Obituaries Australia

The late Mr. John Dawson was, with one exception, the oldest solicitor in New South Wales. He was born at Weelsby, Lincolnshire, in 1819, and 24 years later came to Australia. Having been articled to Mr. Haywood, a solicitor, at Parramatta, he was subsequently admitted to practice, and was for many years a partner in the firm of B. C. Rodd and Dawson. Subsequently he practised as John Dawson and Son until March last year, when he retired, after having built up a very large practice. A close friend of the late Sir John Robertson and Sir Alfred Stephen, Mr. Dawson was familiarly known as "Honest John." As a philanthropist, he bountifully assisted deserving objects. He had much to do with the establishment of the Industrial Blind Institution, in Boomerang-street, of which he was a trustee, and he held a similar position in connection with the Necropolis, St. Luke's Church, Burword, and Christ Church, Sydney. At the time of its re-organisation, the volunteer movement received enthusiastic advocacy from him, and he was for years captain of the old South Sydney Volunteer Company. Though offered a safe seat on several occasions, the deceased gentleman never took an active part in politics.