LATEST TELEGRAMS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5371, 3 February 1879, Page 5

LATEST TELEGRAMS.

[BY CABLE.] DESIGNATION OF PRESIDENT MACMAHON. , T GREVY ELECTED PRESIDENT. Pakis, January 30. Pr.rsinKNT MacMahon refuses to accede to the change in the Anti - Republican commanders in the army corps nliicli the Ministry desire to make, which thcv recently declared tl\ey would avoid, unless the consequences proved detrimental to the nation. Marshal MacMahon threatens to resign rather than the army should be disorganised. A majority of the Chambers intimate that if his resignation is tendered it will bo accepted. The Colonial Institute have appointed i Select Committee to enquire into the practicability of holding a Colonial Exhibition in London. Pakis, January 30. Marshall MacMahon is persisting in his refusal to acquiesce in the changes of commanders, and has virtually resigned. His formal resignation is probable tomorrow. The Congress, Senate, and Chamber of Deputies then meet to elect his successor. Paris, January 30. The probable candidates for the Presidency are M. Grevy (President of the Chamber of Deputies), and Admiral Pothnan (Minister of Marine and Colonies.) Later. President MacMalion has resigned the Presidency. The State and Chamber Deputies were specially convoked to elect his successor. M. Grevy's election this evening is a certainty. Evening. M. Grevy is elected by a large majority, and proclaimed President of the Republic for seven years. Pa it is, January 31. The Ministry remain in ottice, the President refusing to accept their resignation.

Marshall MacMalion retires into private life. M. Gambetta has been elected President of the Chamber of Deputies. Bombay, January 30. General Stewart's cavalry entered Kilalighilzie. January 31. Vali Mahomet, brother of the Amir of Afghanistan, arrived at Kurum, and solicited General Roberts to receive him. A number of the chiefs of the Shimbari accompany Vali. London, January 31. The Glasgow Bank Directors made no defence, and only called "witnesses to character. Potier and Stronach were found not guilty as charged. The others have been round guilty of issuing false balances, and will be sentenced on Saturday. The bank discount has been reduced to 3 per cent. SANITARY CORDON IN ROUMANIA. THE BAGOT CASE AGAIN". NEW ZEALAND AGRICULTURAL COMPANY. jMelbol"k>*e, February 1. The Roumanians announce to Austria that they are ready to place 50,000 men on the Russian frontier as a sanitary cordon, t«.» permit the Russians to return from Bulgaria, and forcibly resist others crossing the mountain. There has been a new trial in the Bagot case, and judgment has been reserved. The Bank of England lias lowered its rate one per cent. Gambetta will probably be President of the Chamber of Deputies. A New Zealand Agricultural Company is announced, with a capital of a million. COLO XIA J,; XEWS. Adelaide, February 1. Parliament is further prorogued to March 4.

Letters patent have been refused to the University till its degrees are assimilated to those of Sydney, Melbourne, and Kew Zealand Universities. The Chief Secretary stated to a deputation that the depreciation in South Australian bonds was caused by the supposition that the democratic principles of Victoria were shared by South Australia. Svuxev, February 1. Campbell, the man found shot in the Domain, is still living. He denies suicide. [reuxer's special cablegrams."] Melbourne, February 1. Governor Bowen will lay the foundation stone of the Exhibition Buildings in Carlton Gardens before leaving. NEW ZEALAND TELEGRAMS. [PER "HERALD" SPECIAL WIRE.] [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] THAMES, Sunday. A 6re occurred on the Karaka Road early this morning, by which a store and three dwelling-nouses were totally destroyed. The inmates narrowly escaped with their lives. • The store was partially insured. The origin of the fire is not known. CO ROM AND EL, Saturday. The Mayfield are driving on the leader, and a few good specimens are occasionally obtained. Sheehy's Claim.—Some really good stuff is coming to hand. Watchman.—The manager is driving through likely country ; nothing is cut at present. DUNEDIN, Saturday. Mr. Varley, the Evangelist, has failed to stimulate the population here, and, consequently, his reputed conversions are few and far between. La3t night he had an audience of TOO, and aftrr delivering an a'ldresf, he invited those who desired salvation to sland up. No one responded. rrP.E.-S ASSOCCIATION.I WELLINGTON,-Saturday. P. Gooden's house near Carterton was burnt yesterday. T t was insured in the JSew Zealand li.soraoce Company for £150. The estimated loss is £400. The fourth annual meeting of the Wellington and Hutt Building Society was held last night. The annual report etated that the proStß for the year amounted to £3225 17s Gd, representing a profit of nearly £3 per share, as against £15 10s last year. The price of gas is likely to be reduced here n»-xt month. Welsh's fate -will not be decided till Mr. Sheehan's return, who is expected early next week. The Court of Inquiry on the dispute between the Surveyor General an! Chief Surveyor Jackson is proceeding. The Hon. W. Buckley attends as counsel for Jackson, and all proceedings are recorded by shorthand reporters. Mr. H. T. Clarke, Under-Secretary in the Native Office, retires on a per.sion at the end of the month. It is expected Mr. James Mackay will succeed him. The Wellington Gold Cup, manufactured by Kohn and Co., weighs 17ozs. of 18-carac gold. A boy, son of Air. Shannon, J.P., was knocked down by a horse in the street last night, and had his leg broken. At Bennet's Eale of J. E. Barton's township, Petone, sections realised 5a to 14a per foot.

