Other formats

    TEI XML file   ePub eBook file  

Connect

    mail icontwitter iconBlogspot iconrss icon

Contributions to the Early History of New Zealand

Chapter XII

page 69

Chapter XII.

Victory of the Company in the Three Days' Debate in the House of Commons—Their requirements from the Government—Fresh hope and labour—Pamphlet prepared for distribution—Efforts unsuccessful—Mr. Burns again takes clerical duty—The Lay Association—Their names.

All felt, however, that no real progress could be made until this great struggle between the Government and the Company had been fought out. It was indeed a memorable one. After many smart skirmishes in Parliament the disputants came to open rupture which culminated in June of 1845, in the famous three days' debate on the state of New Zealand and the New Zealand Company. It very nearly resulted in the defeat of Sir Robert Peel's government and correspondingly in a victory for the Company. Many of the great politicians and speakers of the day took part in it: Sir Robert Peel, Lord John Russell, Sir James Graham, and Earl Grey, then Lord Howick. But the Rupert of debate was Mr. Charles Buller, member for Liskeard, who was always an able champion of reform and of the colonies. He threw down the gauntlet in a speech full of eloquence and fire. In a masterly and scathing way he laid bare the long course of misrule, opposition, and obstinacy exhibited by the Colonial Office in its dealings with the colony. By it, he contended, the settlers had been rendered prostrate and helpless, nay, their very lives had been endangered by threatened native outbreak. As it progressed the indictment gathered fresh strength, and as though to intensify the position alarming news reached England towards the close of the debate of actual hostilities. Conscious that censure was imminent, and their position perilous, Ministers skilfully converted the question before the House into one of party rather than one to be decided on its merits. The coup saved them. Sir Robert Peel was conciliatory and promised concessions on behalf of his colleague, Lord Derby, who, from his position amongst the Peers, was precluded from taking part in the debate. A compromise was thus effected, and the Government retained their seats by a narrow majority.

page 70

Invited to specify their requirements, the Company proceeded on the basis that all their misfortunes, losses, and broken engagements had been caused by the persistent opposition of the Colonial Office. They, therefore, requested a loan of £150,000 for seven years, to be repaid by yearly instalments. The loan was to be guaranteed upon the value of lands already sold, to which they had ever laid claim, and which were now to be secured them beyond any possible further dispute. With this sum they proposed to pay off outstanding claims, reorganise an efficient survey staff, which should carry out their arrangements regarding the Otago settlement, and the one projected for the Church of England, and generally place their establishments in a state of efficiency.

Lord Derby was somewhat dismayed at certain of these requests, notably that for the loan, which, was finally reduced to £100,000. But conditions were now reversed; the Company was polite but insistent, and so, assuming a good grace, his Lordship yielded an almost entire acquiescence. He also promised to instruct Governor Fitzroy to make an unconditional grant of the Otago block of 400,000 acres, the Company engaging to select the 150,000 acres proposed, or any further quantity required, and to reconvey the remainder to the Crown.

These negotiations were completed in September, and once again all concerned breathed more freely, and with fresh vigour resumed the suspended work.

It was determined to prepare some pamphlet bearing on the project, which should be circulated far and near. At this time an able article, and one which attracted much attention, appeared in the first number of the British Quarterly Review. It was from the pen of the celebrated Dr. Vaughan, and was devoted to the Pilgrim Fathers. A parallelism appeared to exist between their own movement and that great one of two centuries before, and a well-written appeal on this foundation seemed most likely to effect the purpose. With this view application was made to Hugh Miller, of world-wide fame, the geologist and editor of the Witness, to undertake the literary task. But he refused, having a bias against emigration, or, at least, against the mode in which it was conducted. The aid of other littérateurs was sought, but with like result. Finally, the duty was remitted to Dr. Aldcorn, who performed it with ability and judgment.

This very rare little pamphlet was published at the Scottish Guardian office in December. It is entitled page break
Plan Of The New Edinburgh Settlement.[To face p. 71

Plan Of The New Edinburgh Settlement.
[To face p. 71

page 71"Scheme of the Colony of the Free Church at Otago, in New Zealand," contains fifty-two pages 8vo. and two maps, one of these being a reduction from Mr. Tuckett's original, and forms the first of that somewhat long series of publications relating to Otago. (The drawing opposite is after the above-mentioned reduction.) Armed with many hundreds of these pamphlets, Messrs. Burns and Aldcorn, like friars of old, again resumed their journeyings into the highways and byways of Scotland, distributing as they went along, and seeking to entice. But pipe as they might the people would not dance, and after six months of much disheartening work the pair were obliged to confess that their labour was in vain. Still the bread had been cast upon the waters, though there seemed no likelihood of ever finding it again.

