David Robbie (Fijian politician) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids David Robbie
Member of the Legislative Council for Levuka
In office 1905–1908
Succeeded by	John Maynard Hedstrom
Personal details
Born	4 March 1849 Forfar, United Kingdom
Died	1940 (age 91) Levuka, Fiji
Profession	Sailor, Trader, Planter

Captain David Robbie (born March 4, 1849 – died 1940) was an important person in Fiji. He was born in Scotland and became a successful businessman, farmer, and politician. He was a member of the Legislative Council from 1905 to 1908. This council helped make laws for Fiji.

David Robbie's Early Life and Adventures

David Robbie was born in 1849 in a Scottish town called Forfar. He went to school there. His first job was working with telegraphs for a railway company. Telegraphs were like early text messages, sending signals over wires.

After that, he became a sailor. He traveled on a ship that traded goods between Australia and India. In 1872, he moved to the Thames goldfield in New Zealand. He then became a trader who sailed along the coast.

Moving to Fiji and Discoveries

In 1876, David Robbie moved to Fiji. He bought his own boat, a schooner named Midge. A schooner is a type of sailing ship. He used his boat to trade goods all over the Pacific islands. He even discovered a sunken area of water near Wallis island. It was named Robbie Shoal after him!

Robbie's Business Ventures

In 1882, David Robbie became a manager for Kopsen & Co in Suva. This was a big company. When their building burned down in 1889, he moved to Levuka. There, he got married and started managing the Royal Hotel.

Building His Own Business

Later, he started his own trading company called Robbie and Evans. This company was later bought by a larger one called Burns Philp. David Robbie also started a large farm, called a plantation, on Vanua Levu island. On his plantation, he grew many different crops. These included cocoa, coffee, rubber, tea, and vanilla.

Because he was so good at business, he became the President of the Levuka Chamber of Commerce. This group helps local businesses. He also worked as the Harbourmaster in Levuka many times. A Harbourmaster is in charge of a port and its ships.

Robbie's Political Career

David Robbie also got involved in local politics in Levuka. He was a member of the Levuka Town Council for more than 20 years. He also served as the town's warden and mayor. He even led the town's school board.

Joining the Legislative Council

In 1905, David Robbie ran for a seat in the Legislative Council. This was during the very first elections for the council. He ran for the Levuka seat and won without anyone running against him.

However, in the 1908 elections, he lost his seat. He lost by only four votes to John Maynard Hedstrom. He tried again in the 1911 elections, but lost by six votes.

Later Life and Legacy

After he retired, David Robbie lived on his farm, called the Wainunu estate, on Vanua Levu island. His wife passed away in 1924. David Robbie himself died in Levuka in 1940. He was 91 years old. People remembered him as being "tall and very straight," even when he was very old.