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mere formality, since the Government already knew and approved of it. It has, indeed, been stated in some of the New Zealand papers that the Government consented to my joining the board, and, as far as I am aware, the statement was not contradicted. I was, therefore, quite unprepared to receive the intimation to which I have referred. I should like to have your views* when you would wish me to retire. I am, &e., The Directors of the New Zealand Agricultural Company (Limited). Julius Vogel. To this their reply was : — Dear Sir Julius Vogel,— 110, Cannon Street, London, 16th June, 1879. The directors learn with the greatest regret that a question has arisen between the New Zealand Government and yourself with regard to this company. The directors are of opinion that the New Zealand Government cannot be aware of the real state of the case, or of the great importance to the company of your retaining your connection with it, and they beg that you will urge upon the Government the following reasons for changing their decision. The directors sincerely trust that these representations will have the desired effect—they are as follows : — (1.) That the shareholders may consider they have cause to complain if you retire, as much of the support given to the company was due to the fact that you were to be a member of the board. (2.) That the directors certainly hold the opinion'that your now leaving the board would be prejudicial to the company. (3.) That the company, having for its principal object the purchase of large estates for the express purpose of immediately cutting them up and making them available for settlement, and is now taking steps to secure settlers of a superior class, deserves every assistance at the hands of the Government, as it is in direct accordance with the principles of the public works and immigration policy, which has proved of such value to the colony. (4.) That the late Dr. Feathcrston, whilst acting as Agent-General for New Zealand, was also a director of the National Bank of New Zealand. We trust that upon the above grounds the Government may see fit to reconsider the matter of your continuing a member of the board, and request you to urge this appeal as strongly as posssibio. We have, &c, Richard C. Matne. R. M. Robertson. W. Clark. W. J. M. Laenach. Thomas Selbt Tanoeed. P. Maxwell. This is the letter which I received from Sir George Grey, dated the 19th July, 1879 :— I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the 9th May, enclosing copy of a telegram from me, and expressing the hope that I would not object to your delaying until the subsequent Suez or San Francisco mail to reply to the portion of that telegram which requested you to arrange for an early retirement from the position you hold in connection with the New Zealand Agricultural Company. I have much pleasure in complying with your wishes. I have, &c, Sir Julius Vogel, K.C.M.G., &c, London. G. Grey. That letter crossed my own letter which I have just read. On the 20th September Sir George Grey telegraphed : — Vogel, London. Goveenment considered letter June seventeen. Still holds former opinion. Now requests you resign office director Agricultural Company at once. Reply "Yes" or "No," by telegram. Government cannot allow Agent-General to take any part in politics at Home or in any private business. - ' Gbey. To which I replied on the 9th October 3: — Premier, New Zealand. Some members Government knew I was assisting organize company, and I find shareholders would not think it fair me to resign for some time to come. Vogel, London, 8. I then received on the 3rd November the following telegram from Sir John Hall:— Vogel, London. Wibe names late Government knew assisting organize company, because statement respecting this knowledge reasonable time be allowed you arrange retire. Present Government agree inexpedient you remain director or engage Home politics. Hall. To which I replied on the 7th November : — Premier, New Zealand. Stout certainly, and best my belief Macandrew and Ballance. Cannot name time resign. Shareholders would think it unfair entertain such intention now. Am willing to take Loan Agency, payment by percentage, and act AgentGeneral without salary long as suits Government. Reply. Vogel, London, 6. On the 11th November I received the following from Sir John Hall: — To Vogel, London. Agency-General incompatible other business. Government considering expediency relieving therefrom, appointing you Agent Inscribed Stock at centage. Report fully by post arrangements you would propose ; sketch scheme, estimate annual conversion. We should associate two Agents with you. Anxiously waiting news loan. Hall. Now, I desire to establish here that I throughout maintained a perfectly consistent determination not to throw over the shareholders by resigning the directorship. It is important to bear this in mind, as I contend that at this date I was really holding office during the convenience of the Ministry. As I am now entering on the period of my controversy with Sir John Hall, I wish to state explicitly that, looking back at the correspondence as I have done within the last few days, I think it right to say that I do not desire to allege that I have cause of complaint against that gentleman. He had numerous cares and anxieties at the time, and I do not think I sufficiently allowed for them. The correspondence, as it proceeded at last, assumed an unfriendly tone ; but lam willing ,_tp believe I provoked it. Shortly after the last telegram was received the loan was negotiated, and I have to state that before the operation took place I considered my claim to a commission would not be contested. Had I been holding the office of Agent-General permanently, I should not have thought of claiming payment; but I was not. I was holding office until it suited the Government to appoint a successor. I had absolutely refused to give up the directorship, and I was continuing a candidate for Falmouth. Later on, March 4, Sir John Hall recognized that such was my position, and agreed to my commencing as Agent and continuing only to hold the Agent-Generalship until relieved. He stated subsequently in the House that at this period he considered I was holding the office of AgentGeperal for the convenience pf the Government.