THE LATE MRS DAWSON

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLIV, Issue 10052, 25 February 1924, Page 4

THE LATE MRS DAWSON

A STORY OF PIONEERING DAYS. The following is an outline of the late Mrs Dawson's life supplied by a friend well acquainted with her interesting career: —

Miss Mary Elizabeth Prebble was born in Merson, in the County of Kent, on May 9, 1833. At the early age of seven she arrived, in company with her parents, at Wellington, in, the 6hip Aurora, and three years later, with her three brothers, she proceeded to Canterbury. At the age of ten years she was engaged by the late Mr John Gebbie, at the head of the Bays, for which she received £8 per annum as wages. She remained in this place for nine years, and her employer, who had learned to value her services, suggested that she might augment her scanty income by purchasing a cow, for which he offerea grazing and also agreed to rear the progeny, and pay her for the milk. Accepting this offer she bought her first cow, for which she paid £l4. In June, 1852, she was married at Port Lyttelton to the " late Mr A. Dawson, and as a married couple ther served with Mr Gebbie till their ih-r child was born, after which they decided to make a start for themselves and purchased 50 acres at Port Levy. In June, 1853. they went to their new home, taking with them a herd oi eight cows, and a sow pig given by M r Gebbie. After making a few kegs of butter they started cheese making. which gave" them a return of £9O for I the season, exclusively of the profits from butter. , I

Finding that they could not extend their farm by purchasing adjoining lands, they sold out, and purchased a farm of about 300 acres at Prebblecton, where Mrs Dawson's brothers (the late Richard and William Prebble) had already commenced farming. With her two brothers Mrs Dawson and her husband made their home while their own castle of sods was being raised. Unhappily the cattle invaded the partially completed dwelling and almost demolished it. Accustomed to contending with difficulties and disappointments they set about ing the damage as Quickly as possible, and in 1854 they were safely housed in their little home.

They remained at Prebbleton u*til 1872. milking as many as forty cows, the butter from which they were able to sell for as much as 2s 6d a pound. With one exception the whole of Mrs Dawson's family were born at Prebbleton. In the year 1873 they went to reside on their farm at Waterton, which is about 1734 acres. This has been in the Dawson's estate tip till the present time. Mrs Dawson passed away at the residence of her son. Mr Charles Dawson, on February 22, 1924, her husband predeceasing her by 15 years. She leaves a family of three sons and" three daughters. 38 grandchildren, and | 14 great-grandchildren.