EARLY DAYS RECALLED

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 3 January 1931, Page 5

EARLY DAYS RECALLED

SIR ARTHUR DUDLEY DOBSON ENGINEER, SURVEYOR, EXPLORER The Province will recognise Mr Arthur Dudley Dodson’s New Year honour as one of the most deserving yet bestowed upon a resident of Canterbury (comments the ‘"Press”). At the age of eighty-nine, oflieial recognition has come to a man who, after playing such a distinguished part in the early development of Canterbury, as engineer, surveyor, and explorer, still takes such an active interest in its welfare, for virtually Mr Dodson has never gone into retirement. He is one of the few who can span the eighty years between the Canterbury of the'First Four Ships, and the Province of 1931, for to him belongs (lie honour of being a pilgrim, as well as a respected citizen of the capital of the Province, in the moulding of which he—and his father before him—played such a large part. One of the lasting tributes to his energy and ability as an engineer and surveyor is the Pass across the Divide, which he discovered and which bears Ins name. STILL ACTIVE Mr Dodson is still an active worker in the public interest. On the cover of his book “Reminiscences,” which was recently published, lie is depicted as sittingat the wheel of his car. He does not now drive himself, but since 1905 he has been a keen motorist and is at present patron of the Canterbury Automobile. Association. Air Dobson still enjoys long walks, and he is an inveterate reader, being specially interested in scientific publications and books dealing with the Maori and Polynesian languages. ARRIVAL IN NEW ZEALAND It was oil 9th September, 1841, that he was born in Islington. England, the son of Edward Dobson, who later was to take such a large part in developing Canterbury. In 1849 colonisation was in the air in England and Edward Dobson decided to enrol himself as a Canterbury pilgrim. The family sailed on the barque Cressy —one of the First Four Ships. They landed in Lyttelton as one of the now historic baud of pilgrims and young Dudley, as ,a lad of nine, walked over the Bridle track from Port to plains. The family lived in somewhat straitened circumstances till Edward was appointed Provincial Engineer in 1854. After leaving Christ’s College young Dudley and his brother George were employed by .their father on various public works —of which there were many—learning the business of engineers and surveyors. In his book Mr Dobson narrates how they built a house on their father’s property, where the premises of Messrs A. J. White now stand, and there they were accustomed to live when in town.

After a period spent in surveying at Lyttelton, Dobson went to North Canterbury, surveying the upper waters of the Huvumii and Lake Sumner, and the small lakes adjacent. The next year found him erecting poles on the Main South road. Later he was engaged as topographical surveyor under Dr. von Haast, the first work carried out being a geological survey of the Port Hills. He also went with von Haast into the Mackenzie Country.

WORK OX WEST COAST When, in ISC2, Mr Dobson, who was then only 21, was the successful tenderer for the contract to survey an unknown block of country on the West Coast, extending from the Grey river southwards—a distance of about 7b miles—one of his biggest works began. His adventures and privations in this virgin country are well told in his book. It was during, one of his journeys from Christchurch to. the West Coast that he discovered Arthur’s Pass. During the latter months of 1804 diggers were pouring into the country, and in April of that year the Provincial Government of Canterbury decided that the rising importance of the goldfields necessitated the construction of a road to join east and west. This work was put in hand at once under the charge of Edward Dobson, and in the same year Dudley completed his survey contract on the West Coast and his work then took him to Collingwood, in the Nelson district. While in Nelson he was married, on 20th November, 180(1, to Miss Eleanor Lewis. i THE KELLY GANG With the Nelson and West Coast gold rush at its height, bushrangers became active, notorious among whom were the Sullivan and Kelly gang. On 24th May, George Dobson, brother of Dudley, who was engaged in /road construction in the Grey Valley, was missed, and no trace of him afterwards found. Sullivan subsequently confessed to his murder. Dudley was still busy on survey work in Nelson, and in 18(11) lie was appointed District Engineer on (lie West Coast goldfields. Soon after he went to Westport to take charge' of public works. Here, he carried out further important developmental work, returning to Christchurch in 1878 to help his father after a long period spent on the Coast. Goon he was engaged on more works, so essential to the progress of the young colony. The waterworks at Tiniaru was one of these. About this time came the discussion of tlie route which the railway from east to west should take, decision eventually being made in favour of Arthur’s Pass.

In 188 b Mr Dobson revisited England, returning the same year. Work was now very slack, and Mr Dobson decided to go to Melbourne, the construction of the Warruambool harbour works being his chief engineering work there.

APPOINTED CITY ENGINEER The year 1807 found him in Syd-, ney, whence lie returned to New Zealand to take over the business until then carried on by his father. More engineering works in the Province were carried through until, in 11)01, he was appointed City Engineer in church at the age of bl). From this post lie retired in 11)21, at the ripe age of eighty, but continued to practise his profession privately. Indeed, he has never ceased from practising his profession as a consulting engineer. Among the organisations of which Mr Dobson is or lias been a prominent member, are the New Zealand Society

lireatho away that cold. Inhale “NAZOTi,” the scientific remedy that disinfects and protects the circle of infection. 2/6 buys the new double size containing 120 full doses.

of Civil Engineers, New Zealand Institute of Surveyors, Philosophical Institute of Canterbury, Astronomical Society, Institute of Engineers (London), Christchurch Beautifying Association. At present he is also a prominent member of tliei Arthur’s Pass National Park Board of Control. Mr Dobson has five children —two sons, and three daughters. His wife died in September last.

THE GROCER’S REMINDER

An Important Item

It is easy to forget something if we unwisely go shopping without a list. Obliging shop assistants often help us 'out by jogging our memories. Down in Dunedin the other clay a woman was giving her grocery order, but she had come without a list, and was having rtlficulty in thinking of what she required. The assistant had made one or two suggestions, but the woman said “No. I know there is somethin? else I ought, to get, but what it is I can’t think.” “Would it be a bottle of Baxter’s Lung Preserver, Madame?” inquired the assistant, noticing that her voice was a trifle husky. “Oh, that's it,” replied the customer. “I knew it was something important—l never like to be without ‘Baxter’s.’ ”,

Baxter’s Lung Preserver is the . favourite family cough and cold rejnedy in New Zealand. Every mother knows how good it is for all members of the family. This rich. red. soothing compound is invaluable for coughs, colds, sore throats, huskiness, and all chest and lung troubles. Possesses wotiderffil tonic properties, too. Obtainable at all chemists and stores: generous-sized bottle half-a-crown, economical family size 4/6, and bachelor’s bottle 1/6. Tlie new screw cap preserves the contents and saves trouble with tiresome corks.