Labour Australia

Mr. Arthur Biggers, who is well known throughout the coalfields, passed away after an illness of about three months, at the Cessnock Hospital yesterday.

The late Mr. Biggers, who was 70 years of age, came to Cessnock about 45 years ago.

Shortly after coming to Cessnock he interested himself in the Miners' Federation and was chairman of his particular lodge, and a member of the Management Board.

He played a prominent part in the Peter Bowling strike in 1900-10 and in the interests of the Federation was sent to Western Australia, where he was responsible for the collection of a very large amount of strike funds.

The late Mr. Biggers was one of the lucking ones in the Peter Bowling strike because most of those taking a prominent part were confined to gaol for their activities.

About 1912 he retired from mining and set up a business as an auctioneer in Cessnock and built quite a lucrative business.

For many years Mr. Biggers was Chairman of the local Chamber of Commerce and represented Cessnock at practically every interstate conference, including Tasmania, Western Australia, Queensland and Victoria, during his term of office.

He was also associated with and was a past president of the Cessnock Bowling Club and was generous to all charitable and sporting organisations.

Mr. Biggers was associated with the establishment of the Kurri Kurri Hospital and the Cessnock Hospital. He was one of the propounders of the industrial contribution scheme which was later adopted by other hospitals.

He was one of the original directors of the Co-operative Store.

About five years ago, owing to failing sight, he retired and sold the balance of his business to Mr. Sam Horne.

He remained in comparatively good health until just recently, when he took ill, and had been in Cessnock Hospital for about three months before he died.

The funeral will leave his late residence, Cumberland-street, Cessnock to-morrow afternoon at 3.30 o'clock.