1980 - Sewell, Henry. The Journal of Henry Sewell, 1853-7. Volume I - VISITS TO KAIAPOI AND RANGIORA, p 421-435

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VISITS TO KAIAPOI AND RANGIORA

Mr Raven came in in the afternoon, and propounded an idea that Elizabeth and I should go back with him to Ohikaripo, his place beyond Kaiapoia. 1 (Poor man,) he bears his calamity with immense resolution, but he tells me that he has the poorest possible accommodation to offer. The opportunity is tempting and after weighing pros and cons, we resolve to accept the offer and start tomorrow (Wednesday) [4 January] morning. That Mule--(I don't think I have given any account of it as yet). It is a sort of hero of a tale. The tale (not tail) of a Mule. One Mr Caverhill 2 whose name I think I have mentioned, lent it very civilly to Elizabeth some 3 months ago--a quiet respectable Animal, safe for a lady--we to keep it for six months if we pleased. This was very agreeable, but I went to Wellington, and Elizabeth could not use it in my absence. So came Mr Caverhill one day and very civilly asked for the use of the Mule till my return, for a daughter of Mr Phillips' just arrived. 3 Of course it was at his disposal and away went the Mule. The time came for restoring it (after my return from Wellington) and Mr Phillips gave it in charge of one Mr Leech a young gentleman of a Colonial turn of mind. 4 He was specially instructed to leave the Animal in Port, and he brought it in duly enough--but having done so, he felt himself at liberty to take it back with him to Christchurch on his own account. They do these things in a Colony. It is part of the pleasant free and easy way of going on. I wanted the Mule for Elizabeth to ride with me to Christchurch, but the Animal was not--Mr Leech had taken it back. Not being used to Colonial ways I got rather angry; but there was no help for it. I saw Mr Leech a few days after in fact met him with his fiancee (so gossip says) riding the identical Mule. Says I, 'Mr Leech--that Mule--I should be glad of it when convenient--I wanted to bring Mrs Sewell to Christchurch.' Oh, says Mr Leech 'Yes certainly--you shall have it in a few days, I have promised it to a Lady for so and so, but after that I will bring it back again.' Now really this was too bad. I stood amazed. The thing was incredible. It was impossible that it could be the same animal,

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and I feel it incumbent on me to apologise to Mr Leech for talking to him in such a way about his own Mule. But no, there was no doubt about its identity. The truth is, this is one of the pleasant ways of Colonial life. Well--the Mule came in 2 or 3 days after--and the following morning came a note from Mr Leech requesting the loan of it the day after! But its back was so sore it was useless, so we were obliged to decline and it was turned out in a paddock to get sound again. About a week afterwards we resolved to start for Christchurch on the Mule and ordered it down accordingly, but it had vanished again! It had been seen amongst the hills--over in Mr Cookson's Valley--was likely to be gone to Riccarton--might be off to Motunau (Mr Caverhill's Station) in short was any where or nowhere. Oh dear--the Mule became a heavy load on one's mind. Elizabeth began to look upon it as a Providential warning against mounting the Animal. After a time the Mule was heard of down amongst Mr Cookson's stock--and a reward of 10s brought it in. I ordered it to be taken down to the Stables to be put in charge of the stable keeper. There I thought at length is an end of our troubles with the Mule. We'll ride him tomorrow. Tomorrow about breakfast time came Mr Cookson with a smiling imperturbed face--'That Mule of yours' says he, 'I met it coming over the Hill this morning at a full gallop.' Oh dear! the Animal became a nightmare,--a pressure upon one's nerves; a phantasma. This sort of thing also is a Colonial habit. Animals always stray away. Mr Allen the Clergyman declares that every third person he met asked him whether he had seen that Bullock, or that Mare, or that Cow, or some erratic beast--whence he concluded as an interesting statistical fact that l/3rd of the time of the Colony was consumed in looking after stray Cattle. However another 10s reward brought the Animal back on Tuesday evening and on Wednesday morning we arranged to be off early to Christchurch, Mr Raven with us. Breakfasted at half-past five, and about half-past six started over the Hill, Elizabeth on the Mule; Mr Raven on horseback and I on foot. Our baggage (consisting of 2 Maori baskets containing our respective wardrobes) slung across Mr Raven's saddle. N.B. We mean to stop at Christchurch for a fortnight, and have hired Mr Tancred's house after we return from the Ravens. A fine fresh morning. Got to Christchurch about 10. Transacted business at the Land Office and with Mr Cridland--called on the Tancreds, whom we found in the usual Colonial Mess--everything huddled into a single room. Poor (Lady Tancred) in a state of meek but not uncomplaining resignation; the children all wild and dirty. She brought me some very refreshing tea. She is still in a state of disgust. Her Servants will not stay--the Governess is going. She hates Christchurch and the

