R. W. Robson

Robert William Robson (16 September 1885 – 14 October 1984) was a New Zealand journalist. Robson was born and raised on a remote farm in Southland. Despite lacking formal education, he became a reporter for various newspapers in New Zealand and Australia. In the latter half of his career, Robson turned away from metropolitan dailies and began focusing on the Pacific Islands. He founded Pacific Islands Monthly in Sydney in 1930 and wrote or edited several books on the region. In 1956, he bought The Fiji Times and Shanti Dut from Alport Barker and became a successful newspaper publisher in Fiji. Robson retired in 1974.

Early life Robert William Robson was born on 16 September 1885 on a farm in Southland, New Zealand, the eldest of 13 children. He did not go to school because the farm was very isolated. It was his mother who taught him how to read and write. When he was 13, Robson began working for a neighbouring farmer. After the 12-hour work days, he found time to study algebra, English and Pitman shorthand.

In February 1956, Robson bought The Fiji Times and Herald Ltd. from Alport Barker. The company published two newspapers: The Fiji Times and Herald, which had a circulation of 2,000 at the time, and Shanti Dut. With the former, Robson aimed to achieve the scope and reach of a national newspaper through advances such as expanding the Times ' staff and modernising its printing plant. On 30 April 1956, The Fiji TimesRobson had shortened it to its original namebegan early morning publication and utilising the air service with the goal of same-day distribution. Robson's enterprise proved highly successful. He raised funds and used his own resources to acquire a Cossar press, which could produce 4,000 16-page newspapers every hour. Nai Lalakai and Ni Bula Mai were added to the company's publications. By 1969, the Cossar press had outgrown the demand and a Goss Community web-offset presswhich, per hour, could produce 15,000 copies of up to 32 pages and, if required, in more than one colourwas installed. Robson retired in 1974, aged 89, after selling the company to The Herald.

He died in Avoca Beach, New South Wales, on 14 October 1984, aged 99.