SMITH, GEORGE HAROLD (1866-1936) was born at Masterton, the son of J. Valentine Smith (q.v.), and was educated at Nelson (1875-76) and Wellington Colleges. He studied law privately while at Patea and was admitted in 1888, commencing to practice forthwith in Pahiatua, and becoming a barrister in 1900. He was a prominent footballer, having been a Wellington representative player at 17 and captained the first West Coast touring team and the Wairarapa team. He also played for Taranaki. He was prominent too as a boxer, sprinter and cricketer, and later in tennis and golf. Smith was mayor of Pahiatua 1893-94. In 1916 he defeated R. B. Ross at a parliamentary by-election and sat for Pahiatua until 1919, when he retired. Smith died on 21 Apr 1936. He married first Emmeline, daughter of E. Meredith (Masterton); and secondly (1925) Mrs. A. H. Blake (Wellington).

Cycl. NZ, i; Pahiatua Herald, 22 Apr 1936; The Dominion, 24 Apr 1936.

Reference: Volume 2, page 158

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