THE LATE SIR EDWYN DAWES.

Evening Post, Volume LXVI, Issue 152, 24 December 1903, Page 5

THE LATE SIR EDWYN DAWES.

Sir Edwyn Sandys Dawos, whose death at Tenoriil'a on Monday was announced in our issue of yesterday, was the most prominent figure in shipping circles in the British Empiro, and was proud of the fact that ho owod,his advancement in lifo mainly to his own cxoitions. The deceased gentleman was born in Kent in 1838, and was therefore 65 years of age : at tho time of his death. He was tlio second son of tho Rev. C. Dawes, Vicar of Dtlhorne, Staffordshire, and was educated at King Edwards's Grammar School, Birmingham.. In 1854 he entered tho service oi the P. and 0. Company, > and was in the Crimea duriug the war. Ho was shipwrecked off Sumatra in 1867, and was five days in an open boat with some others before being picked up and taken to Singapore. During the time he was in the uorvice of the. P. and O. Company, he attracted tho attention of Sir William M'Kinnon, who was Chairi man of the company. Sir William was much struck with young Dawcs's abilities, and made him his private secretary. Mr. Dawes subsequently beoamo connected with. the mauagomont of the company, and soon made a name for himself as an organiser. He wan Chahman of the British Indian Steam Navigation, the A. U.S. Company, and the Now Zealand Shipping Company, and was also a partner in the firms of J. B. Westray and Co., owners of the Ducal Line of stoamshipi, and Bray, Dawes, and Co., ship-ownora and merchants. When the affairs of the New Zealand Shipping Company was none too flourishing. Sir Edwyn Dawes was one of those who camo to the rescue, and it was in a groat measure due to his energy and great business acumon that tho company was again placed on 1 a sound financial basis. Sir Edwyn Dawes was also connected with the management of the Sues Canal. Ho was a tremendous worker, and it used to bo said of him that it was as difficult to secure an interview with him as with the Premier of England. An invariable rule of his was never to engage iv business after Friday night and before monday morning. Ho had a beautiful country seat a few milos out of London, and it was his custom to spend Saturday and Sunday there, and refuse to be worried during that' period with any business whatever. For some time po«t hit) health had not been good, and it was evident to thoso who knew him intinwte'.y that unless ho took it long rest there would bo a complete breakdown. iJii son is Chairman of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, and his son-in-law (Mr. King) is a director of tho Now Zealand Shipping Company. Sir Edwyn, who was knighted in 1894, was fond of scientific farming, and waa a great whist player.