RECONSTRUCTION OF THE CABINET.

Otago Witness, Issue 2391, 28 December 1899, Page 15

RECONSTRUCTION OF THE CABINET.

WELLINGTON, December 21. The Hon. J. G. Ward was sworn in tew day as Colonial Secretary, Minister for Railways, Postmaster-general, Commis-' Fioner of Telegraphs, and Minister for Industries and Commerce.

The Hon. Mr Carroll becomes Minister for Native Affairs.

The portfolios of Mines, Justice, Attor-ney-general, and Defence remain open for the present, but it is understood two of these will be filled by an Auckland member.

The Premier will control the Defence department for a time, and ultimately take it permanently.

The Hon. Mr Cadman will be called to the Legislative Council, and retain his position in the Executive without a portfolio. The reconstruction of the Cabinet has caused the Premier to resign the portfolios of Postmaster-general, Telegraphs, and Native Affairs. When he takes over Dpfence, he will, in addition to the Premiership and Colonial Treasurership, stilL have control of the Government Insurance, Public Trust, and Land and Income Tax departments.

The selection of an additional Minister is held over till after the holidays. Mr Carroll, it is scarcely necessary to mention, is the first of his race in the colony to hold the position of Native Minister. The Hon. T. Thompson will retain office' till the end of the year.

In Melbourne several storekeepers wera fined £2 each for selling baby bottles ot champagne containing less than an Imperial pint, which the act allows grocers to sell. A number of Native 3 are engaged diving for the £114 lost in one of the riverß in Bay of Plenty district recently through the capsizing of a canoe in which Mr Webb, an officer of the Survey department, was taking ib across the stream. The money was intended to pay the wages of the local co-operative labourers. It is now feared that it will never be recovered. The river is above 20ft deep, and there is a considerable layer of mud afc the bottom of it. It is understood thajb thf Government will require Mr Webb to mak/ good the loss.