PICTURESQUE CAREER

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 79, Issue 228, 28 September 1935, Page 10

PICTURESQUE CAREER

MAORI WAR VETERAN’S DEATH. [ Per Press Association. J AUCKLAND, Sept. 26. The death has occurred of Captain Charles Ross CholniGiiftoley Smith, a veteran of the Maori wars, at the age of 101 years. -In his young days he was considered tire lines!, exponent of swordsmanship in New Zealand. Captain Cholmondcley Smith had been associated with New Zealand life since 1854, when he came to Auckland in the ship William Denny with his father’s family. Born in Sydney, he was the son of Dr. Charles Edward Smith, noted London physician, who gave up his English practice and went to New South Wales in the early days. On coming to Auckland, where he intended to become a coach at St. John’s ■College, he was for a time master of the old parish school of St. ALarks, Remuera. The spell of soldiering then fell upon him. and he joined the First Infantry Battalion in 1855 as a sub altcrn under Captain Wynyard of the 58tn Regiment. He was transferred to the cavalry in 1858, and placed in command of a troop. Captain Cholmondelcy Smith learned his sword drill from an instructor of th<> 17th Lancers.

who taught him Io wield rapier, sabre, broadsword an.i lance. One of his prized possessions was a letter from Sir R. Heaton Rhodes, Minister of Defence at the beginning of the Great W’ar. paying a tribute to him for having expressed anxiety to he of service to his country during those davs of crisis.

In 1859 Captain Cholmondcley Smith married Miss Sarah Littlcdyke, daugh tor of Richard LittledvV, of York shire. Tn 1R74 ho took up the Glen Vnr property near Torbay, and oventuallv retired there. Mrs. Cholmondelov Smith died in her 90i’i rear after they had leer married f-r 70 years. Cap tain Cholmnndelov Smith is survived by five sens and two daughters.