THE LATE MR. E. M. SMITH.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 22 April 1907, Page 2

THE LATE MR. E. M. SMITH.

OJISKQL'IAL AIUUXtiKUf KTS - - t' ll il ILITARI FI'XERAi, ORDERED. | M| I ill, 'i'llis afternoon the Imily of the late ''''■ Mr JO. 11. Smith will bo l'aid in its last jJI 'vsting place in the To llcnui cemetery uf ivitll lull military honors, tin- Aeting-Mini-tcr lor Defence having oil fiaiur- 11 ' lay night wired instructions to that 'fleet. Orders have thereunder nvn isued to the Headquarter s u I'umpanii's and the Garri-on Hand I'.' lo musier at the Drill llall C 1 prior to 2 ii.m., in full dress, including "• helmets, to take part in the sad cereni'oriy, and no doubt there will lie a full muster of volunteers. His Worship the .Mayor, Mr 10. Dockrill, respectful,)- ie(|iieS(s (lie burgesses (shop-keepers and employers ol' laliorj 1 ' to close tlioir premise- as a mark of respect. and lo enable llie employees, numbers of whom have expressed iheir desire to attend, to pay their respects lo their late .Member. 0 'l'll,-' Government will be official : v re- 11 presented at the funeral by the Acting- v Premier (the lion, liall-.lones), the K Hon. .las. Carroll, Nmjvo Minisler, and J ( lie J lull. ii. McNali, iMiiiistcr for Lands, j The two former are d.nj by special train j from Wellington, arriving hel'e shortly S1 after 10 a.m. this morning, and the |' Hon. ill' McNab arrived by boat early ' this morning from Onehunga. ' All the Wes'c C'oasl members of 'both ' Houses of the Legis.irtiire, and others who can arrange to be present, have | notified tiiat they will attend to pay a last tribute of respect to a lamented colleague. Tile funeral will leave the deceased's late residence in Devon street at half past two. MESSAGES 01'' OONDOLENCE. As evidencing the universal respect and esteem in which the late Meni)ber was lield ill and out of Parliament, considerably over two hundred telegraphic messages liatve already been received by the widow. Amongst Ihe more representative iu the long list are messages from— THE PREMIER, who cabled.— "We are deeply grieved sad news loss your dear husband. Sinccrest sympathy from us all. —J. G. WARD (London)." THE ACTJNG-PREMIER. '•J was greatly shacked oil my arrival here 'lo hear of the death of 'the your dear husband. *l<Voni the news which reached me yesterday i was hopeful injuries were not serious. Unfortunately they were worse than anticipated. You have lost a dear and devoted husband, and the colony a man who throughl his public life devoted his services to the progress and improvement of his feilow colonists. Accept the heartfelt sympathy of myself and colleagues in your irreparable loss. Thy,-"Only consolation to you is tha\ you will meet, again. May God help you to say, 'Thv will, not mine, be done.' —\vm. 11ALL-JONES (Wellington)." ATTORXIO V-G EX ER AL "It is with profound regret 1 have heard of the sad event of your husband's accident and death. The colony loses a, faithful servant and the Hou-e of Representatives one, itu most conscientious members. My wife joins nie in condolence. —,1. G. FINDLAY (Wellington)." MINISTER FOR LANDS. "Was deeply grieved to hear yesterday from the Acting-Fremier of ilio dentil of your husband. Did not think when speaking to him on the platform on my trip North that il was the last occasion I would have the pleasure of seeing and shaking hands with him. Accept my heartfelt sympathy at the

loss you have sustained by his death. 1 liope to-morrow to he present and pay 'J a tribute of respect 'lO Ms memory j- ROBERT McNAB (Auckland)." y MINISTER FOR MARINE AND LABOR "Am exceedingly grieved : to learn of 1 the sad death of your husband ami my old friend, and desire lo tender to yourself and family my sincere and heartL ' felt sympathy. Taranaki has indeed '' lost a "worthy and faithful representaI; live—J. A. MILLAR (Wellington)." MINISTER FOll EDUCATION. "I desire to tender my sincere sympathy Ho yon in your sad bereavement. Taranaki lias lost a good friend by thu deaulx of your esteemed husband. —GEO. • FOWLDS (Christehurcli)-" p MINISTER FOR MINES. u "Please accept my deepest sympathy • ill your sad bereavement.—JAMES Mc- " (!OWAN (Wellington)." 'i MINISTER FOR NATIVE AFFAIRS, i "Deeply grieved lo learn that your • beloved husband and my dear ohl friend ' has been so suddenly called away. His • death is a loss not only to 'Taranaki, • but the colony. 1 have known him ' many years and always respected him 1 for his" energy and thoroughness and the whole-hearted manner in which he J performed his public duties and fought for what he believed to bu righ'i. ■ 1 ' trust 'the knowledge that his memory will long remain green in the hearts ot ' iiis many friends throughout the colony wili In'ing you some consolation in . iiiis votir hour of supreme sorrow.—J. ' CARROLL (Wellington)." TIIE SPEAKER. "Mrs Guiness joins with me in ex- : pressing sympathy with you and your family in your sad bereavement. —A. . R. GUINNESS (Ciremouth)." OPPOSITION LEADER. '■Please accept my Sinccrest sympathy

