The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954)(about) |
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Thursday 15 March 1917
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DEATH OF MR. ROBERT
SMITH.
The death occurred in a private hospital early yesterday morning, at the age of 71 years, of Mr. Robert Smith, a well-known city solicitor and senior member of the firm of Norton, Smith, and Co., of O'Connell-street.
Mr. Smith had been in indifferent health for some time, suffering from heart trouble, but it was not until about two weeks ago that his condition was regarded as serious. He was twice married, and by his first wife, a daughter of the late Captain Fullerton, of Watson's Bay, he had one daughter, now wife of Dr. Orr, of Melbourne. His second wife, a daughter of the late Mr. J. H. Bettington, of England, survives him, and is now in Eng- land. By her he had three sons and one daughter-namely, Mr. Ulric Smith, an engi- neer of Coventry, England; Captain Yoric Smith, of the 66th Punjabis, India, who acted as military censor in Mesopotamia, and re- cently returned to India after visiting Aus- tralia on sick leave; Corporal Ivan Smith, of the Royal Engineers, now serving in France; and Mrs. Mitchell, of England.
The funeral will leave St. Stephen's Church, Phillip-street, city, at 9.30 o'clock this morn- ing for the Field of Mars Cemetery, Ryde.
The late Mr. Robert Smith was one of the leading mercantile solicitors of the city, and founded the present firm of Norton, Smith, and Co., which he conducted as the most active member up to the time of his death. Mr. Norton was subsequently appointed to the Legislative Council, and became Postmaster-
General In the Stuart Ministry.
Mr. Smith was appointed solicitor for the University, which office he retained up to his death. He acted for several years as Crown Solicitor during the illness and for some time after the death of Mr. John Williams, who held that office, and he also acted as solicitor to the Railway Commissioner during the time of the late Mr. Eddy, and was specially in- structed to conduct several important rail way cases, notably the celebrated Proudfoot
case.
As an active and enthusiastic golfer Mr. Smith was a prominent figure, occupying the presidential chairs of both the Hunter's Hill and the University golf clubs at different periods. At one time ho took an active in- terest in municipal affairs, and for a number of years was Mayor of Hunter's Hill, where his late residence, Lyndcourt, was situated. Many years ago he was a member of the Sydney School of Arts Debating Club, together with Sir George Reid, Sir Wm. M'Millan, and others. He was a man of the hlghest charac- ter and reputation, and was held in the great- est esteem by the members of his profession and by all who knew him. He was born in the year 1845 at Kyeamba, on the Murrum- bidgee, his father, the late Mr. John Smith,
being; a very early colonist.
The deceased received his primary education at home, and then proceeded to Sydney Uni- versity, taking the degree of B.A. in the year 1864. At the University he was contemporary with the present Chief Justice of the High Court (Sir Samuel Griffith), Mr. Justice Hey- don, the late Mr. C. E. Pilcher. K.C., and the late Mr. J. H. Want, K.C. In due cource he took the degree of M.A., and on leaving the University he entered the ofilce of his brother, the late Captain Charles Smith, whose firm was known as McDonald, Smith, and Co., of Hunter-street, the successors of Salter and Co. Later he entered the office of Roxburgh, Slade, and Spain, and was articled to the late Mr. G. P. Slade, and after the breaking up of that firm he joined Mr. Slade in partnership, carrying on business for a number of years as Slade and Smith. In the year 1879, after Mr. Slade's retirement and departure for Eng- land, Mr. Smith joined the late Mr. James Norton, who was then carrying on business in Elizabeth-street. In the 'Seventies Mr. Smith was recognised as the strongest chess player in New South Wales, and took an active part in the management of the Chess
Association.