ROSMEAD, SIR HERCULES GEORGE ROBERT ROBINSON, (1824-97), first Baron Rosmead, was the second son of Admiral Hercules Robinson, of Rosmead, Ireland. Educated at Sandhurst, he received his ensigncy in the 87th Regiment. (Lieutenant 1844.) Retiring in 1846, he did special service during the Irish famine (1848) and was appointed to inquire into fairs and markets in that country (1852). In 1854 he was appointed president of Montserrat, West Indies, and a year or two later lieutenant-governor of St Christophers, where his principal achievement was making arrangements for the reception of Indian indentured labour. In 1859 he was knighted and promoted to Hongkong, where he negotiated the cession of the territory of Kowloon, on the mainland of China. In 1863 he was a commissioner to inquire into the financial situation of the Straits Settlements, and in 1865 he assumed the administration of Ceylon. From organising the development of that flourishing crown colony he was transferred to New South Wales. (K.C.M.G. 1869.) He negotiated the tariff arrangement for the New South Wales-Victoria border traffic. In Sep 1874 he proceeded to Fiji to carry out the wishes of the chiefs to cede the group to the Queen. Robinson inaugurated the machinery of the new government and remained in Fiji until the arrival of the first governor, Sir Arthur Gordon (q.v.). (G.C.M.G. 1875) In 1879 he was appointed to New Zealand, assuming the government on 26 Mar. He found the country suffering a depression, native difficulties serious and the Grey government tottering to its fall. Soon after Parliament met Fox moved a vote of no-confidence in the Government, which after a fortnight's debate was carried by 48 votes to 34. Grey demanded a dissolution, which Robinson granted, but on strict terms. He insisted that Parliament should be dissolved with the least possible delay, that meanwhile no new measures should be proposed nor any contested motions brought forward, and that the new Parliament should be called together at the earliest possible moment. Parliament was accordingly dissolved on 15 Aug. Grey wished the Governor not to accept the resignation of Sir John Hall from the Legislative Council, which would free him to stand for the lower chamber, but Robinson replied that if such advice were tendered he would reject it and it would then be for Grey himself to resign. Hall won the Selwyn seat, and was thus available for the premiership when the Government was defeated. The new Parliament met within six weeks of the prorogation of the old. Hall moved a want-of-confidence resolution which was carried, but only by a majority of two. It was expected that Grey might accept this as an intimation to reconstruct his ministry, but Robinson did not ask for advice. He sent for Hall to form a cabinet, which took office on 8 Oct 1879. Though the election brought 35 new members into Parliament the parties were more evenly divided than before, and a compromise had to be effected. Robinson relinquished his duties towards the end of 1880 to accept the important post of Governor of Cape Colony and High Commissioner for South Africa. He arrived there at a most critical time. The Boers had declared their independence, and his first and most pressing task was to negotiate a peace and try to alleviate the antagonism between the two races. By dint of his great personal influence he arrived at an understanding with the Boers and got British sovereignty accepted over Bechuanaland (1885). (P.C. 1882) In the following year he went to Mauritius to investigate charges against the governor, whom he suspended. His term of office in South Africa having been extended in 1888 he made a treaty with Lobengula to prevent the Boers from expanding northward, and thus prepared the way for the chartered company. In 1889 he returned to England, was created a baronet and settled down to financial interests in London. He was a director of the London and Westminster Bank.

Relations between the races in South Africa continuing to deteriorate, Robinson was again sent out (1895), and was negotiating delicate matters with the Transvaal republic when Jameson made his raid upon the Rand (29 Dec 1895). Having heard rumours of his intention, Robinson tried without success to intercept him by telegraph. He managed to secure the release of the raiders and returned to Capetown and thence (in May 1896) to England. There he was created Baron Rosmead of Rosmead in Ireland and Tafelberg in South Africa. Returning to the Cape, he did his utmost to conciliate the inflamed passions of both races, but failing health compelled him to retire for good (Apr 1897). He died on 28 Oct. Robinson ranks as one of the great colonial governors. He was a man of high mental activity, prudent in council and energetic in action. He took care to study problems for himself and was strong enough to press his views even with responsible ministries. He married (1846) Nea Arthur Ada Rose d'Amour, daughter of Viscount Valentia. Robinson was a keen sportsman, and while in New Zealand was associated with Sir George McLean in the ownership of several racehorses, including Lady Emma, Legerdemain and Gitana.

App. H.R., 1879, A1 and 2; D.N.B.; Burke, Peerage; Mennell; Saunders; Keith; Rusden, Australia; Gisborne (p); Ross; The Times, 29 Oct 1897.

Reference: Volume 2, page 132

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