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Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1095, 22 October 1879, Page 2

The latest report from the sc at of political strife id to the effect that the Governor has given the Ministry nntil to-day " to make a | bit attempt to carry on the business of the j country, and that if they then arc unable to

do 80, lie will be obliged to take action to ensure business being carried on."' Whether there is any truth in this or not we cannot say. Very possibly the report has been] circulated by the Opposition as a counterb!a.n to the statement p'tt forth by the Ministerialists to the effect that, in the event of the defeat of the Ministerial measures, the Governor will grant a dissolution. For ourselves '.ve are not inclined to accept either of the rep* rts a3 strictly correct. There is iio place like Wellington during session time for lying in a gifted and exceedingly polite manner. Everyone seems inoW: or less affected by the complaint, which appears to be infectious ; but newspaper correspondents and members of Parliament seem to be attacked most severely, aad the reports circulated must therefore be accented with caution.

Messrs. Miller and Smillie are pushing on vigorously with the work of extending the Breakwater. The third section was finished this morning, making nearly 45 feet of extension since they commenced the present contract. The fourth section of 15 feet has Keen entered upon, and with fine weather wc may hope shortly to be able to chronicle the fact that a still further addition has been made to the length of the Breakwater. And yet another deserter from the Hall .Ministry. The Maori member of the Cabinet, Mr. Tamoana, finding himself deceived by their professions and degraded by their unseemly conduct in retaining their seats on the Treasury Benches, despite the fact that a majority of the House has no confidence in them, has bidden adieu to his colleagues. Last night the honorable gentleman—for he is a very honorable gentleman compared with his paler and more brazenfaced colleagues—quietly said he did not believe in the policy of the Ministry, and bowing to the Speaker, walked over to the Opposition side of the House. His remarks, which are pointed arid pithy, are given in full in another column. Now, ueeiijg that Mr. Tomoana has relinquished place, pay, and power in support of his convictions, who shall say that some at least of the Maoris are not possessed of fine honorable feelings'' Truly, the semi-savage has set an example that might well be followed by the " civilised" members of the Ministry.

About thirty immigrants arrived by train from Duncclin this afternoon. A pjceting of the Oamaru Dramatic Club will be held at eight o'clock this evening, at the Royal Hotel. A general meeting of members of the North Otago Rifle Association ivill be held at the Royal Hotel this evening, at eight o'clock, for the purpose of arranging for the forthcoming return match with the Otago Association. A special meeting of the Municipal Council, for the purpose of receiving the report of the sub-committcc upon the Waterworks, will be held to-morrow evening at half-past s,even oVlock. What kvc we coming to? F,y the express train there arrived to-day two excessively well-dressed one-leg'.'ed French sailors, who. without loss of time, commenced -s::ij/:llthe Marseillais'.-, >•! l«y tin- >"•': i "hat." Our svmpathirs an- not v.i'.li t!ii> new inijn)' ; stray sixpences can be much better disposed of at this time, as manv u;oo.l ho'i.-i-u iv.js in Oamaru cui testily. Though the sight was a very novel one, in this Colony at anyrate, and might prove attractive to Colonial youths, we must candidly confess that it is just one ot those oldworld wights that we do not carc to see transplanted to the Colonies. 'We have 110 desire to sec our streets swarmed with Euro-j*-an cripples and common beggars. If these men have each lost a leg in the service of their country, it is the duty of their country to support them. Wc may pity them, but we must decline to accept the honor of looking after the cripples of France or any other country.