EARLY WANGANUI

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 249, 20 October 1937, Page 6

EARLY WANGANUI

DEATH OF A PIONEER MR J. C. NIXON PASSES A figure well known to many in Wanganui is removed by the demise of Mr J. C. Nixon at the age of 86 years. After three score years’ residence in this city, during which he was closely identified with activities on the river, Mr Nixon could relate many stirring tales of early Wanganui days. Born in Ireland, Mr Nixon left his native country at the age of 15 to try life in America, a country which at that time was attracting many immigrants from the Old World. In this land he 'engaged in various occupations and was one of the thousands attracted to the Klondyke, in the eighties, by tales of fabulous wealth. Mr Nixon’s impressions of this stage of his life were vivid and the hardships he endured in the gold rush never forgotten. Wanderlust was in the young man’s veins, however, and he left America for South Africa and for some time resided in Rhodesia, where he worked in the diamond mines. Although only a lad of 20 he had experienced a good deal of what life had to offer. Work in the mines was intriguing, but he left this to come to the land in which he was destined to spend the remainder of his days—New Zealand.

At the age of 22 he came direct to Wanganui and took up residence near the Town Bridge, where he commenced business on the river with a few boats. With these craft he carried passengers for pleasure and business, and many older residents of Wanganui will have recollections of “Jimmy” and his boats. It was then that he owned the May, the first passenger launch on the river. With this craft he did various kinds of work, from towing cargo boats in the river to taking doctors out to vessels .lying in the roadstead. On a number of occasions he transported pilots to incoming ships. At 26 he met and married Miss M. J. Paul and soon after this shifted quarters to where his late residence now stands, between the Wanganui and Union rowing sheds. Rowing as a sport was in its infancy at this time and Mr Nixon was an interested spectator as the years passed in the rapid progress the sport made. His memories of many earlier champions and races in which big stakes featured were often listened to with interest by oarsmen of a later period. Yachting engaged his attention for a number of years and with the Prince he won many cups and trophies. Mr Nixon watched Wanganui grow up from the humble circumstances which he found it to its present dimensions. His interest in civic affairs never waned and although he never took an active part in administration was always well informed. His death removes a link with an earlier page of the city’s history. Deceased was a life member of the Wanganui Cosmopolitan Club. Mr Nixon is survived by a daughter, Mrs D. Paul, and a son, Mr W. J. Nixon. His wife predeceased him bj a number of years.