by Earl Grey, and subsequently given effect to. The correspondence also repeated the land proposals of the Association as already set out in its Plan for forming the Settlement of Canterbury.
The financial questions were given considerable prominence, both as between the Government and the New Zealand Company, and as between the Company and the Association. The estimates for the Colonial expenditure had been prepared by Captain Thomas for the Association, and form somewhat curious reading by the light of after events. They made provision for instruments, lithographic press and stationery, offices, salaries for one year of Chief Surveyor, two assistants, one geologist and botanist, storekeeper and clerk, wages of twelve labourers with rations, also survey expenses and road construction, the expenditure amounting in all to £15,000. In a subsequent letter, written by Mr. Godley as acting-secretary of the Association (May 9, 1848), this expenditure was summarised as follows:—Expenses of surveying department £7,120; for roads and bridges, £7,880. Mr. Godley added that the latter amount was “apparently rather an approximate conjecture of the minimum sum required for those purposes than from any detailed calculation.” He proceeded to add “at least two churches” to the list of requirements, and increased the demand to £20,000.
Captain Joseph Thomas played such an important and valuable part in the early history of Canterbury and Christchurch that it is perhaps as well to define the terms of his engagement. Mr. Harrington, Secretary of the New Zealand Company, in a letter to Earl Grey, dated June 30, 1848, wrote:—
“The gentleman above-named (Captain Thomas) was selected by the Association, and was originally intended to have been sent out as the agent of that body. But the members, being unwilling to incur the risk of individual pecuniary liability, have, with a view to
