A TRAGIC DEATH

Otago Witness, Issue 2856, 9 December 1908, Page 25

A TRAGIC DEATH

AN AGENT-GENERAL LOST AT SEA. LONDON, December 7. The Hon. Alfred Dobson, Agent-general for Tasmania, who was travelling alone on a flying visit to Paris, was returning on Saturday, via Boulogne, apparently quite cheerful -and in his normal health, aboard the mail steamer Victoria. He was seen at 8 o'clock in the evening •when within two miles of Folkestone, and was then sitting on the rail of the vessel at the stern. The mate, approaching, warned him of his danger. 1 The mate had scarcely spoken when Mr Dobson lost his balance, threw up his hands and fell backwards from a height of 24ft into the sea, which was calm. The vessel, which was going steadily at 23 knots, was 6topped as quickly as possible. Lifebelts were thrown, and a boat was lowered. A search was kept up for upwards of 20 minutes, but fruitlessly. 1 It is assumed that Mr Dobson was over- : come by giddiness. Be had complained • during the previous two or three days of i dizziness. It is- feared, as he was seated immediately over the screw, that he fell i against the blades. His name was ascertained from his portmanteau. The authorities at Kensington were informed, and broke the news to his widow, , who hastened to Folkestone. I Without further information^ Mr Dob-

soji'&. cousin, stafcecl.-that there could be no suggestion that the fair was other than accidental. His domestic life and public career were all that Mr Dobson could wish- The cousin added that since Mr Dobson's marriage . a few months ago nothing could have been happier than his home, arid there was nothing to make him depressed.

The Hon. Mr Dobson had been Agentgeneral for Tasmania since April, 1901, and also acted from time to time as Agentgeneral for Victoria.. He was born at Hobarfc in 1848, and was called to the bar at the Inner Temple in 1875. He entered politics in 1877, and for about a. year was Attorney-general. He was also Speaker of the House of Assembly from 1885 till 1887. Mr Dobson, who was a BLC. in Tasmania, was made a C.M.G. in 1904.