Sudden Death of "Vince"

Smith Melanesia's Best-known Commercial Traveller

THE death occurred very suddenly, at Manly, Sydney, on October 8, of Mr. Vincent George Smith, the best-known commercial traveller in the Western Pacific. He sold his goods all over the Pacific, but he most frequently was seen in the Melanesian Territories, where for nearly 30 years he had been a welcome and frequent caller upon traders and storekeepers. He was only 52 years old. He leaves a widow and two daughters.

Mr. Smith (universally called “Vince Smith” and “Smithy”) went first to the Islands as representative of Thomas Brown & Sons, Ltd., the big Queensland firm, about 1914; and, after many suc cessful years, he transferred to William Gardiner & Co., Ltd. (later, Sargood Gardiner Pty., Ltd.). Then he rejoined Thomas Brown & Sons, for a time.

But his best-known and most success ful work was done as the free-lance representative of Nestles, Dewars, Pater son Laing & Bruce, and Gillespie Bros., Ltd. He helped to establish the products of those firms very soundly in the Paci fic Territories.

When the Pacific war dislocated Paci fic trade, Mr. Smith became a partner in Messrs. C. Sullivan & Co. —a happy move, because his experienced but still youth ful mind was in harmony with the energy and enterprise of a young Islands trad ing firm. His untimely death is a severe loss to Mr. Sullivan.

Vince Smith was a lovable, kindly man; and, while he made friends everywhere, he had no enemies. He had a quaint sense of humour, but no malice. He spoke ill of no one; and he was ready, at all times, to extend his personal help and encouragement to any fellow-mortal.

After the war, the BP ships will not be the same, without the friendly, wel coming grin and busy little figure of Vince Smith.

Mr. V. G. Smith in 1938.