to the requirements of their overseas consumers.

Charles Francis Gerald McCann was born at Jamestown, South Australia, on 10th June 1880, and after receiving his education at Christian Brothers College, Adelaide, joined the South Australian Civil Service. He was sent to London in 1911 as Trade Commissioner for South Australia, a position he held until 1918, after which he became general manager of the Smithfield and Argentine Meat Co. From 1934 onwards he was again Trade Commissioner for South Australia and, in addition, Agent-General for that State. Recognition of his work came in 1938 when he was created a Knight Bachelor.

Sir Charles was perhaps best known to primary producers through the International Wool Secretariat, with which he was closely associated from its beginning. He spent varying periods as representative of the Australian Wool Board on the Secretariat, and also as its chairman, while at the time of his death he and Lord Barnby were Australia's representatives on the Secretariat's advisory committee.

Sir Charles was recognised as an outstanding judge of stock and much of his time during latter years was spent in selecting thoroughbreds, stud beef cattle, and other pedigreed stock for studmasters both in Australia and the Argentine.