THE M'CULLOCH MINISTRY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 2055, 5 September 1868, Page 5

THE M'CULLOCH MINISTRY.

The Illustrated Australian News contains Biographical sketches and portraits of the politicians who comprise the new Victorian Ministry. We extract the following accounts of Messrs G. P. Smith, 0. E. Jones, and Yj. J. Casey. THE HON. GEORGE PATON SMITH, , ATTORNEY-GENERAL. Mr G. Paton Smith is of Scotch descent, but: was born in London. His t father's family belong to Berwick- onTweed, where they have been located for the last two centuries. He was educated and intended for a profession, but family circumstances prevented the intention being carried out. He arrived in Victoria in 1856; after a few months spent on the goldfields, joined the staff of the Age, then edited by Mr Ebenezer Syme. Mr Smith had previously contributed a | number of letters to that journal on the social condition of the goldfields' population, which attracted some attention. His long connection with the Age (uninterrupted except.for two years when on the staff of the Argus), led to his being offered the editorship, when he conducted the paper during the period of the O'Shanassy Administration; subsequently, on account of impaired health, exchanging the Age for the Leader (a weekly paper), which he continued to edit tiU his increasing practice as a barrister induced him gradually to retire from the Press. At the time of his first joining the Age, Mr Smith had intended himself as a student forthe Bar, and during the ttro years of his connection witb the Argus was associated with Mr Wilson Gray as.law reportf-r for that journal. He was called to the Bur in September, l£ f\L, and, while attending, to his editorial duties, practised at first as a parliamentary counsel; but, as his legal practice increased, he fiually decided to devote himself entirely to its profession. At the general election of January, 1866, he was offered a seat for North Melbourne free of expense, but, having been a resident in South Bourke for several years, contested tbat constituency with Mr Harbison againsfc Mr O'Grady and Mr L. L. Smith, and was returned at the head of the poU in conjunction with Mr O'Grady. At the general election of 1868 he was opposed by Mr L. L. Smith, and again defeated him. Three months aterwards, when Ms O'Grady accepted ofiice, aad wag

opposed by Mr Crew's, Mr G !P Smith gave very efficient help in securing Mr Crews s return in the place of Mr* ULrrady, and the consequence of his efforts on that occasion was the formidable opposition concentrated upon him wheit he appealed to his constituents as a member of. the second M'Culloch Ministry. Mr Smith is an ardent politician, and both by his ability as a debater and by his pen when he was editor of the Age has done great service to the Liberal cause. Having been more regardful of the fortiter in re than of the suavifer inmodo, it was hardly possible for him to= escape detraction on attaining such a position as that which he now occupies. Bufc if he has enemies, he has also plenty of friends. Such as can recognise an honest and able man when they see him, believe that the future career of the Attorney-General will not telie their favorable augury.