POLITICAL NOTES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10618, 13 March 1896, Page 2

POLITICAL NOTES.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

Wellington, March 12.

Tho vacant Attomey-gSncralship is not going a-begging, and the Govorument cannot attribnt* the delay in making the appointment to auy lack of candidates for the office. As a matter of fact there has been an extraordinary demand for the position—quits a number of persons altogether outside the pale of active politics appearing to think the time opportune for makiug a bid for political fame. Tbe aspirants to tbe position are not only numerous, but, if tha stories current at headquarters are to be believed, are of the most varied qualification*; while the lack ,of modesty displayed and the startling nature of some of the claims are said to have upset even the iron front' of the Premier himself. The latest offer to take up tho duties of the office was received yesterday from a well-known South Island lawyer, who, I am told, modestly remarked that he was quite as capable of filling: the position as aiiy lawyer in the colony. The offer has not yet been accepted.

(Per United Press Association.)

Wellington, March 12.

Ministers are all leaving Wellington this week, with the exception of fche Hon. W. C. Walksr and the Hon. T. Thompson. The Premier goes to the West Coast, and the Hon. J. M'Kenzie to Gisborne. The Hons. J. G. Ward and W. Hall-Jones have left for the south.

The, Hon. W. C. Walker i* g&zstted Minister for Immigration, Hon. W. Hall-Jones Minister, for Public Works, Hon. T. Thompson Minister for JusHce and Minister for Industries and Commerce, and the Hon. J. Carroll Commissioner of Stamp Duties.

The Premier has been asked to spsak at Nelson on his way back from the Coast, and if he agrees to do so will reply there to Captaiu Russell's recent address.

In their comments upon the reconstruction of the Ministry it has been taken for granted by a number of papers that Mr Carroll's.admission to the Cabinet carried with it full pay, and that both vacancies have therefore been filled up. This, however, i- not the case, as, though receiving full Cabinet rank, he is Btill paid as Native member of the Executive only.