How the Otago Settlement was Started.

The New Zealand Company agreed to modify the condition, and early in 1847 a meeting was convened of the Committee of the Lay Association of the Flee Church for the Settlement of Otago, in their rooms, George street, Edinburgh. They had previously had a conference with Mr Currie, a director of the New Zealand Company, in which the question of carrying forward or abandoning the settlement of was discussed. Only four members of the Committee were present, viz., Captain William Cargill, Mr Robert Cargill (his brother), the Rev. Dr Burns, and Mr Edward M'Glashan. The latter gentleman was elected chairman. A resolution was moved by Captain Cargill that two ships should be chartered for the conveyance of emigrants to Otago—one to sail from London and the other from the Clyde. This motion was seconded by the Rev. Br Burns, and carried, Mr Robert Cargill dissenting. The resolution, as passed, was forwarded to the New Zealand Company and adopted, and on this narrow basis the settlement of Otago was built.