by the agent of the New Zealand Company, He chose the latter, and who shall blame him?
The work represented by his expenditure, according to his report to Mr. Godley, dated May 15, 1850, included the trigonometrical survey of 6/700,000 acres, the topographical survey of about 300,000 acres, the formation of a portion of the road to Sumner, the building of a jetty 150 feet long, of emigration barracks, boathouse, boatshed, agent’s house, Association’s offices, and the store at Sumner. Considering the difficulties of obtaining labour—carpenters were brought from Tasmania, and Maoris as labourers from Wellington—Captain Thomas must surely be held to have shown good value for the money he had spent.
Pending the receipt of remittances from England, Mr. Godley decided to suspend further operations, and, having nothing to require his supervision, continued in the “Lady Nugent,” sailing two days later for Wellington, where he judged he could be of more use by getting into touch with Mr. Fox, the principal agent of the New Zealand Company, and other prominent men in the colony.
While matters in the colony are thus brought to a standstill, let us see how the affairs of the Association are advancing in London.
The agreement with the New Zealand Company contained a stipulation that at least £100,000 worth of land should be sold within the first six months, otherwise the contract would be void. When, therefore, in January, 1850, the Canterbury Association began to offer its land, a Clause (No. 28) was inserted in the conditions of sale which ran as follows:—“In case, through any unforeseen circumstances, it should be determined on or before the 30th April, 1850, that the enterprise of the Association should not proceed, all deposits and purchase money previously paid will be returned in full.” This clause, though necessary for the protection of the Association,
