Page:The Dictionary of Australasian Biography.djvu/405

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DICTIONARY OF AUSTRALASIAN BIOGRAPHY.
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medal. In the New Zealand war of 1860-61 he served with the 1st battalion of the 12th Regiment of Foot in the Taranaki district, and in the Waikato campaign in 1863 and 1864. General Richardson, who holds the New Zealand war medal, became captain in 1863, and, retiring from the Imperial service, was in 1865 appointed to the command of the military forces of New South Wales, with the rank of lieutenant-colonel, becoming colonel in 1876 and major-general in 1885, when he commanded the New South Wales contingent despatched to co-operate with the British forces in the Soudan campaign, being created C.B., mentioned in despatches, and receiving the Egyptian medal with clasp and the Khedive's star in recognition of his services.

Richardson, Hon. Richard, M.L.A., J.P., was born in the Tyneside district, and having embraced the profession of a civil engineer, he went to Victoria in 1852, and was for some time in the Roads and Bridges department of the Government service. After spending a year or two in Sydney, he, in 1854, settled as a farmer in the Creswick district of Victoria. In 1874 he entered the Assembly as member for Creswick, and held the seat till 1886, when he was defeated at the general election. He was, however, re-elected when the district was subdivided in 1889 as the representative of the Creswick section. Mr. Richardson, who is a Liberal and Protectionist, was Minister of Lands and Agriculture in the third Berry Government from August 1880 to July 1881.

Richmond, Hon. Christopher William, Puisne Judge, New Zealand, eldest son of the late Christopher R. Richmond, of the Middle Temple, was born in London in 1821, and entered as a student at the Middle Temple in Jan. 1844, being called to the bar in Jan. 1847. After practising in England, Judge Richmond emigrated to New Zealand in 1853, and was appointed Provincial Solicitor for Taranaki, becoming a member of the House of Representatives two years later. In June 1856 he joined the first Stafford Ministry; and between that date and July 1861, when the Government broke up, was constantly being shifted from position to position in the Cabinet, being first Colonial Secretary, then Colonial Treasurer, then Minister of Native Affairs, then Commissioner of Customs, then a member of the Executive Council without portfolio, then again Colonial Treasurer, and finally Commissioner of Customs for the second time. Having led the Opposition to the succeeding Fox Ministry for a single session, Judge Richmond retired from political life, and resumed the practice of his profession, being appointed a Puisne Judge in Oct. 1862. As a Minister Mr. Richmond had but scant sympathy with the intricacies of Maori territorial rights, his constant aim being to convert them into English freeholds. He also abetted and encouraged Governor Browne's policy in the ill-fated purchase of the Waitara block, which drove the Maoris into war in 1860.

Richmond, Hon. James Crowe, M.L.C., brother of the above, was an early settler in the Taranaki district of New Zealand, and was for some time Provincial Secretary under Superintendent Cutfield, in which capacity he approved Governor Browne's action in the purchase of the Waitara block, which led to the outbreak of the Taranaki war. During the struggle his farm and house were destroyed, and he removed to Nelson, where he conducted the Nelson Examiner. Meantime he served as a volunteer in the operations against the Maoris, and as an inspector of the defences. Having been returned to the House of Representatives, he was Colonial Secretary in the Weld Ministry from June to Oct. 1865 and Commissioner of Customs and Stamp Duties in the Stafford Government from August 1866 to June 1868. He has been in the Legislative Council since 1883.

Richmond, Major Hon. Matthew,[1] C.B., M.L.C., was Resident of Paxo, Ionian Islands, in 1836, and Deputy Judge Advocate at St. John's, New Brunswick, from 1838 to 1840, when he was appointed Commissioner for examining and reporting on claims to grants of land in New Zealand. While he was engaged on this duty the "Wairau massacre" occurred, and he was despatched to establish order and confidence. In 1843 Mr. Richmond was police magistrate of the southern division of New Ulster (now called North Island) and Cook Straits, superintendent of the southern division of New Zealand in 1844, and superintendent and resident magistrate at Nelson in 1846. On June 23rd, 1853, he was nominated a

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  1. usually spelt "Mathew". (Wikisource contributor note)