MR J. H. SMELLIE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2817, 11 March 1908, Page 29

MR J. H. SMELLIE.

We regret to announce the death of Mr John H. Smellie, of the Ofcago Iron Rolling Mills which took place on the 9th, after a brief illness. The deceased gentleman was founder of the Otago Iron Rolling Mills. of which he acted in the capacity of managing director. He was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1854, and with his brothers was apprenticed to the Great Central Railway Workshops at Manchester, England. At 28 years of age ho b>came foreman of the works at Warrington, and was subsequently sent to Carnforth, in the North of England, to erect and manage new iron workshops, where he remained for three years,- before leaving for New Zealand in 1885. Mr Smellie was instrumental in bringing out to New Zealand a complete ironworks plant, and so gave another important industry to the Dominion. With his thorough knowledge of the iron industry and his alert; methods, Mr Smellie'fi help was invaluable, and it is in a large measure due to him that the Otago iron mills occupy their present high position in the industrial life of New Zealand. The late Mr Smellie -was married in the Manchester Cathedral in 1875 to a daughter

of Mr A. M'Lean, of Glasgow. His' wife] predeceased him by five years, leaving three sons and five daughters. The deceased was of a genial disposition and highly esteemed by all who knew him. He was an enthusiastic bowler, being one of the oldest members of the Green Island Bowling Club; and it ie safe to" say that his presence on the club green will be greatly miseed. It may be mentioned that little more than a week ago he played -for his club against St. Kilda. and registered c record score. Deceased was well known for his benevolence, and 'his sympathies and practical support could invariably be depended upon in cases of need. THE LATK MR VAN ASCH. DISTINGUISHED DEAF-MOTE - TEACHER. (From Oub Own Cobrespondent.} CHRISTOHURCH, March 6. Mr Gerrit Van Asch, formerly principal of the Deaf Mute Institution at Sumner, died in Holland on Wednesday. The first intimation of his" bad health was received on Tuesday by his son, Mr 18.. C. D. "Van Asch, and on the 6th a cable announced the death, which was due to hemorrhage of the' brain. The deceased gentleman was a Hollander by birth, and was in his seventy-second year. TBLis life was devoted "to the study of how to ,overcome and to minimise the afflioticta of deafm-ss and to gain experience "in the various methods of teaching and training deaf mutes he visited several of, the most important schools in Europe, and especially those for articulation and lip-reading in Germany. In 1859 he introduced the pure articulation system into England, where he carried on a private establishment for the education of deaf mutes in a 6uburb of Manchester, avoiding all signs and finger language and employing spoken language and lip-reading only as a means of instruction and communication. Later he removed his school to Barnet, Herts, and afterwards to London. He arrived in New Zealand in 1879, and settled in Sumner, where, under engagement to the Government of New Zealand, he established the school for deaf mutes, which he controlled with conspicuous success for over a quarter of a centuvv. He left on a world tour in 1906. visiting England and the Continent, and he was expected back in the Dominion next September. He leaves a widow, five sons, and four daughters.