CHRISTCHUKCH, Saturday. The annual meeting of the Acclimatisation Society was held last evening. The report, which was of a satisfactory character, was read and adopted. A large meeting of barmen and hotel employees was held last night, to make arrangements for a picnic. The Hon, John Hall and Mr, Barman offer themselves for re-election to the Lyttelton Harbour Board. At the meeting of the Local Board, held yesterday, 22 cases of infectious diseases, of which 16 were typhoid, were reported as having occurred at Ohristchurch and surroJinding districts during the last fortnight. The son of Mr. Anderson, baker, Kaiapoi, while playing with a biscuit-rolling machine yesterday, had his hand entangled, and before it could be extricated it was crushed between the rollers. The secretary of the Acclimatisation society has received advice of the despatch r °ni San Francisco of a million whitefish ova for Canterbury. The steamer is due at Auckland oa W edsesday week.

ANNUAL EXCURSION OF ORPHAN CHILDREN. The annual excursion, which Captain Logan and the steamer Hero have now made an institution here, and which is looked forward to with pleasurable anticipations by not only all the children inmates of the various charitable institutions, although it is for their express pleasure and to afford them an agreeable day's outing that Captain Logan oiiginated it, but by hundreds of others, took place on Saturday. During successive years the steamer Hero has been engaged in this good work, affording a marked break-in the monotony of the lives of the children inmates of the several orphan homes, and this year formed no exception, although the trip was a little later than usual. The placeselected, asinformer years, wasMotutapu. The hour for departure from the Railway Wharf was 10 o'clock, aud previous to that time parties of men, women, aud children could be seen wending their way to tbo steamer. A ticket-office was established at the gangway, and Mr. K. Brown officiated as ticket-taker. A small charge of 5s a-liead (children halfprice) was made on all visitors not connected with the institutions—the proceeds to be divided amongst those charities, —and a very large number availed themselves of the privilege of being able to take part in tho excursion on those terms. The various schools marched in procession to the steamer, and the following are the number : —St. Mary's Orphanage, 01 children, to whom were joined 20 of St. Patrick's School, making, iu all, S4, who were in charge of Mr. Srt'ete, Mr. Leahy, Mr. Fleming, and other gentlemen. From the Parnell Orphan Home there wore 56 children, under the immediate supervision of the secretary and treasurer of that institution, the matron (Mrs. Cameron), and the Governess (Mrs. Scarlett). There were 32 from St. Stephen's Native School, several of them being we'llgrown young men. They were under the care of their master (ulr. J. E. Davis), and their teacher (Mr. J. E. Robertshaw). The number would have been greater to represent this institution, but it so happens that about 20 pupils are absent keeping holiday, for we may remark that this institution is not an orphanage, but a school for the instruction of native children. There were 100 children from the Howestreet Industrial School, in charge of Mr. and Mrs. Stickley, the master and matron, and Miss Barton and Colonel Haultaiu. Mr. T. Macffarlane and Mr. Keusington were present to represent the committee of that institution, aud to see generally after the welfare of the children. In addition to these, about 50 children accompanied their parents on the expedition. Prior to the departure of the steamer, the Engineer Band, under the leadership of Mr. Impev, played a number of musical selections on the wharf in very excellent taste, and a large crowd collected to witness the departure' of the excursion. As soon as possible after the appointed time tho band went on board, and Captain LogaD, who had previuusly taken his place on the bridge, gave the order to cast off, and the steamer took its departure. The morning hail been rather gloomy, and a great number anticipated that rain would fall and spoil the excursion, but to the credit of all whom we heard speak on the subject, their whole regret was that the pleasure of the children might be interfered with. Tho banking clouds were watched with no small amount of anxiety, and when shortly after the steamer's departure a drizzling rain began to fall, it was feared that it would be useless to land at Motutapn. That shower, however, cleared off, the children being carefully housed so that they might not be wet. There were several other misty showers during the voyage, but none sufficient to mar the enjoyment of the excursionists, and the children themselve?, whose bright, clean, joyful, aud withal orderly conduct was the subject of very general and very favourable comment, not only aboard, but ashore, nerc quite exuberant in their delight, and their pleasure was greatly enhanced by the music supplied liberally aud without s'iut by Mr. Impey's excellent band. There was no attempt made to coop the children in departments or classes, —quite the contrary, they were