Alexandra III,

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1359, 17 March 1881, Page 3

Alexandra 111,

The new Autocrat of all tbe Russias, Alexander Alexandrovitch, is a prince cast in a very different mould from that which shaped his weak, amiable, easily influenced sire. He is known to entertain fixed opinions, resolves, and j>rojects, and to adhere to them with all the tenacity of a singularly determined, and self -relying nature. Of his fervent faith in the Panslavistio dogmas no doubt has been entertained since lie came to manhood by those who know him best ; and his antipathy to all German men and things is no lees notorious than his sympathy with the attractive qualities of the French nation. He is believed by his countrymen to be before all else a true and uncompromising Russian patriot ; to hold in horror the system of peculation, bribery, and administrative fraud that has honeycombed the Empire during the last two reigns, and brought it to the brink of ruin ; to have set his face in particular against abuses of their high station practiced hitherto with impunity by certain of his own near relatival and to have bowed himself to the mis°ion, as far as the internal affairs of his native land are concerned, of extirpating, root and branch, the countless abominations tolerated by his father, with what result the Nihilist movement has only too terribly demonstrated. He is generally expected to be a radical reformer at home, and a vigorous promoter of tbe PnnslavisMc programme abroad. Should he realise the anticipations entertained on hi? account, it is more than probable that Russia's neighbours in Europe and Asia will find ample reason to regret the advent to Imperial power of Alexander Alexandrovitch The present Emperor of Russia was born on March 10, 1845, and is, therefore, thirty-six years of age. He was married in 1866 to tho Princess Marie Feodorovna of Denmark.

A preacher said, "Every tub must bland on its own bpttom." A Bailor jumped up, and said, "But sir suppose it has no bottom?" — 'Then it's no tub," returned he, quickly, and went on with the pennon. "Oh, that I had a window in my breast, that j ou mighi, look in and read the truth of what I say,' ' exclaimed an orator. — "Wouldn't a pain in the stomach do ?" shouted the irrepressible small boy. A rabbiter, who advertises in the Southland Times, asserts that he has made £1 A day at rabbiting, and that his 22 dogs havekillod 19,700 rabbits during last summer and winter. Garden robbing is prevalent at Oamaru as well a&Dunedin. The Times says that the big boys keep watch outside whilst the smaller. -ones are sent in to steal the fruit. " ' ' ' There is one thing about a hen that looks like wisdom—they don't cackle much till they hare laid their egga. Some folks are piwaya bragging, and cackling what they are gding to do beforehand.