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Hawke's Bay Times, Volume III, Issue 156, 8 January 1864, Page 2 (Supplement)

Death of ('Ms. Sjiax/lfield. —We extract the following from the Southland News : —“ It is a mournful duty to record the death of one with whom we have laboured in a vocation preeminently connected with trie advance of the community at largo. We refer to the demise of Mr. George Smalllield, which took place on Monday last. Although ho had been in bad health for some considerable time past, the sudden nature of the event caused a shock to the feelings of his many friends. When wo consider the circumstance, we are constrained to think it is well that ‘ Heaven from all creatures hides the Book of Fate, All but the page prescribed—their present .state.’ As our readers are already well aware, Mr. Smallfield was one of the first proprietors

c£ the Southland, Nsxs ; and, till Within a fui'i’ night from the time of his occupied the position of editor of that journa'-g Connected from his earliest youth ■with the Press, he was in a man* ner wedded to his profession; and that ho had abilities of a high order, few will dispute. It would he impossible to estimate the benefits derived by the Province at large from his labours j suffice it to say, that whatever he did was done without affectation, and from a desire to promote the general welfare. His efforts were not put forth from selfish motives or for personal aggrandisement ; his ideas were not incalculated for the benefit of a few, but his study seemed to be to secure 'the greatest good of the greatest number.* Of the purity of his life'and hisj kindly nature there can be but one opinion. His was a disposition very seldom met with. If he could lend a helping hand to any one, it was done, without hesitation, and if his advice could be of service, it was freely given. In retiring from business, it was Mr. Smallfield’s intention to have visited some friends in Auckland. He has left no relations in this Province. Sequiesoat in 'pace''