420 ADVENTURE IN NEW ZEALAND. Chap. XV 
the cause of colonization had enlisted a powerful advo- 
cate among its parliamentary supporters in the person 
of Lord Eliot (now Earl of St. Germains). A nume- 
rously signed petition from the merchants, ship-owners, 
and bankers of the city of London, had been the ground 
on which his Lordship had founded a motion for in- 
quiry into the proceedings of the Colonial Office, the 
Local Government, and the Company, as regards New 
Zealand. Lord Eliot, and Mr. Vernon Smith in op- 
posing his motion, clearly exposed the blunders, whe- 
ther accidental or intentional, committed by the Colo- 
nial Office as to the sovereignty of New Zealand ; 
their recent disclaimer of which had encouraged the 
French to entertain the hope of anticipating us in ob- 
taining it from the so-called independent chiefs, through 
cession from them. The Colonial Office appeared to be 
less acquainted than other persons with the features of 
the case, and the matter ended in Lord Eliot's motion 
being agreed to, notwithstanding the opposition of 
Lord John Russell and his subordinate. 
The grievous news of the death of the Earl of Dur- 
ham was received at the same time. That distinguished 
nobleman, the first Governor of the New Zealand 
Company, had merited the sincere esteem of the Cook's 
Strait colonists, not only by his strenuous and disin- 
terested advocacy of their particular interests, but also 
by his thorough support of the principles of coloniza- 
tion on which the Company's settlements were based, and 
by the kindly interest which he was known to take in all 
questions affecting the Colonial empire of Great Bri- 
tain. It is pleasing to know that the sorrow for Lord 
Durham's death was deep, heartfelt, and universal at 
Wellington. A respectful address of condolence was 
immediately prepared and signed, for presentation to 
the widowed Countess, 
