According to information at hand ives of two scientific societies in ill shortly arrive at St. Petersburg purpose of perfecting arrangements with the Local scientific societies for a joint. ex: to the Far East, for exploring little-known countries and their inhabitants.
A Chinese Mission to Russia.
The rumours that wera circulated by the foreign Press to the effect tint a spe-Chinese Mission was to start for Rus-sin are now being confirmed at Si. Poters-burg, where it is reported that the special Chinese Mission will arrive early in February; sise that 2 member of the Chinese Imperial family will be at the head of the Mission.
Gold Exploration by London Capitalists.
It is reported here that London capitalists have formed 2 syndicate, under the name of " Syndicate, Ld.," with " capital of £7,500, for exploration of gold fields in the Amur regions, stipulating that in case the preliminary work of the company meets with success, a new company be then orga for the exploitation of the goid-be:
rata. A number of English tatists who re interested gold mining in Australia and Africa are said to be participating in this enterprise.
The Russian Minister's Tour.
The St. Petersburg journal, " Russi states that the tour of the an Vice-Minister for Finance through the differ ent parts of Eastern Siberia and Manchuria, bad also. connection with several discovered neg! s and misreprecentations made in the accounts of the construction of the railway. The greater part of the documents heve disappeared during tae Chinese troubles of last year, the other property remained untouched. owing to the timely arrival of Russian troops on the line.
Telegraphic Rumour from the United States. is to the effect that a syndicate was formed there with a capital of Rs. 15,000,600 for the purpose of acquiring free lands on both sides of the great Trans-Siberian Railway.
The Russian Naval Budget.
the sum of Rs. 98,318,984, was appropriated by the Russian Government for its naval budget for 1902, of which the sum of G0} million roubles is for the normal usual requirements of the navy, and the balance of Rs. 37,818,984, is "distributed for the following purposes:—For increasing the navy, Rs, 16 millions; for raising the limited budget, 10 millions, for increase in shipbuilding, 6 millions for harbour improvements at Port Arthur, 3} millions; for improvements in Vladivostock port, 2 millions; and the balance for divers other small expenditures.
A Special Commission was appointed at the General Prison Department at St. Petersburg, for revising the present system of punishment at the Saghialien Prison Mines.
Proposed Stock-Exchange at Viadivostock.
The Governor-General of the Amur District presented some time ago a petition to the Minister of Finance, for establishing a stock-exchange at Viadivostock. The Department of Finance, fully acknowledging the necessity for such an Institution here, passed on this matter, together with its opinion on it, to the Ministerial committee for a final decision. According to private reports at hand, the question will probable have a favourable decision.
Traffic Suspended on the Chinese Eastern Railway.
The Chief Officer of temporary traffic on the line of the Chinese Kastern Railway telegraphs that passenger traffic on the above railway was temporarily suspended, and no passengers are accepted. Those that left hero after the 28th November are returning. The re-opening of the road will be formally announced in due course.
Russian Agricultural Expedition to England.
A party of thirty-two Russian farm-owners from different parts of Russin are shortly Luving for England, for the purpose of acquainting themselves with the ants and requirements of the English market, and to bring up their farm products to the required standard. Mr. Krukoff, an official of the Department of Agriculture in the government of Kaluga, will be at the head of the party.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.