They landed there on January 22nd, 1840, and that is the date of the true foundation of the colony.

But for some weeks after that New Zealand remained a foreign country.

Not for longer, however.

In June, 1839, the Colonial Office had at length given way.

What between the active horde of land-sharks in New Zealand itself--what between the menace of French interference, and the pressure at home of the New Zealand Company, the official mind could hold out no longer.