BRAVE ACT RECALLED

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23517, 3 June 1938, Page 8

BRAVE ACT RECALLED

SAWMILL TRAGEDY AVERTED DEATH OF MR G. T. DAWSON (Special to Daily Times) INVERCARGILL, June 2. A brave action which earned for Mr George Tasman Dawson the Royal Humane Society Stead Gold Medal and Certificate in 1913 is recalled by the death of Mr Dawson at the age of 73, Twenty-five years ago Mr Dawson, who was engaged in the sawmilling industry, was driving an engine on a bush tramway at Colac when the bridge collapsed under the weight of the engine, which crashed into the gully. Although he was badly scalded, Mr Dawson managed to extricate himself from the wreckage. His first thought was for the 10 men who were following him -on the trolley and with great difficulty, because of his several injuries, he crawled painfully out of the gully and on to the line. The trolley, which was on a down grade, was not yet in sight and unless the men were warned in time tragedy lay ahead. Realising this, he used what little strength he had left in placing some timber across the line. As soon as he had done so, he collapsed. The men on the trolley saw the obstacle on the line and were able to pull up a little short of it and, on a rough stretcher, Mr Dawson was carried to his home by the men whose lives he had probably saved. Mr Dawson was the third son of the late Mr J, H. Dawson, of Brunswick, near Kennington, and, from the time he landed in New Zealand with his parents 62 years ago, until seven years ago, he was actively engaged in the sawmilling industry. He worked for his father at the Union Sawmill near Kennington for a number of years and later was manager of McCallum’s sawmill in Seaward Bush for 10 years. He shifted'to Colac in 1900 to take up the position of manager for the New Zealand Pine Company, and, after remaining in this position for 20 years, he went to Tahakopa to manage a sawmill for the late Sir Truby King. Leaving Tahakopa several years later, he removed to Longwood, to become manager for More and Sons’ mill. This position he held until seven years ago, when he retired to live in Invercargill. For many years Mr Dawson was connected with a number of athletic bodies in Southland, and was himself a competitor in chopping and sawing events at many gatherings. He took a great interest in cricket and football and, whilst in Invercargill, was an active member of the Umpires’ Association. He presented a shield last season for-competition in the Junior Grade Rugby competition. He was an enthusiastic volunteer, being a member of the Invercargill City Guards and one of the foundation members of the Colac Rifles. He held the rank of captain in the latter company until the Territorial Forces were established, and then retired to the reserve with the rank of major. Mr Dawson-was a justice of the peace for 36 years In 1886 Mr Dawson married a daughter of the late Mr J. T. Crofts, of Richmond Grove, and she survives him. with a family of six daughters and four sons. The daughters are: Mrs L. R. Taylor (Invercargill), Miss Dawson (Auckland), Mrs W Couchman (Bluff), Mrs A. Roberts (Christchurch), Mrs N. Millard (Dunedin), and Miss G. Dawson (Invercargill), and the sons are: Messrs G. F. Dawson (Invercargill), J. H. Dawson (Riverton), J. E. Dawson (Colac), and T T. Dawson (Tokanui).