First Colonising Attempt.

The first attempt at colonisation was made in 1825 by a company formed in London, which sent out an expedition under Captain Herd, which, however, was a failure. It was not till 1833 that, owing to the visits of numerous whalers, a settlement sprung up at Kororareka, now called Russell, in the Bay of Islands, and in this year Mr. Busby was appointed British Resident there.