DEATH OF MR J. W. JAGO.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13136, 21 November 1904, Page 3 (Supplement)

DEATH OF MR J. W. JAGO.

It is with much regret we have to announce the sudden and unexpected death, on November 18 of Mr John Wesley Jago,for many years tho manager of tho Dunodiu Evening' Star, and a well-known citizen. Mr Jago was at tho Evening Star Oflico as usual yesterday and transacted a little business, but, not fwling well, he remained at homo in the afternoon. Ho had been advised by his medical atteudant to take a week's rest in bed, but this was tho last thing ho likely to do unless compelled by sheer weakness, and ho spent yesterday, afternoon in his favourite work preparing a letter to children on tho subject of temperance. In tho evening his condition led to the members of his family being summoned, and, surrounded by thoso who loved and admired him, lie passed away quietly .but suddenly frojn heart weak: ness.

Mr Jago was born in Nailsworth, Gloucestershire, England, on March 15, 1830. When about eight years of age ho was taken by his parents to Glasgow, and remained in Scotland till his removal to this colony in JS62. After residing for somo years in Glasgow his parents removed to Alloa, and from Alloa Mr Jago returned again to Glasgow, whero ho took an active part in tlio work of the Glasgow Abstainers' Union, of which ho was for t-ome years a director. He aL-o resided for sevoral years in Greenock, and at Ijugar, in Ayrshire. After the discovery of gold in Otago took plaeo tlio Dtinedin Tola! Abstinence Society determined to send to Scotland for a man who should he employed as the society's agent iu tlio work of temperance reform,and Mr Jago was the man unanimously selected for iho appointment. He resigned a comfortable situation in an import-ant' mercantile house in Glasgow, and, with a. barked in the good ship Cheviot, Captain Orkney, arriving at Fort Chalmers at the latter end of tho following October. The arrangement with the Total Abstinence Society was not long sustained, and Air Jago again entered into business. He engaged in several branches of commercial pursuits before he finally took the position of manager of the Evening Star, which he had at the time of his death held for a period of 34 years.

In the old provincial days Mr Jago took a great interest iu politics, especially those affecting the province of Otago, warmly supporting Mr Donald Keid when that gentleman contested the - Snperinteudency against the late Mr James Maeaudrew. In the interest or views then represented by Mr Reid, Mr Jago went to Port Chalmers and contested that seat in the House of Representatives with Mr Mneandrew. He also stood for the representation of the City of Dunodiu iu iho Provincial Council, but did r.ot sewrc either seat. Since tho abolition of tho provinces Mr Jago did not take much part in lwlitical matters, his business and other engagements leaving him little time for so uoing. He, however, took, some part in the educational work of the city. He was a member of the • George Streot SeliGol Committee for some years, and was three times in succession elected its chairman. He al-o occupied a seat on tho Otago Education Board. It- would take long indeed to deal completely with the gcod work done by Mr Jago in the temperance cause, but it may be mentioned that iho first. Good Templars Lodge in Duncdin was opened on the 30th October, 1872, and that Mr Jago was chosen us Chief Templar, and held the office during the first six months. On retiring from the chair he received a testimonial from the lodse in recognition of his very competent ruling during his terni of olfiee. In December, 1877. at the annual session of tho Grand Lodge held at Christchurch Mr Jago was chosen G.W.C.T., and held office for three year?, during' which period ho did a great amount of work for the good of the order. .At the session of the Grand Lodge held at Wellington in 1880 Mr Jago, to mark tho services rendered by him to the order and to the cause of temperance, was presented with n substantial testimonial and a handsomely-framed address. . Mr •Tago maintained his close connection with the Good Templar movement from that period up to the time of his death. It was mainly owing lo the indefatigable efforts of Mr Jago that the existence and maintenance of the Temperance Herald, the official organ of the lodge, was due, and ho was for some considerable time editor. Mr Jago also contributed to other temperance journals in other parts of the world. Ho was an active member of the Congregational Church body, and was officially connected with tho Moray Plaeo Congregational Church, Dunodin, since its formation. holding in 1899 the honourable office of chairman of the Congregational Union of New Zealand.

Mr Jago always took a deep interest in all musical matters, and in years gone by was a prominent and active member of tlie Ohoral Sooiety.and also of t.ho Moray Place Congregational Church choir. On Juno 4, 1902, Mr and Mrs Jago celebrated their golden wedding at a social held in tho Agricultural Hall, Duncdin. Thoro was a von,- large gathering of friends and relatives, and a host of well-known citizens present, and congratulatory messages were received in very large numbers .from absentees. Mr J. A. Park, tho flicn Mayor of Duncdin. presented Mr Jago with a very hundsome illuminated address and a purse of sovereigns. Congratulatory and complimentary addresses, in which reference was made to both Mr and Mrs Jago, were delivered by Mr A. S. Adams, on behalf of the Temperance party; the Rev. "W. Saunders, on belialf of the Moray Place Congregational Ohurob; Mr G. Fcnwick, on bolialf of the pres3; and Mr A. Sligo, on behalf of old friends. Hearty and prolonged cheers were given for 'Mr and Mrs Jago and their descendants. Mr'Jago, in replying, referred to tho faot that it was tho fortieth anniversary of his arrival in the province, and the thirtieth, of his entering upon tho management of the Evening $tar. Ho also referred to his long friendship and intimate relations with the jate Mr George Bell, to the fineness of whose character- he bore testimony. The proceedings closed with tho hearty singing of a verse of "Auld lang syng." Of Mr .Tago's qualities it is scarcely necessary to speak, ho was so widely and so well known, and the unassuming -uprightness, benevolence, and fine sympllcity of character so prominent in his Ion? and useful life might well be an example to many. His bfl to the'community will be mueh ; felt, ( and tho greatest sympathy felt for those bereaved. The deceased gentleman leaves a widow and a family of eight—namely, Mr.? J. F. Peake, Mrs G.C. Israel, Mrs Justice Williams, Mrs P. Kahlenberg, Mra J. AY. Smith, Mr J. Jago, Mr A. Jago, and Mr F. Jago.