CABINET RECONSTRUCTION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10600, 21 February 1896, Page 2

CABINET RECONSTRUCTION.

(Per United Press Association.)

Wellington, February 20. The Cabinet Sat till late last night discussing the vacancies in the Ministry, but as replies had to ba awaited the final decision was cot known till after midnigM; "Mr Carroll tikes Cabinet rank with tha JJfftfoho of Commissioner of Stamps. Mr Hall-Jones, of Timaru, becomes Minister for Justice. The Hon. W. C. Walker takes a eeat in, the Cabinet without portfolio. Mr T. Thompson, of Auckland, has been offered a similar position in the Lower House. This arrangement of portfolios is tempotary, being subject to readjustment at a future moating of the Cabinet. The question of tho Attorneygeneralship was held over for further consideration.

The New Zealand Times states that there is no foundation for tho report that Mr Carroll intends to abandon the Waiapu seat and contest the Eastern Maori constituency. The Government have not yet had a reply from Mt T. Thompson, bat he ie on his way down from Auckland.

It will be recollected that Mr Hall-Jones was the whip to the Billance Ministry.

(Feom Oub Own Cobbespondekt.)

Wellington, February 20. The news of ths reconstruction of the Cabinet, co far as it has gone, has been received here with apathy tempered by contempt. It has been for days an open secret that the Cabinet has been hopelessly divided upon the subject, and the appointments that have so far been made are looked upon ss a compromise between the contending parties within the Cabinet itself. Apart from this, since a mediocrity of the party had to be accepted, it is supposed that the pronounced opinions of Mr Hall-Jones upon the temperance question and the estimation in which he is held by prohibitionists helped his selection. On the other hand, Mr Thomas Thompson, ,who is an accredited friend bf the liquor parly, is, together with Auckland, to be placated if possible with office without portfolio ; but rumour has it that Hr Thompson may prove implacable, and that he has not ouly not yet signified his acceptance of office, but ia on his way hither to personally express his reasons why. Aa to the Attorney-generalship, since there are now the cix Ministers provided by statute, and the position lately held by Sir Patriok Buckley cannot be filled without violation of the law, it is reasonable to presume that th«re will shortly be another vacancy in the Cabinet, which will remove this difficulty. If so, for the office of Attorney-general it in freely stated that the selecciou of the Cabinet will lie between the Hon. W. D. Stewart and * Mr Guinness (the Ch*irroan of Committees), aud that the former will almost certainly be appointed, since he has the support of tha Premier. If tbis prove to be tho case, and Mr heddon ignores the loDg-tried and loyal party services of the member for Grey to raise to cflice a gentleman who cannot claim to have tendered to the Liberal patty either service or allegiance, then he may look for reprobation and resentment from some among his followers who have hitherto supported him with undoviating cosstimoy.

A WAIiNING TO CONSTABLES,

(Pcs United Press Association.)

Wellington, February 20,

In the Supreme Court to-day, b3fore the Chief Justice and a special jury, a case was beard in which Cornelius O'Connor, a contractor, sued ■ Constable Poland for £100 damages. The statemeut of claim set out tha on or about July 6, 1895, defendant unlawfully assaulted and falsely imprisoned plaintiff, who thereby suffered great pain of body and mind, and was exposed and injured in his credit and circumstances; and otherwise suffered injury .iDd discredit. In his defence defendant denied that ho treated plaintiff in the manner alleged, but stated that on July 6 plaintiff, within the view of defendant, committed an offence against the " Police Offences Act 1884" by impeding traffic on tho footpath in Willis street by atanding or loitering. Plaintiff refused to give his name or address, and was taken into custody in order that he might be dealt with in accordsnee with tbe law. Plaintiff's counsel stated that his object in coming iuto court was not to get money from the constable, but to vindicate his character. The jury awarded O'Connor £10 damages, and costs were allowed on the lowest scale. '