LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL APPOINTMENT.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9875, 16 October 1899, Page 3

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL APPOINTMENT.

(Per United Press Association.) WELLINGTON, October 16. Tho Cabinet sat till past midnight considering tho appointments to the Legislative Council. A difficulty, however, lias arisen the precise nature of which Las not been disclosed, which prevented a final decision being arrived at. Tbo Times states this difficulty was with the Governor, but this the Premier says is not correct, and that there was no hitch in that direction. The Cabinet meets ago in in the afternoon and the appointments will then be finally decided on. It is understood that theio wil be no new ones. In order to get over the dimcullv of having no Minister to meet tho Council to-day, the Hon. W. C. Walker resigned on Saturday and was re-appoin-ted and will bo sworn in this morning. It is stated that Sir Geoige Whitinorc and Mr Oliver also intend to resign their seals. (By Telegraph. — Special to Herald.) A Gazette was issued this morning reappointiug the lion. W. C. Walker to the Council. It is surmised that he resigned his seat a clay before the efHuxion of time in order to bo able to resume it without a break, this being necessitated by his position as Minister in charge in the Council. A Gazetlo re-appointing- six other Councillors will be issued this afternoon. I understand that these will be the lions. Bolt, Fcldwick, T. Kelly. Kcrr, Ricliurdeon, mid Jenuings.. The latter is tho only doubtful name, and the Hon. Mr McCulloiigh m;iy possibly be substituted. The remaining' two who stop out for certain are tho lions. Montgomery and Maegrepor, neither ol whom desired lo appointment. I am assured by the Premier that no new names will bo submitted until the recess. This will leave three vacancies, which will bo further augmented by the i>>.pected early resignation of the Hono. Oliver and Whitmore. The new Zealand Times tins morning states that a difficulty has arisen between the Premier and the Governor concerning the appointments. I am in a position to give this an official denial. Since the present Government has Icon in office the highest number reached by the Council has been 19, and 'as there are now 47 members (including the ten whose tcim expired last night) it is reckoned that there aro two vacancies — one European and one Maori— apart from a;iy nrmes mentioned above. For Continuation of Beading Matter Bee Page 1,

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