EXIT W. P. REEVES. ENTER (?) J. L. SCOTT. TO THE EDITOR OF THE PRESS.

Sir, —The hesitation of the. Government with regard to the appointment of the Agent-General is easily explained. The appointment of Mr Reeves would empty the seat for Christchurch, and the vacant seat might be filled by T. E. Taylor. The Premier would give his eyebrows to keep him out of the House ! Hence the prolonged hesitation. Nor is tho hesitation yet terminated. Mr Taylor would carry the seat under ordinary circumstances, and he would get the block vote of the Temperance men and women of the constituency, and would, besides, get a large vote from the so-called Conservative party. This is the contingency which faces Mr Seddon. and threatens Mr Reeves' chan.e of the AgentGeneralship.

Bub the Government are playing a cute game. They would split tbe temperance vote, so tbe accommodating Mr J. L. Scott, who -is a prohibitionist, is invocated and importuned Ithe Premier coming from Wellington to assist in the business) bo become the Government candidate. A cunning game, sit; bnt the stupid temperance people can see through it; and will, I am persuaded, stand as one man, and give T. E. Taylor a block vote. Let the temperance party be up and doing, and take the first step in the campaign, by publicly registering a vow to vote for Tavlor and Taylor only. Ye gods! what fun when Taylor faces the Hon. Richard on the floor of the House. Might Ibe there to see!— Yours, &c„ John Gilpin.