it is possible that grey's antipathy towards the canterbury association led him to appoint campbell in order to frustrate the plans of the colonists and delay the settlement of claims and the issuing of pasturage licences. certainly campbell, and george grey's appointment of him as commissioner, were strongly criticized by the press and prominent colonists. the lyttelton times and the daily southern cross published articles stating:""there never was a more unfortunate or more offensive appointment than that of col. campbell... he was considered by all who came in contact with him to be wholly incompetent to discharge the duties of any responsible station... there could hardly have been found another man whose presence within this settlement, as an official, would have been so offensive to its inhabitants.""