DEATH OF SIR F. DILLON BELL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 166, 16 July 1898, Page 5

DEATH OF SIR F. DILLON BELL.

A Press Association telegram from Wellington states that Sir Francis Dillon Bell, K.C.M.G., C.8.,, died at Shag Valley, near Wellington, afc half-past two o'clock yesterday afternoon. . • [Sir F. D. Bell was born in 1822, his father.being Mr Edward Bell, of Hornsey, England, who died in 1864. He was educated in France, and in 1839.he entered the service of the New Zealand Company, and after being-secretary in London he emigrated to New Zealand shortly after the settlement of Wellington and" New Plymouth. He was agent of the company till 1850 at Nelson, Auckland, New,-Plymouth, and elsewhere. In 1851 he became Commissioner of Crown Lands. In 1853 he entered the Provincial Council of Wellington, and in 1854 he was called to the Legislative Council. Mr Bell was Colonial Treasurer in the first responsible Ministry of New Zealand (formed by Mr Sewell and himself) in 1856. In the same year he was appointed Commissioner of Land Claims, which' he held till 1862. He was a member of the Domett and Fox Ministries, his term of office in the latter Administration lasting from 1869 to 1871. In 1862 he went with Mr (now Sir John) Gorst to Australia and succeeded in raising a force of military settlers to plant in the disturbed Waikaio district. In 18G4 he .went to Otago, and in 1866 he was elected to Parliament for the district of Mataura. In 1569 he went to England with Dr. Featherstone on a special commission in - regard to defences and finance. Jn 1871 he was elected Speaker of the House of Representatives, which office he held for five years. In 1881 he succeeded Sir Julius Vogel as Agent-General for New Zealand, and held the position with great credit for ten years, returning to New Zealand in 1891. Pie was created K.C.M.G. in 1881, and C.B. in 18S6. In 1892 he returned to England, when Lady Bell died. Some time ago Sir F. D. Bell returned to New Zealand in failing health, and gradually sank, dying at the age of 76. ]