LURGAN BOY DOES GOOD ALDERMAN JOHN HUNTER
(Mayor of Auburn)
Alderman John Hunter left his native place, Lurgan, County Armagh, Ireland, at the age of 17. Arriving In San Francisco, he gained his first experience of road making on the Lick Avenue, leading through a range of hills to the famous
Lick Observatory, seven miles from San Jose and 52 miles from San Francisco,
California.
He left 'Frisco for Australia, and arrived In Melbourne. Shortly after his arrival the construction of the present cable system of tramways started, and he
joined the construction staff under Mr. Duncan, chief Engineer, obtaining the
position of Inspector twelve months after words. In the year 1885 he invented and patented the mastic joint which now bears his name. It was used throughout the whole tram system of Melbourne, and at the present day where blocks are used we find Hunter's Mastic Joint, not only in Australia, but also in New Zealand, his business compelled him to visit Sydney frequently, and having decided to make his home in sunny New South Wales he picked Auburn as the loveliest village of the plain between Parramatta and Sydney. He contested the West Ward in February, 1905, defeating Mr. T. R. Smith, and was returned again in February, 1908. Ho was returned at the recent election, February, 1911, at the head of the poll, and was elected mayor unopposed.
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