OBITUARY

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21042, 19 February 1940, Page 6

OBITUARY

MR WALTER THOMAS SMITH \ Special to Times) AUCKLAND, Monday Mr Walter Thomas Smith, founder of the firm of Smith and Brown, Limited, died at the age of 72. Born at Stroud, Gloucestershire, Mr Smith came to New Zealand at the age of 21, landing at Auckland. For about a year he was employed by the cabinetmaking firm of Brown and Sons, a family which had also come from Stroud. He then began in the cabinetmaking trade on his own account in premises in Upper Symonds Street, being joined 18 months later by Mr J. Brown, a son of his former employer, and the present partnership was thus formed. For many years Mr Smith was on the executives of the Auckland Employers’ Association and the Auckland Furniture Trades’ Association. He was a member of the Masonic Brotherhood, and had been made a life-memoer of Lodge Auckland. Keenly interested in sports, Mr Smith was particularly devoted to bowling. He was a foundation committeeman of the Epsom Bowling Club and remained on the committee for 30 years, being later made a lifemember. For several years he was the club champion. As a young man he played cricket and all his life was an enthusiastic Rugby supporter. Mr Smith married Miss Addie Stone in 1898. He is survived by his wife, one son and one daughter.