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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]

Councillor John Smith

Councillor John Smith, a representative of Te Aro Ward, was born in Newcastle-on-Tyne, and came to the Colony with his parents, per ship “Phœbe,” in 1843. Some few page 277 years later his father established the Vulcan Foundry, now carried on by Councillor Smith and his brother, and it was here that the boys learned their business. For many years before entering the council, Mr. Smith had been a prominent and popular officer in the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows, and the same qualities which brought him to the front in Oddfellowship gained and retained the respect both of his fellow councillors and the general public. In 1885 Councillor Smith was first elected, his candidature being on that occasion unopposed. At the general election in 1888 caused by the alteration of all the wards, he was placed second on the list, the first place being occupied by Mr. A. W. Brown, at that time an ex-mayor. This entitled Councillor Smith to sit for two years, and at the end of that time he was again returned. In 1893 he was beaten by Mr. C. T. Tatum, which caused some surprise, as Councillor Smith was being looked upon as a fixture for Te Aro Ward. The death of the late Councillor Petherick, who represented Te Aro Ward, caused a vacancy, and Councillor Smith was triumphantly returned. But for that unfortunate, and it is fair to say, unexpected break, Councillor Smith would have been the senior member of the Corporation, as indeed he was before the expiry of his third term. It is not too much to say that Councillor Smith is an exemplary municipal representative. He is punctual in his appointments, looks well after the interests of his constituency, and never forgets the general welfare. As a speaker he is concise and to the point, and in all things thoroughly straight. At various times throughout his civic career he has sat on the following committees:—Finance, Sanitation, Fire Brigade, City Reserves, Public Works, Electric Light, and Private Streets, besides a great many only temporarily set up for specific and definite objects. It will thus be seen that Councillor Smith has sat on all the Committees of the Council.

Councillor J. Smith, Junr.

Councillor J. Smith, Junr.