Smeeton, Herbert Mayne

- bn Leamington, Warwickshire c. 1862 d. Auckland 1927. Businessman and Politician. President Union 1923/4. Smeeton arrived in N.Z. in 1883 and began a suburban grocery business in Auckland that grew into a large department store on Queen Street. He was baptised at Mt Eden but made the Tabernacle his home, serving as Deacon and Treasurer and on the Board of Trustees. He taught a Young Men’s Bible Class and showed warm hospitality to these young men in his home. He served with the Y.M.C.A. as Honorary War Service Commissioner during World War One. As President of the Union Smeeton made the institution of a Baptist college his priority, leading the 1924 conference to the enthusiastic resolution that the College be established. He chaired the first College Committee and was one of the 7 financial contributors that allowed the idea to become a reality. Furthermore, it was his family home that became the original site for the College in Remuera. Smeeton was also involved in wider civic affairs in Auckland, on the Auckland City Council and as a Justice of the Peace. Ref.: Obituary NZB December 1927, 355.