Obituary

Manawatu Times, Volume 63, Issue 74, 29 March 1938, Page 3

Obituary

MR. JOHN T. SMITH, OF FEILDING Another of the long-standing figures in the public life of Feilding in the person of Mr. John Thomas Smith, of Camden street, passed away on Sunday after a residence of over 50 years in the borough. As storeman of the railway goods shed at Feilding, the late Mr. Smith came into contact with almost everyono in the district and many will regret the passing of one whose lifelong service in the Railway Department was indisputable evidence of a loyal and hard-working servant. The late Air. Smith, who was 77 years of age, was born in Wales and as a youth arrived on the Manchester Block to engage in the pioneering work then in progress. From road making he proceeded to join the railway service which was then penetrating into the land to become known as Feilding. He was one of the first porters at the old Palmerston North station when it was in the Square and from there he became a shunter. Later he was transferred to Feilding as storeman in the goods shed, where he remained till he was 65 years of age when he retired on superannuation. His position as storeman in the goods shed brought him in contact with everyone in the district, for with the railway the sole means oi getting goods to Feilding the whole population of the district at some time or other gravitated that way and here it was that Mr. Smith’s genial Welsh nature and unfailing good humour made him not only an identity of note but a universal favourite.

Apart from his w r ork ou the railway Mr. Smith had one absorbing recreation and that was with the Feilding Brass Band as it was known in those days. He was one of the foundation members of the band and with the late Mr. Sam Dawc took a loading part in all its activities. It says much for the enthusiasm which prevailed in the early days—net cnlv of those at the head of affairs but of the rank and file —that two or three times a week all members walked through the bush tracks and across swamps with the light of a lantern their only guide to Air. Sam Dawe’a house in Hobson street for practice. Some came from as far away as Taonui and Alt. Stewart, and a walk home through a wintry bush at a late hour nt eight and for such a distance as some members had speaks volumes for the interest of those who did it and also for those who inspired it. There is little to wonder in the fact that in those days the Feilding Baud was the pride of the township, and in the death of Air. Smith tho band loses one whose association with tho colourful past did much to put the combination on a sound looting. He showed an interest in the Salvation Army Band also, and led this band out on tho day it made its first appearance in public. The tales he could tell of the early history of the band and its members were legion, and it is unfortunate that such infinitely personal and valuable records were not compiled from such au enthusiastic source and recorded for all time.

Other than his activities with the band Air. Smith took no part in public life, but lie was a keen and proficient gardener, being an expert grower of grapes. He married Miss Harriett Ward, a member of a well-known family ou the Awahuri road. Air. Ward had the distiuctiou of establishing the first hop gardens in the Feilding district. The marriage was the second one solemnised in the Anglican Church at Feilding, the officiating Alinister being the Rev. Joshua Jones, then vicar. It will be remembered that Air. and Airs. Smith celebrated the golden anniversary of their wedding about two years ago, a large gathering of the family and relations marking the happy occasion. There were four sons and three daughters of the marriage and of these the surviving members are: Airs. T. 11. Compton, Auckland; Airs. S. Aloore, Feilding; and Alessrs. Thomas Smith, Palmerston North, George, Feilding, and William, Wellington. Airs. Dick (Emily) and Air. Alf Smith predeceased their father. Twelve grandchildren and one greatgrandchild are also left and to these and other members of the family the sympathy of all will go out in the loss of one whose unassuming demeanour and willingness to assist helped materially towards the comfort and well-being of residents and also of the progress of the town, particularly in the days long since past.