SIR JULIUS YOGEL,

Clutha Leader, Volume II, Issue 94, 27 April 1876, Page 3

SIR JULIUS YOGEL,

The following by no means fluttering estimate of the Premier and his pretensions is given in the * Coromandel Mail. Ii says : — We believe that Sir Julius has had his day; and although we do not say it will come 1 to pass,' still we should not fee! surprised to be told' at some time that Sir Julius Yogel had become the proprietor of a billiard saloon instead of Premier of the colony. We should know, that the billiard saloon would be one of the handsomest in the colony, and the fittings and accompaniments perfect in all respects, but we should be far from asserting that anything— re yen .the billiard balls or the cues-— were paid ibr. However^ so long as -the7 people _. are satisfied, and are willing to give "Hioi torchlight receptions and so long;, as they- are willing to let him sink the colony. in debt— so long as people submit to "be taxed while the Premier is'filothed >ih purple and fine -linen, and fares r&^jcnptuously every day— vvliile others sufFef arid are - ' flinched— solong will the present "st^te

of things exist. But we cannot help thinking the end of all Sir Julius's reckless extravagance is fast dragging to a close.

The following reminiscences of the Knight Premier of New Zealand, taken from the London l Weekly Times,' will show the estimation in which he his" held by his acquaintances in the Old Country :— Mr Yogel declares his belief that New Zealand is destined to pass ahead of all the coldnies. Well, perhaps he is right. But what good fortune it was to Mr Yogel that New Zealand was a fact. I remember playing poker with him at Pleasant Creek, years ago, and cleaving him out. He borrowed Ll from me to take* him home. He was a rare fellow — elastic, full, of hope, none of your croakers. He used to write some stinging articles for the ' local rag ;' articles of the Carlyle strength, full of pith and energy ; and I sometimes regret that his pen is lost to the Press. But between ourselves, he is an awful humbug. I don't think he believes in anything, and I am pretty sure that if he could have turned his talent in this direction to profitable account in England, New Zealand would never have seen him again. As matters stand, Sir George Grey i& ready for the fray.