HART, ROBERT (1814-94) was born in London. After his primary education, he commenced to attend lectures at University College in 1830, one of his lecturers being Dr Dionysius Lardner, who gave experiments with electric sparks. Hart was in Paris during the revolt of 1830. He was articled in 1831 to W. R. King, Serjeant's Inn, and attended law classes at University College.

In Aug 1843 Hart arrived in New Zealand and commenced forthwith to practise in partnership with A. T. Holroyd, who had come in the same ship (the Mary). He was later associated with R. D. Hanson (q.v.). In 1859 he paid a visit to England, and on his return was appointed district judge for Wellington district. This post he resigned in 1861 and returned to practice. In 1866 he took in as partner Patrick Buckley (q.v.) and they practised together till 1878, when Hart retired from the bar.

Meanwhile he had played his part in parliamentary life, in which he held a position of considerable influence. Elected in 1853 to represent the City of Wellington, he acted as law adviser to the Government during the absence of the Attorney-general (Swainson). At that time he was offered a seat on the Supreme Court bench, but declined. Hart was the only representative of Wellington province at the parliamentary session of 1855. At the elections later in the year, refusing to accede to the stipulations of the Featherston party, he stood as an independent and was defeated. As crown prosecutor he appeared for the crown in the trial of the Maungatapu murderers. In 1867 he married Catherine (d. 29 Jun 1897), sister of Donald McLean.

In 1872 Hart was called to the Legislative Council, of which he was a member till his death (16 Sep 1894). Though he did not practise after 1878, Hart's advice was always valued as that of a sound, conscientious lawyer of unquestioned integrity. He was a notary public and revising barrister. At the time of his death he was the only member of the New Zealand Parliament who was in the first assembly in 1854. He rose from his sickbed to register his last vote (in favour of female suffrage).

Hart's interest in physics, aroused during his study at University College, was continued throughout his life. He read a paper on terrestrial magnetism before the Wellington Philosophical Society in 1892. Hart was an early freemason. (See G. HART and R. PARK.)

N.Z.P.D., 17 Sep 1894; Cycl. N.Z., ii; Trs. N.Z. Inst., 1890; Ward; N.Z. Spectator, 27 Oct, 10 Nov 1855; N.Z. Times, 17, 18 Sep 1894. Portrait: Parliament House.

Reference: Volume 1, page 199

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