—I have yours of the 17th.

I do not regret the long adjournment of Parliament. There is so much to do in the way of framing the plan of the colony, and the constitution of the Society, that our time will be fully occupied till February; and I suspect that we may even find it short. The enterprise is very large in itself, and more important in its probable consequences. In the present state of Church questions, this project may have curious results. We shall have to plan with great caution.

I really cannot tell you what the Bishop of New Zealand is. His see was created by us in spite of many obstacles put in our way by the Church and the Government. Indeed, we forced the measure on the Melbourne Grovernment; and in that measure originated all the new Colonial bishoprics. If our views had been taken up by the Church, great results would have been obtained both for the Church and colonization. I will not say that Dr. Selwyn turned round upon us, and joined our foes, the anti-colonizing "Church Missionary Society;" but I am sure he is not a wise man. My confident opinion, however, is that our present project will have, among other effects, that of making him a zealous colonizer.

The debate or conversation in the House of Commons has page 14distressed but not surprised me. The ignorance of the speakers was its most remarkable feature.

I think that it would be infra dig for you to propose that your first year's salary should buy your qualification. Not knowing how far it might suit you to invest £500 of your own in that way, I intended to lend you the qualification (a common and perfectly correct practice) for as long as you pleased. But your position will certainly be better if you buy the qualification—that is, if you have really the same pecuniary interest as other Directors, small though it be; and I shall be glad to part with the stock when it shall suit you to pay for it. The last arrangement with the Government is supposed to make the investment a safe one; and it should be very profitable if the colonization of New Zealand proceeded as we hope it will. At any rate, you are now qualified, as the stock stands in your name; and your election, to which the enclosed circular relates, will take place on the 7th January.

You understand, I hope, that the £500 a year is settled, but that I wished to consult you—on your own account merely—before the source of payment was determined upon. There is a special fund in hand, from which we all wish the money to come, but you must be consulted first; and this cannot be well done by letter: the story is too long.

I am sure we shall have no time to spare, though you should be here on the 10th. Tour first disposal of time will be passing two or three days in quiet here with me.

I see that the real debate on the N. Z. Bill is to be taken on going into Committee. We ought to inform Lord Lincoln. The occasion may be made very serviceable in the Church project.