John Alexander Smith

John Alexander Smith (1813 or 181413 June 1889) was an early figure in colonial New Zealand. Setting up one of the earliest stores in Auckland, he established the Auckland Museum in 1852. After leaving for Napier, Smith was a member of the Hawke's Bay Provincial Council from 1863 to 1867 and 1875–1876. In Napier, Smith was known as a philanthropist, funding the Napier Hospital.

Biography

Smith was born in England around the year 1814. Little is known about his early life, other than being employed for the East India Merchant Service. He arrived in Auckland in 1841 as a merchant. The first print reference to Smith in New Zealand is from July 1841, advertising his bonded store on Fort Street, then the foreshore of Commercial Bay on the Auckland waterfront. Smith also set up a soap and candle factory, and experimented with flaxmaking and dye extraction. although the pieces from the exhibition did not make up any of the early museum collections.

Smith's wife died in 1869, after which he spent time in England, promoting New Zealand to potential new colonists. He once again served on the Hawke's Bay Provincial Council from 1875 to 1876.

Smith died in Napier on 13 June 1889, aged 75. He was buried in the old Napier cemetery.

Personal life

Smith married Elizabeth Kinnear at St Paul's Church in Auckland on 7 May 1842. They had no children together. Elizabeth died in 1869.