SIR JULIUS VOGEL AND THE AGENT GENERALSHIP. Wellington, August 17.

Te Aroha News, Volume III, Issue 116, 22 August 1885, Page 4

SIR JULIUS VOGEL AND THE AGENT GENERALSHIP. Wellington, August 17.

This morning I asked the Premier if the statement re the .Agent-General's retirement owing to Lady Bell's ill-health were i truo. Ho replied in the negativo, and added that no mention of such intended step was made by Sir Dillon Beil from whom he had received a private letter only yesterday. There is, however, no doubt that there is a little truth in the report, as Mr Ballance informs me that Government have letters in their possession from SirF. D. 8011, which appear to indicate that it if the Agent-General's intention to retire early. Tho Minister added that though Sir F. D. Bell's term of office had 18 months to run, yet he could resign at any moment. Yesterday I advised you that the Opposition had been informed that Sir Julius Vogel would resign at once if the noconn'denco move were unsuccessful. Today the rumour has become the common lobby talk, and it is freely stated that Sir Julius himself made such a promise to more than one doubtful adherent, This being so, I went to the hoad of the Government, and asked regarding the matter. The Premier cordially assured me that Sir Julius Vogel had made no such statement to Ministers, and said that the first hint ho had heard of it was when I wrote to him last night, making inquiries as to the truth or falsity of the rumour, Personally, ho utterly discredits Sir Julius Vogel having any intontion of retiring from the Cabinet. Mr Ballance replied similarly, and pointed to Sir Julius Vogel'a bad health as rendering it impossible that he should assume the AgentGeneralship.