field had now fully accepted the idea of invoking the aid of the churches in promoting settlement. The new Edinburgh Settlement was already in train, but he needed a leader for the proposed Church of England Settlement. The difficulty and delicacy involved in the choice is shown by Mr. Edward Gibbon Wakefield’s letters, published under the title of “The Founders of Canterbury,” by his son, Mr. Edward Jerningham Wakefield. The assistance of the evangelical section of the Church of England could not be obtained because of the jealousy between the New Zealand Company and the Church Missionary Society, which were both practically colonising institutions. On the other hand, the danger of extreme Puseyism had to be avoided. Mr. Wakefield’s choice fell on Mr. Godley, as a sound Churchman, not leaning to either extreme. In a letter dated Great Malvern, November 27, 1847, he wrote:—
“My Dear Godley,
“E. G. Wakefield.”
Mr. Godley did come. The meeting took place, and the results are recorded in Mr. Wakefield’s letter of November 30, 1847, to Mr. John Abel Smith, M.P. This letter is of peculiar interest, as in it is set down clearly, and with much detail, the scheme of the Canterbury Association as afterwards carried out:—
“I find that my notion of a distinct settlement in New Zealand under the patronage of a powerful body in this country, desirous of spreading the Church of England, stands a good chance of being realised sooner than we expected. The subject has been fully considered, and at length something like practical conclu-
