John T. Smith

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Poster, Federation University Historical Collection.

Background

John Smith was born in Sydney in 1861.[1] In 1854 John Smith was the Mayor of Melbourne.

Goldfields Involvement, 1854

Post 1854 Experiences

Obituary

DEATH OF MB. J. T. SMITH, MLA.
It is with much regret we have to announce the decease of Mr. John Thomas Smith, one of the oldest members of the Legislative Assembly, as well as one of the most prominent citizens of Melbourne. The event took place at his residence at Essendon, at a quarter past three a.m. on Jan. 30, and was not unexpected, as the deceasod gentleman had been in ill-health for a considerable period. It is several months since Mr. Smith's health began to fail him; and he was greatly troubled with an enlargement of one of his legs, but no danger was appre hended until a few weeks back, when he took a trip to Mount Eliza, but had to return. He was attended by Drs M'Crea and Turner, but they held out but little hopes of his recovery. His death was perfectly painless, and was actually due to an internal cancer. The flags at the Town Hall and other buildings in Melbonrne were hoisted half-mast high out of respeot to the memory of the deceased. Mr. Smith was born in Sydney in 1816. His first start in life was as a junior clerk in one of the New South Wales banks, and when twenty-one years of age he came to Viotoria; and was for some time connected with the Church of England Mission to the "Aborigines", whose station was at that time on the site of the present Botanical Gardens. Subsequently he established himself in business in Melbourne as a draper, and by the profitsof trade and various good investments in land, laid the foundation of a competency. From his earliest residence in Melbourne Mr. Smith took a great interest in municipal affairs, and first became a council lor in 1842, being returned at the head of the poll. In November, 1851, he was elected mayor for the first time, and notwithstanding the troublous times that then existed in consequence of the enormous influx of population consequent on the dis covery of the goldfields, he filled the office in such a satisfactory manner that he was elected to the same position in five consecutive years, Mr. Smith was enthusisatie in his loyalty to the English throne, and took an active part in a meeting held in Melbourne at the time of the Eureka riots. It was feared that an attack would be made on the Treasury, but in response to Mr. Smith's appeal to the citizens, over 2000 persons enrolled themselves as special constables. His exertions in the cause of law and order were on that occasion fully recognised by the then Governor, Sir Charles Hotham, and on a subsequent occasion he evinced his attachment to the mother country by refusing to take part in a meeting which appeared to him to aim at the severance of the colony from England. In 1858 Mr. Smith was sent to England by the City Council, charged with the special mission of convey ing their congratulations to her Majesty on the marriage of the Princess Royal with H.R.H. Prince Frederick William of Prussia. He was most gracionsly received by her Majesty, and his mission to England and the associations connected therewith were after wards one of the brightest spots in his memory. As a philanthropist the deceased gentleman occupied a foremost place. The Benevolent Asylum, the Orphan Asylum, the Melbourne Hospital, and many other local institutions devoted to charitable purposes, owe to him a large debt of gratitude for the interest he took in them, and while he believed that charity begins at home, he did not think it ended there, for his efforts in respect to the Indian Mutiny Fond, the Patriotic fund, and other similar causes for the relief of the poor and needy, procured for him the acknowledgment of the authorities in the old country. Mr. Smith was in his time a prominent colonial politician. He was first elected to Parliament, under the Old Constitution, in 1851, as representative of North Bourke. He resigned his seat, however, in 1853, in order to oppose Mr. Lachlan M'Kinnon for the constituency of Melbourne. He was successful, and retained his seat until the New Constitution, in 1856, when he was elected member for Creswick. Soon afterwards he became member for West Bourke, and has represented that constituency ever since, having been elected no less than seven times. For the past two or three years Mr. Smith has not taken a very active part in the debates in the House, but his presence has generally been noticeable on important divisions. He was a prominent member of the order of Freemasons, in which he held a high office, and his genial presence will be greatly missed by his brothers of the craft as well as by all who knew him.Cite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag

Notes

THE LATE MR. SYDNEY SMITH. Mr. Sydney Smith, whose death has just been announced, was the last of the three sons of the late John Thomas Smith, one of Melbourne's very early Mayors, and who is credited with having imported the first don key into Victoria. ... It was during Mr. Smith's Mayoralty that the Eureka episode occurred, and owing to a rumour that the diggers contemplated holding up the banks, the Mayor organlsed a force of 300 speeial constables to defend the financial institutions of the capital. In the meantime the short and sharp engagement between the military and the mlners took place, and the specials were not called upon to engage in hostilities. ...[2]

See also

Melbourne

Police

Further Reading

Corfield, J., Wickham, D., & Gervasoni, C. The Eureka Encyclopaedia, Ballarat Heritage Services, 2004.

References

  1. Melbourne Leader, 01 February 1879.
  2. Newcastle Morning Herald, 04 May 1918.

External links