John Valentine Smith

John Valentine Smith (1824 – 1895) was a landowner New Zealand, a chief of militia and a politician.

Smith was a notorious figure in the area of Wairarapa, having the runs (ranches) of Mataikona and Lansdowne. He represented the electorate of Wairarapa and Hawkes Bay in the 2nd Parliament of New Zealand (open on April 15th, 1856), but resigned before the end of his mandate. He was not member of any following legislature.

Smith was also chief of the local militia, holding the row of the commander. In the years 1860, it drew the attention for its militancy in favor of the construction of a palisade with Masterton in order to be defended against a possible Māori attack. Many people, including Isaac Featherston, superintendant it of the Province of Wellington, believed that the construction of the palisade would make more probable one conflict, but after much work, Smith could convince the government to finance the project. Construction was however enamelled difficulties, and the end result was insufficient. The palisade forever on the occasion to be useful and was called “the madness of the commander Smith. ”

External bond

page of Masterton Library District on the palisade of Smith

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