Consul in the Island's history.

Mr. Farmer -- who has already served an extra year on his three-year appointment -- could remain in the top US job in Bermuda into the next century.

President Bill Clinton's term of office ends in January, 2001 -- and all Consular appointments run only until the end of the sitting president's term.

And The Royal Gazette understands that it takes at least nine months to complete paperwork on a US State Department overseas appointment.

That means Mr. Farmer is set to stay until at least next summer -- leaving a new appointee only a year-and-a-half in the job.

But it is believed, rather than going through the appointment process for a new Consul General, the State Department may opt to ask Mr. Farmer to stay on until the end of President Clinton's second and final term of office.

The current Consul General would then have served a total of seven years in the job, understood to be a record for a US appointment.

Ex-Governor of Maine Joseph Brennan, speculated to be in line for the job, is understood to be going to the US Maritime Commission instead.

Mr. Farmer declined to comment on progress in selecting his successor.

But he signalled that he would be prepared to hang on in Bermuda -- if asked to do so.

Mr. Farmer said: "I love it here and I'm happy to stay as long as they need me.'' The news came as the State Department finally decided to sell off the Consul General's luxury official residence, Chelston in Paget.

It is understood that US officials are currently reviewing the final contracts to put the massive house and grounds on the market as part of a cost-cutting exercise.

But The Royal Gazette understands that plans to acquire a more modest replacement for Chelston are on hold until the current Consul General's home is officially put up for sale.

The future of the house -- set in 14 acres with a beach house and private beach and home to US Consul Generals since 1964 -- has been under threat since 1996.

The house came under the spotlight in a US TV report critical of the expense involved in maintaining lavish overseas representation.

Farmer to remain as US envoy could be sold for up to $15 million and that a sell-off could save up to $100,000 a year in maintenance, plus major repair costs.

Around ten potential buyers are already understood to have expressed an interest in the estate and been shown around.

The sale of the house and some of the ground, with the rest of the estate being sold off as three to four acre building plots, was not ruled out, although Bermuda environmental groups pledged to oppose a piecemeal disposal of Chelston.