Untitled

Waikato Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 2380, 11 October 1887, Page 2

Major Atkinson, in the course of the afternoon on Saturday, succeeded in making some progress in the onerous tusk that had devolved upon him, and was able to submit to His Excellency the Governor the names of the new Government so far as it has been constituted, and they were sworn in on the same night. The personnel of the Ministry is as follows : —lion. H. A, Atkinson, Premier and Treasurer, with the departments of Customs, Post and Telegraphs; Mr T. W. Hislop, Minister of Justice; Mr T. Fergus, Minister of Minos; Mr G. E, Richardson, Minister of Lands: and Mr G. Fisher, Minister of Education. There is an uncertainly as regards the ultimate disposal of the two remaiuning portfolios. Mr C. G. J. Stevens, who arrived in Wellington on Saturday by the I imutaka from London, was to he oltered the cilice of Colonial Secretary, to represent the Government in the Upper House, but it was not known whether he would accept the position. Mr Mi'Hielson has linen I

selected for the office of Public Works ; for which his former ex-perience,-ind business capacity qualify him ; but he hesitates to accept the portfolio on the score of his attention being required for his private business. Failing Mr Mitchelson, the, choice will lie between Mr Peacock and Mr •I. B. Whyte, both of whom have claims upon Major Atkinson’s consideration. Tho uewOabiuetaffords an equal representation of tho various divisions of the colony, and from the now blood in its constitution bids fair to win the support of the House and country. All the honourable gentlemen are possessed of superior talents and debating power. It is to bo regretted that Mr Scobio Mackenzie could not be included in the Ministry ; but it was, no doubt, a matter of impossibility to find portfolios for everyone where there were so many able and competent men to select from, and Mr Mackenzie, who has already made bis mark, can well be content to wait his time. The\ Government of Major Atkinson show their earnestness to effect retrenchment in all branches by beginning with themselves. The Premier’s salary will be reduced by ,£■7)oo, and that of the other Ministers by ~£250 each, that is to say, the emoluments will be £1250 and £IOOO per annum, respectively. Major Atkinson will meet the House to-day and announce the formation of his Cabinet, after which he will ask for an adjournment for a fortnight in order to prepare his Budget and elaborate the policy of the Government.

as the rioor was never found unlocked, nothing but a member of the .spirit world could extract the missing joints. Constable Rasmussen soon solved the mystery. He concealed himself in the slaughterhouse one evening early, and after waiting for four or five hours, was rewarded by seeing las ghostship glide in and unhook a whole carcase. Ho followed him out, and instead of grasping a. shadow ho took hold of as fat an old Chinaman ms he had ever laid hands on, and who is now doing throe months in Lawrence gaol. John was the lucky possessor of a skeleton key.—Tuapeka Times.