The Life of Sir Frederick Weld, G.C.M.G.
A Pioneer of Empire

This 1914 biography depicts a life devoted to the cause of the British Empire in Australasia and Malaysia.

Alice Lovat (Author), Hugh Clifford (Preface by)

9781108039482, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 15 December 2011

494 pages, 13 b/w illus.
21.6 x 14 x 2.8 cm, 0.62 kg

Written in 1914 by Alice, Lady Lovat (1846–1938), a cousin, this biography of Sir Frederick Aloysius Weld (1823–91) is characterised by its subtitle, 'a pioneer of empire'. The young Weld emigrated to New Zealand with a cousin to establish sheep stations. Entering politics, he became Minister for Native Affairs and then Premier; his Native Rights Act of 1865 redressed many of the grievances which had led to the Maori Wars. In 1868 he was appointed Governor of Western Australia, where he brought in a degree of representative government and helped develop the telegraph and transport infrastructure. In 1874 he became Governor of Tasmania, and in 1880 was promoted to the Straits Settlements, where his period as a colonial administrator was notable for the increase of British influence among the princely rulers of the Malay States. Retiring in 1887 for health reasons, he died in England in 1891.

Foreword
Preface
The Weld pedigree
1. Frederick Weld's early recollections, at home and abroad
2. He embarks in a sailing vessel
3. Description of New Zealand
4. Weld takes a share in a sheep-station
5. Sporting experiences at Flaxbourne by land, lake, and sea
6. The Maori point of view
7. Weld's continued interest in New Zealand
8. Early history of the Swan River Colony
9. A year's progress by Western Australia
10. Letter to Lord Kimberley from Victoria plains
11. Discovery and colonisation of Tasmania
12. Weld's encouragement of the Volunteer movement
13. 'The golden Chersonese'
14. Causes for Weld's success with Eastern races
15. Boundary disputes
16. Sir Frederick's health breaks down
17. Chideock described
Index.

Subject Areas: Australasian & Pacific history [HBJM]