VERNON CHARLES REDWOOD

The following short resume of the life of Alderman Vernon Charles Redwood/who has just been unanimously elected Mayor of Toowoomba, Queensland, will be of interest to Blenheimites. Mr Redwood was born in Blenheim on April 14, 1874, so that he is now in his 36th year. He went to Queensland in 1893, and was first employed on Westbrook station, where he remained 18 months, one of his first duties being the cutting of prickly pear. In 1895 he started in Toowoomba a business as a maltster. Nine years later the business was purchased by Jones and Son, the great English maltsters, and it is now the largest business of the kind in the Commonwealth. Mr Redwood was instrumental in starting the Grain Exchange. About twelve months ago Mr Redwood disposed of his various businesses to Jones and Son, and was appointed that 'firm's general manager for Australia. In 19Q4 he stood for Toowoomba and Drayton as a candidate for Parliamentary honors. He was not successful, nor was he successful in the same year when he stood at the by-election. In 1907 he was successful, heading the poll; and in 1908 he again was top of the list. In 1909 he lost his seat. He has for some time represented the West Ward of the city in the council, and he was also a member of the Gowrie Shire Council. The election of a Mayor unanimously is not without precedent in Toowoomba, the last occasion being in 1902. On the Ist February, just prior to the election for Mayor, the citizens of Toowoomba met to make1 a presentation to Mr and Mrs Redwood, in recognition of services rendered to the town and its institutions. The Mayor, in making the presentation, said that Mr Redwood had deserved everything that had been done to do him honor by the services he had rendered during his residence. Very few could or would deny that Mr Redwood was one of Toowoomba's most energetic men; he stood out prominently among their business men. The presentation consisted of a cheque for £141 14s 7d and a gold watch to Mr Redwood, and a beautiful tea and coffee service to Mrs Redwood. The Mayor also said that an entertainment was projected, the proceeds of which would also be •devoted to a further presentation to Mr Redwood.

MAYOR OF TOOWOOMBA