Life of Service Ends

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 143, 20 June 1938, Page 2

Life of Service Ends

INCALCULABLE LOSS TO DISTRICT Never in the history of Pahiatua has a death caused such universal grief, and never has such profound emotion stirred the people—a lovable and charming personality, one rich in all the finer attributes of life, all tho tender sensibilities —had crossed the great divide. Dr. Dawson was not only held in tho highest respect and esteem by all sections of the community, young and old, but he won their love and ailection by his natural kindness of heart, his simplicity of manner and his honesty and sincerity of purpose. In his friendships ho was like tho Rock of Gibraltar. Democratic in his tendencies, fair and just in all his dealings, ho shunned the limelight, and was the under-dog. Brave to tho very last, he met death with a smile. The district mourns the passing of a great man. The late Dr. Dawson was born at “Mains of Williamston, 77 Culsamond, Aberdeenshire, Scotland, on July 27, ISGB. He was educated at Culsamond school and the Aberdeen Grammar School. He entered Mareschal College, Aberdeen University, at the ago of 16, and obtained the University degrees iu medicine and surgery at the early age of 20 years. His first practice was in the mining town of Bedlington, Newcastle on Tyne, whero he remained for some eighteen months. He then decided to come to New Zealand, practising for a brief period at Tinui. In 1890 he came to Pahiatua, where ho has continuously resided and practised his profession up till a few weeks ago. late Dr. Daw'son had a high reputation as a medical man, and was looked upon as one of tho most skilful surgeons in tho Dominion. Tho worthy doctor has been practising in tho Bush district for over 40 years, coming at a time when the roads were mere mud tracks and the rivers all unbridged. His first mode of transport was by horse and trap and when the use of this was impossible he made his way to the outlying parts of the district on horseback. There was no such thing as a hospital in those days and Dr. Dawson had perforce to utilise private houses and even the local hotels to carry out operations. It was not long before the doctor interested several influential men in the district to assist him in establishing a hospital iu Pahiatua, and it is a wonderful record for him to have held tho position of Medical Superintendent since it was opened in 1900 till he resigned last month when many fine tributes were paid to his work. Dr. Dawson’s work as a medical man particularly in tho line of surgery, has been recognised by his brother doctors throughout New Zealand as being of a very high order indeed. He rendered valuable service to the community of Pahiatua iu the direction of assisting clubs working for the welfare of the younger generation, serving as a Borough Councillor for some time also, but it was to the practise of his profession that he devoted all his energies —his work was his hobby and no sacrifice was ever too great if so be he would bring comfort and healing to those iu need of his services. For nearly half a century hf has served his fellow men with courage and devotion. In the year 1900 he married Miss Gwendoline Meredyth, daughter of the late Mr Ediom Meredyth and Mrs Meredyth, Masterton. Tho late Dr. Dawson is survived by his wife, his son, Mr Derrick Dawson, Wanganui, and a sister, Miss Norah Dawson, for many years sister-in-chargo of Sir David Wilkes hospital wards Edinburgh. Dr. Dawson's last wish was that his funeral was to be strictly private. The funeral took place last week at tho Wellington Crematorium. The late Dr. Dawson was for several years a member of the Pahiatua Borough Council, a director of the Tui Brewery, Ltd., chairman of the Carnival Park Domain Board, patron of the Pahiatua A. and P. Association, and a Vice-president of the Pahiatua Literary and Debating Society.