John Campbell Burns

John Campbell Burns (28 January 1880 – 11 June 1941) was a New Zealand teacher, sportsman and politician.

Biography Burns was born in 1880 at Lawrence. His family moved to the Hutt Valley when his father got a job at the Hutt and Petone Chronicle newspaper.

Burns played representative rugby union as an inside back for Wellington in the late-1800s.

Burns graduated with a Master of Arts degree with honours at Victoria University College. In August 1896 he began a career with the Wellington Education Board in 1896 as well as being a junior teacher in Petone. Later he was assistant headmaster for two years at the Terrace School, Wellington. He then taught at Reikorangi, Levin, Mount Cook, Newtown, Karori, and Petone West schools. In November 1921 he was appointed headmaster of Petone West School, remaining in that position until his death. He was an executive member and treasurer of the New Zealand Educational Institute and was a foundation executive member of the Victoria University Students' Association. He returned to the council soon after, winning a 1936 by-election. He was selected to be deputy mayor, and he took the place of mayor George London, who was on active service in World War II, from May 1940 to May 1941. In early 1941 he decided not to contest the next election owing to ill health. However, at the last moment, he was persuaded to reconsider and stood as an independent candidate, but was defeated.

Burns died on 11 June 1941 in Petone, aged 61. He was survived by his wife, son and three daughters.