MINISTERIAL MOVEMENTS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 7891, 22 December 1903, Page 3

MINISTERIAL MOVEMENTS.

BANQUET TO THE ATTORNEY- ' GENERAL. [Per i^aiesfe Association.] i NJELSON, December 22. . j At the citizens' banquet to Colonel Pitt> ill lioriour of bis appointment as Attorney General, held in tiie Council Chamber last Slight, there was a representative attend^ j a&ce. The Mayor presidted, and* the occa> sion being a non-political one, the usual J complimentary speeches were made, and the Govexnmfeht and tlie city were congra- i tulated oh the choice of Colonel Pitt to the; office, th his reply Colonel Pitt reviewed the work of last stessionj but* refrained from aay controversial matter, dwelling at *onl« length on local topics. . : : N The Premier- Jfeft for fciinedin this morning by tne first express at 10.20. After unv veiling the fallen troopers' memorial at Cavef&ham and ttite tablet to tlife memory of- Mr A, Morrisoii, the late member for Caversham, he will interview a deputation from the Ed\lcationai Ihatitut© with regard to the new syllabus. , On Thursday he will leaVe Dunediii for Christchurch, and mil go oft by the night boat for Wellington. The Piieinierj whell steen this mornihg by a " Star " repi-e^entative, stated that tho new eyiiabu's Would not coin© into operation untii July 1 next* and that in the meantime the inspectors Would be c6hSultted Tiptth the matter, and fepresentiitioii^ frbni .the vanpus educational b'odiee on the subject would be considered. In response to an inqvary lie said that nothing -definite had yet been done with regard to the appointment of a State geologist in place of Sir James Hector. .Th 6 matter was tinder consideration by the Government. The nahje of Mr M'Laurin, who occupied a similar; position in India> had been Mentioned, and it was pbssibte that the positibn. would fee tififered to Kirn. No iippointmeSt had yet been made in connection with, the State i'il^e Tn6ufilnc6 Deparitiherit. The Act did ftpt c'bme ihtd operation until January i. The matter was under consideration, and it wats possible that the Government Would call for aTOlicatiqnjg for the position of manager. The Premier, accompanied^ by his Excellency the Governor, will leave for a visit of inspectron of the Chatham Islands about Fei>Wiary 10.