THE LATE ALLAN CUNNINGHAM, ESQ. 281 
and that the notorious fact, well known to the Cómmittee, may 
be also weighed, of my having received no reward or remune- 
ratoin, in land or otherwise (thanks excepted), for the several 
long and fatiguing explorative journeys undertaken by me be- 
tween the years 1822 to 1829, of all which the local Govern- 
ment was furnished with detailed reports. I urge, further, 
that with these circumstances in view, and added to the facts 
of the high rate at which house-rent has now attained, and 
also the increased price of every article of life in the colony, 
trust that the Committee will be of opinion that a clear 
salary of 450/. per annum, exclusive of my expenses, or 
means of travelling, will not be deemed other than a fair and 
equitable pay, comparing it, and the appointment altogether, 
with the salaries and required duties of other Civil servants. 
* ALLAN CUNNINGHAM.” 
* March, 1838." 
The above, with a letter from the Garden Committee, 
strongly recommendatory of Mr. Cunningham's proposition, 
was laid before the Governor; to which his Excellency re- 
plied, in substance, as follows :—' That he had taken into 
E cL. RS 
consideration the proposition, and given every attention to 
the letter that accompanied it; but he regretted, that, 
although the sum of 450/. per annum asa salary was not to 
be objected to, viewing the present demand for house-rent, 
the price of every article of life, &c., yet the equipment 
increasing it in the first year to 900/., he could not recom- 
mend the appointment to the legislature of the colony ; but, 
added his Excellency, * If any member of the Council will 
propose it, and be supported by a majority, he would be 
happy to afford it his cordial approval.” 
On the receipt of this communication, Mr. Cunningham 
made immediate preparation for embarking for New Zealand, 
and, although writing at the time in excellent spirits, it is 
evident that the germ of that disorder which eventually proved 
fatal had taken firm hold of his system. He says, “ Mean- 
- while I stand in my original priton to return to Old England 
VOL. I. Y e 