allowed to mix fretly with each other, a privilege of which they only availed themselves, however, toa limited exteuton board, although they did so freely on shore in the sports and scrambles which took place there. During the trip down, the children were regaled witb buns, cake, tea, aud other luxuries to their heart's content, aud Mr. Cruickshank, the agent of the ship, aud Mrs. Cruickshank, as well as Mr. Cogswell, purser of the ship, Mr. Anderson, chief engineer, and the assisting committee were indefatigable iu attending to the wants and wishes of the little ones. To Mrs. Cruicksbauk especially the children are greatly indebted. She never tired of supplying their wants, aud contributing to their enjoyment with a generosity and sympathy which will not readily be forgotten. Meanwhile, the ship's steward hail spread an excellent repast_in the cabin for the visitors, and they availed themselves of it in relays, the number being too great to | seat together in the saloon. We may as weil here state that the whole of the buns, cakes, sweetmeats, toa, gingerbeer aud other refreshments for the children of the schools were supplied by the thip on a Tmost extensive scale, so much so, indeed, that fears were entertained that the children might become sick ; but none of them did, and all went merry as a marriage bell. Tho captain of the ship Maraval, uow in port, kindly sent the ship's boat and boat's crew, and the captain of Che ehip M iy Queen sent the ship's boat to assist in landing ar.d embarking the excursionists, and they lent ready, willing, and energetic assistance throughout tlvi day. The two boats of the Hero were also kept fully employed, as well as one or two others which were on the spot. After an hour's steaming, the latter portion of which was in calm water, thsteamer was brought to anchor, opposite Messrs. Reid'g house, in Home Hay, about a quarter-of a-mile from the shore, and the work of debarkation commenced, and with such success was it acc .mplished that th-re was not a single accident, uot so much a3 a wetting to any of the numerous passengers : and this is saying a great deal, when the large proportion of children is considered. A few feared that the day J might not, after all, keep up fine, but the number was few indeed, and those who went on shore had no reason to r.gret it. Games and sports of various kiuds were improvised without delay. Racing-matches between the children, swings and romps of all kiuds, were carried on, some of which afforded great amusement to tho on-lookers as well a3 the competitors. Iu one place a tub of water was procured, in which boys dived for threepenny pieces; in another, squads of boys and girls were started to compete iu races, which never seemed to terminate, from the rapidity with which one event followed the other. The freaks and frolics of two pet monkeys, belonging to Mr. Re id, and which were so harmhss that the children were allowed to pull aud handle them freely, were sources of never-failing amusement to laige numbers of the children, but they took such delight in feeding the monkeyß that iu the end the latter became very choice as to what biscuit, bun, or lolly they would accept, and the delight of the child whose gift was accepted after another's had been rejected, was boundless. The band came ashore, and stationed themselves close to a very inviting, level green, and the strain of dance music soon brought large numbers of the votaries of Tcrpsichore to their feet. Messrs. Reid assisted in amusing their visitors, aud granted them full liberty. They introduced a trained donkey, which would have done credit to Barlow's Circus, and the shrieks of delight which were heard when in rapid succession he seat rider after rider sprawliDg, were evidences of the amusement which he afforded. On the whole, a very pleasant and enjoyablo day was spent ashore, but as evening advanced they were brought to a close in a manner which delighted the children. Mr. Cruickshank and Mr. Anderson appeared amongst them, each armed with large cases of lollies, which they distributed literally broadcast, by sending the children scrambling after them in all directions, and as fast as one ease was emptied a fresh one was substituted, until several gentlemen gravely hoped the t upply would become exhausted ere the children were choked. Care was taken by tho adults that the weaker children did not suffer in the scramble, for they procured supplies for them from tho liberal donors, and distributed'them amongst those who were too young to help themselves. '1 he embarkation was conducted with the same success as the disembarkation, in good order, and without an accident, and when all were on board, the work of serving out buns, tea, and cake was set about with the same vigour as at dinner-time. In fact, it would seem as if it would never cease ; and then followed another most liberal distribution of lollies by Mr. and Mrs. Cruickshank, while the poor little ones, unable to eat more, were forced to fill their pockets with the dainties. Just before weighing anchor, some of the most agreeable incidents of the day transpired. Captain Logan, addressing the crowd