I iii your bereavement. Though on the l '> opposite side of politics to your late '■ husband, 1 recognised and appreciated v his many good qualities, and regret his 0 death accordingly.—V.'. K iIASSEV (M.1i.1i.)" FROM COLLICAGVIiS. o "Dear Mrs Smith,—T tender you and vriur family my fullest sympathy in the t irreparable loss you have sustained, i, Few Knew your late ,unhand better 0 than myself, and knowing him was to appreciate the many sterling qualities of '• heart and minil that lie possessed. All d who knew him will mourn with you.— e C'. E. MAJOII (M.li.li.)'' I- "Accept from Mrs !Jym<« nail *elf our heartfelt sympathy and condolence " in your sad bereavement and irreparII rable Ioss.—W'ALTKH SYM.ES (U11.R.) s Similar messages, expressing deep 1 sympathy and kind remembrance were ! received from:—lion. tf. Harris (Auck--1 land; John .McLachlan, M.H.R '■ (Dovlestown); Sir William Steward, ' j].11.11. (Waiina'tc); h. Huddo, M.H.R. (I.inwood); T. 11. Oavey, M.11.R. (Chrislelmrch); W. Barbel", J1.11.11., (Wellington); A. K. Remington, M.11.K. (tinngitikei); A. Hogg. ALII.II. (Maslertou); C. lbirdy, M.11.11. (Rakaia); I'. M. B. Fisher, M.11.R. (Wel- ' lington; Alf. Ki.ld, M.11.R. (Auckland); George WiUy, M.11.R. (Christ- ; church); J. G. W. All ken. AMI .It. (Wcllin"ton); T. K. Sidey. M.11.R. (Dimedin); .T. T. Hogan, M.11.R. (Wanganni); John Stevens. M.11.R. (Foxton); •T. T. M. ITornsby, M.H.R. (Onrterton); A. R. Barclay, M.TI.R. (Dimedin). LIBERAL FEDERATION. "Accept the deepest sympathy of the Liberal and Labor Federation of New Zealand ill your sad bereavement. In Mr Smith the Federation loses a true friend. —E. (lALLICHaN,, General Secretary (Te Aro)." "l'Vel deeply grieved oil 'learning' sad news. Our sincere-.t sympathy is with ■on all, ami Ave trust that God in bis oodnc.-s will give von strength in this our hour of trial—lt. J. S. ,SEI.)1)0N." "Very sorry to read of tile sad acricnt to our old friend, and truly and ecply sympathise. with you and yours .1 your great sorrow, Try and keep a rave heart. Our ihongh'is are with on.—JAMIE SKimONV' "Sinccrcst sympathy with you all. .indest regards.—SWAßT SE'dDOX." "Very pained at sad news. Accept :>;irlfelt sympathy in great sorrow.— ARY' SEDDON." "Mv deepest sympathy to vou all.— A;Y SEirim 1 ."" Sorry indeed to learn of death of my >ar father's old friend. Mv sympathy ith you aII—LOUIE MOIiICK." (Ne'e idilon). "Southland railway men sympathise itli yon and vours' in your sad beavenient.—M. THOMAS." "Sincerest sympathy in your great liWv.-YIXCKN'r WARD.'' '"Accept my deepest sympathy in ur bereavement. Tarannki's ' foreisf fighter now at rest.—N. J. KING Tayor o{ Stratford)." Amongst' a long list of similur wires

