Born in Sydney, Smith joined the Alliance Assurance Company as a young man in Australia.

[3] A left-arm spin bowler, Smith varied his pace subtly and was able to move the ball either way off the pitch.

[12] After moving to Christchurch Smith joined the Lancaster Park club, where he served as honorary treasurer and topped the bowling in 1893-94 with an average of 7.

[15] In December 1894, as a delegate from Hawke's Bay, he attended the conference in Christchurch at which the New Zealand Cricket Council was formed.

[19] At the time he expressed the hope that New Zealand players would in future be included in Australian teams to tour England.

[20] The headquarters of the NZCC being in Christchurch, Smith resigned from his position on the Council in late 1897 when he moved to Dunedin.