assembled round him, said that some time ago he thought he might offer.some inducement to the children of St. Mary's Orphanage to make progress by offering four books as prizes to the four best girls in that institution. He had now those books, and the names of the four best girlß had been supplied to him, so he had great pleasure in presenting them to Emily Cotton, Mary Conway, Mary Lyons, and Amy Burke. He presented to each of these children a handsomelybound volume. Captain Logan said he had also determined to present four prizes to the Industrial Home—two for the best boys in the institution and two for the girls. The names aupplied to bim were: Alexander McDonnell, Anne Bell, B. Grace, and Matilda Mitchell. To each of those the worthy captain then presented handsomelybound volumes. He then said that he had also four prizes to present to the children of St. Stephen's Parnell Orphanage—two for tiie best boys and two for the best girls. The names of the children : Nellie Scorgip, Ella Corlett, Leonard Saunderson, and Edward Holmes.

Mr. G. Leuiy, addressing Captain Logan, said, on behalf of St. Mary's Orphanage, ho had great pleasure in thanking Captain Logan, not only for the prizes which he had just distributed, and for the very pleasant excursion he had afforded that day, but for his kindness and courtesy on all occasions, in affording them those aunnal treats to which the children look forward with pleasure. He called for three cheers for Captain Logan, and they were given with enthusiasm.

Mr. G. P. Piekce said he had very great pleasure, on behalf of the children of St. Stephen's Orphan Home, in presenting to him, on behalf of Mrs. Logan, a present, which was made expressly by the children of the institution, which thej' hoped she would accept as a pledge of their appreciation of the continuous kindness with which Captain Logan had treated them. They regretted that Mrs. Logan was not present, but they hoped that, on some future occasion, they would see Mrs. Logan herself, and thankherfor her kindness to them. [The present was a very neat card-basket, of worked leather and fern-cones, constructed in a very artistic manner.]

Captain Logan said ho felt very much flattered at beiuij the recipient of this very handsome present for Mrs. Logan, who would highly appreciate it. He was sorry Mrs. Logan was not here herself to thank them, as ho was sure she would do it better than ho could, but he returned them his sincere thanks, and wished them every success and prosperity, aud hoped to meet them again. (Cheers.) Colonel Haui.tain said, on behalf of the Industrial School, although he had no tangible offer to make, ho assured Captain Logan that they thauked liim very much indeed for his many kindnesses to the institution, and for the very handsome presents he had made to them that day. (Cheer.?.)

Tho auchor was then weighed, and the steamer returned to the Queen-street Wharf, which she reached some time before darkness set in. During tho passage up tho band played at frequent intervals, aud the children of St. Mary's Orphanage and those of the Industrial School sang alternately, aud some times jointly, a number of pretty melodies, which fell very sweetly on tho ear. The children were then collected under their several heads, and returned home, somewhat tired, perhaps, and prepared to enjoy a good night's sleep, but thoroughly pleased with their day's pleasure. It will be with them the principal item of conversation for mauy mouths to come, and they will eagerly look forward to next year's leatival.