OBITUARY

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 103, 25 January 1933, Page 10

OBITUARY

Mrs. E. C. Dawson The death occurred in the Wanganui Hospital last Thursday of Mrs. Emma Catherine Dawson, aged 80 years, one of New Zealand’s pioneers and a person greatly revered by the native race, states a Dominion Special Service message. Born at Karori in 1853, the late Mrs. Dawson resided there with her parents for some time until they removed to Otaki, where they were granted a free license and conducted under canvas the first licensed house in that district. Mrs. Dawson was married at Otaki in 1871 by the late Rev. James McWilliams and lived for a time in her parents’ accommodation house iu that town. Her husband came out to New Zealand with the 65th Regiment of Foot and saw active service in the Maori-War under Major Kemp, but not' long after the marriage Mr. and Mrs. Dawson shifted to Ohau, where they conducted a hotel at the. mouth of the Ohau River, the remains of the building still being in evidence to-day. They lost all their money in that venture, however, and then moved on to Bulls, where Mr. Dawson returned to bis trade, that of rope-making. He resided there until his death and most of the family were born at Bulls. The late Mrs. Dawson remained in residence at Bulls for over fifty years, only of late years removing to Wanganui. The funeral took place at Wanganui on Sunday, the Rev. Williams being the officiating minister. The remains were laid to rest in the old cemetery alongside those of her late husband, and the service was read half in Maori and half in English. The pall-bearers were six well-known Wanganui Maoris, who specially requested that they should be permitted to carry the casket in token of the high respect in which she' had been held by members of the native race. Messrs. Charles, Manawatu Heads: John and Fred, Wanganui; Sam. Morrinsville; and Octavius, Foxton, are sons of deceased, and the daughters are Mesdames F. Gardes, Auckland; S. Steer, Te Puke; E. Stegman, Brisbane; Geo. Terry, Wanganui; Preston, Marton; and McDonald, Spring Creek. Papers in the possession of the late Mrs. Dawson at. the time of her death give an account of the death of her mother at Otaki and show that she came to New Zealand in the ship Clifton, landing at what was then known as “Port Nick.” (Port Nicholson, Wellington) in 1542. She was in the first Maori war at Port Nicholson. Her first husband was a volunteer in the militia and fought against the chief. Rangihaeta, between Hutt and Paremata. He afterward resided at Otaki in 1854 and died there in 1869. The late Mrs. Kirk’s funeral was the largest that bad been held in Otaki at. the time of her death. .'