SMITH, HUGH GARDEN SETH (1848-1935) was born at Balham, London, and educated at University College, London, and at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he took a scholarship (1870) and graduated B.A. in 1871 (as 14th wrangler in the mathematical tripos) and proceeded M.A. Called to the bar of the Inner Temple (1873) he came to New Zealand in 1881, and in the following year was appointed district judge and resident magistrate at Auckland. In 1887 he became chief judge of the native land court. Resigning in 1894 to visit England, he came back to private practice until 1904, when he was again appointed chief judge. Smith took a deep interest in education, science and church matters; was a member of the council of Auckland University College and the Grammar School board; first president of the Polynesian Society, and chancellor of the Anglican diocese of Auckland (1898-1925).

He married (1884) a daughter (d. 1887) of the Rev Frederick Larkins; and in 1897 Emily Mary, daughter of the Rev A. G. Purchas. He died on 24 Nov 1935.

Who's Who NZ, 1908, 1932; N.Z. Herald, 28 May 1904, 25 Nov 1935.

Reference: Volume 2, page 158

🌳 Further sources