of condolence wore messages from— W.I JO. Spencer, Wellington; Adjutant Dickens (S.A.), Ciisborne; ucv. Joh» A'i*on. 1 ''"'isttli iticli; J. P. U'Kegan, exII.I!. Wellington; Colonel Collins, •llington; Colonel li. 11. Danes. Wein'l'!"; Captain Coiitts, liangiriri; ix D. King, Waiiii; '.Mrs .las., "l.'aul, i •nlieini; E. (;, Allswortil, Onelmnga; 1). llolilsuorUi, Auckland; '.Or and ';■) Bennett, Hlcnheim; and incr-sages from family friends. At SI. Joseph's Claireli on Sundav J!ev. father McJlamis made feclrelcrcuce to llie death or the lale r. i:. M. Smith, and to the maimer in «ch lie had carried out Ids duties as a . man . referring; lo him as a •hkhl iiM'ii The least they could do wa"» to mpatlnse with (he widow in the sad id sudden liereavcment. i'JSK&S XOXiCIiS. All llie Saturday papers thai have 'ached lis contain complimentary ce- of the late Member. A spirit, of indly remembrance runs through tiiem I. The New Zealand Times nay*;— l'llosc who had watched Mr Smilh't u'eer in Parliament, and knew tiu lert, vigorous If,tie Member in i,j, irlier days must have been struck lasl essinn with his jaded appearance. Jll uls then a sick man. 'Do yon know, c said to the wriler one night alter j :ccn debate in the House, 'f can't tak< mrt in ihe talking as I used to. I xhausts iik', and 1 have to lake care o nysclf. Hut there's plenty of work slil eft in me. and I don't neglect my cor ititucnts." lie had recovered from severe illness. The old fighting spiri u liini was gone. There was lio moi Familiar ligure within the preeinis i Parliament ithan K M. Smith, win rarely without, his frock coat anil whil waistcoat and a large buttonhole, w; thoroughly popular with everyone. 1 was a great talker in his best dnys''grant" in the sense that lie was a

wajb «u eiibuiuuiiiiis njji:.in.Bi , tue n K i comedian—if one may respectfully :t ply the term —of the House. He was consistent Liberal. Sprung from tl ranks, bis voice was often heard in tl fence of the rights of tile people, ai in this advocacy lie was genuinely si core, for he bad "gone through the rail ol' daily toil. From borough lamplight and turncock he attained the positii of a Parliamentary representative, ai this lie could not have done witho possessing' the confidence of his folic men. People laughed when New PI mouth sent him to Parliament, but won bis political spurs as a member 1 sheer hard work for his constituent Mr Smith was a most amusing speake lie had a good sense of humor, and tli he used occasionally with excellent i feet in bantering the Opposition wh they took up their bludgeons. Nothii annoyed the Opposition more than find that K. M. Smith was put np reply to an important speaker, but tl was a way the late Mr Seddon h when he desired to belittle the Oppo lion at times when 'barrack' was dee etl the most suitable weapon. Mr Smi loved his Taranaki—"the garden of Zealand, he often told ns, with its in sand, its oil, anil its grand scenery, labored diligently in his desire 'to bri the Wealth of that district before t notice of the outside world. 'Come a see 111 V show of Taranaki iron n steol,' be said to the -writer at the ti of the llawera Exhibition, some ve: ago. And there, in a large stall, exhibited with pride it great <|iiant of material manufactured from Ihe eal deposits, and he spoke of the t mentions mine of wealth which there undeveloped. One day some gi will result from his persistent ailvcr; ing of Taranaki's resources. . Tie v popular wi'lli his fellow-nijembers Parliament —none, perhaps, more i They will miss his flashes of pod with which he invariably interlart and concluded his speeches, and tt will extend their warmest sympntii with the widow and children. Tarn ki bus lost a useful citizen and Pari mcnt, an interesting figure."

THE INQUEST.

An inquest was held 011 Saturday afternoon before Mr W. G. Riddel), coroner, iSergt. Haddreil representing the police. Me A. H. O'Jjonghlin, stationmaster, watched the proceedings on behalf of the Railway Department. John C. Smith, sou of the deceased, who had been summoned to the scene of tiie accident, and who lmd assisted in taking his father to the hospital, deposed that since the accident at Ilenui three years ago, his father had been failing in health and subject to fainting litu recently. Witness could not have been surprised if his father had dropped down in the street at any 'time. I'oberl I'. Styles, guard of the train, said the deceased boarded the train at Kliot street and stood 011 the rear platform of the earriagt next the guards van. He did not know of the accident until Inter, but knew there was a curve in 'ilie line ju»t where the accident occurred.

Mrs Annie Waters, residing in Leach street, said she saw tile train pass, ami saw a man standing oil the platform of the last carriage, holding by the guard-iron®. He put his head down as though about to enter the guards' van. lie fell on the track. Witnesses deposed as to the finding of the hody, and Dr Leatham, medical superintendent at the hospital, state-d tnat at the time -of admission Mr Smith was almost uneon.seions. lie hail a severe contusion on the left side of the face, a severe bruise ami wound on one hand, two severe scalp wounds at 'the hack of the head, and an injury to the left hand, lie was suffering much from shock. The wounds were attended to, and the patient rni-j lied considerably. A.boin two o'clock he relapsed into unconsciousness and the symptoms -of shock became more pronounced He died ahont 7 p.m. heath was duo to the injuries received, the immediate cause being hemorrhage of the brain.

The verdict was "accidental death.' and the jury added a rider thai they desired to lender their sympathy to the bereaved family.