MR CHAS. KIDSON

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 30 January 1939, Page 8

MR CHAS. KIDSON

POPULAR OFFICER IN P. AND T. DEPARTMENT

The death of Mr Charles Kidson, at the age of 71 years, occurred recently. Born at Nelson in 1868 he was the eldest son of the late Mr Benny Kidson. and grandson of the late Mr and Mrs John Kidson, who arrived in Nelson by the ship Bolton (540 tons) on 15th March, 1842. He was educated at the Haven road school under Mr James Hodgson. At the age of 15 (in January, 1883) he poined the Post and Telegraph Department at Port Nelson. In 1888 he went to Motucka to relieve Mr Thorn, a member of that office staff, and in 1889 he relieved Mr Cowles at Richmond, and subsequently returned to Motueka for further relief of the staff there, remaining until 1896. Mr Kidson married the eldest daughter of the late Henry Bate, of Upper Takaka in December. 1893. He was transferred to the Auckland Chief Office as telegraphist from where he was transferred to Coromandel in 1899, in the latter part of the gold mining boom. Having joined the A.0.F., Court Robin Hood, in his early youth, at about the age of 14 years. Mr Kidson was for over ' 50 years a P’orester, and during his term at Coromandel he rose to the rank r.f Past Chief Ranger. Whilst at the Coromandel office he relieved at Mercury Bay and other officers on the Peninsula. He returned to Auckland and was on the relieving staff attached to the Chief P. 0., serving at Whangarei, Whi- ; tianga, Warkworth and North Auckland .offices. In 1907 he took charge of the 1 Fleet Post Office at the time of the visit of the 13 vessels of the American Fleet to Auckland Thereafter during the inauguration of the Post and Telegraph Department over the northern portion of the Main Trunk Railway (which was then being constructed and approaching its completion, was in the following post offices : n succession—Raurimu. Taumarunui. Te Kuiti. and Otorohanga. subsequently being appointed postmaster at the latter office in 1909. From Otorohanga he was transferred as Postmaster soon after the outbreak of war. to Tirau from which office he retired on Ist May. 1920 Mr Kidson was a popular officer of the P. and T. Department, and was highly esteemed in all the towns in which he was stationed for his cheerful nature, and good citizenship At farewell gatherings he was the recipient of many beautiful presents, including a writing desk from the people of Coromandel County, and a 400-day clock from the residents of Otorohanga. Since his retirement he has resided at Otorohanga. Hastings and latterly at Spring Grove. Mr Kidson leaves a widow, one son and one daughter—Mr Oliver C. Kidson. Railway Department. Wanganui, and Mrs A. E. Lindup, Mariri.