Edward John Phelan (1874 – 28 March 1961) was a New Zealand trade unionist, politician and rugby league administrator.

Biography

Early life and union career

Phelan was born in Auckland in 1874 and attended Wellesley Street School. He left school aged 14 and attained a job as a tally boy in a sawmill north of Wairoa. He married Ellen McIlroy in 1896. They had one son and two daughters. In Wairoa Phelan made a name for himself in public affairs. He was elected a member of the local hospital board and was a prominent member of the local branch of the Timber Workers' Union. He later returned to Auckland and in 1907 became national secretary of the Timber Workers' Union. He held this post for a record 30 years. He then proceeded to serve as Dominion President of the union.

Political career

He was elected to the Auckland City Council in

1925 Events January * January 1 ** The Syrian Federation is officially dissolved, the State of Aleppo and the State of Damascus having been replaced by the State of Syria. * January 3 – Benito Mussolini makes a pivotal speech in the Italia ...

on a Labour Party ticket, remaining a member for 13 years. He was a popular councillor and "topped the poll", receiving more votes than any other candidate, in

1933 Events January * January 11 – Sir Charles Kingsford Smith makes the first commercial flight between Australia and New Zealand. * January 17 – The United States Congress votes in favour of Philippines independence, against the wis ...

. He declined nomination to stand for the mayoralty in

1935 Events January * January 7 – Italian premier Benito Mussolini and French Foreign Minister Pierre Laval conclude Franco-Italian Agreement of 1935, an agreement, in which each power agrees not to oppose the other's colonial claims. * ...

citing a conflict of interest, as he was also running the Hotel Auckland for

Ernest Davis Ernest Davis may refer to: * Ernie Davis (1939–1963), American football running back * Sir Ernest Davis (brewer) (1872–1962), New Zealand brewer and mayor of Auckland * Ernest Davis (professor), Professor of Computer Science at New York Univer ...

, who had already declared his candidacy. In 1938 he was unexpectedly denied re-nomination by the Labour Party alongside sitting councillors

Arthur Rosser Arthur Rosser (16 April 1864 – 15 February 1954) was a notable New Zealand builder, local-body politician and trade unionist. Biography Early life He was born in Oystermouth, Glamorganshire, Wales in 1864. His family migrated to New Zealand ...

and George Gordon Grant. Phelan was approached to stand for Parliament in the

1930 Parnell by-election The Parnell by-election of 1930 was a by-election in the seat of Parnell held on 7 May 1930 during the 23rd New Zealand Parliament. The by-election came about because of the resignation of the current member of parliament Harry Reginald Jenkins ...

, but he declined the invitation to seek the Labour Party nomination. He was also a member of the Auckland Harbour Board and Auckland Transport Board. He retired from his last political office, the Auckland Transport Licensing Authority, in 1953 after nearly 30 years of public service.

Other activities

He was also involved in various pro-war and veteran support causes during and after World War I. He was a board member of both the Rehabilitation Board and the War Relief Commission Patriotic Association. Phelan was actively involved in the Rugby League movement in New Zealand. He was a trustee of Carlaw Park in Auckland and helped oversee the construction, use and maintenance of the ground. His involvement in the sport peaked when he was appointed the manager of the New Zealand team's 1911 tour of Australia, their first official overseas tour. He donated a shield named after himself to the Auckland rugby league (the Phelan Shield) which is still played for today.

Later life and death

Phelan died in 1961 aged 87 years. He was survived by three children. Ellen has predeceased him by 25 years, having died in 1936.

Notes

References

* {{DEFAULTSORT:Phelan, Edward John 1874 births 1961 deaths New Zealand trade unionists New Zealand rugby league administrators Auckland City Councillors Auckland Harbour Board members New Zealand Labour Party politicians 20th-century New Zealand politicians New Zealand justices of the peace