Title: The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Author: Cyclopedia Company Limited

Publication details: The Cyclopedia Company, Limited, 1897, Wellington

Part of: The Cyclopedia of New Zealand

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

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Dawson, Joshiah, Electrical Engineer, 14 Princes Street, Wellington. Telephone, 714. Bankers, National Bank of New Zealand. In January, 1895, Mr. Dawson entered into business on his own account, as above. Born in the world's metropolis in 1860, and educated at a private technical school at Islington, he served his time in the engineering department of the Great Northern Railway Company, completing a term of seven years. Mr. Dawson came to New Zealand via Australia, crossing over the Tasman Sea to Wellington in the ill-starred “Tararua,” and arriving in April, 1880. For some time after landing, he undertook such casual work as could be obtained, the age of electricity not having arrived. It may fairly be said that Messrs. Edgar A. Ashcroft and Co. Limited, introduced electric lighting into Wellington, in which Mr. Dawson assisted as leading fitter during the three years that firm continued in the Empire City. When the Gulcher Company arrived, Mr. Dawson accepted employment as electrician, a position which he retained till the transfer of the business to the New Zealand Electrical Syndicate, with whom he continued, remaining altogether with the two companies about seven years. On founding the present business, Mr. Dawson took over the fitting staff from the syndicate, and has been able to find steady work for them up to the time of writing. He has done the principal part of the electrical work in Wellington, either on his own or on the Companies' behalf. While employed by them, he completed the following installations :—The Wellington Junior, Central, and Working Men's Clubs, the Free Public Library, a good deal of the Government Life Offices and of the Parliamentary Buildings, the Longburn, Wanganui, and Wellington Freezing Works, besides many others. Since commencing business, he has installed the Government Departmental Buildings, the Supreme Court Library, the New Commercial Travellers' Club, Messrs. E. W. Mills and Co.'s new warehouse, Mr. Kirkcaldie's residence, and a great many others. Having completed arrangements whereby he is able to supply the latest and finest designs in electric light fittings, Mr. Dawson is able to contract for large or small installations. Several very flattering press notices have appeared from time to time respecting the work executed by this well-known electrician.