OBITUARY.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 10730, 30 October 1928, Page 6

OBITUARY.

Mil. JOHN SMAILL.

The passing of Mr. John Smaill, of Dunedin, a former highly esteemed resident of Gisborne, severs another l'nk with early settlement of Poverty Bay. He was an engineer and foundryman of much ability, and was a partner in the first foundry business in Gisborne-, Brown and Simall, whose! premises will be remembered by the older generation. A man of considerable ingenuity and of logical mind, he invented a number of articles in connection with engineering processes, and also gave his attention to the simplification of household tasks by mechanical means. He was an enthusiastic member of the Gis 1 Lrne Volunteer Fire Brigade, and for many years he watched over the engine, a beautiful piece of machinery to which lie devoted much attention and spare time. Indomitable courage and an apparent insensibility to pain were remarked in the late Mr. Smaill by his close friends, and it is told of him that when, isorne 40 years

ago he suffered a leg injury which necessitated the sacrifice of the limb/ he lost neither consciousness nor sensibility ,and directed the removal of the boiler which had pffmed himdown and smashed his leg to pulp. His display of coolness and courage on this occasion was marvellous. Essentially active, and constructive in character, the deceased developed

strong convictions on engineering •..practice and shop work. For these convictions he had the backing of a lifelong familiarity with machinery, for he came to New Zealand with his parents at the age of two years, and as‘soon as lie had acquired an education he joined the Otago Foui\sty, as an, apprentice, being the second apprentice, to complete his “time” J n New Zealand', His principal ih the Otago Foundry was the late Mr. William Wilson, a recognised authority on machine-shop work, hie went to sea after serving his apprenticeship, and reached the position of chief engineer on the Rotorua, long since sunk. He. left that post to come to GisUorne and join the late Mr. Brown in his foundry business here, where he resided for many years. . The late Mr. Sinai 11 leaves three sons, all of whom have followed in Ids footsteps as to their profession, and two daughters. The latter are Mesdames W. Lee, of Nelson, and E. Gabities, of Ashburton; the-sons are Mr. J. Laurence Smaill, superintending engineer of the Gisborne. Sheepfarmers’ F.M. and M. Co., Ltd»; *Mr. William A. Smaill, engineer at Messrs Berth wick’s works at Waitara; and Mr. F. S. Smaill, chief engineer at Messrs. Borthwick’s works at Hastings. MR P. MAHER.

After a short illness, Mr Patrick Maher, a well-known identity or Gisborne, passed away at his home in William Street on Sunday morning. The late Mr Maher, who was 60 years of ago, arrived in Gisborne with his parents in 1870, and has lived here ever since, during which time he was engaged in- the carrying business. He leaves a widow, one son, one daughter. Miss Mary Maher, one sister, Mrs Williams, and two brothers, Messrs . James and Frederick Maher, 'all residents of Gisborne, £o whom the greatest sympathy is extended. The interment took place at Tarulieru cemetery yesterday, the ceremony at the graveside being conducted by Father Murphy.