ORDAINED IN 1863.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 365, 5 March 1932, Page 15

ORDAINED IN 1863.

Death Occurs of the Rev Jasper Smyth. RECORD OF , SERVICE. The death occurred yesterday afternoon of the Rev Thomas Jasper Smyth, aged ninety-two, at the home of his daughter, Miss H. M. Smyth, Esplanade, New Brighton. Mr Smyth, who was ordained in 1863, probably had more years of service to his credit than any other Anglican clergyman in the world. Undoubtedly he held the record in the Dominion. He was born in 1839 in the parish of Drinagh, County Cork, Ireland, and his father was the rector of Tullagh, in the diocese of Ross. Educated at Trinity College, Dublin, he took his B.A. degree in 1860, and M.A. in 1865. 'He was ordained in 1863. His first appointment was as curate at Castle Vantry, Ireland, 1863-64. In 1864-65 he was curate of Widnes, Lancashire, and from there he went to Australia as curate at the Mount Gambier Church, South Australia. After staying a year there, he was appointed as vicar of Christ Church, Kapunda. From 1871 to 1873 he was vicar of St John’s, Adelaide, and then returned to Ireland, where he became rector of Rathbarry, County Cork. Mr Smyth came to New Zealand in 1881, when he was appointed curate at Riccarton. Later he became vicar of Te Ngawai, which included the districts of Pleasant Point, Fairlie and Burke’s Pass. He was vicar of Akaroa in 1892. In 1903 he took up his last parish, Lincoln, and retired, in 1913. The parish of Lincoln then included Springston, Greenpark and Tai Tapu. After Mr Smyth’s retirement, he went to Stewart Island and took charge of the church there. He was well known to the islanders, and became extremely popular. In his yacht he made visits to outlying islands, and did good work among the Maoris. Mr Smyth during the past three years lived with his daughter at New Brighton, and his exceptionally tall figure (6ft 2in) was well known in the borough. He assisted with the morning services at St Faith’s. He is survived by one son, the Rev H. M. Smyth, vicar of St Peter’s, Onehunga, and three daughters—Mrs E. Cockburn, Sydney; Miss D. Smyth, Wellington; and Miss H. M. Smyth, New Brighton. His wife died in 1928.

The funeral will take place at Papanui on Sunday, at 2.15 p.m. Bishop West-Watson and Canon T. A. Hamilton will conduct the service.