MR. W. BURNS SMITH

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 27, 1 August 1938, Page 11

MR. W. BURNS SMITH

Mr. W. Burns Smith, an old and highly respected citizen of Otaki, died at' Otaki recently.

Born at East Linion, Scotland, in 1862, Mr. Smith attended the Moray House Teachers' Training College and the Edinburgh University before coming out to New Zealand to an appointment at the Carterton School. In 1896 he was appointed headmaster at Ohariu Valley School, and six years later accepted the headmastership of the Otaki School, where he remained until his retirement 22 years later.

On retiring on superannuation Mr. Smith took an active part in civic affairs in Otaki, and was a borough councillor for a number of years, part of the time as deputy Mayor. Some years ago he was secretary of the Tararua Track Committee, which was instrumental in putting the now popular track across the Tararuas.

Mr. Smith was a foundation meniber of the Otaki Bowling Club, and gave yeoman service on the Otaki library committee. During the whple of his period of residence in Otaki he acted as recorder for the Meteorological I)e----partment. He was appointed a Justice of the Peace in 1925.

The funeral took place at Otaki on Wednesday, when there was a large and representative gathering, particularly of old boys of the school, a number acting as pall-bearers. There was a large number of floral tributes among which were wreaths from the Mayor and burgesses of Otaki, the committee, staff, and pupils of the Otaki School, the bowling club, Otaki Fire Board, Department of Agriculture, and the Presbyterian Church.