Cleveden, Somersetshire, 3rd September, 1852. My dear Smith, By a letter from London this morning, I learn that the "Cleopatra" Steamer does not leave Plymouth till the 7th so I have time to send you a few lines. We had a quiet passage home, capital Skipper and excellent table - After passing Gape Horn Felix Wakefields acquaintance and mine ceased - A fellow I have a greater contempt for I never met. The Canterbury Association is done up, it is considered in England a thorough humbug, and a complete failure, at which I am much pleased. I saw Mr.Hutt in London, and they sent me a letter of thanks, or rather a copy of a letter, that they had forwarded to Mr.Godley, and which he received six months before I left New Zealand but which he withheld - Mr.Hutt told me, my statement had been read to the Committee, and that a copy had been forwarded to Mr.Godley, requesting his answer, which Mr. Godley had answered. I called at the Association rooms, at the request of Mr.Hutt, and saw the Secretary, all the rest were out of town, and the 30th of this month, they hand it all over to the Government. You will be glad to have seen that Steam Boats are established to Sydney and Port Philip, and that a Company is formed in London to make a New Zealand Steam Company communicating with Sydney, and connecting all the Settlements. I left Sir George Greys letters he gave me at Sir John Pakingtons, and. that is all I have done about the new Settlement, and possibly all I shall - I shall get no assistance from the Canterbury people, they have had enough of forming new Settlements, and I am certain they are annoyed with me for leaving them, I think it did them much harm in England, which they wont forget, besides the personal friendship many of the members entertain for the exalted "Dombey" - But as I want nothing from them or anybody else, it, is a matter of perfect indifference to me what they think - all my friends, and relatives, say I did perfectly right, and are indignant at the treatment I received from "Dombey", and that is all I care about. I am down here, on the sea coast, or rather Bristol Cnannel enjoying myself with some old friends - At this time of year it is delightful, and the scenery is beautiful with the Welsh coast opposite - Nothing like old England. I think of returning to New Zealand next year, provided I hear I have got my run, and that my sheep are all right. In that case I shall return by steam to Sydney, and bring over some more sheep, I hope you will be myneighbour, for tis a great comfort to have an honest Englishman next door. I have written to Kelharn, and Guthrie, I hope the latter will assist in getting up my sheep - I am going all I can to put his brother in the way of going out but there are no vessels going now to New Zealand scarcely, everybody are going to Port Philip and Sydney - One ship is advertised to sail the end of next month to Canterbury, with a Sir Thomas Tancred, and party to found another Township, "Gladstone" by name - How will the new Constitution work? I am glad to say Sir George is likely to remain Governor, Mr.Hutt tells me as long as he likes. He stands very high as a Governor, in spite of Dombey, and Mr.Jerningham Wakefield. Fancy Gibbon Wakefield going out, so they told me in London - I cant believe it - I did not see him, "Don Feliciano", put him against me, and much I care for it - I dont know what has become of "Felix", they told me he had never gone near the Canterbury Rooms - He is a most audacious liar. Fox is gone to the United States to finish his education in democracy I suppose - The Association did not like him I heard - He wanted to succeed Dombey - This letter will reach you I suppose by the end of November when you will have got your lambing, and your clip over. I long to hear from you, to know how those operations have answered our expectations - I have written to Kelham to have the Station prepared, and the dogs poisoned before the sheep go up which ought not to be, unless Bell insists upon it, before February when the lake will be closed. Pray remember me to "Alspot" I hope he has answered our hopes - You have got my address in London, as I am moving about. Adieu for the present. Very sincerely yours, J. Thomas.