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small gossip of a fifth rate country Town; and hopes to get into a more contented frame of mind when she gets into her own house at Papanui. (Sir Thomas enjoys it all, and has a great tendency to become ultra Colonial.)

About 12 our Carriage was ready to wit Mr Raven's cart drawn by 3 sturdy Bullocks, by far the best mode of travelling. The day warm, but with a fresh air--Away we start over a road which one has a difficulty in describing. Any body may see the kind of thing by looking at some track across an open heath in England, except that instead of hard sand and gravel the bottom here in places is in its normal state of swamp. As it is, except here and there it was passable, but with such joltings as threatened dislocation of one's limbs. After leaving Christchurch, for a couple of miles the outline of the road is very distinctly marked by enclosures on either side, houses or rather Cottages springing up in all directions. Passed Papanui Bush--a small decent looking building serves as a Church to a kind of village which has grown up round the Bush. 5 Abreast of the Bush runs that celebrated Swamp called the Papanui Swamp--the terror of all travellers; and the grand impediment to a due supply of firewood for the shivering inhabitants of Christchurch last winter. It was then nearly impassable. Next winter it is confidently believed it will be wholly so. Nothing is being done to it, for there is no Money. The Governor has gone away like a good-for-nothing careless boy and has carried away the key of the Money chest. What the poor people of Christchurch are to do for wood it is piteous to think of. At present after long continued dry weather there are several ugly places of black sludge through which the Bullocks have to tug the cart. (Mr Raven tells me the last time he came down, he met Mr Somebody's Dray fast in the slough, with all its cargo of Tea, Sugar &c. soaking.) We cleared it all without difficulty being light. After this, the road mends, and is passable enough barring the danger of one's limbs from dislocation, but the track is less defined. The regular line of enclosures ceases, and it is all open wild land, an unbroken flat--dotted about with the Ti palms (a tall ungainly tree like plant with a cross head like a ragged Aloe) the tall upstanding flowers of the flax plant now out in full, of a dull brownish crimson colour--and the feather tops of the Toitoi grass standing 8 or 10 feet high. There is a Road marked out and faintly outlined all the way to Kaiapoi. Carts and Drays have worn a track, but you can imagine the sort of travelling over such a country--a good deal of it swamp in winter and poached by Cattle. As we approached the Waimakariri, we got amongst Sand hills which stretch all the way to the Sea,

