GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Timaru Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 798, 11 September 1872, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

A NEW MINISTRY FORMED. Wellington, Tuesday Evening. Mr Stafford to-day announced that he had formed a Ministry, consisting of himself, Mr Fitzherbert, Mr Gillies, Mr Curtis, Mr Reid and the Hon Mr Sewell. It is probable, however, that at least one other member will yet be added. It is intended also to add one, if not two, Maori members to the Executive to advise on native matters, but the greatest.care and deliberation wiil be exercised m selecting those native members. As the Ministers had only been sworn m a few hours, heaskedthe House to adjourn to Friday, to enablethemto decide what business should be proceeded with, and what would be allowed to stand over. He announced that Mr Gillies would be Treasurer, MiReid, Minister of Public Works—the other portfolios wore not yet allotted. Mr Brown of Canterbury, asked if Messrs Gillies, Fitzherbert, and- Curtia had resigned their Superintendencies. Mr Stafford replied that they would resign either before or at the termination of the session, therein following Mr McLean's example m 1869. The House need be under no apprehension that anj' Superintendents would be m the Government. Mr Fox reminded the House that m Mr McLean's case, he had not, like MiStafford, made a positive declaration against having Superintendents m the Ministry. He hoped Messrs Curtis Gillies and Fitzherbert would resign before the end of the session, as if anything was wrong m Superintendents being m the Ministry, their presence there must be especially mischievous during the session, when their offices enabled them to bring a large amount of pressure to bear. He congratulated Mr Stafford on his (Mr Fox's) old colleague, Mr Stafford's old colleague, and the colleague of so many other Ministers—Mr Sewell—being once more m the Government. After some further debate an Imprest Supply, Bill of £50,000 of the Consolidated Fund, and £20,0u0 of the Defence Loan was passed through all its stages, Mr Gisborne has resigned his seat for Egmont. A new writ is to issue.