FAMOUS BANDMASTER DEAD

Taranaki Daily News, 28 August 1930, Page 11

FAMOUS BANDMASTER DEAD

KILLED BY AUCKLAND TRAMCAB. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. Head injuries which caused death in a few minutes were received by Mr. Christopher Smith, conductor of the Auckland Municipal Band, when he was knocked down by a city-bound tramcar in Hobson Street to-night. “I saw Mr. Smith crossing the street and sounded the gong to warn him,” said Motorman J. Pollard. “He hesitated and then stepped forward on to the line. I applied all the brakes and although the car was pulled up almost immediately Smith had been struck and was underneath.” An examination showed that Mr. Smith was lying length-ways under the car, the lower portion of his body being on the safety guard. He had to be lifted clear. An ambulance was called and was conveying the injured man to hospital when he died. The principal injury was a fracture of the base of the skull. The jaw and left arm were also hurt. Passengers on the car said the car was not moving fast at the time and that the motorman pulled up with great promptitude after the gong was sounded. A bandsman of over 40 years’ experience Mr. Smith was appointed to organise the Municipal Band in July’, 1924. He was selected from 28 applicants on account of his exceptional experience with famous bands and orchestras as player, trainer and conductor in England and Australia. He was for four years conductor of the fam--.oup-'Besses o’ 1 the Bairn Band: , He. leaves flwwidowi; and -..two .adult children.