Very Rev. John Smyth,
VICAR-GENERAL of the R. C. denomination, died in Adelaide, June 30, 1870, aged 47. Born in 1824 at Kilmore, Westmeath, Ireland. Received his elementary education at Mr. Brady's classical school, Cavan, from which he went to the Diocesan Seminary of Navan in 1846. In. the following year he entered the college of the Propaganda at Rome, and was ordained as priest on June 10, 1852. He arrived in South Australia in May 1853. After the death, of Dr. Geoghegan he was appointed Administrator Apostolic^ which important position he retained until the arrival of Dr. Shiel as Bishop, who made him his Vicar-General. He was stationed in Adelaide, but often visited the country districts on the occasion of the opening or the laying of the foundation-stone of churches, and he accompanied the Bishop to the Provincial Synod at Melbourne in 1868, where he was appointed Secretary. By his conscientiousness, uniform kindness and tender regard for the feelings of all with whom he came in contact he won the affection of every member of the clergy and laity. Vicar-General Smyth was known and respected beyond the pale of his own church, having taken an active part in matters affecting the well-being of the colony. As a preacher and platform orator he possessed an amount of eloquence and earnestness that were always effective.