Our Wellington Letter

Feilding Star, Volume XI, Issue 36, 7 September 1889, Page 3

Our Wellington Letter

ME HISLOP'S RESIGNATION. SULLIVAN, THE " CONVEETED ATHLETE." PAELIAMENTARY ITEMS. [from our own correspondent.] Wellington, September 5. That "the way of transgressors is hard" is being very unpleasantly realised by Mr Hislop, the late Colonial Secretary, in connection with his duel with Mr Judge Ward. The ex-Minister possessed a most invulnerable coat of mail in belonging to the Cabinet, and through the good generalship of his leader, who took the motion to censure his colleague as a " no-confi-dence " one, Mr Hislop escaped condemnation in the Lower Chamber ; but to the credit of the Legislative Council be it said, they came gallantly forward to vindicate the character of one who was being oppressed. It is said the Opposition intend to give Mr Fergus, the Minister of Justice, a bad quarter of an hour on account of the part he took in tins shabby piece of business in seconding his late colleague in the attempt to punish Judge Ward for having conscientiously done his duty. Mr Hislop is now seriously considering the pros and cons of his re-elec-tion should he resign his position as member. Sir Harry Atkinson, in his attempt to infuse new blood into the Cabinet, has verily captured a lot of refractory young colts. Some little stir was caused in town today when it was whispered around that the person who has been passing himself off for the brother of the great John L. Sullivan, champion pugilist, and who professed conversion to Christianity and for several weeks led evangelistic meetings here, has turned out to be a fraud, that his name is Arthur Clampett, that he comes from Ireland, and that he is no relation at all of Sullivan's; so that all his stories are pure inventions. These facts have been brought to light by the Association of Ministers at Christchurch, who have been enquiring into the genuineness of the man who has evidently found religion a better paying game than "Yankee grab," and intended to keep it going so long as he was able to clothe in fine linen and fare sumptuously. As an Irishman once remarked: "Begorra! If I had my time to live over again, sure I'd be a parson; its a nice easy clean business!" So our friend seems to think. One of the most noticeable improvements to the Queen's Wharf is that on top of the planking blocks of tarred wood are being placed. It is expected when this is completed that the wharf will be the finest in the colony. The new reclamation covering from the bottom of Cuba street to the wharf is almost completed. It is expected that the concrete facing wall will be finished within a week or two, so that visitors to our shores will see that we do possess a little flat land. Since writing the above Mr Hislop has tendered his resignation as member for Oamaru, and left to seek re-election this evening. By a strange coincidence Judge Ward was a passenger by the same boat. The House adjourned very suddenly and very early this evening, owing to an adverse motion being tabled against Mr Fergus. The Premier has summoned his supporters for 11.80 to-morrow (Friday) morning to see what can be done to expedite business.