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blown up from the shore by winds and continually shifting. A little stunted vegetation amongst them. In fact it forms the edge of a sandy coast where the road first touches the Waimakariri. The river is really broad and handsome. An attempt has been made to Anglicise its nomenclature into the Courtenay, but the native name holds its ground. The reaches of the River backed by the mountains very agreeable scenery; supplying by a little imagination a foreground of cultivated ground, and pleasant gardens with Trees overhanging the river. All the land between Christchurch and Kaiapoi good for any thing is taken up. There are a few enclosures and signs of commencing cultivation. Barring the sandhills the land is good. Here and there a bit of Raupo Swamp but little which is not drainable without difficulty. Since I was last at Kaiapoi immediately after we landed the Ferry has been changed and the neighbourhood has begun to be settled. I counted I think 13 Houses either up or begun. 6 This is that flourishing Town of Kaiapoi which you may have seen described in advertisements in the Lyttelton Times. The opposite side of the Waimakariri is the nucleus of what is meant to be and will be a Town. Sidey (the Stockowner and importer) to whom I sold some of the Church land is putting up a really respectable and goodsized building for an Hotel. He is doing a good deal for the place; just the Man to start it--has capital, enterprize and experience. Am perfectly satisfied at having planted him there. He means to let the Hotel and build himself a House in the neighbourhood. The Ferry is dangerous--the banks almost precipitous--A few months ago, Raven's Bullocks plunged down and went into the river instead of the punt, capsising the Dray into the River and spoiling a heap of things. As this is our Town of Kaiapoi (it belongs to the Church) I shall give a trifle towards mending the approach to it. Lord Lyttelton asks me about this new Township, which was to have been Gladstone. He does not clearly understand its history. The fact is that when the Gladstone scheme was abandoned, Simeon and I agreed that the opportunity should not be lost of realising a Township Scheme upon the same site for the benefit of the Church. So we had 200 Acres of the Church land marked off and mapped for a Town, and I have now sold about 10 Acres of it in Acre sections at £40 an Acre. 7 It will beyond all doubt increase, especially when a Church has been built. (Raven and I fixed the site of it on Friday). 8 It has many advantages over

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Christchurch principally as having a navigable River accessible by craft of a larger size than can cross the bar at Sumner. We found Jones the Carpenter 9 (E. Kittoe will know who I mean) hard at work for Sidey. He is Sidey's right hand man, is doing all the building here, and is thriving and making money after a wonderful rate. After crossing the River we went on our way over a continuation of the same kind of Sandhills, sweeping in and out in a surprising and somewhat perilous way. Hereabouts the Country begins greatly to improve. We are approaching the Mountain country. The spurs of Mount Grey come out more clearly,--at least would have done so on an ordinary day, but the atmosphere was hazy--the warm haze of an October day in England, and there was an immense volume of smoke from a Forest on fire on Mount Grey. Besides the greater nearness of the Mountains we get patches of wood. One great wood about 2000 Acres is a Native Reserve. 10 We skirt along it. It has just the effect of a gentleman's plantations surrounding the park planted in the midst of open common; but the edge of the wood is fringed with naked skeletons of dead timber, and the Flax, Toitoi and Tipalm give it an un-English appearance. There is a Raupo Swamp bordering the wood which now has a pleasant bright green look, like a young wheat field, but treacherous. Passed the Native Pah. The Natives are certainly getting better notions of building. One man is putting up a Cottage of sawn planks. 11 They have turned Sawyers and sell Timber from their wood which is of great value. Thus far I had been before, just after we landed; beyond was an unknown country. The Ravens have pitched their Tent about 5 miles from Kaiapoi, but the country is all a large piece of the same; the only distinguishing feature about their place being a few standing poles of bare dead timber, useful for firewood, but eminently unpicturesque. The peculiar local advantages consist in a small stream of good water running close by the House and Mr Raven has chosen his pasturage close by, over a piece of land conveniently enclosed by Swamps and so needing no fencing. To tell the truth, seeing it as we do, not under coleur de rose, we have a difficulty in finding a good reason for fixing on such a location.

