Biography
| Parliament of New Zealand | ||||
| Years | Term | Electorate | Party | |
| 1855–1858 | 2nd | Wairarapa and Hawkes Bay | Independent | |
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."
Read more about this topic: John Valentine Smith
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