A RUSSIAN OFFICIAL ON SIBERIA.

Timaru Herald, Volume L, Issue 4871, 17 June 1890, Page 3

A RUSSIAN OFFICIAL ON SIBERIA.

! The Gfrashdaain, a journal well accredited at theßussian Court, publishes a letter from a superior official, who, at his own request, was rocently transferred to a post at Nertchinsk, m Siberia. After describing the great hardships of a journoy to Siberia, even if made with every proourablo comfort, tho correspondent says: — "Living is absurdly dear iri this country. Everything is five or, six times dearer than m Russia. The peopla Dro wicked and dcpraTed, given to gossipine, slandering, spying, and secret denunciations. Everything which is good and honest is morcilessly persecuted, and baseness is triumphant. In order to livo m tho way m which I have been accustomed to m Russia, I should require 3000 roubles per annum ; but my salary is only 1600. A wretched apartmont costs 600 to 7CO roubles. Tho servants are all bsd characters and thieves. They aro generally lodged m a building dutaehed from the houeo occupied by the master, olhorwiso ono would risk beino plundered or murdered. "Wogo to bed at 9 o'clock m the evening, and after 10 nobody daro go without a revolver. Tho Govornruont offices are m the aatuo (disheartening condition. Evory official, whatever his powers may bo, ill-treats his subordinates, interferes with their privato affairs, and infiicts evory humiliation on them. Tho small officials who recoiro daily wages, aro recruited from criminals awaiting judgment or already condemned. *l'bey are all thieves and drunkards. Tho high cost of living and tho inadequate salaries mako it almost impossible to find an honost man hero. I shall thank Providenco if I am not thrown into prison during the throo years which I must novr remain hero."