Sydney Crompton Smith

[Most of the following factual information was gained from "The Cyclopedia of New Zealand (Canterbury Provincial District) and other historial records, with personal details provided by Doreen Wallace, Sydney's sister-in-law.]

Sydney was born in 1874 in Auckland, New Zealand, the youngest of four children born to Stephenson "Percy" Smith, historian and Surveyor-General of New Zealand, and his wife Mary Ann (nee Crompton).

Sydney was educated in Auckland and Wellington, and brought up to couutry life in Taranaki. He became one of the original Cheviot selectors, receiving his property in 1894. "Manuka Bay" farm in Port Robinson amounted to 720 acres, running over 700 sheep.

Sydney became acquainted with Ashworth family of nearby Gore Bay, when he assisted in the purchase of their house. Sydney became a part-time lodger at the Ashworth house, and later the Ashworth girls were regular visitors at the Port Robinson farm. [This would prove to be an undesirable situation - more can be read on Mary Ashworth's page.]

In February 1914 aged 39, Sydney married 18-year old Mary Ashworth at the Church of St Mary's in Merivale, Christchurch. Mary's sister and maternal granfather stood as witnesses. Mary was at that time pregnant with their first child. In July, Nancy Ashworth Crompton Smith was born at the farm, followed three years later by a brother Percy.

During the next four years relations broke down between Sydney and Mary, and between Sydney and the Ashworth family. Another daughter, Pauline, was born in 1922, but by 1924 the couple had parted company with Mary moving into a house in Springfield Road, Christchurch with the three children. Mary had another daughter, Josephine in 1926, and Sydney filed for divorce.

Sydney moved to New Plymouth, sending his two children, Nancy and Percy, ahead of him.