Our First Senior Warden - William Henry SMITH

 

William Henry SMITH.  1854 - 1929

William Henry SMITH was born in in England in 1854, and came came to New Zealand when eleven years of age and learned the printing trade in the Wairarapa.  He was an apprentice at the age of sixteen and was earning 3/- a week at the "Wairarapa Mercury".

He founded the "Wairarapa News" in Masterton with Mr O'Mera in 1874.   Then was the Editor of the ‘Marlborough Times’ 1880-1882.

He married Sarah Navara Loasby in 1877.  They had two sons (Lt K.G. Smith who was killed at Passchendaele and G. Smith who died in the 1918 epidemic in New Zealand) and four daughters.

He came to Palmerston North in 1882 as Sub Editor of the ‘Manawatu Times’. He purchased the ‘Times’ in 1884 and turned it into a daily.  He owned the ‘Times’ till 1915.   Also during that period he purchased the ‘Rangitikei Advocate’ in Marton, and edited it for many years and was closely associated with it until his retirement in 1926.  

While owner and editor of the ‘Manawatu Daily Times’, he supported many important developments in Palmerston North.  For example he was instrumental in establishing the A. & P. Association. 

Bro. W.H. Smith was installed as Master of the Lodge on 12th December, 1883, and at the next meeting  a sour note was sounded.  One P.M. wrote charging a brother of unmasonic conduct.  The matter was eventually resolved by an apology and the acceptance of the same.  Harmony was restored. 

Finances of the Lodge were pretty tight, and one brother moved that the practice of supplying refreshments to members and visitors be discontinued.  Though the motion was lost, the Standing Committee was instructed to take a good look at the cost of refreshments. 

In 1884, as owner and editor of the ‘Manawatu Daily Times’ he supported establishment of the dairy industry of Manawatu.  Between 1891-1893, he supported the establishment of a hospital in Palmerston North. 

From all accounts Bro. Smith was a real character, and was the last survivor of the Charter members of The Manawatu Kilwinning Lodge.

He had a long and distinguished Masonic career, the pinnacle of which he reached on 8 May 1907, when he was appointed Junior Grand Warden. 

Bro. Smith's other fields of activity included the writing of pamphlets on the State Life Insurance and Public Trust, as well as holding an interest in swimming and gymnastics. 

He died in Palmerston North on 31 October 1929, aged 75.

Sources: 

• The MANAWATU KILWINNING LODGE No. 47.  'The EVOLUTION and the MEMORIES.  125th Jubilee 1883 - 2008' by V.W.Bro. John Livingstone, P.G.Lec., Chaplain and Bro. David Fountain, M.M.

• https://manawatuheritage.pncc.govt.nz/

• Marlborough Express  7.2.1877  &  National Library of New Zealand

• https://www.ancestry.com.au/family-tree/person/tree/38641616/person/142471169950/facts