Obituaries Australia

Mr. David ('Dad') McNeill, one of the stalwarts of the Australian industrial and political movements, died in Newcastle Hospital on Sunday. His funeral took place today at the Beresfield Crematorium.

A former district secretary of the Miner's Federation, Mr McNeill was one of the best known figures on the northern coalfield, where he spent the greater part of his life. Born in Scotland, he was taken by his parents to New Zealand at a very early age, and came to Australia when he was seven.

At 13 he got his first job in a colliery, at the old Ferndale pit in Tighe's Hill. All trace of this mine has long since disappeared. Later, he spent many years at the old Seaham pit at West Wallsend. also long since closed down.

He was a member of the Miners' Delegate Board in the days when the union was known as the Hunter River Miners Association, and when the Central Council was formed in 1914 he was a member. He was one of the first Newcastle representatives elected when the group system for the Board of Management was introduced. His term as northern district secretary was from 1927 to 1930. His membership of the union extended over 56 years.

He was a prominent member of the Socialist Labor Party.

Tributes to Mr. McNeill's work throughout his lifetime were paid by present miners' officials.

The Rev. K. Dyster officiated at the funeral service. Chief mourners were Mrs. J. Henderson (sister), Mr. J. McNeill (brother), Mrs. T. Farnham, niece, Mrs. G. McNeill (sister-in-law), and Messrs. M. Tennant and J. Toward (brothers-in-law).