Title: The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Otago & Southland Provincial Districts]

Author: Cyclopedia Company Limited

Publication details: The Cyclopedia Company, Limited, 1905, Christchurch

Part of: The Cyclopedia of New Zealand

License: Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 New Zealand Licence

Share:

Mr. Thomas Harold Rawson , M.I.C.E., Secretary, Treasurer, and Engineer to the Dunedin Harbour Board, and formerly engineer to the Westport Harbour Board, is the third surviving son of the late Dr T. E. Rawson, M.D., of New Plymouth. He was born in London, in 1851, came out to New Zealand in 1859, and was educated at the grammar schools of Auckland and New Plymouth, and at Nelson Colege. Mr. Rawson entered the Public Works Department as an engineering cadet in 1872, and was engaged on extensive road and railway works in North Otago and South Canterbury, and in the Wanganni, Manawatu, and Taranaki districts. He conducted exploration surveys over about forty miles of difficult country, and finally located the line, and supervised the construction of about thirty miles of railway in the Wanganui district. In 1891 he was transferred to Greymouth as resident engineer and engineer to the Greymouth Harbour Board, and while in that position he completed the Greymouth-Hokitika railway, and extended the Greymouth breakwater. Mr. Rawson was transferred, in 1894, to Westport as resident engineer and engineer to the Westport Harbour Board, and while so engaged he completed the railway line to Mokihinui, and carried out extensive harbour works, including training walls, dredging, and wharves He was appointed to his present position in November, 1898.