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Barring the aforesaid bare poles and the distant view of Mountains and masses of wood, all round is a waste expanse of apparently hopeless wild common, but the land is good. Mr Raven has enclosed about 10 Acres and has promising crops of wheat and oats. The site of the burned house shews that it was a goodsized comfortable residence, but it is all clear down to the ground, only the charred stumps of the poles and fragments of half consumed things indicate the spot where the calamity occurred. It was fortunate that it was no worse. Had the wind been in a different direction every thing would have gone. The present cottage escaped and serves at least for shelter. As it was merely meant as a makeshift while the big house was building it is no subject of criticism--but it gives one a notion of the putting-up-with-things which settlers have to go through even under favorable circumstances. This same Cottage which now contains the whole family of Ravens was originally the Steward's Office at the Lewes Agricultural meeting. A wooden Tenement partitioned into 3, two of which are subdivided. The centre forms the living place, room it can hardly be called--4 small closets, 2 on each side serve as sleeping places, rather smaller than the Cabins of a Ship. Since the fire they have added a detached slab kitchen and a variety of loose articles are stowed away under a Tent. This kind of thing is bearable for a makeshift whilst something better is preparing, but is a dismal state to be reduced to en permanence. Above all things one wants space. Never mind rough walls and open roofs so long as there is space. A whole family accustomed to a good sized house in England, stuffed away in a box like this is mighty uncomfortable. We have added to their discomfort by adding to their number. The destruction of the big house has upset all their plans. They have now wisely resolved to sell all superfluities, turn every thing into a productive form, and give up the notion of permanence, looking forward to returning to England in a few years. I confess, looking at the place I do not regret for their sakes such a change of plan. It has capabilities no doubt (Mrs Raven says capability means a great deal to do) but it would take an age to make it really habitable. I think they will change their plan altogether and pitch their Tent elsewhere. 12 Mr Raven is of indomitable resolution and perseverance, the perfection of a Colonist; builds his own kitchen, and does every thing himself. The children all wonderfully healthy and greatly improved. Nothing can be kinder than they are and they put up with a good deal of extra inconvenience to make us welcome. Their Servants (faithful and attached domestics, invalu-

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able creatures, who would never quit their old master) have all of course left them. One got drunk and was impudent, another wished to better himself--a housemaid found the work too much--in short they have been absolutely deserted. An elderly dame, a mere accident, does for them as Cook, Nurse, and everything. In short they are obliged to do for themselves. The moral of this is, under no circumstances to bring domestics from England to a Colony, and let nobody come to a Colony who is not prepared to do every thing for himself or herself. If people can make up their minds to this, the chances are that they will get help of some sort--but the notion of keeping Servants or Labourers whom you bring with you is simply absurd. You must take your chance and in case of need do without. This is the real trial of a Colonist of the better sort; and nothing can make up for it, nor does it seem to me capable of remedy. Wakefield's theory seemed to offer the nearest approach to a solution of the difficulty, but that has been too weak to struggle against the counter tendency of actual Settlers to grasp the land, and so destroy the only means of Immigration--the Land fund.

Thursday, 5 January 1854 was a detestable day; a hot Northwester, blowing like the blast of a furnace. Was tired and stiff with yesterday's journey. In the morning walked with Mr Raven to the Sand hills about a mile from their house, between it and the Sea. Sat on the top of one of them, and looked over a genuine New Zealand prospect. A background of Mountain, a middle distance of which the only distinguishing features are two or three black lines of wood, in great masses, and a foreground of flax, toitoi, ti palms--a hot coppery sky. Towards the Sea hillocks of Sand, thinly covered with wild grasses, a thing to have seen, but not to be compared to the shady lanes and green paddocks and hedgerows of England. Notwithstanding all the talk about wild beauties we may be sure that Nature is most perfect, and therefore most to be admired, when she is most cultivated. The first creation was a garden, and the nearer we get back to the garden state, the nearer we approach what may be called the true normal state of Nature. Fill up the scenery after English fashion, fields, gardens, houses, Churches, and it would be very charming. It may be so fifty years hence. Till then Old England for me.

All the rest of the day helping the Ravens to unpack and assort their things to be disposed of, a dusty disagreeable occupation especially if carried on in the only room which serves for reading, writing, eating &c. In the afternoon comes Mr Hilton 13 with the Mule from Christchurch.