Mr. Burns' position was now indeed deplorable; his finances were well-nigh exhausted, and former friends became alienated, speaking with bitterness and candour of his wasted efforts and neglect of plain duty. One assured him that ere long his children would be seen begging on the road. No alternative remained but to seek fresh occupation in the church. This he procured in July of 1846, when he was inducted to the charge of a congregation at Portobello, a few miles from Edinburgh. Doubtless he entered on his new duties with many a feeling of regret and chagrin. He yet held himself prepared to relinquish his new sphere of labour whenever that persistent fatality which seemed to brood over everything connected with New Zealand should pass away.

It would seem that the members of the Lay Association transacted but little business for the simple reason that there was but little to transact. Yet the body was but dormant, for a year later in 1847 it awoke to a life and activity which only ended when in 1853 it was functus officio. Their names are worthy of record, and are here copied from the list in the 'Scheme.' Two or three resigned and in 1847 two or three were added; the former are italicised, the latter have an asterisk prefixed.

List of Members of the Lay Association of the Free Church Of Scotland for Promoting the Settlement of a Scotch Colony at Otago, New Zealand.

  • The Right Hon. Fox Maule, M.P.
  • Sir James Forrest, Bart., of Comiston.page 72
  • Sir William Seton, Bart., of Pitmedden.
  • Sir John C. Fairlie, Bart., of Fairlie.
  • Mr. Sheriff Spiers, Edinburgh.
  • Mr. Sheriff Monteith, Edinburgh.
  • James M. Hogg, Esq., of Newliston.
  • James Hamilton, Esq., of Ninewar.
  • George McMicken Torrance, Esq., of Threave.
  • Pat. B. Mure Macredie, Esq., of Perceton.
  • Adam Rolland, Esq., of Gask.
  • William H. Craufurd, Esq., of Craufurdland.
  • George Smyttan, Esq., M.D., Edinburgh.
  • John Hamilton, Esq., Advocate, Edinburgh.
  • Alexander Ross, Esq., Edinburgh.
  • James B. McCombie, Esq., of Gillybrands.
  • James Wyld, Esq., of Gilston.
  • James Mellis Nairne, Esq., of Dunsinane.
  • Henry Dunlop, Esq., of Craigton (Chairman of Glasgow Committee).
  • John Bain, Esq., of Morriston.
  • William Campbell, Esq., of Tillichewan.
  • William Brown, Esq., Merchant, Glasgow.
  • William Whitehead, Esq., South Bridge, Edinburgh.
  • William Johnston, Esq., St. Andrew Square, Edin burgh.
  • John Blackie, Sen., Esq., Glasgow.
  • William Buchanan, Esq., Glasgow.
  • John Blackie, Jun., Esq., Glasgow.
  • Allan Buchanan, Esq., Glasgow.
  • Alexander Rankin, Esq., Glasgow.
  • George Taylor, Esq., Ayr.
  • David Hamilton, Esq., Mount Hamilton, Ayrshire.
  • James McIlraith, Esq., of Auchenflower.
  • William Brown, Esq., Banker, Maybole.
  • Archibald Burns, Esq., Banker, Perth.
  • David Craigie, Esq., Banker, Perth.
  • Thomas Anderson, Esq., Banker, Hamilton.
  • Robert Peter, Esq., Banker, Aberfeldy.
  • William Macfie, Esq., of Langhouse.
  • Charles Scott, Esq., of Hawkhill.
  • Robert Roxburgh, Esq., of Greenock.
  • John Ker, Esq., of Greenock.
  • Andrew Munro, Esq., Greenock.
  • George Blair, Esq., Greenock.
  • Neil Jamieson, Esq., Provost of Rothsay.
  • Archibald McIndoe, Esq., Rothsay.
  • Charles McKinlay, Esq., Rothsay.page 73
  • Dugald Munn, Esq., Rothsay.
  • *David Campbell, Esq., Mount Hamilton, Ayrshire.
  • *Robert Cargill, Esq., W.S.
  • *Edward McGlashan, Esq., South Bridge, Edinburgh.
  • *Robert Blair, Esq., South Bridge, Edinburgh.

Rev. Thomas Burns (late of Monkton), Minister, to accompany the first party of settlers.

Office of Association in Edinburgh—21, South St. Andrew Street.

Temporary office in Glasgow—189, Buchanan Street.

Dr. Andrew Aldcorn (of Oban), Secretary.

*J. McGlashan, Secretary, 5, George Street, Edinburgh.

William Cargill, Esq., Agent for the Settlement (New Zealand House, London).