OBITUARY.

DEATH OF ME HENRY DODSON. Is all communities be they large or small, as m the larger sphere of nations and the smaller of families there are losses which no one can replace. Espeaially must this be the case when an infant colony and a small town loses an influential member. Not only are their services such as endear them to the memory of all who have benefited thereby, though too frequently the public are forgetful of such things, but they are m themselves the receptacle of such a large amount of local lore as to render their absence felt. When a pioneer of a settlement dies regret is only natural, though he may have filled the allotted span of life, and still more is hi 3 loss to be deplored when he has rendered good service and has m reality left no one behind to fill his place. The stuff of which the earlier settlers were made may perhaps have been transmitted to their successors, but so far the instances of anything of the kind have been few and far between. Our predecessors were men inured by hardship, and having overcome the toils and perila of the bush days were well able to live on to good old 'age, and at the same time show mental activity to the last. Such an one we mourn to-day mMr Henry Dodson. There is no one m Blenheim who can say that he had not a kindly and cheerful word for them, none who will deny him all the honor a good townsman deserves for his efforts m the past, nor any who can coma to other conclusion than that he believed m the future prosperity of the Waiiau and worked hard to secure that end. Ha was born m Wiltshire on April 21st, 1828, near the old historical town of Malmesbury. As a youth he went to Halifax, Nova Scotia, staying tiiere with a brother who wa3 m business m that town until the gold fever m Victoria induced him to try his luck m that colony, joining with two brothers who owned a small schooner, Bad five others. They loaded th 9 vessel with lumber, and on arriving at Melbourne Bold the vessel and cargo, and, dividing into two parties of four each, went to Eallarat, and were about the first to commence m that district the "deep sinkings." They took ground alongside each other, with the result that m about the three months it took to get their first holes down, one of these parties took out of their hole £16,000, while the other, m which was Mr Dodson, got barely enough to pay their " tucker." He continued at these deep sinkings for about three years, and was there during the riots that took placs iaj£*s. after which he -came to Nelson no bettsr off than -when he landed m Australia. Arriving m Nelson m that year, he joined his brother Joseph m the well known and established brewery m Nelson, and remained there a few years, coming to the Wairau about 35 years ago. Seeing an opening here for a brewery, he was not long before he commenced operations, and at about the same time took unto himself a3 a wife Miss Emma Snow, a lady who, though she predecaased him by gome nine years, has not yet been forgotten by the people of Blenheim, who recollect her kindness and beneficence. It is only the other day that the deceased gentleman took part m a semi-public function — the house-warming by Mr ByaD, on the opening of the additions to his hotel, and on that occasion he was as hearty as ever, and alluded to the long time he had been connected with one business m Blenheim. No one then thought that they were listening to him for the last time m public, when m his usual happy style he dwelt on the merits of the proprietor and the importance of the occasion. Mr Dodson leaves behind seven grown-up sons and daughters, viz, Mrs Dodd, Mrs Furby, Mrs Clark, Miss Dodson, and Messrs Howard, Frank, and Len, and we are sure that to one and all of them the feelings of our readers will be extended m the present hour of trial and grief. News of Mr Dodson's serious illness reached town a little after nine o'clock, and that it created quite a stir goes without saying. His illness was quite unexpected, and m fact unknown even by members of his own family. During the day he had complained of a bilious attack and headache, but nothing at all serious was thought of, and at about 2. o'clock he went to his room, undressed and got into bed. From that time onward his daughter, and also Mr Howard Dodson, kept looking m on him, but he was ftlwayS asleep. A* abcat 8.30 M,s 3 Docison wan to feel somewhat anxious, and with a lady friend went upstairs again to look to him They found him man nnconscious conditioD, and taking alarm sent for he

are informed, was a paralytic stroke, which affected the brain. The features of tha deceased are aa calm as they were wont to be m life, showing that he passed away peacefully, and without pain. Asa public man, Mr Dodson 1 s services have been bo many that it is impossible to enumerate all the bodies of which ha has been a member. As Mayor for three years he enjoyed the fullest confidence of the burgesses, and could have been returned again had he desired it ; as a member of the Provincial Council ho took an active interest m moulding the progress of the district, and later on when for 10 years he represented the Wairau m the House of Representatives, Marlborough had a good and faithful representative. Since the inception of a Racing Club m Marlborough, Mr Dodson , has been one of the strongest supporters of the national sport, and as steward, judge, and president, has filled the offices worthily. That he toofe an interest m athletic sports, he evidenced by his accepting the positions of patron of the Rowing Club, President of the Marlborough Football plub, and judge for the Caledonian Society. The old gantleman was ever to the fore m matters of this kind, and his genial face will be missed from our gatherings for many a day to come. There is hardly a society m the place which has not benefited by bis assistance, and m this respect alone the community is losing a citizen it can ill afford to spare. Mr Dodson was also a member of lodge Unanimity 1236 E.C., though he had not m late years taken an active part m its working. He started the business now run as Fell Bros., but gave it up to pay undivided attention to his brewery. - To-morrow Blenheim will have the last opportunity of showing outwardly its estimate of the deceased, and we feel sure that the confidence displayed m the past, as well as the esteem, will be fully borne out by a large attendance when his remains are conveyed to ther last resting place. It says much for a man that hi 3 death should cast a gloom over a whole community, but more, much more, when it can be said that he leaves no enemy behind, and has left a record, public and private, of which any man may well be proud. Take Henry Dodson as politician, Municipal Councillor, sportsman, or father, and he was one whose virtues came out uppermost. Especially does he deserve notice as a pattern father, for no more united family we suppose can be found than the large one which to-day unites m mourning the loss of a loving father and wise counsellor. With them all Blenheim is to-day sympathising, and through the medium of these columns we tender on their behalf and on our own, heartfelt condolences, which words are in-adequate-to convey for the loss of one whom m past years we have had much intimate and pleasurable connection with, both m political and private ways.