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Friday [6 January 1854], Started after breakfast, I on the Mule, Mr Raven on horseback to Kaiapoi to meet Cridland about the Church lands. A most agreeable day, warm but fresh. A North-Easter (the best wind that blows) one of those days which description mongers select when they wish to praise the climate, just as they pitch upon a Southwester when the object is the reverse. There has been lately a very fair proportion of such days, enough to redeem the character of the Climate from general malediction. A ride over an open country on such a day is very enjoyable. Got to Kaiapoi about half-past ten; found Mr Cridland. Went with him over the Church lands and fixed on a Site for the Church, towards which I shall give £100 out of the Sale of Lands. Raven also suggests farther reserves for a Parsonage, Schools, Cemetery, and a small Glebe, which I think is right. It seems to me highly probable that Kaiapoi will become a considerable place. Part of the Town Site consists of Sand hills, but that does not much matter. A large portion is good sound dry land. The River is navigable for good sized craft and is a handsome feature. Also there is proximity to wood; though the miserable state in which the Native reserves are left renders the great native wood almost unserviceable. Sidey's Hotel is nearly complete--a really good building and of immense value to the place. That, and a Church and a few Stores, are the nucleus of a Town. One butcher has established himself there already, and has built his House. Several others are begun. Godley made a very wise selection of lands here for the Church. Met Sidey just returned from Sydney where he has been to buy Stock and get a wife. Of the former he has imported three Cargoes of Sheep and Cattle and Horses, all selling at prodigious prices. I am told by Cridland his Agent that he clears £3000 by the venture. The wife is to come next time. Sidey tells me the Australians are keen about New Zealand and Canterbury in particular, but will not buy till the Land price is settled. If the Governor's abominable proclamation were out of the way, he would buy at once largely for different people. He said he would lay out £18,000 at once in a single block at 30s an Acre, if he knew that the price would not be reduced, whence it is clear that we are right in keeping up the full price of land in small blocks. I have no doubt myself that he would buy at £2 an Acre to a large extent, but then we must not have the Proclamation of March inflicted on us. Nobody of course will give 30s or £2 an Acre if he hopes to get the same thing for 10s. Nothing can exceed the mischief which the Governor has done. He has shaken confidence and stopped Land Sales; has unsettled every thing has settled nothing. Cridland gave me more particulars about that purchase of Sidey's outside the Block; 2000 Acres for £1000. The quantity of land virtually destroyed thereby is

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about 100,000 Acres 14 (not 200,000). He has chosen all the Wood of the District so that every body is now at his mercy. If population should spread in that direction as is likely, the wood will be worth (what the Ohoka Bush and Rangiora now are) from £20 to £25 per Acre. This is the way the public lands are squandered.

Called at the Revells. 15 They are housed to use a complimentary expression in a wooden windowless tenement by the River side. They seemed well and cheerful. After surveying our Estates rode home with Mr Raven through the Native Bush--not so picturesque by half as the Wellington Woods, but striking. The Natives were hard at work sawing a l'Anglaise. The riding through the wood somewhat difficult. I nearly got strangled by a supplejack and my leg torn by a splinter (of wood). Emerging from the wood found ourselves in some Native enclosures; immense crops of corn on them of different sorts. Out again on the open plain making a great circuit to avoid Swamps, and back to Raven's house. A really enjoyable day. That is the true enjoyment of a New Zealand life in Canterbury, on horseback on the open plains on such a day.

Saturday [7January 1854]. Made a party in Mr Raven's Dog Cart to Rangiora, another Bush, about 5 miles off,--Torlesse's Station--a decent comfortable place, prettily sheltered by the wood at its back--the most habitable place I have seen. 16 The Dog Cart a delusion; there is no good travelling but on horseback; but there will be little difficulty by and bye in making good roads. Dined at Torlesse's.

Sunday [5 January 1854]. Morning Service at Mr Raven's House--only his own household, and a Mr Brown 17 a (decent kind of) young gentleman, come down from his Station and located for the time at Capt. Fuller's. Evening Service ditto ditto. There must be a Church at Rangiora. I should not be surprised at Raven quitting his present residence, and going up there to settle. He has a Section of Land including part of the Bush. Wood is of inestimable value as an adjunct to residence.

