George Patton Smith
Perhaps this Scottish gentleman was attracted by the discovery of gold. He was born atBerwick-on-Tweed in 1829 and arrived in Melbourne in 1855. He was a linen draper at Sandhurst until 1857. After this period he settled in Melbourne and began a career in journalism, first for the Age, then, the Argus, where he assisted Wilson Gray as law reporter. He rejoined the Age and then studied Law.
He was admitted to the Bar in 1861. He had been a friend of David Syme but this friendship was severed by acting on behalf of E.Langton in a libel case against the Age.
George Paton Smith was elected to the Legislative Assembly in 1866 as the representative for South Bourke as a Liberal and a Protectionist.
For one year in his first term of office, 1868-1869, he was the Attorney-General of Victoria.
He served until 1871 but did not seek re-election. However, he was re-elected 1874-1877. In 1877 the electorate of South Bourke was divided and Mr. Smith was elected for the Boroondara portion.
He died on 9th December 1877.
Bernadette Waldron writing in 1976 08 DTHS Newsletter
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