TARANAKI’S M.H.R.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8792, 20 April 1907, Page 2

TARANAKI’S M.H.R.

Killed by a Railway Accident,

Press Association. New Plymouth, April 19.

Mr Edward Metcalf Smith, M.H.R. for Taranaki, died at the hospital to-night as the result of a railway accident this morning. He had been in ill health for some time, but felt considerably better this morning, and was attending to some business, Ho boarded tho 11 o’clock train at Eliot street for town, standing on the railway carriage platform. As tho train was rounding a curve bo was. seen by a letter carrier on the road to fall between the carriages, it is presumed in a fit of 'giddiness. Miraculously bo fell between the rails, and the wheels did not pass over him, but ho received severe bruises and laceration of tho head and face, being dragged some distance by the under gear. The accident was not noticed by anyone on the train. When picked up ho was conscious and his painful injuries were attended to on the spot. He was subsequently removed to tho hospital in a dazed state and a protracted operation was performed to relieve the concussion, but without effect, Mr Smith succumbing m the presence of bis family shortly before eight o’clock. Mr Smith represented Now Plymouth from 1891 till 1896, and Taranaki electorate from 1900 to the time of his death. He was 68 years of age, a Taranaki pioneer and one of the province’s most enterprising spirits. With efforts to develop the *iron-sand industry and petroleum he has been prominently connected over 10 years, indeed almost his whole life and fortune were dedicated to tho former. With tho removal of “Little E.M.” New Plymouth loses its most familar figure.