Correspondence was re-opened in 1916 on the sliding scale question, and as the General Managers remained indifferent, a telegram was sent to Sir Guy Granet which expedited matters. An early meeting was promised and arranged, and Mr. Potter wrote on October 26th, arranging to meet a sub-committee on Thursday, November 2nd. Messrs. Hunter, Wride, Stevenson, Oxlade, Wild, and the General Secretary were appointed the sub-committee for the purpose.
Mr. John Hunter, President of the Society, had signed the award of September, 1916, but his strength had been severely tried by the ordeal of negotiations. He went to London as a member of the sub-committee just mentioned, but was taken ill there on November 3rd, and returned home to Southport on November 4th. On the 6th he was removed to a nursing home suffering from plural pneumonia, and he died on November 21st. He virtually died in harness, leaving the Society when it specially needed the advice and genial optimism which he possessed. The funeral on November 26th was attended by Mr. Geo. Moore (in the unavoidable absence of the General Secretary), Mr. W. W. Cooke for the Executive, Mr. I. Gregory for the organisers, Mr. J. C. Branson for the L. & Y. Delegation Board, and Mr. R. Scott, formerly of the Executive, who travelled from Ayr to attend the last rites of an esteemed colleague. There were members from many branches, and from N.U.R. branches too. At the graveside Mr. Moore delivered an address of tribute to a departed friend, one who was an example of worth and work to all. A very large number of wreaths from all parts of the country testified to the widespread sympathy with Mrs. Hunter and her family in their loss. They included beautiful wreaths from Mr. and Mrs. Bromley, from the Executive Council, from the L. & Y. Delegation Board, and from many branches. John Hunter was a native of Edinburgh, coming with his parents to Lancashire as a child. He had joined the A.S.L.E. & F. in 1898, transferring from the A.S.R.S., became Southport Branch Secretary 1901 to 1904, and was a Conciliation Board leader 1907 to 1916. In 1910 he became Chairman of the L. & Y. Loco. Delegation Board, and was elected
