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201 CHAPTER XVI. Return to Sydney—Arrival of the Governor of New Zealand—His first measures—Native debates—Proclamations—General Observa tions on the colonization of New Zealand — The New Zealand Company—Errors of the Quarterly—Wellington—New Plymouth —Nelson—Agricultural pursuits—Peace of the colony. After this short and to me interesting sojourn in New Zealand, I returned to Sydney towards the end of January. Abundant rains had fallen throughout the colony during the period of my absence in New Zealand, causing inun dations of the Hunter, the Nammoy, and all the great rivers which have their origin in the mountainous districts of the interior. The interest regarding New Zealand had been increased by the appearance of Captain Hobson, the lieutenant-governor, who had arrived from England, with powers to erect New Zealand into a British colony. The preliminary expenses of his government were to be de frayed by the treasury of New South Wales, from which Sir George Gipps wrung, with no small reluctance, it is said, the sum of 2000Z. This proceeding excited clamours both loud and deep throughout the colony. That a rival colony (so New Zealand was erroneously called,) should be set up so near them was bad enough ; but that the funds of New South Wales should be applied to that purpose was in the highest degree preposterous and unjust. k3