OBITUARY.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1068, 6 March 1911, Page 4

OBITUARY.

HON. W. C. SMITH, M.L.C. (By Tolegraph-'l'reGs Association.) Napier, March 5, The. Hon. W. Cv Smith,- M.L.C, died at Waipukurau this afternoon at 1.30 after ten days' illness, tho cause of death being pneumonia. Deceased was G7 years of age. [The Hon. William Cowper Smith was born in London on December 28, 1843, and was educated at the Royal Grammar School, Barnel (England). He arrived in New Zealand on .Inly S, 1802, and was a mem bo of the YVaipukurau Road Board from 1877 to 1895, being chairman of that body from 1879 onwards. He was a member of the Waipukurau Eoad Board from 187!) to 1805; member of Waipawa District Hospital Board 1880-05, chairman 18SG-01; member of the House of Representatives for Waipawa electorate 1.881-03; Government Whip for Ballnnce Ministry 1801-03; member of the Legislative Council from 18H5; Chairman of Committers. Legislative.Council, 1002, 1005, and 1907.] MR. ALFRED ASHBOLT.

Many will regret to learn of tbe death of Mr. Alfred A'shbolt (for over a quarter of a century associated with'tho history of cricket in Wellington), which took place at his residence, College Street, at (5.30 o'clock last evening. Up till Thursday last Mr. Ashbolt had enjoyed normal health, and was still active, mentally and physically. On Friday morning ho experienced a severe attack of vomiting, which burst a small blood-vessel on the brain, and this caused unconsciousness and subsequently death. L'ccsased, who has long been a familiar figure in Wellington, was 03 years of age. He was born in Cuba Street, Wellington, and savo for a few years- spent in Christchurch has resided here continuously. He went south as a boy, and served his apprenticeship as a compositor and printer in the office of the Christchurch "Prtss," where he was for a time associated with tho late Mr., A. A. K. Duncan, also recently deceased. On his return to Wellington about thirty years ago, Mr.- Ashliolt joined the staff of the "New Zealand Times,'.' then published in the old office on the site of the T. and G. Assurance Company's office! on Lambton Quay. There ho became head printer, a position which he retained up till a year or two ago. Since then he has been associated with the day staff in the ■ samo office. In cricketing circles the news of Mr. Ashboll's death will be received with very great regret. When he came from Christchurch some thirty years ago, he joined the old Phoenix Club, nud played good cricket for it for a number of years. At the same time, he look a very active part in administrative matters in connection with the game, as a member of the Wellington Cricket Association, of which ho was subsequently elected a life member. After retiring from active cricket, lie still preserved his old enthusiasm for I lie game, and season after season officiated as umpire in senior, representative, and interState cricket, and proved himself of the utmost value as a selector of Wellington and Now Zealand representative teams.

Mr. Ashbolt, whose wife died about three yrars ago, leaves a family of six -three '•■■nn" nml three daughters. The foils nrc Mes=r.=. Alfred Ashbolt (of Jones and Co. Ilobait), Mr. l-ranlc Aslibolt (town traveller for Messrs. Whiteombe ami Tombs, Wellington), and Mr. Leslie Ashbolt (malinger for Pearson's Proprietary, Melbourne). Miss Ashbolt resides with her eldest brother in Melbourne, and Miss.es Lily and Elsie Ashbolt. live in Wellington. The interment will bo private.