New Zealand. Royal Commission on Confiscated Lands, 1927

Date: 1908-1983

By: Smith, David Stanley (Sir), 1888-1982

Reference: MS-Group-1991

Description: The papers mainly relate to Smith's public, legal and university life. In addition there is a small collection of the papers of The Reverend John Gibson Smith (David Smith's father), of Margaret Elizabeth Smith, nee Gibbs (Smith's second wife) and of May Ives, who worked for the Smith family for almost 40 years. Source of title - Supplied title Other - Some materials in Russian Arrangement: The papers have been arranged into fourteen series Smith, a law graduate from Victoria University built up a large Maori land practice. In 1928 he was appointed to the Supreme Court, finally retiring in 1950. In 1927 he represented the Natives during the Confiscation Commission and in 1934 chaired the Royal Commission to Investigate Maori Affairs which involved the resignation of Sir Apirana Ngata as Native Minister. From 1935 to 1936 Smith was on the Senate of the University of New Zealand, and in 1956 as Chancellor he visited universities in the USSR. He chaired the Royal Licencing Commission 1945-1946. From 1950 he was involved in a large amount of public service and pro bono publico work Quantity: 533 folder(s). 16 box(es). 6.50 Linear Metres. Physical Description: Holographs, mss, typescripts and printed matter (some photocopies) Finding Aids: Inventory available. Transfers: Collection as a whole taken into Manuscripts. Transfers made from there. - To Drawings & Prints Collection - Japanese book of drawings and paintings from the Nanga school, reference number E-944. - To Oral History Collection - Audio cassette: Sir David Smith recalls Thorndon; interview made by Bill Saunders in 1977, reference number OHColl-1056-1. - To Photographic Archive - Mainly black and white photographic prints, many of which are portraits of Sir David Smith, reference number PA-Group-00748..