Russia has up to the present time been content to be represented here by a merchant consul, and that official of German origin, For many years past the head of the firm of Messrs, Melchers & Ca, has acted as Consul for Russia, and has maintained the position with dignity and no doubt with efficiency. A change is, however, at length impending. Following the example of Germany, Holland, Belgium, Austria, and Italy, Russia is now, I hear, going to establish a Consulate at this port and to send a representative of her own, Russian commercial interests here are not Inrge at present, and there is a single Russian firm, but no doubt wse will be developed ere long, and the communication with Viadivostock will become more frequent.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.