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Oamaru Mail, Volume XXI, Issue 6506, 16 March 1896, Page 2

The Tory filibusters are on the war path, so, at least, it is said. Tiiey are polishing up their old blunderbusses and their rusty swords for the fray, but their ammunition is bad. Captainßussell has led the skirmishers, but failed to hit the mark. Not a bullet found its billet in a Liberal principle. When the smoke had cleared away after the Captain's fusilade he found that he had only blackened his own hands and face with his vile powder. It is said that disappointment and depression have consequently set in amongst the Tories who are talking of appointing another general for their army. Sir Robert Stout is suggested as Captain Russell's successor, and if he would only accept the position, political issues would be less complicated. We should say, however, that even an army of Tory generals could nob with their wretched weapons and their worse ammunition prevail against the Liberal cause.

A cycle on an entirely new principle has been invented. It his only one wheel without spokes, and for lightness and simplicity of construction, it is unrivalled. The rider is suspended below gravity, and maintains a level seat, whatever the grade or speed. The power is applied by the simple action of a spring attached to the treadels. This cycle is patented, and was to have been in the market at Home, at the beginning of this year. I was, says a Church Union Missioner, positively amazed to find how thoroughly au Jciit Com Paul (President Ivruger) was with the ecclesiastical affairs of Europe. He was mosc courteous and interested in the work I had on hand, f asked Dr Leyds, (his secretary) who interpreted for me, " Does President Kruger really know no English 1" With a meaning look he said, " If you are praising him, or speaking well of the Transvaal, he knows no English ; but, if you are speaking ill of him, or sayiDg anything against the Transvaal he knows every word you say !" The President is a man of deep piety of the hyper-Calviuistic mould, and so deeply is it engrained in him that not only does it lead to his " holding forth" in the little conventicle he attends, but even leads him into some curious actions. One of these has made no small stir in Johannesburg. The Jews there built a handsome synagogue—l was told that it cost L 50.000 and President Kruger was asked to open it. He did so, with a kind of sermon, in which he recounted the whole history of the Chosen People, from about the time they came out of Egypt), all of which was in the best taste, and very gratifying to the large Hebrew audience. His closing words, however, gave them the shivers. "And so I consecrate this building to the Triune God !" It has led to a serious split among the children of Abraham out there, for, while some have been sensible enough to say it was only a slip, others maintain that the building has been desecrated, and they have built another synagogue close beside the first, having taken greater precautions for a right start with it. Kruger is the most abstemious man I have ever met. In all his life he has never tasted tea, coffee, wine, spirits, or

even mild lager ; his only liquid is milk; ], O says he has never been weaned 1 The vig ollt and astuteness of the old man should make this fact be of great market value to all temperance societies.

There is practically no alteration to record this week in commercial circles and lajj week's quotations are unaltered. Thoro j s little absolute business passing holders and buyers not having yet arrived at a mut\ la | basis of prices. A meeting of the local Committee of th 5 New Zealand Rifle Association will bo held in the Borough Chambers at eight o'clock this evening.

The regular quarterly meeting of the Oamaru Presbytery was held iu St. Panl'g Church session room last Wednesday. Th c Rev. James Clarke, Palmerston, wua a p. pointed Moderator for the ensuing s jj months. A minute was put on record ex. pressivo of the Presbytery's deep sympathy with the Rev. John Steven, Papakaio, inhj, present sore illness, and fervent hope for his recovery to health and active usefulness, Several of the ministers offered to relieve J( r Steven by preaching in turn in his parish, good deal of routine business, growing out of the deliverances of the last Synod, was dealt with. A plan of evangelistic services in the congregations within the bounds w 8! discussed, but a final settlement thereof wy deferred till next ordinary meeting. Applj. cations for a grant for church repairs wore received from Columbi and Kakanui, atnl Committees appointed to interview tin proper parties, and report to next meeting After a prolonged sitting, the Presliylety adjourned to enjoy the hospitality of the Columba Manse.

The Wesley Church anniversary was eelc. brated yesterday, when sermons were preached by the Rov. R. Taylor, of Dim, ediu. The services were well att elided, ninj the choir gave special anthems suitable to the occasion. On Tuesday evening the nsuj| anniversary tea will tako place, and instead of the customary speeches, the Rev, R, Taylor will give a lecture on "John Ash. worth, the Lancashire Philanthropist." A meeting of the sub-committee appointed to carry out the social to the visiting mark!, men was held this morning in tho Borough Council Chambers, Present—Messrs Gru. mitt (ch .ir). Potter, Procter, Towsoy, Roll, Forrester, Crump (Hon. See.) It was re. solved to send out invitations to the staff and all competitors at the Rifle Association ] Meeting for a social to be hold in the Theatre Royal on Friday next, 20th iust. Gentle, men, judiciously selected, were appoints for carrying out the details of arrangements Tickets to admit a gentleman and two India will be sold at a small charge, and every, thing points to a most successful gathering as the result of the Committee's efforts. Tke time at their disposal is but short, but the energy and experience that is being brought to bear on the social will, we are sure, mort than make up for this deficiency. We learn that tickets will be in the hands of ths Committee this evening, and as, owing b the large number of visiting riflemen, ths number available for sale will be much smaller than usual early application ia re. quested.

The Montague-Fredo Palace of Varieties, Congress of Wonders and Athletic Circm opens this evening in the Theatre 1-ioyal. The Company come from the South with a good name, and should draw largo houses.

The sitting of the District Court appointed to be held at Oamaru on Thursday next his been adjourned until the following day. A meeting of Justices of the Peaco to n. vise the jury list for the Oamaru district! convened for Wednesday, Sth April, at li Magistrate's Courthouse.

A trial of Messrs P. and IX Duncan's net cultivator will bo held in Mr Brims'paddocl' a-j joining the Junction sale yards on Wedntt 1 day morning, commencing before the stool sales.

Incidentally at the Harbor Board nicotic} this morning a letter was read from Mi 'ieorge Archibald, Otematata asking fori reduction of rent; he having lost over hull his sheep during the lato severe whiter Thi Secretary stated that Mr Archibald occupiei about 5000 acres of winter country or wlut was known as the Isolated Hills.