Monday morning [9 January 1854]. Intended to ride my Mule into Christchurch but it had broken its tether and was off as we

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supposed to its proper home 50 miles away. I set off to return to Christchurch on foot--a walk of from 16 to 18 miles; a hot Northerly wind, blowing clouds of dust. Got to Christchurch immensely tired only having rested and refreshed myself at Papanui--paying 3s 6d for some bread and cheese, and bottled ale. The Ravens and Elizabeth followed in Dray and Dog Cart, bringing down lots of things for the sale next week. Expected to find Mr Tancred's house ready for our reception, but was disgusted at finding the late Tenants only in the act of quitting, leaving only a few hours for scrubbing and preparation for our entering; but we got in nevertheless in the evening. Elizabeth arrived per Dog Cart all safe. Found our new quarters infested with fleas. (Mem. This is an evil incidental to what they call cob houses.) That, and the arrival of the Northfleet, and a mail determined me to go at once into Port, but Elizabeth remained to help the Ravens with their unpacking, submitting to martyrdom accordingly.

Went into Port on Tuesday [10 January 1854], Found to my surprise and delight, the Accounts had arrived! 18 no doubt returned to England per Harbinger and reshipped from thence. Now I am a Man again.

Letters in the same box a year old. The weather intensely hot--very fine. Crops looking extremely well.

Now, I have to note a few things about Lord Lyttelton's letter, most of which will have been explained before. I am sorry Mr Godley should find it necessary to notice my remarks about his Finance plan and about the Accounts. As regards the former, my opinion remains the same. I think that he was in error, considering that he was winding up matters for departure. He says that he had no instructions about applying the Rents of the Miscellaneous Reserves to payment of interest on the mortgage. He also says that he understood we meant eventually to exchange the Mortgage Investment for Land. Both these statements are correct, but as to the first--Of course we could not give him instructions to meet a case which was not in our minds--viz. breaking up the Ecclesiastical Staff; and as to the second--true, we had such a change of Investments in contemplation, but only as a thing in fieri; which might or might not be acted on. In the meantime he had in his possession a copy of the Mortgage Deed, clearly providing for payment of so Much money and Interest to the Ecclesiastical Fund. But it would be idle to pursue such a controversy. I have uniformly endeavoured to abstain from saying a word beyond what was absolutely necessary for explanation. I have simply put the case as

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one of judgment, about which people may differ without quarrel or blame. I shall take no further notice of the matter if I can help it.

As regards Mr Gell. I have heard nothing from him. I do not think him wrong in hesitating till matters are more settled. As to a continuance of the Canterbury principle i.e. the application of part of the Land fund, or any public funds towards the support of the Church--exclusively--there is not the remotest chance of it. It is probable that there will be an annual vote for Education, and a fight as to whether it shall be purely secular or distributed amongst religious bodies, a la Parliamentary Grant--the latter being what is here looked on as the high principle: FitzGerald talks vaguely and without any groundwork for such opinions about a possible appropriation of lands for Church Endowments. No, no, there is an end of all that. Of course it must be so. This is but a Child of England, and it takes after its Parent. As far as we have gone the Church is provided with something; with that it must be contented. To tell the truth, I have a small hope of rousing any vigorous Church action here. Not that the people are not very reasonably good people and very tolerable Churchmen and women (much better certainly than the Wellington folk), but the spirit of the age is upon them.

The Northfleet arrived--brought letters from Wellington. Rumours of Sir George Grey being relieved by a Successor immediately, of the General Assembly being called immediately. An account from Wakefield of a dinner given to the Native Chiefs, with the probability of the best consequences. He thinks it may lead to buying up the Native lands etc. If it should be so, what a commentary upon the late policy! At all events it is a good beginning.

