More Info →William Henry Smith

William Henry Smith was a journalist and newspaper proprietor in Wairarapa, Blenheim, Palmerston North and Marton. He was born in in england in 1854, and married Sarah Navara in 1877. They had two sons (Lt K.G. Smith who was killed at Passchendaele and G. Smith who died in an epidemic in New Zealand) and four daughters. After arriving in New Zealand, Smith worked on the "Wairarapa Mercury", founded the "Wairarapa News" in Masterton with Mr O'Mera, and was the Editor of the "Malborough Times" in Blenheim. In 1882 he came to Palmerston North as Editor of "The Manawatu Times" and was owner of that paper from 1884 to 1915. In 1896 he purchased the 'Rangitikei Advocate' and was closely associated with it until his retirement in 1926. Mr Smiths's other fields on activity included the writing of pamphlets on the State Life Insurance and Public Trust, as well as holding an interest in swimming and gymnastics. He died in 1929, aged 75.