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14 Otago colonists in the ship "John Wychffe," and, as already mentioned, reached Port Chalmers on March 23, 1848. Here he filled the position of agent for the New Zealand Company, and of representative of the Otago Association till the dissolution of the Company in 1850. He continued, however, to administer the affairs of the settlement for a time, and held the office of Commissioner of Crown Lands until his services were dispensed with by Governor Sir George Grey. On the coming into operation of the Constitution Act of 1853, the settlers of Otago expressed their approval of his past conduct, and their confidence in his ability and wisdom, by unanimously electing him as the first Superintendent of the Province in September, 1853. In December of the same year he was chosen to be a Member of the House of Representatives, and attended the meetings of the General Assembly at Auckland in the sessions of 1856 and 1858. He was re-elected Superintendent of Otago in November, 1855, and held office until January, 1860.

After his retirement from the office of Superintendent, Captain Cargill lived in comparative seclusion, taking no part in public affairs, but still looking on with interest, and carefully noting the prosperity and progress around him, happy in the bosom of his family, and satisfied that his mission on earth was accomplished. He took a warm interest in the formation of Knox Church congregation, and attended its public services till within a fortnight of his death. The following description of Captain Cargill is taken from The Otago Witness of August 11, 1860:—"He was somewhat under the middle size, being 5 feet 5 inches in height, strongly made, and with a strong constitution. His grey hair, lofty forehead, and breadth of brow gave him a venerable and intellectual appearance. His habits were abstemious, and he was an early riser. He usually rose between 4 and 5 o'clock, and he was up to the last, and from his early youth, a great reader. There was therefore no subject of general interest upon which he was not well informed. He was social, and extremely considerate of the feelings of others. His company was, to those intimate with him, most agreeable. His political views were fixed upon principles, and were therefore unchangeable. He pursued the course which he deemed right, without swerving to the right or the left, and no earthly consideration could make him deviate from the right line."

The following resolution with reference to Captain Cargill's