DISTINGUISHED RUSSIAN VISITORS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 302, 22 December 1898, Page 5

DISTINGUISHED RUSSIAN VISITORS.

A MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND FOREIGN- ATTACHE INSPECT . i THE" COLONY. Xi

We learn on good authority that New Zealand was lately visited by a gentleman occupying" the exalted position of Minister of Ways and Means and member of the Privy Council of Russia, who travelled through the colony and manifested great interest in the working of our railways. He made a trip to the Hot Lakes and received the courtesy of a railway pass from the Government as a souvenir of his tour. Before coming to New Zealand His Excellency had visited the Cape and other British possessions. Whether because of the favourable character of his report or attracted by the announcement of our Exhibition, we cannot say r but there is in Auckland another distinguished Russian visitor, an attache to the Embassy at Berlin, who is travelling iinder leave of absence. He is greatly interested in our scenery, and being1 an amateur photographer, is making an admirable collection of views, it would appear from these notable visitors from the far-off dominions of the Czar that the fame of New Zealand is extending far and wiv.e. This suddenly awakened interest in the British colonies among Russian officers is rather remarkable, but we have no doubt our present visitor, like hiu more exalted predecessor in the ses>« vice of the Czar, will carry away with him favourable impressions of the country and its climate, and the hospitality of its people, and will be especially impressed by the loyalty of the colonists to their Queen, and the sc lid unity of the-Empire, self-govern-