SMITH, JOHN VALENTINE (1824-95) was born at Malta, his father being engaged under the Admiralty there. Educated at an English public school, he came to New Zealand in the late forties and about 1850 took up the Lansdowne property near Masterton. He represented Wairarapa and Hawke's Bay in Parliament (1855-58) and took a vigorous part in the demand for separation for the new province of Hawke's Bay. He was a justice of the peace and an enthusiastic volunteer officer, being captain of the Masterton Rifles in 1863. He was also connected with the Mataikona and Annedale runs, near Castlepoint. About 1883 Smith left Wairarapa to live in Patea, where he died on 10 Feb 1895. (See G. H. SMITH).

N.Z.P.D., 1855-58; N.Z. Times, 13 Feb 1895.

Reference: Volume 2, page 159

🌳 Further sources