I.—2b.

1892. NEW ZEALAND.

PUBLIC PETITIONS M TO Z COMMITTEE. REPORT ON THE PETITION OF HON. SIR J. VOGEL, K.C.M.G., TOGETHER WITH PETITION AND MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS AND EVIDENCE.

Report brought up 27th September, 1892, and ordered to be printed.

E E P O E T. Petitioner states that he was Agent-General for the colony, and also a director of the New Zealand Agricultural Company, which latter position he was required to resign. That he was appointed an Agent under the Inscribed Stock Act, and that he was to receive commission on the Five-million Loan, and that he was considered Agent under the new loan. That he has received no commission ; that his appointment was cancelled, and no compensation allowed him; that'he petitioned the House in 1885, and the Public Petitions Committee took evidence, and reported that the time at their disposal was too short to admit of their arriving at a definite report. That he formally instituted proceedings at law, but found that the length of time which had elapsed barred his claim. Petitioner prays that the evidence taken in 1885 may be considered, and redress granted to him. I am directed to report, That, in the opinion of the Committee, petitioner has no claim against the colony. 27th September, 1892. T. Thompson, Chairman.

PETITION. To the Honourable the Speaker and the Members of the House of Eepresentatives in Parliament assembled. The humble petition of Julius Vogel, formerly of Wellington, in the Colony of New Zealand; formerly Agent-General of New Zealand, and Agent for the inscription of stock, &c, showeth, — 1. That your petitioner was appointed Agent-General for the colony in the year 1876, and continued to hold that office until the 9th day of October, 1880. 2. That during this period your petitioner became interested in and a director of the New Zealand Agricultural Company (Limited), with the knowledge of some of the then Ministry. 3. That the Ministry did not afterwards approve of your petitioner being Agent-General and director of the said company, and asked him to sever his connection with the company; and your petitioner, by a telegram dated the 7th day of November, 1879, pointed out that it would be unfair to the shareholders to do so. The said telegram was as follows: " Cannot name time resign. Shareholders would think unfair entertain such intention now. Am willing to take loan agency, payment by percentage, and act Agent-General without salary as long as suits Government. Eeply.—"Vogel." 4. That your petitioner received a telegram from the Hon. the Premier, Sir John Hall, as follows: "Wellington, 10th November, 1879.—Vogel, London.—Agency-General incompatible other business. Government considering expediency relieving therefrom, appointing you Agent under Inscribed Stock Act at centage. Eeport fully by post arrangements you would propose. Sketch scheme estimate annual conversion. We would associate two Agents with you. , —Hall." 5. That your petitioner, in sending the first-mentioned telegram to the Ministry, intended that the offer to take the loan agency made thereby should include the then proposed loan of £5,000,000, and that he should receive a percentage on that loan, as well as on other loans to be thereafter raised. 6. That your petitioner was induced to believe from the telegram received from the Hon. Sir John Hall, and from the reason that the proposed new loan of £5,000,000 would at that time, so far as it appeared, be the chief source of profit, that the offer held out by the telegram of appointment as Agent for the inscription of stock would include the agency connected with the floating of the new loan, and your petitioner acted on that belief. I—l. 2b.