Mr. James Jackson

Northern Advocate, 17 December 1938, Page 8

Mr. James Jackson

One of Whangarei’s oldest identities. Mr. James Jackson, passed away at his residence, Walton Street, this morning. Mr. Jackson was in his 86th year.

Born in Yorkshire, Mr. Jackson came to New Zealand as a young man, becoming one of Whangarei's first business men. He operated the first spring cart in the township of a hundred or so people. At that time timber yvas experiencing a boom, and Mr. Jackson found ample work carting kauri logs in the Puhipuhi and Hikurangi districts. Active Life Among his local activities was the opening of the first wood and coal business, the site for this being opposite the Commercial Hotel.

Horses and waggons were the chief means of carting timber, ’and progress on the unformed roads was often very slow.

At one stage in his career, MV. Jackson was employing 36 men. He found it difficult to secure married men for his work, and so conceived the notion of building houses for them. This move brought success, and, up till the commencement of the depression in 1930, the venture was a profitable one. Salvation Army Leader

Business activities did not occupy all of Mr. Jackson’s time. He was the founder of the local Salvation Army, being the first Salvationist in the district. His enthusiasm met with some

opposition, ministers in the growing

town saying that he had come in to ruin their churches.

Mr. Jackson is the last of a family of 13. and Mrs. Jackson, aged 84. the last of a family of nine. They celebrated their diamond wedding two

years ago. Interest in Public Affairs Mr. Jackson had taken considerable interest in public affairs, having been a borough councillor for three terms. 1 He had been in perfect health until he' went on a trip to England 13 years! ago. On the voyage he contracted a \ chill, and on his return to Whangarei' was obliged to give up work. < Latterly his health has been failing i rapidly. | Mr. Jackson is survived by his wifel . I and one nephew. Mr. J. Sutcliffe, j Water Street, Whangarei. There are] several grand-nephews and grand-] nieces in New Zealand. i The funeral will take place at the? Maunu cemetery on Monday. |