—I write after meeting at Croydon the deputation of the Canterbury Association, who waited on the Archbishop of Canterbury at Addington.

The inclosed minute will show you what passed at the meeting. To this I must add, that the Archbishop evinced a lively interest in the matter, but seemed reluctant to incur the risk of having his request refused by Lord Grey. Therefore, and therefore only we think, he proposed that the risk of being refused should be run by the Association. His Grace is not singular in avoiding the risk of being snubbed, which everybody must run who prefers a request or makes a suggestion to Lord Grey. But an Archbishop of Canterbury ought to be singularly free from moral timidity.

Another inclosure will show you how very desirable it is that this question of the Bishop should be settled without delay. It is certain, I think, that Dr. Selwyn's friends will now do what they can to put an end to the Canterbury colony, and by that means to prevent the appointment of another Bishop in New Zealand. But if the second Bishop be as good as appointed in the way proposed by the Minute page 132and cordially approved by the Archbishop, then the Selwyn party will have no motive for hostility; and this most promising enterprize may proceed in peace. If the Selwyn party stop or impede the appointment, there will be furious war, for which many letters, similar to the inclosed from Mr. Fox, afford ample weapons on the side of those whom the Selwynites will endeavour to thwart. Such a war might break up the scheme, and hand over the finest portion of New Zealand to the ordinary scramble of what is termed colonization: it would be a miserable thing for the Church, and for everybody concerned.

On the above considerations, the Deputation, on its return from the Palace yesterday, most anxiously sought for the most probable means of inducing Lord Grey to say "Yes" at once, and so make all straight. He is at Howick, and you, being not far from him by rail, are deemed the most likely man in the world to be able to conciliate him by vivâ voce communication. But the Deputation, both collectively and individually, were afraid to ask you. So, as there was something rather disagreeable to be done, I had to volunteer. All I said, however, is that I would put the facts before you; as I had no right to ask that, or anything else, of you as a favour.

It is supposed, on good grounds I think, that a Single Deputy would get on better with Lord Grey than any other number. He might think if there were several, that they came to force him.

If you preferred a colleague,; I think that Lord Courtenay or Lord Lyttelton would join you.

If you wish for further information, Grodley will go to you at Carlisle by the first mail train after hearing from you to that effect. His address is 69, Gloucester Place, Portman Square. Indeed, I would beg of you to write to Godley at all events, because if any Deputation should go to Lord Grey at Howick, an interview must be asked for by letter. Pray do not trouble yourself to write to me.

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Another matter, which can wait, is—that we have met here with a capital man for the Bishop. I shall only describe him by saying that I call him "another Dr. Hinds." He is Mr. J. Cecil Wynter, Hector of Gatton, close by Reigate. He is a thorough colonizer on the principles of your essay, which he knows by heart; and he longs to go; but his wife and her family object. His brother is the Master of St. John's, Oxford. If you know the latter, you might perhaps be able to promote this most desirable object. "Wynter, as Bishop for the Canterbury colony, would make the Church as popular in New Zealand as Selwyn is making it unpopular.

I hardly know whether you are now Dean of Carlisle or Bishop of Norwich, and therefore for fear there may be another Dean of Carlisle, address you by your name.