CLAMPETT ALIAS SULLIVAN.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1956, 15 October 1889, Page 2

CLAMPETT ALIAS SULLIVAN.

The Rangiora Standard of last Saturday says that this now famous Evangelist reached Rangiora on the previous Wednesday as the guest of an evangelically disposed lady. He was not in a good state of health owing to over indulgence during the previous evening. Ha preached, but the collection only amounted to 4s 10d, and he resolved to preach no more. News having reached the lady of his conduct in Christchurch she at once ordered him to leave, and he went to a hotel where he commenced to drink freely. During the day he was remarkably communicative. He freely admitted that his name was Arthur Olampett; that his father was a butter merchant doing a large business in Waterford; that he had been educated for the Roman Catholic priesthood, and that he still belonged to the communion of that Church. He frequently alluded, in strong language too, to the manner in whieh he had beguiled the innocents of Christchurch, and seemed to consider it a jest of the purest water, that he should have so deluded them.

Briefly told, by himself, his New Zealand history is as follows:—He landed in Auckland without a sixpence by the kindness of a steamer captain, who gave him a free passage. Whilst wondering in what direction to turn his talents, he donned the blue ribbon, avowing that he was going to make money out of it somehow. Then he became connected with certain gentlemen of an evangelical turn of mind, and having persuaded them of his fitness, they launched him on his career as soul-saver. One gentleman offered him five hundred pounds if he would keep straight for nine months, and, as Mr Sullivan says, the nine months being up last Thursday week, he felt entitled to a little spree on the following day (Friday). Of his adventures in Christchurch it is unnecessary to speak; they are already matter of history. His proceedings here in Rangiora are common talk, and his future is as yet uncertain. He informed us at one moment that he had an offer which he meant to accept, of fifty pounds to address a meeting in the Tuam Street hall, and explain his imposture. A few minutes after he said he was going straight to Melbourne. Then he stated that he was going to lecture on “Physical Culture” in Timaru and Dunedin next week, and yet again said that he would take the next steamer for San Francisco; as a matter of fact he has gone to Wellington. The most interesting feature of Mr Sullivan is the charming naivete with which he admits that his whole evangelising career has had but one object, “to raise the wind.” He repeats with great unction a conversation he had with a pious evangelist who said, “ Oh! dear brother, you think too much of money, I labour for souls.” “You can have all the souls, dear brother,” replied Mr Sullivan, “ only give me the spondulicks.”