tendered his resignation to the Association, and, in s letter dated May 25, and published in the settlement’s newspaper, he gave his reasons for resigning. Briefly expressed, these were, as might have been anticipated, that he had expected the Association to leave the local administration in his hands, and finding the Committee took a different view, he did not choose to be an instrument in carrying out plans of which he might or might not approve. The Committee’s reply was written in a frank and reasonable spirit. It stated that it was the Association’s intention “to apply during the present session of Parliament for an Act which shall transfer their functions to the Provincial Government about to be constituted,” and concluded with an earnest request that he should continue to act as their agent in the meantime, a request which Mr. Godley felt it was impossible for him to refuse. Therefore the resignation was withdrawn, and Mr. Godley continued to act as agent for the Canterbury Association.
As has been already seen, the New Zealand Government Bill passed on June 30, and at a meeting held in London on July 15, the Committee of the Association recommended that the functions of the Association should be transferred (under Clause 76 of the Act) to the colonists (the Provincial Council); that the colony should assume the liabilities of the Association on receiving a transfer of the Association’s property: and that a suitable trust should be created for the management of the ecclesiastical and educational funds. The Canterbury Association was to pass out of active existence, and its functions were to be handed on to the Canterbury Provincial Council as soon as that body should be elected. Mr. Godley, after declining an urgent requisition to become the first Superintendent of Canterbury, sailed for England on December 21. In his farewell speech, he admitted that his dream of a Church of England settlement had not altogether come true. “I
