John Valentine Smith
Encyclopedia
John Valentine Smith was a New Zealand
landowner, militia leader, and politician
.
Smith was a significant figure in the Wairarapa
region, owning the prominent Mataikona and Lansdowne runs. He was elected on 26 November 1855
to represent the Wairarapa and Hawkes Bay electorate in the 2nd New Zealand Parliament
, but resigned on 10 March 1858 before the end of his term. He did not serve in any subsequent Parliaments.
Smith was also the leader of the local militia, holding the rank of Major. In the 1860s, he gained attention for his push to construct a stockade
at Masterton
to defend against possible Māori attack. Many people, including Isaac Featherston
, the Superintendent
of Wellington Province
, believed that the construction of stockade would make conflict more likely, but after much work, Smith was able to convince the government to fund the project. The construction, however, was plagued with difficulties, and the final result was unsatisfactory. The stockade never saw action, and has been termed "Major Smith's Folly."
New Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
landowner, militia leader, and politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
.
Smith was a significant figure in the Wairarapa
Wairarapa
Wairarapa is a geographical region of New Zealand. It occupies the south-eastern corner of the North Island, east of metropolitan Wellington and south-west of the Hawke's Bay region. It is lightly populated, having several rural service towns, with Masterton being the largest...
region, owning the prominent Mataikona and Lansdowne runs. He was elected on 26 November 1855
New Zealand general election, 1855
The 1855 New Zealand general election was a nationwide vote to determine the shape of the New Zealand Parliament's 2nd term. It was the second national election ever held in New Zealand, and the first one which elected a Parliament that had full authority to govern the colony.-Background:The first...
to represent the Wairarapa and Hawkes Bay electorate in the 2nd New Zealand Parliament
2nd New Zealand Parliament
The 2nd New Zealand Parliament was a term of the Parliament of New Zealand. It opened on 15 April 1856, following New Zealand's 1855 election. It was dissolved on 5 November 1860 in preparation for 1860–61 election...
, but resigned on 10 March 1858 before the end of his term. He did not serve in any subsequent Parliaments.
Smith was also the leader of the local militia, holding the rank of Major. In the 1860s, he gained attention for his push to construct a stockade
Stockade
A stockade is an enclosure of palisades and tall walls made of logs placed side by side vertically with the tops sharpened to provide security.-Stockade as a security fence:...
at Masterton
Masterton
Masterton is a large town and local government district in the Wellington Region of New Zealand. It is the largest town in the Wairarapa, a region separated from Wellington by the Rimutaka ranges...
to defend against possible Māori attack. Many people, including Isaac Featherston
Isaac Featherston
Dr. Isaac Earl Featherston was a New Zealand politician, and was known for his advocacy for the establishment of New Zealand self-government, and the importance of the provincial governments.-Early life:...
, the Superintendent
Superintendent (politics)
Superintendent was the elected head of each Provincial Council in New Zealand from 1853 to 1876.-Historical context:Provinces existed in New Zealand from 1841 until 1876 as a form of sub-national government. After the initial provinces pre-1853, new provinces were formed by the New Zealand...
of Wellington Province
Wellington Province
The Wellington Province was a province of New Zealand until the abolition of provincial government in 1876.-Area:...
, believed that the construction of stockade would make conflict more likely, but after much work, Smith was able to convince the government to fund the project. The construction, however, was plagued with difficulties, and the final result was unsatisfactory. The stockade never saw action, and has been termed "Major Smith's Folly."