Obituaries Australia

Mr. Francis [Fergus] Jago Smith, M.L.C., died at his residence, Hawthorne, Bathurst, shortly after 9 o'clock last night after a long illness. His age was 81 years.

Born in 1843 at Molong, he was the son of the late Mr. John Smith, M.L.C.. Gamboola, near Molong, and of Llanarth, Bathurst, and was educated at King's School. He associated himself with pastoral pursuits, eventually sharing with his brother, Mr. Lance Smith, in the management of Gamboola, which had been handed over to the two brothers by their father. He married Miss Emily MacHattie, eldest daughter of the late Dr. MacHattie, on January 25, 1866, and made a home in Bathurst. Thirty years ago he won the West Macquarie seat against Mr. W. P. Crick, and later was elevated to the Upper House. Until his health failed, Mr. Smith made a point of spending four days a week in Sydney, attending to parliamentary and other business. He was on the board of the Bank of Commerce and the Wallsend Coalmining Co.

He was a great reader, and in the early life he travelled the world, being particularly interested in Egypt, where he spent a great deal of time. Mr. Smith was well informed on Egypt's ancient and modern history, and his extensive library contained many rare copies of works on archaeology and Egyptology. He was also well versed in international affairs and in finance. In Bathurst he gave much of his time to the affairs of the Church of England property trust and in other works of the diocese, being closely associated with the late Bishop Camidge, and for years as an active member of synod. He was a splendid field shot and horseman, and was always prominent in the big kangaroo, wallaby, and hare drives held at Rock Forest, in the Bathurst district. His death took place on the anniversary of his wife's birth, and of their wedding day. Mr. Smith leaves no children. He was the eldest of a family of 11, including Mr. Lance Smith, of Boree; Lady Innes, now in England; Mr. Edwin Ambrose Smith, of Glen Rock, Nellagol, near Wellington; Major Claude Smith, of Leura; Mrs. R. D. Barton, late of Esrom but now of Bathurst; Mrs. H. E. Holt, of the North Shore line; Mrs. Charles Barton, of Wellington; Mrs. Marsh a'Beckett, of Roseville; Mrs. Jessie a'Beckett, of Glenrock, Wellington; and the late Mr. Wallace Smith, of Gamboola, Molong.