In 1838, the Bishop of Australia, at the request of the
Missionaries, paid a brief visit to the Bay of Islands, where
he administered the rite of Confirmation, and consecrated
the burial ground at Kororarika. He expressed his surprise
at the work he beheld going on. The Church had now
become so enlai'ged and extended, that it was felt it should
be established in all its integrity. In addition to this a
company had been formed for the colonization of New
Zealand, and the members of it had made some arrange-
ments for the support of a Bishop. The British Government
likewise had taken possession of New Zealand, and joined

* Bishop Williams and the Writer visited Poverty Bay in the beginning of
1839. This adjunct of hospitality was actually offered to them at a place where
no Missionary had previously been seen.
40 THE CHDECH.
with the Missionaries ia furtherance of the same object, and
these three causes led to the appointment of Dr. Selwyn to
that office. He was consecrated the first Bishop in J842,
He arrived in his extensive diocesoi* and landed at Welling-
ton. After making a very short stay there, he went on to the
Bay of Islands, where the seat of Government stiU continued.
He proceeded to the Waimate, and there fixed his abode.
The Bishop expressed his surprise at the progress the
Gospel had made amongst the natives, who as a people had
become Christian.
Shortly after, the war in the north broke out, and its sad
effects were soon felt, for although the outward observances
of religion were kept up, Uttle of the spirit of it was felt.
