Advertiser (Adelaide, SA : 1889 - 1931), Saturday 10 September 1927, page 16


OBITUARY.

Mr. Charles Dawson, an old colonist, whose death was announced in this column yesterday, was born in Eltham Kent, in 1831. When he was eight

years of age his parents decided to come to Australia. Before sailing, how ever, Mr. Dawson saw one of the first trains running from London to Black wall. The Dawson family came by the Hooghly. The voyage took three months. This was considered a quick passage. Mr. Dawson often related how they landed and made their way to Adelaide. The city was well wooded then. And it was common to hear men coo-eeing to each other as they sought their way round the city squares during the dark hours. A well in Leigh-street was the chief source of supply of drinking water. Mr. Daw son saw the burning of the first Govern ment House, and also attended the funeral of Colonel Light. Towards the end of the forties he worked with his brother-in-law (Mr. Richard Smith), who con ducted a stock agency business. The firms controlled by Messrs. Smith and Charles Fisher were the first two stock firms to do business in Adelaide. The first selling yard seems to have been at the north end of King William-street. In 1851 Mr. Dawson went to the South-East, and took charge of a property for Smith and Davenport, called Reedy Creek. While at this station Mr. Dawson took cattle across to Melbourne. In 1859 Mr. Dawson married Miss Clode, and took his bride to the Far North, where he managed Oraparinna cattle sta tion. He was greatly attached to Ora parinna, and could describe in detail the country right up till the last few years. He helped to build the Mount Sunder-land and Appealinna trigs. He was

present when Stuart led his expedition across the Continent to the north, and saw him arrange his equipment at a hut near the Appealinna mine. The first three years were good, but the drought began in 1862. Gradually the water holes shrank, and the feed was eaten out, and in 1865 the station had to be abandoned. Mr. Dawson first took his wife and children to Port Augusta, and then returned for whatever could be shifted. It was a sad leaving. He next engaged to lift a mob of cattle from Mount Margaret, the then farthest-out, station, and deliver them across the Murray to Mr. (later Sir Samuel) Davenport. He often told of the task of attempting to punt them across, and the ultimate risky but necessary decision to swim them over. Later Mr. Dawson settled at Mourt Bryan. There he was the first to plant lucern. He gradually built up a small Merino stud. The Aldina stud was noted for good breeding, and won many prizes. He left this property to his son, Mr. Fred Dawson, when he settled in retirement at Giles Corner. There he remained until the last year of his life. He was honored by all who knew him for his strict integrity, and for the sterling qualities that made him a successful pioneer. He was predeceased by his wife by some 12 years. He left the following children:-Mrs. J. W. Turner (Brokon Hill), Mrs. A. E. Gare (Port Pirie), Mr. C. W. Daw son (Melbourne), Mr. A. H. Dawson (Seaton Park), Mr. F. G. Dawson (One-tree Hill), Mrs. W. S. Kelly (Giles Cor ner). The death occurred on September 4 of Mr. Thomas Ward, at the aze of 89 years, at the residence of his son (Mr. J. S. Ward), Rose-street, Prospect. Born in Dorsetshire, Mr. Ward arrived at Port Adelaide in 1876. aud went to Moonta Mines, where he was employed for 12 months on important engineering work for the old Moonta Copper Mining Company. In 1877 he entered in to a contract with Mr. M. C. Davies to erect timber mills in Western Australia, where he remained for 3½ years. On re turning to Adelaide he was engaged by Francis Clarke & Co., engineers. In 1882 when Mr. J. H. Horwood started his gene-

