DEATH OF DR HEW3ON.

Manawatu Herald, 29 July 1881, Page 2

DEATH OF DR HEW3ON.

« We regret to record the decease of Dr Charles George Hewson, which took place at Otaki on Wednesday last. The deceased gentleman who was well-known in these districts, had been ailing for some months, and though his great age, 75 years, forbade fie hope of his ever regaining his former health, it was hoped that he would be spared for some time to come. Daring the latter part of last week, however, his sufferings appeared to become more acute, and on Monday evening a messenger arrived from Otaki, for the purpose of securing the attendance of Dr Maclachlan, of this town. The doctor went to Otaki the following day, and prescribed for Dr Hewson, but his system appears to have broken up rapidly, and, as already stated, he died on the following day (Wedesday). Dr Hewson was a very old resident of the Otaki district. We learn that he came to the colony about thirty years ago in the same vessel as Mr (now Sir Wm.) Fox. He first went to Wanganui and Rangitikei, staying lome time in each of those districts, but about 26 years ago typhus fever having shown itself ia several families in the neighbourhood of the present town of Foxton, Dr. Hewson came dowu here and stayed in the district for two or three months. Having learned there was a large native population (much larger than at present) in the neighbourhood of Otaki, he determined on settling there, and| has resided th»re ever since, receiving a salary from Government for attending upon and prescribing for the natives until shortly before his death. He succeeded in saving a moderate amount of money which he invested from time to time in property, owning several several sections in Foxton, besides a comfortable homestead and small farm at Otaki. Dr. Hewson was in his habits exceedingly simple and plain. In the old days, when he was the only practitioner in the district he thought no journey too long or arduous in the exercise of his profession, and* notwithstanding his great age was frequently to be seen riding along the beach between Foxton and Otaki in all weathers. He was at the tioie of his death a Justice of the Peace and member of the Otaki Licensing Bench ; and jipon the death of Mr Hector M 'Donald, 4he first member of the County Council for Horowhenua, Dr. Hewson was elected in his place. He was a son of Admiral Hewson, and came from an influential family. In these districts he was generally respected, and his death has evoked a feeling of regret from all who knew him, and especially from the old settlers.