About the Accounts--I fancy the people seem rather disappointed at their arrival. (FitzGerald uttered no sound of satisfaction when I told him. Now will be the testing point. Will he heartily assist me in settling matters with the Provincial Council, or will he fret, worry and obstruct me? I fear the latter, but I don't care about any obstruction he can offer.) I am tolerably confident the Provincial Council will back me; and but for those wretched quibbles about our Title to our property, I might settle every thing off hand. I cannot make out how, or from whence, these questions have arisen. Brittan repudiates them. Matthias is only a tool of somebody else. (Can it be that they have originated with FitzGerald himself? I will not do him that injustice without proof, but what Lord Lyttelton says is odd, about FitzGerald having written to him a year ago about these questions. 19 Also Elizabeth tells me that once

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on a time whilst I was at Wellington, FitzGerald in talking to her shook his head gravely about these said objections to the Title,--said he thought very seriously of them and so forth. Pooh, pooh,--they are all nonsense--not creditable to any body--very discreditable to any Colonist being very silly as well as very dishonest.) 20

Monday, 16January [1854]. Started very early in the morning for Christchurch having inconsiderately engaged to help Raven at the sale of his goods. He has disposed of all his surplus furniture &c. The things were too good in quality to fetch their proper prices. He about cleared their cost in England. Had they been half as good they would probably have fetched more. Good second-hand things are the articles for the Colony. If I should ever come back to it, I mean to make my fortune by judicious selection of things suited to Colonial wants and tastes. Two engravings, (good but not first rate) sold at high prices--(10 guineas each), which indicates a growing taste for the arts, and a superfluity of capital. The Dog Cart was sold, wisely I think. The Country is all too new for vehicles of any kind except Bullock drays.

Tuesday [17 January 1854], The Ravens came in to stay a day or two with us. He clears between 4 and £500 by his Sale. He tells me he has sold his Section of Land near Christchurch which he bought on speculation when he first landed. He gave I think £90 or thereabouts for the Land Order (a 50 Acre Section). He has just sold it for £250, and Mr Wormald the Lawyer tells me that the purchaser has been offered £100 for his bargain, but he means to get £500 for the Section. That is the worthless land which the Times reproaches us with palming off on our Land purchasers. 21 A propos to all those calumnies, there has been a meeting at Christchurch convened by Dr Martin 22 a friend of Dr Savage for the purpose of getting up a sympathy with the anti Association Movement. Poor Dr Savage if he had been present I am sure he would have been mobbed. 23 As to the Association the popular feeling against it has died away, and only survives in a few venomous spirits (such as Matthias, Rose

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&c.) Of course the public attacks made on us for suppressing the Accounts &c. stick to us, and the public pronounces no judgment till it has seen them. But for that mischievous clamour about the Accounts, it is probable that by this time we might have been popular. However, the fact that they are arrived is known and that they are about to be laid before the Provincial Council. So people are satisfied.

A new incident about the Sale of the Church Lands. That (precious) Church Committee have written to beg me to sell no more Church Land. 24 They think it too valuable to part with. Would it be credited? That is the same body which the other day published a furious attack upon us for wasting the Church Funds in land investments. I have simply replied by acknowledging the receipt of their letter. My course is plain. I have made them two offers. One, to work with them, if they would appoint a Committee for that purpose. That was declined. Then I offered to transfer the Endowments to Trustees absolutely, if they would undertake to indemnify me, and obtain an Act of Council to confirm the Transfer. That was declined. Then I told them that so long as I was burthened with the charge and responsibility, so long I must exercise my own discretion as to the management of the Church Estate. (Now so far from attending to this new poke of the Church Committee which I really believe is meant more to vex and worry me than for any other purpose, I mean if I possibly can to sell Church lands provided I can get a very advantageous offer. There is the whole of the Kaiapoi Estate, about 1500 acres, which cost us £3000 i.e. £2 per acre. I have thrown out an idea to Sidey's Agent to sell him the whole of the property at £5 an acre. It would give us upwards of £7000 for Church purposes--more than all we could have scraped together out of our Church funds--still leaving a very valuable landed property besides--in short realizing about 150 per cent profit upon our Church investments. Sidey is not here. He is gone to Sydney, but returns in a month. His agent thinks that he would gladly avail himself of the opportunity. He has plenty of Money for Investment, and would then be Lord of the whole place. I think it very probable if he were here that I might be able to close a bargain with him.) Of course the quarrelsome people will quarrel with this. I cannot help it. I will do what in my judgment I feel

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convinced is best. FitzGerald is the great mover in this non-sale-of-Church-Land Movement, a most unwise policy and perfectly indefensible so long as the Association is exposed to obloquy for having made these land investments.

