have submitted to it; although subject to the exercise of that discretion. it is the wish of Her Majesty's Government, that the founders of the settlement may have every possible facility for carrying into execution their own views as to its government; and I fully concur in the opinion entertained by the Association as to the importance of securing harmony and general unity of action at the outset of their scheme of colonization.

I have the honor to be,

Sir,
Your most obedient, humble servant,
Gneyr.

Governor Sir George Grey,
K.C., &c., &c., &c.

(Copy.)

Office of the Canterbury Association,
20, Cockspur-street,
4th September, 1850.

My Lord,—

I am directed by the Committee of Management of the Canterbury Association to address your Lordship on the subject of the official appointments necessary to be made at Port Lyttelton.

I submit for your Lordship’s guidance an estimate of the probable statistics of the colony as they will be likely to be found after the arrival of the first bodies of colonists.

From the latest accounts we understand that there are now settled at Port Lyttelton, including natives and persons employed by the Association, about 500 persons. The four ships about to sail will carry with them upon an average, including women and children rather less than 250 souls each, making together about 900 souls. The Association have ordered for survey two more ships. Probably by the end of the month of October two others will sail, making four altogether, carrying together an additional number of probably 1,000 souls. In addition to these, we suppose that stragglers from other settlements, together with persons sailing in other ships besides those of the Association, will upon the whole make up a population of from 2,500 to 3,000 persons.

As regards the probable revenue arising within the colony, the Association have framed the best estimates in their power, both by comparative calculations of the revenues of other settlements in New Zealand, as well as by information obtained from the best sources. They will most readily place before your Lordship (if desired) the details of these calculations.

The result is, that they confidently expect the revenue accruing at Port Lyttelton will not be less than six thousand pounds (£6,000) a-year.

So long as the whole of the Southern Settlements remain incorporated as one province, this revenue will accrue to the common fund of the Province. At the same time your Lordship will, we know, recognize at once the equitable claim which the new settlement will have to receive a benefit proportioned to its contributions to that fund.

In the first place, therefore, your Lordship will no doubt think it reasonable (as indeed it is absolutely necessary), that provision should be made for the ordinary jurisdictions, both civil and criminal. At present the views of the Association on this point do not extend beyond the appointment of a resident magistrate and a sufficient number of unpaid magistrates: the Resident Magistrate being, for the present, the most important officer in the colony, would, as they think, be entitled to receive a proportionate salary, the amount of course will be paid by the local authorities. It should, however, in the opinion of the Association, be sufficient to ensure the services of a gentleman of high position and adequate ability.

Of the unpaid magistrates, as they will involve no charge upon the revenue, I need at present say nothing further.

There will be in addition various subordinate officers, such as postmaster, barbourmaster, commandant of the militia, and others of an inferior kind, besides the necessary staff of clerks, &c.

Your Lordship will perceive that, assuming our estimate of the revenue to be borne out by the result, there will be an ample fund for these various purposes. Indeed the Association are led to believe that after full provision for them there may be a surplus. These calculations are necessarily in some degree uncertain. The Association, however, would urge upon your Lordship to recommend the local authorities to make provision for the objects before mentioned to an extent proportioned (so far as payment is concerned) to the means of the colony. They do not desire to throw any charge upon the other settlements for their establishments at Canterbury. On the other hand, supposing there should be a surplus revenue after full provision for all their establishments, they would respectfully suggest to your Lordship the propriety of your recommending to His Excellency the Governor-in-Chief to adopt such measures as may be necessary for enabling the surplus to be applied to the benefit of