MR, WESLEY SPRAGG DEAD

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1051, 15 August 1930, Page 13

MR, WESLEY SPRAGG DEAD

PIONEER OF DAIRYING INDUSTRY TEMPERANCE LEADER Mr. Wesley Spragg, a wellknown supporter of the temperance movement and one of the pioneers in the Auckland Dairying industry, died early this morning at his home in New North Road. He was 82 years of age. During his residence in Auckland he had made many gifts to the City. Mr. Spragg was born in February, 1848, at Madeley in Shropshire. England. The son of Mr. Charles Spragg, he was educated at the Wesleyan School in his native town, and came t.o New Zealand with his parents by the ship Ulcoates, in 1563. Ilis-father was an uncompromising temperance reformer, a true Liberal, and a staunch nonconformist. His son Wesley became a man of like characteristics, a member of the Congregational Church anti one of its most prominent laymen in New Zealand. In those days conditions of life in New Sealann were precarious and

hard. Unemployment was prevalent to an extent even more serious than today. Wages were low, social and industrial conditions rigorous. Mr. Spragg faced these conditions with the spirit of the true pioneer. He became a principal in a business that met with disaster; and one of the big occasions of his life came years later, when following an increase of prosperity he discharged the liabilities of his old lirm, although legally not required to do so. In 1872, Mr. Spragg married Miss Neil, daughter of the late Mr. Robert Neil of Epsom, Auckland. There were five daughters and one son of the marriage. In the business world Mr. Spragg was best known through his association with pioneer dairying. For a few years before and after IS9O the dairying industry in the Auckland Province was in a parlous condition, and it was saved from collapse principally by Mr. Spragg’s courage, organising ability, and tenacity. He established the New Zealand Dairy Association in ISS6 in conjunction with Messrs. Bycroft and Co., by whom it was successfully conducted till 1594, when Mr. J. C. Lovell and Mr. Spragg acquired the business. Tho farmers throughout the country supplied the milk, and the butter, then about 1,100 tons annually, was sent to London to the Lovell and Christmas Company, which was probably the largest butter importer in England. In 1901 the Dairy Association was acquired by 847 shareholder, Mr. Spragg becoming managing director. Mr. Spragg was perhaps most widely known as a social reformer, many movements for social betterment receiving his practical support. For a generation he was the unquestioned leader of the temperance reform movement in the Auckland Province, and for nearly 20 years he was president