The colony was passing through bad times, but it is clear that the trustees had not been able to find a successor who could approach Cape in personality and knowledge. Cape in the meantime had opened a private school at Paddington, which was carried on until 1856 when he retired.
The colony was struggling, but the trustees couldn't find a replacement who matched Cape's personality and expertise. Cape established a private school in Paddington, which continued until his retirement in 1856.