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The Cyclopedia of New Zealand [Wellington Provincial District]
Smith, Benjamin, and Company
Smith, Benjamin, and Company (Charles Wilcox Smith and Joseph Godfrey Holdsworth), Land, Estate, Financial, Insurance, and General Commission Agents, 40 Lambton Quay, Wellington. Telephone 575; P.O. Box 51. Bankers, Union Bank of Australia. This business, the first of its kind established in Wellington, was founded by the late Mr. B. Smith, father of the senior partner, in 1871. The firm are agents for the provincial district of Wellington for the Norwich Union Fire Insurance Society, a position which they have held continuously since the company commenced business in the Colony about twenty years ago. They are also public officers for the society in New Zealand. Messrs. Smith and Co. are also agents for the Government Life Insurance Department. They also act as agents for absentees, and do a considerable business in buying and selling city, suburban, and country properties. Mr. C. W. Smith was born in Liverpool, and came to the Colony in 1854 per ship “Carnatic” Mr. Holdsworth is a native of New Zealand, where he was educated. He has been known in business circles in Wellington from his early days.