Death of Mr J. M. Higgin

Feilding Star, Volume X, Issue 65, 8 November 1888, Page 3

Death of Mr J. M. Higgin

We regret to have to announce thai yesterday morning Mr J. M. Higgin, chemist, died suddenly from effusion on the base of the brain. The deceased gentleman had been ailing for some time, but nothing serious was anticipated, especially as he had V>o9u able to attend to his business up to the day preceding hie demise. When Mrs Higgin say that the symptoms of her husband were becoming serious, she at once sent for Dr Monckton, who called in for consultation Dr Johnston, but prior to the arrival of the latter Mr Higgin had expired. The deceased wae, many years ago, in business in Invercargill, and, on the opening of the West Coast goldfields, he went to Hokitika, where he established a good connection, and made a small fortune. He was, for some years, a member of the Hokitika Borough Council, and served for one torn* as Mayor, With the decadence of the West Coast gold returns, upon which all business in Hokitika mainly depends, Mr Higgin lost a good deal of money, and, after spending some time in looking for a new place to again commence life, he decided to settle in Feilding. His many good qualities were at ouce recognised here, and he was elected one of the members of the first Borough Council, in which position his past experience was of great value to his fellow members. He was, on one occasion, a candidate for the position of Mayor, and was defeated by a narrow majority, but he always considered this defeat as one of the greatest victories of his life. As a citizen, wherever he has resided in the colony he won the esteem and respect of all classes. In knowledge of his profession hehad few, if any, equals in New Zealand. He was a kindly, charitable, honorable, and well disposed man, whose loss will be deplored by many who have received assistance at his hands. He leaves behind him a widow and a young family of five to mourn the loss of an affectionate husband and a kind father. It must be a melancholy satisfaction for his widow to know the uciversal sympathy felt for her in her bereavement. The funeral took place this afternoon, and was largely attended by friends of the deceased gentleman.