THE MINISTERIAL MYSTERY.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2667, 7 October 1881, Page 3

THE MINISTERIAL MYSTERY.

SECOND EDITION

The Wellington correspondent of the “ Lyttelton Times ” telegraphs from that city yesterday as follows regarding the visit of Messrs Hall and Atkinson to the West Coast; , . Last week I expressed an opinion that the hr.stv visit of Messrs Atkinson and Hall to Mr Eolleston at Opunake was in connection with the vacant Ministerial portfolio. There was little doubt in my mind then that such was the case, and what has recently transpired serves tc confirm my previous view. There are now several good reasons for supposing that the “ Patea Mail's ” statement about Mr _ Bryce haring been asked to rejoin th ® Ministry to be correct. In the first place (as I telegraphed at the time), there vas the strongest reason to believe that Mr Wakefield, finding his re-election to be strongly opposed, did press what he conceived •to be his claim to tue vacant portfolio U n o n the. Government, and that the Treasurer and Premier went to Opunake in a great hurry to consult vcith Mr Eolleston. It is also known that Mr Eolleston decidedly objects to Mr Wakefield as a colleague,and would resign if that gentleman became a Minister. This doubtless placed the Government in a dilemma, and, as Mr Eolleston does not appear to have had the confidence of the people on the Coast it would not be unreasonable to suppose that the Government turned for a helping hand to a man who had, in the opinion of so many Ministerial supporters, so ably dealt with the Nativca during his tenure of office. To haie secured a colleague so valuable in the eves of many who would have at once Xiven the Government additional strength by getting rid of any bother, Mr Wakefie d, as he would have S bound IP admit that tlie re*appointmenl of Mr Bryce would have been preferable m the present iuncture to placing him (Mr M akein office as Postmaster-General or Minuter for Public Works. Then, again, the' shown hy the Ministers here to-day, when questioned on the subiect gives additional color to the rumor that Mr Bryce has beenijjerea a portfolio and had declined They will not admit its accuracy, but they do not deny it, and it may fairly bo supposed that if untrue a report of such a character would be promptly and emphatically denied. It is somewhat puzzling to know why so much secrecy should be maintained over this mysterious trip t° .Opunake, and if the actions of the Government are misconstrued they

have themselves to thank in the present case. However, I think the mystery has now been fairly cleared up, as what I have related above dovetails with all the other information I have obtained upon the subject, and with what I have previously sent you.