“AN OUTSTANDING MAN.”

Taranaki Daily News, 29 November 1922, Page 4

“AN OUTSTANDING MAN.”

THE LATE MR. PERCY SMITH. FINE TRIBUTES PAID. A sterling tribute to the character and work of the late Mr. S. Percy Smith, of New Plymouth, was paid by several speakers at last night’s session of the Taranaki Archdeaconry Board. “Taranaki has lost the services, inspiration, and influence of a very great man in the death of Mr. Percy Smith,” tsaid Dr. A. W. Averill (Bishop of Auckland). “I do not think New Zealand quite realises yet. the asset she had in him. He was an outstanding man of the age, a man whose knowledge of Polynesian subjects especially was almost unique, while at the same time he was always a kindly, gentle and humble Christian, a faithful churchman, and was ever anxious and ready to do his bit to help the church at any time. I desire to offer my sympathy to tn* people of New Plymouth and Taranaki at the loss of such a man Taranaki is the richer for his life, his work, and his influence, and should be proud of his memory and what he has done. We can honor him most by trying to copy some of the many virtues he possessed. What a remarkable man, and yet so humble! We notice that all great men are always humble.”

Archdeacon F. G. Evans then moved: “That this board desires to express its deep sense of loss in the -death of our distinguished fellow* churchman and citizen, Mr. S. Percy Smith, and to place on record its appreciation of the splendid work accomplished by him as chairman of the Taranaki Trust Board.”

Mr. W. H. Skinner, in seconding, said that as a co-worker with the late Mr. Percy Smith, he felt that all that had been said was not only deserved, dul was also a fit and proper expression of what they all thought. When honors were given to men, mainly for political purposes, and Mr. Smith had been allowed. to pass, he thought, it a disgrace to those in authority. He had known Mr. Smith personally afi a lowly man who never pushed himself to the front, yet he was one of the best. Mr. Skinner said he seconded the motion with considerable feeling, as he had been such a close friend of the deceased gentleman, and felt that he had lost a man for whom he had great love and admiration.

Those present stood for a short time out of respect to the memory of Mr. Percy Smith.