OBITUARY Mr. Walter J. Smith

Grey River Argus, 2 September 1948, Page 4

OBITUARY Mr. Walter J. Smith

The death is recorded at Hokitika of Mr Walter James Smith, Sala Street, a well-known and esteemed resident, at the age of 68 years. . A native of Hokitika, he was by trad<* a ship’s carpenter and dredge pontoon builder, and was foreman for the Mines Department on the work of constructing the pipeline under the Taramakau River to mining areas on the north side of the river. Besides engaging in the building of pontoons for various dredges, he was also « member of the party of Dr Mclntosh Bell, the Canadian minerologist, who many years ago surveyed, the mining areas of the West Coast. In World War I he enlisted with the Third Reinforcements, and on Gallipoli was so severely wounded that his survival had been at first unexpected. As a young man the late Mr Smith was a prominent footballer, and captained the Hokitika senior team. He is survived by four sisters, Mrs L- McAlpine and Mrs A. Kassler (Napier). Miss Ethel Smith (Auckland), and Miss M. Smith (Hokitika). MR G. A. GIBSON The death occurred on Saturday at Christchurch of an old West Coas 1 resident, George Alfred Gibson. Born at Marsden Road, in 1875, he war the eldest .son of Mr Feter Gibson who was one of the earliest West Coast pioneers and one of the dis coverers of the Charleston goldfield The late Mr Gibson was educated at the Grey District High School, and at an early age joined his father in gold digging. At the age of 19, he left the West Coast to try his luck in the North Island goldfields and gum diggings After a short period in the North Island, he took up seafaring as a profession. He followed the sea for about 10 years during which time he travelled extensively, gaining a wide experience and a broad tollerant outlook on life which he not onlyretained, but enlarged unon with the passing of each year. During the Boer War he served aboad transports carrying troops from Australia to South Africa. Married in London in 1902, he returned to New Zealand in 1905 and was engaged at various occupations including the Otira tunnel and hvdraulic slucing at Barrytown. He ioined the Grey County Council in 1911 and remained with the council until his retirement in’ 1942. He was always readv and willing to assist his fellowmen in any way he possibly could and took a< keen and lively interest in most affairs. Among his varied interests he was a very keen and successful beekeeper and a member of the National Beekeepers’ Association. Always interested in politics he was a member of the Labour Party and a close friend of the late Member for the district, the late Hon. Jas. O’Brien An enthusiastic West Coaster, he was a, life member of the West Coast Old Boys’ Association. At one time he was' a member of the Barrytown School Committee and a member of the Rotomanu Hall Committee. He is survived by his widow and four children: George (Invercargill.' Horace (Wellington), Mrs H. Bennison (Invercargill), and Mrs M. Waldock (Christchurch).