SIR JULIUS VOGEL.

Thames Advertiser, Volume IX, Issue 2436, 5 October 1876, Page 3

SIR JULIUS VOGEL.

Sir Julius Vogel was born in London on the 20th February, 1835. In early life he had delicate health, and was chiefly educated by masters at home. In his thirteenth year ho attended the London University school, where ho remained until he was sixteen. At this age ho lost both parents. After he left school ho entered the office of his grandfather, who was the head of a largo house in the West India and South American,trade. It was intended that ho should acquire a knowledge of mercantile pursuits, and with this view he proceeded to South America, where through his connections, good prospects awaited him, But when tho Victorian goldfield becamefamoushe was seized with the restless fever to visit them which attacked so many young men, and against the advice of his friends he proceeded to the new El Dorado.

Before leaving, however, he wont through a course of Btudy in tho chemistry and metallurgy of gold and silver at the fioyal School of Mines, Jermyn-strcet. He was Dr. Percy's first pupil in tho metallurgical laboratory 1 of that institution, and from that gentleman took out with him lo Melbourne a proficiency in the art of melting and assaying the precious metals. Some time after his arrival Mr Vogel was concerned in various business pursuits in Melbourne and on the goldßelds. Mr Vogel commenced his journalistic career as editor of the Maryborough and Dunnolhj Advertise)', wliich paper he ably conducted for a series of years until the death of the chief proprietor—Lieutenant Nutfal —when he purchased the plant of the Inglcwood Advertiser, which paper he owned in conjunction with a Mr Pettifer until he started for Dunedin. When the rush commenced ho left for Dunedin and purchased an interest in tho principal paper, started the Otago daily Times, which for some years he edited. Before he left Victoria he stood a contested election for the Avoca district. ' Ho polled 2,000 votes, but was defeated by the Hon. Mr Grant and Mr Davis. Annoyance at this defeat had a great deal to do with his departure for Hew 'Zealand. He studied hard the politics of this colony,.and within two years became a member of tho House of Representatives, and of tho Provincial Council of Otago. For somo years he was head of the Provincial Kxecutive, but early in 18G9 he resigned, as, having disposed of tho Otago Daily Times, ho intended to reside iu A uckland, where ho became proprietor of .the Daily Southern Cross and Weekly News newspapers, which lie disposed of to tho present company in 1873. In June, 1869, Mr Voeel joined the Ministry formed by Mr Fox, taking the portfolios of Colonial Treasurer, Post-master-General, and Commissioner of Customs. He held these offices for over three years, till September, 1872, when Mr Fox's Government was defeated. After the incomiug Government had held office for a month they were defeated on a want of confidence motion moved by Mr Vogel. The Governor refusing them a dissolution, sent for Mr Vogel, who formed a Ministry. The Hon. Mr Waterhouse was offered and accepted the Premiership together with the leadership of the Upper House. Mr Vogel took portfolios of Colonial Treasurer and Postmaster General, together with tho leadership in the House of Representatives. Early in 1870 Mr Vogel arranged in Sydney with Mr Hall and the A.S.IN. Company the first Californian service. During the session (1870) ho introduced tho Public Works and Immigration proposals which were so warmly adopted by the country, After the session Mr Vogel proceeded to Washington, He had already negotiated a postal convention with the United Ststes, and ho now visited America to arrange for a through service to supersede Mr Hall's, The British ambassador (Sir tfdward Thornton) was instructed by tho Foreign Office to lend his good offices. After arranging the contract with Mr Webb, Mr Vogel proceeded to London, where he negotiated the first instalment of tlie Public Works Loan, and arranged with Messrs Brogden, the eminent contractors, to sond.out representatives to New Zealand. Mr Vogel's name in New Zealand is also intimately identified with the Government Life Insurauce system which ho introduced, and which is working with very great success; and with the Intercolonial Heciprocity question,in which he has taken much interest, Whilst at homo ho received the Companionship of the Ordor of St. Michael and St. George. On his second visit to Isngland he was mado Knight Commander of that Order.— Weekly Neivs.