SAN FRANCISCO MAIL NEWS

Te Aroha News, Volume IV, Issue 171, 25 September 1886, Page 4

SAN FRANCISCO MAIL NEWS

, „ -> The New 01».G., , „ - Tint "World" chaftV the distinguished colonist apropos' 'of their varied attire. When going to b3 decorated with the CM. G. "Atlas" say s :— The ordinary excursionist who 'happened to be commencing his pleasttrioc: at Victoria, amidst the mist and arbzle of yesterday morning, mistook the much-elated band of "Colonists" on their Way to Osborne for the' members of the Conservative Cabinet in search of their seals of office. Sir P. Cunliffe-Ow«n, in a ponderous plumed cocked-hat and nautical Inverness oape (and looking a little uneasy abautthe day's receipts at Kensington), was pointedoutas the Marquis himself ; Dr. Tyler in knoe breeches— steel buckles, and drab orercoat, was for a time popularly supposed to be Mr Henry Matthews ; and it was not till Mr Bhongaree suddenly emerged from a hansom, radiant in his Parsee pagri and resplendent in the garb of " a native Indian Courtier," that the spectators realised their error. Sir Arthur Hodgson, as a deputylieutenant in a picturesque wideawake, aurrended himself for once to the personal conducting of Sir , Albert Woods; Sir Edward Buck, in a much-laced undress cap and a third-olass political uniform, congratulated Mr A. J. Trendell, who modestly buried in tweed the glories of the '' fifthclassCivilService." Colonel deMessurier defied the elements in a prosaic Tam-o'-Shanter and Major NeviU'a uniform of the " irregulars" of Hyderabad quit© ©vorehadowod the more sombre garb of Sir Arthur Blyth. Sir James Marshall locked more like a fieldmarshal than a chief justice ; and Mr Fabre C.M.G., nearly succeeded in missing the train. The journey in the special train was soon accomplished; the substantial two o'clock luncheon was much appreciated Sir Albert's minute written instructions prevented the possibility of error ; the "rißinga," "retirements," and "reverences" were accomplished without any notable accident, and with more than ordinary enthusiasm. Her Majesty was never seen in more gracious mocd, and everybody was back in London before nine. Coat of tbe Mercantile Cruiser*. A Parliamentary return, showing the cost of chartering and fitting up the merchant cruisers during the Russian war scares gives one an admirable notion of the enormous, expenses Government incurred by this panic-stricken freak. As a matter of fact, the " Pall Mali Gazette " ought to pay this little bill. It was chiefly that enterprising journal's mad screeches about the navy that drove the Admiralty to take the step. No less than £39 350 was paid for chartering the Oregon, £23,638 for the P.' and O. Massilia, £23,638 for the Roeetra, £25,622 for the Lusitania, and £27,524 for the Coptic. In all, £535,476 was paid for arming and fitting 14 cruisers. _ The successor of Marquis Tseng, as Chinese ambassador in Europe, will be M. Tionnirifen (?), who will also be accredited to the Vatican.