ral engineering works in Adelaide, Mr. Ward was engaged as foreman, and re mained there until retiring, in 1914, at the age of 76. He joined the London West branch of the Amalgamated Society of Engineers in 1868, and linked up with the Adelaide branch on arrival from Eng land. He took much interest in the affairs ot the society, being on the com mittee. His wife died 16 years ago, and a son (Mr. H. Ward) 15 months ago. Two daughters and four sons survive—Miss L. A. Ward (Sydney) Mrs. G. Baily (Tor rensville), Messrs. T. G. Ward and J. S. Ward (Prospect), F. Ward (Malvern), and S. Ward (Hindmarsh Engineering Works). Mr. John Mackie, i well-known Mouul Gambier business man. dioii widdfln'y it Kmiva on Tuesday. He W:i his bom-; on Monday in Ills usua1. hea'.tli, but snl ferod a lioavt attack am! died almost ini mvdiate!y. He was born in Scotland about 75 years ago, and ranic to Aus tr2!i;i 45 >vars apo. He joiiuv! the lii:n of D. & J. Fos-ir in Adoinide, aud for tiie grcator part of 40 joars veproS'.'M?:! tliem in ibo Souih-liast. He ?s wci! known in t!nt iiir.tii<t, and ivce:vd ."4 ordial we'eomp from tiadvrs in ;t'.\ lowtit for his ciiwiuous and unassu!ui:i;i qual lies. A few .wars aso he ]mnli isih! Lan I at PeiKila, witli th objert of makiiis !rs liouif iln'iv in liis declining years, bin t!i? veismrp d.d ii"t jirovo a success, and Ik sold tlio proi.oity. lie was twice mar ried. Hi n lii-s; wife was M;s> Kmina v. a daiiahter nf Mr. an.i Mrs. It. G. Crosby, o: Mount tJambicr. liy tli.-it m.-iiTiise iliojp ?W(. tiiivo th:Mri'ii— | Mrs. T. Rapsatt and Mis. .?. Nowin^ ! rAdelir.ic). a:i,l Mr. .l:inirs C. M.i.rki.--. .-,: '? th-.? Sivins-* I!:nik. Adolaido. A :>?? years after the' death 'if his tirst wife Mr. Maokie married Miss J.:'.\\e, .1: Vic torii. Mr. George Stanley Smith, who died recently in Adelaide, was one of Peterborough's most highly esteemed citizens. His nobility of character and cheerful disposition won for him a large circle of friends. A son of Mr. Arthur Smith of Sebastopol (near Ba- laratt, Mr. G. S. Smith was born in that town in 1890. At an early age he was engaged in Baptist Home Mission work in Victoria. In 1912 lie came to South Aus tralia and for a while resided at James-town. Whilst there he married Miss Stella Wyles, of Ballarat. From James-town he moved to Peterborough, and was in the employ nf Mr. Alex Jamieson. The Baptist Church at Peterborough being without a pastor, Mr. Smith consented to take the temporary oversight of the church, and acted as pastor for several months. His services were greatly appre-

ciated. Later he rendered a similar ser vice to the Baptist Churches of Orroroo and Back Rock. Soon after goicg to Peterborough he entered the service of Messrs. Cox Bros, and because of his pro nounced business acumen was eventually taken into partnership. The firm became known throughout the north as Cox Bros. and Smith. During the early part of his connection with Cox Bros, he was acting pastor of the Terowie and Sunnybrae Churches. As a member of the Masonic Lodge he won the esteem and love of his brethren. He left a widow (Mrs. G. S. Smith, of Peterborough), and two sons (Messrs. Norman and Lloyd Smith), a brother (Mr.. Norman Smith, of Peter borough), four sisters (Mrs. Mather, of Melbourne; Mrs. Little, of Sydney; Miss Ethel Smith, of Sydney, and Miss Olive Smith, of Sebastopol), and an aged father. Mrs. F. Charlton, who died on Wednes day at her home in Janet-street, Maylands, was 67 years of age. She was born at Walkerville on February 26. 1860. She was a daughter of Mr. William Mallyon, who was manager of a sheep station on the River Murray. In May, 1884, at St. George's Church. Magill, she was married to Mr. Frank Charlton. who died in 1926. After living at Maylands for a few years she went to Sydney, where she spent nine years, and then returned to Maylands. Mrs. Charlton had a most generous nature, and many needy families received her help. She had lately lived with her son. Mr. Frank Charlton, who survives.

Mr. Charles Dawson.

Mr. Thomas Ward.