The declaration of Governor Browne's war policy was
generally approved of in the Northern Island. An address
to this effect was drawn up at Wanganui, and sent to their
member, Mr. Fox, for his signature; the friends of peace
were as pleased as they were surprised by his refusal to sign

K



130 KING MOVEMENT.
it, and then for the first time, did lie and his confreres Dr.
Featherson and Mr. Pitzherbertj more generally known as the
three F's, make common cause with the friends of the Maori
race. The protest of Mr. Pox made him the head of the
opposition, leading to the overthrow of the Whitaker ministry^
and his succession to that office.
The recal of Governor Browne and the return of Sir G.
Grey, was a change generally hailed with dehght. That
officer voluntarily resigned the more lucrative governorship
of the Cape, where he was most highly esteemed, for that of
New Zealand, to which he returned with the hope of restoring
peace to the country ; — this must be regarded as a proof of his
disinterested love for the colony and the Maori race, as well
as desire to save them from destruction. The diligence he
manifested in collecting their legends and songs, and in ac-
quiring their language, affords the strongest evidence of his
true feeling towards the natives, and therefore it was not to
be wondered at that his arrival was equally welcomed by both
races.
Governor Browne likewise possessed the esteem of a
large body of the colonists, ■^Ao evinced their attachment
to him by presenting a handsome token of their respect
on his departure. The chief fault which he committed
during his reign, was trusting to the judgment of others,
whose minds were far below the standard of his own.
