OBITUARY

Southland Times, Issue 21773, 30 July 1932, Page 6

OBITUARY

MR WILLIAM SMITH WELL-KNOWN BUSINESS MAN WIDE INTERESTS One of the most widely known and highly respected citizens of Invercargill, Mr William Smith, Justice of the Peace, printer, of Esk street, passed away yesterday at his residence, 214 Tweed street, at the age of 82 years. Though well past the allotted span, his death came as a shock to his host of friends, for it was only as late as last Monday that he was his usual hale and hearty self. On Tuesday, however, he developed heart trouble—the first and last illness of his life—and failing to rally, he peacefully crossed the Great Divide. Though not bom here, the late Mr Smith’s association with Invercargill dates away back to the year 1859, so that it will be seen his life has really been bound up in the progress of this city. The deceased, who was bom at Campbell’s Barn, on the outskirts of Stirling in Scotland, arrived in the new settlement of Southland when but a lad of eight years, but he always retained a vivid impression of that occasion. He and his parents came from Dunedin in the paddle ship Geelong, which managed to navigate the estuary to a point considerably further up than the present jetty. The passengers had to be carried off the boats to dry land by the sailors, for at that time no attempt had been made at erecting a wharf. There were then nearly 200 dwelling places in the town, most of them roughly constructed of slabs of hewn timber. Mr Smith’s early education was obtained at Mr Macdonald’s school and the deceased then entered the employ of Mr J. D. Yule, a prominent draper here, with whom he remained for several years until he commenced business as an outfitter on his own account. In 1884 his premises were completely burnt out, but his indomitable pluck and resourcefulness refused to recognize adversity in any shape or form, and he again threw himself, body and soul, into the task of starting business afresh. In 1885 he established his printing business, but again he was dogged by misfortune, for he again suffered loss by fire in 1896.. “Nil desperandum,” however, was his motto, and, buttressed by a spirit which defiantly threw down the gage to the many “knocks” which he repeatedly encountered through life—discouragements which would have daunted a less determined man—he went ahead to make victories of his failures, and as a result of his grit he gradually built up his printery to its present successful condition. For many years after its inception he ably filled the position of president of the Southland Master Printers’ Association, at the meetings of which his executive ability was highly appreciated by his confreres. At all times tact, diplomacy and decision characterized his leadership and to these essential qualifications in a chairman he also brought a keen critical mind and a faculty of observation. As a master printer, too, he controlled one of the best equipped job printing offices in the Dominion, and the standard of work turned out from his printery brought him more than local admiration. Probably the best job completed by Mr Smith was the late Dr. McNab’s “Murihiku”— the history of South New Zealand. Social and Sporting Interests. In the social life of Invercargill, the deceased always took ungrudgingly his full share of responsibility and any work which had as its object the furtherance of the welfare of the community ever found in him ready support. For over 60 years he was a prominent member of the First Presbyterian Church of which he was a deacon and always a regular attender. As a boy, Mr Smith saw the procession of the Masonic brethren on its way to perform the opening ceremony in connection with Lodge Southern Cross—the oldest in Invercargill. He had joined the order two years previously and continued to take an active interest in Masonic affairs right to the time of his death. Indeed he was acknowledged to be the oldest active Mason in Invercargill and he has held every office in the gift of his brethren. “It was only last week that he. was among us and he will be greatly missed by the fraternity,” said a prominent Mason last night. On the light side of life, too, he had an active association in swimming, football, cricket, golf and other sporting activities. As a volunteer and rifle shot he held a brilliant record in his younger days and annexed the rifle championship of Southland in 1893. As a cricketer, too, he was a batsman of no mean prowess and found selection in the Southland 22 which played against the first English XI to visit Invercargill. It seems almost incredible that he still remained an enthusiastic golfer even at his mature age, but such indeed was the case, and in the published draw for the second qualifying round of the Queen’s Park Club’s championships this afternoon, his name appeared, conveying an eloquent tribute to his sportsmanship and remarkable health alike. In 1875 the late Mr Smith married Miss E. Henderson, a sister of Mr Walter Henderson of this city, and his wife survives him. Of the five children of the marriage l , four are still-alive, namely, Messrs T. H. Smith (a member of his father’s firm, which he joined when 10 years old), Arthur Smith (Auckland) and the Misses Mabel and Amy Smith. An Old Friend’s Eulogy. “Billy” Smith was one of Nature’s gentlemen,” said Mr J. L. McG. Watson to a Times reporter last night, when referring to the death of. his life-long friend. “I can remember his holding me in his arm, when I was quite a child, and I shall miss him greatly. He was a fine sportsman,” continued Mr Watson, “and he it Was who first taught me to ride a bicycle and to play golf.. As a member of the Invercargill Cricket Club, too, I used to play with him at the good old game.” Mr Watson said that Mr Smith’s business premises formerly adjoined those of Dr McNab and himself (Mr Watson) and between them a friendship was kindled which grew warmer with the passing of the years. “Dr NcNab and ‘Billy’ were keen rifle shots and many an afternoon they would go down to the. range to try conclusions against each other,” said Mr Watson. With an influence always for the good he was indeed a marvellous fellow in every sense of the word. I’ve never, known him to suffer even from a headache and only as late as last Sunday he was taking round the collection plate at the church. It is not generally known, either, that he was quite a good singer and he has helped the First Church choir, on many an occasion in its practices. Of a .genial, and kindly nature, he was always full of humorous , anecdotes and .had a rich store of reminiscences upon-which to draw.”