Matthew Skinner Smith (30 August 1836 – 18 April 1887)[1] was a British Army officer and acting Colonial Secretary of Western Australia from 1885 to 1887.
In June 1868, Smith emigrated to Western Australia on board Lady Louisa.
Smith had expected to become private secretary to Colonel John Bruce, who hoped to be appointed governor; however Bruce was not selected and Smith was employed as a bank clerk[1] for three years in the Perth branch of the National Bank of Australia.
He was later responsible for setting up a Royal Mail Coach Service between Perth and Bunbury.
As acting Colonial Secretary, Smith was also entitled to a seat in the Western Australian Legislative Council, to which he was appointed on 18 June 1886.