Robert Murray Smith

[3] R. M. Smith was educated at Repton School and at Oriel College, Oxford, of which he became scholar, but did not continue his university course, owing to family reasons rendering it desirable for him to go into commerce.

Four years later he was defeated at the General Election, which placed the Graham Berry party in power, but was returned for Boroondara later in 1877, at the by-election rendered necessary by the death of George Paton Smith.

In 1881 Smith, who had been associated with Mr. Francis in the joint leadership of the Conservative Opposition, took an active part in support of Sir Bryan O'Loghlen's motion of want of confidence in the third Berry Ministry, and when it was carried, and the Government retired, it was anticipated that he might assume the premiership.

As Agent-General Smith took a prominent part in the negotiations respecting the annexation of New Guinea, the influx of Recidivists into the islands of the Western Pacific, the Anglo-French control of the New Hebrides, and the passage through the Imperial Parliament of the Federal Council of Australasia Bill.

[1] Prior to his leaving England in the early part of 1886, he was entertained at a public banquet at the Freemasons' Tavern, presided over by the Duke of Cambridge and attended by all the leading colonists and persons connected with the Australasian colonies in London.