These three men, Selwyn, Grey and Williams, were all equally anxious to uphold justice and the best interests of the Maoris, though they differed so seriously on this occasion. Selwyn’s attitude towards the Maoris made him most unpopular for a time amongst the settlers. His constant effort was to promote peace and to ensure prosperity and justice for all, but long afterwards, he would recall how his arrival used to be greeted by the settlers with “Here comes the Bishop to prevent us fighting with the natives.” One day when he was landing in a small boat from his schooner at Wellington, he heard a man asking his companion: “What’s that schooner that has come in this evening?” and the reply was, “Oh, that old fool the Bishop’s.” Jumping on shore at that moment he called out, chuckling and rubbing his hands, “Yes, and here’s the old fool himself.” He went on his way careless of popularity and heedless of the criticism inevitable in the case of a man of such vigour and so many activities. He found relief from his many anxieties in the work connected with his college and schools at Auckland. These were beautifully situated about five miles outside the town. Gifts from England enabled him to erect solid stone buildings, a hospital as well as the schools; each year there was some improvement. There were playing fields where the Maori boys could play cricket, pastures for cattle and sheep, as well as gardens, fields, a printing press, weaving and carpentering sheds. In 1846 there were already one hundred and thirty persons, English and Maori, connected with the College. All alike shared in the cultivation of the estate and lived together as one family. The Bishop wrote: “I have given up house-keeping and have brought all my income to bear on the College.” Mrs. Selwyn shared his work in every way in her power. She taught in the girls’ school and nursed in the hospital. In Judge Martin and his wife they had friends who sympathized with all their plans and gave them much personal help. When visiting the mission stations round the coast in his little sailing vessel, the Bishop was always on the look out for new scholars. He wrote to a friend whilst on one of these voyages: