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Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 8, 9 January 1908, Page 2

I The Christmas tree in connection with St. Mary's Orphanage, Ponsonby, which took place yesterday afternoon, proved a decided success. There was a very large attendance, and his Lordship the Bishop was highly delighted with the children, more'especially with their singing, -which reflected great credit on their teachers. Special prizes were given by the following:—His Lordship the Bishop, Rev. Fathers Holbrook, manager, 'Murphy (gold medal), Buckley, Tormey, Farthing, and Williams, Rev. Mother (St. Mary's Convent), Br. and Mrs. Keith, and Mr. Holbrook. Joy was depicted on the countenance of the successful competitors as their names were called. Near the tree, Santa Claus was erected, and the prizes from there were given by the Rev. Ft. Hills (Wellington), I who has for many years been a staunch fuiend to the orphans. In addition to the clergy, there were present-the sisters from St. Mary's Convent, numbering about eighty, also Mesdaines Casey, Ralph, Lotiergan, Robinson, O'Brien, Hisoocks, CHare, Dwan (Wellington), who gave a handsome donation, Darby, and several others. Mr. A. G. Denbigh, who is engaged in commercial life in Vladivostock, and is now on a visit to Australia, remarked a few days ago in Sydney that the reports of the outrages in the Russian city were much exaggerated. The mutiny in the navy occurred just before he sailed for Sydney early in November : but, he says, the incident was not regarded as of a very serious character. The crew of one of the Russian torpedo boats mutinied, and hiving killed the commander, took charge, hoping that the , remaining war vessels in the harbour j would join them. Although very great' dissatisfaction existed in the navy, the remainder of the fleet refused to co- j operate, and a gunboat and four or five torpedo boats at once opened fire on the disloyalists. Shots were exchanged, and for a little while the firing was very hot. The mutineers were compelled to pass between four or five tor-pedo-beats, which poured shot into the ' deserters with great rapidity from both ! sides. No fewer than 40 of the crew were mowed down, and finding they were . I beaten the survivors ran the vessel ' I aground. A few minutes later the tor- ! pedo-boat was taken possession of, and . the remainder of the ship's company 1 taken in charge. "The incident only lasted about a quarter of an hour or \ 20 minutes,"' Mr. Denbigh said, "and although it naturally created considerable consternation in the city at the time, the mutiny was soon forgotten. - Martial law was proclaimed for three 1! or four days, and then matters resumed . their ordinary aspect." Mr. Denbigh ■ says that trade is somewhat dull in ; Vladivostock at present, but good feel- ' ing exists between the Russians and the . Japanese. Matters generally are quiet, and no further outrages are anticipated.