DEATH OF MR. DREADON

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 119, 10 August 1927, Page 5

DEATH OF MR. DREADON

OLD AUCKLAND GAOLER The death occurred at his residence. Upper Bank Street, Whangarei, early yesterday morning, of Mr. George Dreadon, aged 91 years. About a fortnight ago deceased met with an accident and broke a hip. Prior to that the old gentleman had been in good health, although his memory’ of late had been failing. Air. Dreadon was born on January 19, 1836, at Bodmin, County Cornwall. England. As a young man he became a drillsergeant in the British Army. He married Miss Ellen Coad Looe, Cornwall, and three years later decided to go to New Zealand, arriving by the sailing ship Claremont in 1863. the voyage occupying five months. Having a good report from the army he got a billet as warder in the old gaol, Auckland, when it was on the site of Smeeton’s Buildings, and whep the gaol was removed to Mount Eden he ; became chief warder, and stayed there five years. i While engaged in these duties Air. | Dreadon was in charge of the gangs jof prisoners who made Symonds | Street. After retiring from service in i the Prisons Department. Mr. Dreadon went farming at Arapohue, Northern Wairoa, and remained there 37 years. He then sold out and came to Whangarei, and settled at his home in Bank Street. Deceased had 12 children, seven girls and five boys. Two daughters and one son predeceased him, as aldid his wife 24 years ago. One son. Mr. Charles Dreadon, resides in Kamo Road, Whangarei. Mr. Alfred Dreadon at Alatakohe. and Messrs. George and Jack Dreadon in Auckland. The married daughters are Alesdames M< - ■ Aulay. Okaihau: F. Cliff and A. Bull. Whangarei; and two single daughters, also in Whangarei. There are 39 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren. The funeral left at 10.50 a.m. to-day for Arapohue, where interment took nlare.