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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Otago & Southland Provincial Districts]
Mr. Edward Kinnersley Smythies
Mr. Edward Kinnersley Smythies , one of the partners in the sawmilling firm of Trail Brothers and Smythies, manages the office work of the firm at the office in Palmerston Street, Riverton. He was born at Onehunga, in 1857, and educated in Dunedin at Shaw's School—of which Mr Robert Stout (now Chief Justice Sir Robert Stout) was assistant master—and at the Dunedin High School. After leaving school he went to England, where he was clerk in a merchant's office for four years. On returning to the colony, Mr Smythies went into the coal trade in Dunedin, and afterwards acted as manager of claims or mines at Switzers, Nokomai, and Preservation Inlet, for some time before settling at Riverton, where he joined Messrs Trail Brothers in establishing the Pourakino sawmill in 1899. Mr Smythies is a member of the Riverton Borough Council, and also of the Hospital Trust, a member of the committee of the Riverton Racing and Athletic Clubs and vice-president of the Riverton Rowing Club. He was married, in 1891, to a daughter of the late Mr. William Rutherford, of Edinburgh.