Edward Metcalf Smith

Edward Metcalf Smith (10 January 1839 – 19 April 1907) was an armourer and Liberal Party politician in New Zealand, and an advocate of the development of Taranaki's ironsand and oil.

Early life

Smith was born on 10 January 1839, in Bradley, Staffordshire, England. His father Charles Smith was a sculptor, and his mother was Maria Joiner. He arrived in New Zealand in 1861, initially as an armourer for the New Zealand Wars.

Political career

Smith served as an MP in the New Zealand House of Representatives, representing the New Plymouth electorate from 1890 to 1896, and then the Taranaki electorate from 1899 to 1907. In the 1896 general election, he came second to Henry Brown, the conservative candidate for the new Taranaki seat, and was not represented in the 13th New Zealand Parliament.^[1]

Smith was one of the characters of the house, known for misplacing aspirates and for concluding speaches with his own verse. He became known as “Ironsand Smith”, lamenting the “hiron hores lying on the beach and never a man to work them”, and for introducing himself as “Hi ham He Hem Smith. Hem Haitch Har.” Apparently a buffoon, he was a hardworking member, and Seddon often had him follow – and deflate – serious-minded opposition debaters. His attire – a frock-coat, wide waistcoat with buttonhole, and out-of-doors a tam-o’shanter was unconventional.^[2]

Death

On 19 April 1907, Smith died from injuries he received from a fall from a railway carriage in New Plymouth. He was survived by his seven sons, three daughters, and his wife Mary Ann. Smith's son, Sydney George Smith later followed in his political footsteps and became the MP for Taranaki.

References

• The New Zealand Liberals: The Years of Power, 1891-1912 by David Hamer (Auckland University Press, 1988) ISBN 1-86940-014-3
• techhistory.co.nz Bio
• The Saga of New Zealand Steel
• Lambert, Ron. 'Smith, Edward Metcalf', 1839 - 1907, Dictionary of New Zealand Biography