[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.]

Press, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5138, 21 February 1882, Page 2

[FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.]

WELLINGTON; February 20. The Postmaster-General (Walter Johnston) returned to Wellington thia afternoon from Castle Point, <It ia understood that hia sudden return ia in connection with negotiations between the Government and the directors of the Wellington and Manawatu Railway Company, in regard to whioh a hitch has occurred, as telegraphed by mc last week.

Major Atkinson, as I mentioned on Saturday would probably be the oase, has been unable to leave Wellington by tbe Te Asan to-day for the South. It was thought he might get away to-night by the Wakatipu, but I understand that it ia doubtful whether he oan even start by Wednesday'a boat. It ia rumored that further extensive reductions and amalgamations in the Civil Service are in contemplation ohiefly in the Justioe Department, which it is reported will, if pcß.ible, be retrenched to the extent of some £30,000 per annum. This is probably an exaggeration, but I have reason to believe tbat the absorption of tbe Justice Department into the Colonial Secretary's Department ia under tbe serious consideration of Government. It will be remembered that formerly the two used to be in one portfolio, and tbe Department of Justioe was merely termed tbe "judicial branoh " of the Colonial Secretary's Department. It is now believed that large eoonomy can be effsoted by consolidating both under one permanent head (as well as Ministerial), aud it ia not unlikely that the present Under-Secretary for the Colony (Mr G. S. Cooper) will have the offer of thia position. Iv that case Mr Fountain, tbe present Secretary for Justice, would probably retire on a well-earned pension. Nothing, however, is settled as yet, and you muat not regard this information as given on any offioi-1 authority, although I fancy you will find it not far wrong. In any oase, I do not expect matters to be settled until Ministers re-assemble in Wellington. I -ear that Mr Walter Johnston will leave Wellington again this week for tho country after he has oonoluded the business on which he has returned, and that the Promier, barring unforeseen delays, will bs back here by next Sunday's steamer.