Nelson Evening Mail. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 1881.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 58, 9 March 1881, Page 2

Nelson Evening Mail. WEDNESDAY, MARCH 9, 1881.

' It is announced to-day that Mr Walter Johuston of Wellington, and M.H.R. for Manawatu, has been appointed a member of . -the, Cabinet with the portfolio of PostmasterGeneral, ; There was a very general impression that Captain Russell of Hawke's Bay was to be the coming man, but it has turned out otherwise, and, on the whole, the new appointment will, we think, be received ■with fayor. throughout the colony, for Mr. Johnston is not only an able man but an eminently practical one, and is likely to • prove as sound an adviser of His Excellency as aD^, in tbe Executive Council. Being- a, Catholic it is riot easy to. .see. how he will ■work with his colleagues' in the administraof the " godless " Education Act, to which nths) present Ministry, ; notably; Mrßolleston, is so strongly.attaohed.: ,This, iho'weyer, is, a matter to be Hettiea'beiweeh.Mr, Johnston and Mb own conscience, 1 and U is to be presumed that he; had" given ' the. subject tbe fullest consideration before accepting the offer made to him. Processor Haselmayer will give, his final f.onteiitainmenfc in Nelson to-night, when he is •likely. to hare ,a. crowded house as he haß. .been promised the patronage of the Major, 'aiia dfthev'Execuitiye Council and members of tbe Rifle 'JL ssociation'. He has an excellent programme for the occasion, and anyone desirous of being thoroughly amused and entertained for a couple of hours cannot do better than pay a visit to the Professor. The trial of Joseph Busch for alleged perjury, commenced in the District Court shortly before one o'clock yesterday afternoon and lasted until a quarter past one this morning. His H/mor commenced to sum up •-" aWutPNSO p»m., aridtafter." going tHroggh.tbg. ftrfaencetold tbtijary~that what they really had to consider resolved itself into this:— Was U»e accused- Jelling. the^jSuth/when he gatd t&afc he did' not' pull down tjj'e fence j

that hetiitf hot drive the cow in; that be had no with Frost that day except when the cow was said to have been driven in; that he did not get eff his Jborse; and challenge Frost to fight ? If they considered that be had sworn falsely on either one of these points it| would be their duty to find him guilty. 1 The jury retired at 9 15, and after they had been absent for two hours the Judge sent for the foreman ;and asked whether there was any' probability o.f their agreeing upon a verdict, to whichtfa- reply, was given in the negative. At half-past twelve the foreman was again sent for, wnen he asked that they t might be -allowed^ five/ minutes more for consideration toeing, locked up for the night, and at a quarter to one the jury returned with a verdict of Not Guilty, and the accuued was:discharged. Tub Deputy Commissioner received a large number of visitors at the Land Tax office yesterday, and the receipts for the day amounted to close on i2OOO, -In very many cases the double instalment was paid. Tub District Court will sit for the despatch of civil business to-morrow morning. , >. . > Tub Rifia Association prizes will be pre^ sented to the winners by Mi-b Suter in the Botanical Reserve a,t half past four thiß afternoon. Ouu Waimea readers are reminded of the performance to be given at the Choral Hall to-morrow evening by Professor and Madame Haselmaj'er. This walkirg matoh,. between: : Armstrong!! and Guy will take place in the Drill Shed i this evening when the Wellington Band will be iv attendance* ' ■ " . . '