Obituaries Australia

Mr. Alexander Smith, for many years head of the well-known Victorian firm of Pearson, Rowe, Smith and Co., stock and station agents, died in Melbourne recently, aged 65 years. Born in Ayrshire, Scotland, he arrived in Victoria with his father and other members of the family when only four years old. He was educated at the Scotch College, and had for schoolfellows two other well-known Victorians connected with the stock and station business, Mr. George Howat and Mr. Edward Trenchard.

In 1867 Mr. Smith went direct from school into the office of Dalmahoy, Campbell and Co., where again Mr. Howat and Mr. Trenchard were his companions. Here he remained for some years, and then left to join the staff of King and Cunningham, of which he later on became a partner, and acted as sheep salesman. When in 1887 an alteration in that firm took place, Mr. Smith became a partner in the firm of Pearson and Rowe, which then subsequently traded as Pearson, Rowe, Smith and Co., as at present.

Mr. Smith was a man who devoted himself thoroughly and conscientiously to his business, and was gifted with splendid energy, keen judgment, and a wonderful memory in all things pertaining to stock and property that passed through his hands. He was popular with all classes, from the large holder to the small man, and all respected his word and gave him credit for fair, honest dealing.