Smith, James William Norton (1846 - 1911)

James William Norton Smith (1846-1911), manager, was born at Nailsworth, Gloucestershire, England, son of Richard Smith. After an agricultural education he managed a sheep-run in New Zealand and was appointed manager of the Van Diemen's Land Co. in July 1869; he arrived in Tasmania in October to find its land-leasing business depressed. He soon perceived the importance of Burnie on the company's north-west Emu Bay block, and advised that it join the government to develop the port facilities. This decision began a career in which he sought to attract population and capital to the company's lands and the Tasmanian north-west coast region.