I had a talk with Marshman at Christchurch about Mr Brittan and the Land Office. He tells me that Brittan is ready to pay rent and does not mean to hold under the Governor's adverse instructions. I have determined to test this by asking him for the Rent telling him that I am now prepared to confirm the Agreement. In truth now that the Superintendent has given up all notion of taking the Land Office, my object is to get rent for it from the Land Officer. I suspect that Marshman is wrong--Brittan (only means to shuffle, but) will pay no rent. At all events this will bring the question to the test.

About the moveable property of the Association. 25 I write to FitzGerald with particulars of sundry articles which I offer to the Provincial Government at a valuation; such as blasting powder, Iron piping &c. He will probably buy some. I also wrote to Brittan with particulars of the Stock &c. of the Land Office, including the Surveying Instruments valued altogether at upwards of £800. (I communicated to him privately that I wanted, and must have £300 to replace that amount taken from the Pasturage Deposits; and I would be content for the present with that--but that I must have.) He writes to tell me that he cannot buy any thing. So I have put the whole property into the hands of Longden and Le Cren to dispose of, instructing them to consult the wishes and convenience of the Superintendent and Crown Commissioner as much as possible, but at all events to sell. Says Mr Brittan 'I have written to Auckland for instructions. Wait till I have an answer.' But I can't wait. (I must replace the £300 to the pasturage fund.) Besides--why should I wait? I went to Wellington on purpose to see the Governor about these things; and he refused to see me. Mr Brittan wrote once before for instructions and got none. The Governor has already deceived me twice in this matter; (and would deceive and bamboozle me to the end if he could). What would be the object of waiting for an answer from Auckland? (The chances are that the Governor would instruct Mr Brittan to take violent possession of all our property. He has virtually done this already, only his instructions are not quite clear enough to embolden Brittan to act on them.) Then again--Wait for an answer from Auckland! Why it would really be as well to write to England (for instructions). The chances are that

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the answer would arrive in about 6 months; and what am I to do in the meantime? Oh, but says Mr Brittan, it will be very sad to dismantle the Land Office. I know it--and his remedy is easy. Let him buy what is necessary. I will make easy terms with him. My convenience must be consulted as well as other peoples'. (I am in this predicament. Simeon who is responsible for the £300 pasturage deposits, lays hold of and intercepts my Rents. I have no means of paying the Clergy. I ask Simeon to apply the Money sent out by Godley (£300 for the payment of the Clergy) as an ad interim arrangement, but difficulties are made about that, and that it seems is unavailable. In fact there seems to be a general combination to render my position as difficult as possible. The Church Committee requires me not to sell land.) The Government takes possession of our Buildings, and urges me to refrain from selling our goods and chattels. Simeon declines advancing (Godley's) auxiliary fund but intercepts my rents. And the Clergy in the meantime, (Matthias at the head,) use language of (insolent) reproach because Money is not forthcoming for all possible objects. What is to be said to all this but--'Gentlemen, I shall take my own course and do the best I can, paying small heed to your respective complaints.' I shall scramble through it somehow, but my only course is to go straight forward without caring for peoples' grumblings. I will in case of need sell Church Lands, and I will convert our personal effects into Money. I have done all in my power to serve the public convenience and the blame will not rest with me. I have not yet taken proceedings against Brittan--I shall wait at all events till he has replied to my last letter, asking him for rent. (How I wish I had somebody here to advise with. There is not a soul here on whom I can depend for counsel.).