The Hon. Thomas Thompson entered on the duties of his office last Thursday (says the Auckland Star). It may be mentioned that Messrs Thompson, and Walkor undertake the work of their responsible portfolios without salary. Mr Carroll, also, although elevated to Cabinet rank, also receives no addition to the special rcmuneratiou allowed for the office previously held, so that there is still an opening for tho appointmont of. an Attorney-General and the leader of the Upper House. It will be remem bered that Mr Ward on first entering tho Ministry held the portfolio of Treasurer and Postmaster-General with out salary. Although the work entailed on Mr Thompson by the administration of the portfolios of Justice, Police, and Trades and Industries will be consider able, and will entail the cost of residence iv Wellington, Mr Thompson felt he would not be justified in declining, from pecuniary motives, the added influence in the Government of the colony which was secured to Auckland through the oiler ol a seat iv tho Cabinet. The portfolio of Defence, which hitherto ha* bceu associated with police, was also offered to Mr Thompson, but, as the recent war crisis has led to certain defence measures which arc m progress, ho thought it better that the portfolio remain in the hands of the Premier, who has held it for years and is familiar with the position of colonial defence iv all its details. It has long been recog nised that tho police belongs properly to the Justice Department, and ad vantage was taken of the redistribution of portfolios to carry ont a long contem plated, measure of bringing the two to gether.
(Per United Press Association.)

NAl'ißß, March 2.
