Mr. James Edward Hodson was Mayor of Blenheim for the years 1875 and 1876, and had previously served as a borough councillor. He was also a member of the Education Board, and other local bodies. Mr. Hodson was a pastoralist, but after disposing of his run he retired and lived in Blenheim up to the time of his death, in or about the year 1900. He took a leading part in Freemasonry, and was the first and only Worshipful Master of Lodge Reunion, No. 1956, English Constitution.