WELLINGTON NOTES.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 8983, 22 December 1894, Page 8

WELLINGTON NOTES.

(By Telegraph.)

[FBOJI OUR CORRESPONDENT.] WELLINGTON, December 21. Cabinet meetings have been almost continuous during the week, and it comes to mc that the atmosphere thereof could hardly be described as balmy. In fact it was sultry enough at one time to threaten the disruption of the by no means happy political family. Ways and means, particularly the ways of procuring the means, and the railway portfolio and management were engrossing and exciting themes no doubt; but I incline to tho opinion that, besides these things, an important shuffle of Cabinet cards was considered with much animation and fervour. If this be so, and important transpositions of office are contemplated, thsy will be, I think, particularly as to one change of portfolio, of a Kind that will be a cause of much gratulation to the business community. I cannot speak more plainly just now, but a little reflecsion will enable business men to fathom my meaning. The Public Trustee has been advised, I believe officially, that one million is available for advances to settlers under the Act of last session. Applications are numerous, and the officers of the department are fully engaged making ready for an active campaign, for which purpose additional appointments have necessarily been made. Two of these, strange to relate, do not justify the likeness of the Premier to the immortal Washington as an example of the eternal truth. During his recent speech at Hamilton Mr Seddon, rebutting the charge of " spoils to the victors," in relation to appointments to the Civil Service, pointed to the Civil Service Act, the provisions of which make entry to the service impossible, excepting for cadets who had passed the examination prescribed by the law. With much force and no doubt excellent effect upon his audience, Mr Seddon challenged anyone to find an instance where an appointment was not made io accordance with that law. Now will it be believed that as he spoke the ink may be said to have been hardly dry upon the first work of two cadets just appointed to the office of the Pablic Trustee, whose names do not appear in the last gazetted list of cadets who have passed the necessary examination for admission to the Civil ! Service ? This by the way, and after all it is but a small abuse of power to some we wot of, though it does spell bitter disappointment to many a parent, and many a son who are thus shut out from hope of reward for the self-denial | aud labour that, according to the law, I sheuld have brought the latter within measureable distance of the Civil Service. As to the million of money, alleged to be at the disposal of the Trustee, there is much speculation as to whence it has been derived and how raised. More of this anon. It js not unlikely that the Premier will not assume the portfolio of Railway, and this probability bears upon the other Cabinet possibilities indicated in this message. I learn that Mr Ronayne is to be General Manager of tbe railways from the beginning of the year, and that he will not have any associate in the control. This, if true, and I have reason to believe it, means that Mr Scott will not be provided with any further tenure of office after the expiration of his present engagement. Mr McKerrow will, I understand, be offered a responsible office in connection with the lands of the colony. This points to the position of Superintendent under the Advances to Settlers Act, a responsible office for which Mr McKerrow has special qualifications. Mr Blow, Under-Secretary for Public Works, will take over, in addition, the office of Secretary for Railways, a position he is said, whether rightly or wrongly I know not, to have coveted during the recent years, during which time he has been credited, by many usually well informed persons, with having moulded the projestiles that have, from time to time, been levelled against the Commiasioners by the Premier. Mr Pilcher, the present Seoretary for Railways, is, it is stated, to be otherwise'provided for, and the Advances to Settlers Bill may absorb him, together with his chief, who is understood to have a high opinion of his capabilities, as have those of the public who know him. I am told that the absence of the Minister for Education being concurrent with Mr Scott's loss of office will not be without significance in Canterbury.