POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 8919, 25 September 1890, Page 2

POLITICAL INTELLIGENCE.

(Fbom Oor Own CoBBEsroNDEHT,.

Wellington, September 24

Tho date of tho dissolution of Parliament has beon definitely fixed for the 2nd Ootober. Tho new writs will bo issued very shortly afterwards, so soon, in fact as all that is necessary in connection with tho elcotoral rolls has been completed. No date has yet boon fixed for tho general election, owing to tho absence of the Colonial Secretary, who is expected to return to Wellington from Napier to-morrow, when this will be sottlod.

Several departmental changes and rearrangements wero decided upon iv Cabinet to-day. It was determined not to continue tho association of tho Stamp department with tho Property Tax department. Mr Crombio, tho new Commissioner of Property Tax, will therefore not hold also tho position of Seoretary for Stamps. He will, however, receivo tho samo salary as that whloh Mr Bporrey had at tho time of his death—viz., £(iOO, ifc hiving been reduced by £100 iv tho retrenchment days of 1888. The appointment of tho Secretary for Stamps has boon conferred upon Mr Charles A. Hickson, tho prosont chief clerk to tho Stamp department, who has virtually exercised Its funotionsfor somo years past very efficiently. Ho will receive an addition of £50 to his present salary r>s chief olork, and tho latter post will probably not bo filled np. Tho ofllco of accountant to Treasury, vacated by Mr Hcywood's promotion to tbo secretaryship (vice Mr Oavin, appointed Assistant Controller General) has been filled up by the appointment of Mr R. J. Collins, chiof clerk to tho Treasury. Mr Collins will not, however, take Mr Hey wood's former position of as.iistantlooretary, which will not bo filled up. Mr Collins will recoivo a salary of £400, which is £150 less' than than his predecessors had. Mr Heywood will receivo as secretary £150 leas than Mr Gavin had, that is to say, £000 instead of £700. Mr Gavin bad £800 until the retrenchment crusade set in, when ho wa3 among its victims. -At to-day's Cabinet meeting the Ministerial manifesto, which is to be issued shortly in the shape of Sir Harry Atkinson's address to his constituents, was under lengthened consideration, bat no final decision was arrived at. It will come up again on Captain Russell's return. It is expected to be issued early next week. I hear it will be of considerable length (three or four columns at least), but distinctly non-sen-sational in character. Indeed, I understand that it is largely foreshadowed in the Financial Statement of last session.

Sir Harry Atkinson seemed very well and cheerful to-day, and appears to gain strength daily now that he is relieved from sessional worries.