Cabinet Meeting.

Opunake Times, Volume I, Issue 44, 30 November 1894, Page 2

Cabinet Meeting.

Wellington, November 26. The Ministers were in Cabinet to-day until a few minutes to 5 o’clock, after which the Hon the Premier, the Minister of Lands, and the Postmaster-Gen-eral left for the South in the steamer Eotomahana. Amongst the questions decided, in addition to the offer of another year’s term of office to Sir W. B. Perceval as Agent-Geeneral, were the appointment of four supervising valuers under the Government Advances to Settlers Act, two for each island, but the selection was not decided upon. It is intended to select a council in each of the leading centres to transact Government business under the last-mentioned Act, aud also other business, but in no way to interfere with the duties of the Crown Prosecutor.

The Commissioner of Customs has been authorised to expend the sum of £3OOO in the erection of fog horns and syrens on the most dangerous points of the New Zealand coast. The Cabinet further decided that in future the salary of any Government officer should not exceed £BOO per annum ; also, that unless under special engagement the travelling expenses of any civil servant should not exceed 15s per diem. The appointment of the Minister for Railways was held over for further consideration. Mr Carroll leaves for Eketahuna and Pahiatua to-morrow.

Amongst the business done was the appointment of Mr Ronayne as General Manager of railways. Before the Minister of Railways is definitely apappointed, the Premier will confer with the Commissioners. When the railways come under the supervision of the Minister, the opportunity will probably be taken to amalgamate the Public Works and Railway Departments once more.

Land is to be purchased in South Canterbury, near Timaru, and Temuka for Settlement purposes, and the Cabinet also agreed to allocate £7OOO to laying out roads to open up settlement. Cape Maria Van Dieman is to be connected by telephone if the cost is not too great, and enquiries will immediately be made upon the subject. Another question which came before the Cabinet was the appointment of a nautical adviser, vice the late Captain Johnston. Although not definitely settled, it is undertood that Captain Alhfian, of the Rotomahana, has been selected 1 for the post. Captain Allman left rather unexpectedly for Sydney on Saturday, and upon his return the appointment will probably be announced. The Commissioner of Customs remains in New Zealand, and does not Mr Reeves in Australia.