OBITUARY

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 207, 27 May 1920, Page 4

OBITUARY

MR. C. R. SMITH. General and widespread regret vrill be expressed at the news of the death of Mr. C. R. Smith, formerly general niaimger in Now Zealand for the Assurance Company, which took place at Auckland on Tuesday. Having been in indifferent health for some tinio past, Mr. Smith deckled that a sea trip might be beneficial, and loft for San Francisco a few weeks ago. He and Mrs. Smith only 'proceeded ns far as Honolulu, when, as the termor's health became worse instead of better, it was decided to return to New Zealand by the first steamer. They arrived back in Auckland last week, there being still no improvement in Mr. Smith's condition, and ho sank gradually. The deceased wa9 born in Sydnev in 18M, and joined the staff of tho Alliance Company in 1831. In the '80's ho oame to New Zealand on preferment, and 1890 saw him established »9 manager at Napier. Two years later he went to Christchurch as chief clerk, and in 1897 lie was promoted lo tho position of manager at Dunodin. In 1900 he became manager in Wellington, and since 1910 lias occupied tho position of general manager. Mr, Smith was a valued member of the. Underwriters' Association, and was hold in high esteem in insurance circles throughout New Zealand as a man of ripe experience and mature judgment. Ho was on ardent patriot. In Duucdin he was one of tho first to espouso the Navy League, and on coming to Wellington he retained his interest in that body, doing valuable work on the local council for a number of years. No one with a legitimato cause to plead, patriotic or philanthropic, appealed to Mr. Smith in vain, and from tho time the Belgium Fund was commenced until it was wound up, he was a regular visitor to \The Dominion office as a contributor. He was one cf the citizens' representatives on tho committee of tho local Returned Soldiers' Association, and was an earnest member of the-Y.M.C.A. As a young man he was a fine cricketer. He represented Otogo when at Dunodin, and was a. member of the long-defnnot Rivals Club in Wellington. The deceased leaves a widow, but no family.