The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, SEPTEMEBER 21, 1889. THE VACANT PORTFORLIOS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2232, 21 September 1889, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. SATURDAY, SEPTEMEBER 21, 1889. THE VACANT PORTFORLIOS.

It is not often — m New Zealand at any rate — that there are two vac-ant port- ( folios m the same Ministry at the same time. This, however, has now been the case m the Atkinson Cabinet for some weeks past, the seat vacated by Mr Fisher at the very beginning of the session having never been filled up and that vacated by Mr Hislop two or three weeks ago being also still without an occupant. From time to time rumor has indicated that at least one gentleman was to be invited to take office, among the names mentioned being those of Mr Fulton, Mr White, and Captain Russell. It has, indeed, been asserted that offers have been made to all these, but that each had returned the reply of " Nolo episcopari" or its political equivalent Coy, however, as each of these gentlemen may have been as towards the blandishments of fcir Harry, it is now hinted that one of them either has yielded or is about to yield to his solicitations, and that Captain Russell — like the frail damsel of bardic story has, though "vowing he would ne'er consent, consented," or at anyrate is about to consent, YV ell, if so, then undoubtedly "The Major," as it still seems natural to term our Knight of the Boots, is to be on the whole congratulated. For Captain Kussell is a genftaman m the beßt sense of the term, and one who, it may safely be predicted will never make any such faux pas as those lto which the tyros of the present team seem to be so fatuously addicted.

He will bring to the Government a considerable element of strength so far as regards a large part of the

North Island and will also we make no doubt prove a capable administrator. Nor will the Opposition — the Liberal party, have any reason to object, for Captain fiussell is a thorough Conserva tive and his inclusion m the Ministry will help more clearly to mark that party line, which, if we are still to have party, will be all the better of sharper definition and therefore the acceptance of office by the member for Hawkes Bay will be regarded with a sort of all round satisfaction, though tbat satisfaction will proceed from entirely different considerations m different quarters.