The Sun.
London, England, 1864-12-29 00:00:00

Disturbances at Bhootan,

INDIA OFFICE, Dec, 28.
The following telegram has been reeeiveu from

India :

" CALCUTTA, Deo. 12.—Fortress of D alimkote,
Bhootan, captured with slight loss of two officers
and 50 men. Position described as very strong.
An accidental explosion of powder caused the death
of three officers and seven men."

SHOOTING A WIFE AT PRESTEIQN.—It will be
remembered that in October last a deserter from
one of her Majesty's regiments, named Morris, shot his wife
at a place called Kinsham, near Presteign, the charge of
the gun tearing away the scalp and part of the skull, and so
injuring the woman that death was for some days expected
to result therefrom. Singular to relate, although the brain
was disturbed the woman recovered. The husband at once
decamped, and all efforts to capture him till yesterday had
proved unavailing. It seems that Morris had carried the
gun about with him, determined to shoot any one who
should attempt his apprehension. For some time past it
was thought he had returned to the vicinity of his home,
and accordingly Superintendent Massey, of Presteign, took
means to ascertain if this was a fact, A watch was set, and
last night it was ascertained that a person answering the
description of Morris had been seen to go in the direction
of the cottage where his wife lived. A cordon of police
were summoned, the house was surrounded, and Morris
captured. He was conveyed to Presteign gaol and locked
up in one of the cells, previous to taking him before the
magistrates for examination, The officers had only left the
cell a short time when they heard a peculiar noise proceed-
ing from it, and on going thither found the prisoner had
tied the one end of his neckcloth tightly round his neck
and the other round the grating, and had nearly succeeded
in strangling himself. He was immediately cut down and
medical aid summoned. Life was found to be nearly ex-
tinct, and the prisoner is not considered oat of danger.
DEATH OF GENERAL SHERMAN'S CHILD.—
General Sherman's youngest child, six months old, died
last week at South Bend, In 1., at the residence of Speaker
Colfax. The General's eldest children are pupils in the
Catholic College in the -vicinity of that town,—.Nc4 l'ork
Tribune,

Acclimatisation in South Australia,

The debate which took place in the House of
Assembly on Mr C. Lindsay's motion for a grant
in aid of the operations of the Acclimatisation
Society suggested some considerations of import-
ance to the agricultural interests in this colony.
There were things said in the course of the debate,
and by members who profess to know something
of farming pursuits, which were humbling to hear
in such a place.
Let it be clearly understood that the Acclimati-
sation Society does not propose to substitute for
wheat growing either the breeding of silkworms
or anything else. It proposes to introduce new
industries—not to supersede, but to supp'ement
the important work in which farmers are vow en-
gaged. South Australia is a wheat producing
colony, and we have no doubt it will remain so
for many generations to come. But we have
always held that it is neither wise nor safe for
our agriculturists to be dependent on one article
of produce when other auxiliary and remunera•
five cultures can be easily pursued. In former
seasons they have had in the failures of their crops
lessons which ought not to be forgotten. It is a
serious thing for an industrious man who risks his
capital and the whole labour of a year in the pro-
duction of one article when that article fails.
Happily the last year or two have been successful
ones. The land has abundantly yielded her in-
crease, and owing to the failure of crops in the
neighbouring colonies prices have ruled high. We
believe the whole community have reaped the ad-
vantage of the farmers' prosperity. Still it must
hot be forgotten that less prosperous seasons may
come round again, and it is well to be prepared for
such a contingency.
There can be no doubt that:many industries suet.
cessfully pursued in other parts of the world would
handsomely repay their culture among us ; and the
main object of the Acclimatisation Society is, as far
es possible, to aid in introducing these industries.
The government have generously enough placed a
portion of the Park lands at the disposal of the
society, where experiments can be made on as large
a scale as the funds will permit. The application
to parliament was for a small sum in aid of preli-
minary expenses, and we certainly think that Mr
Lindsay made out a good case. He said that the
" objects of the society were the introduction and
domestication of innoxious animals and plants from
other countries, not for the mere purpose of forming
a zoological garden, or interfering in any way with
our present botanic garden, but for stocking the
country with productions which would, in an econo-
mical point of view, promote its material interests,
giving to the agriculturist a rotation of crops, and
a variety of produots which he might profitably
cultivate, instead of depending wholly on cereals,
as at present." He then went on to state that the
society had opened communications with similar
societies in the other colonies and in Europe for the
purpose of mutual exchange, and that their propo.
eels had been favourably responded to. Already
they had sent to Europe for a quantity of seeds of
the best varieties of plants and trees, which in their
opinion would be a valuable source of profit, some
of them altogether new, and others partially intro.
duced, such as flax, cotton, tobacco, coffee, tea, the
mulberry and ailanthus trees, colza and poppy_
valuable for their oil—the cinchona, from the bark
of which the medicine quinine is made, also several
grasses." When these seeds arrive, and the expe•
rimental garden is got into proper order, their cula
tivation will be attempted, and seeds and cuttings
will be distributed to any persons who may be will-
ing to cultivate them.
Mr Lindsay especially referred to the importance
of silk culture, for which in this colony we have all
the required conditions of climate and soil. In the
south of Europe our readers know that this is a most
valuable branch of trade. It is quite possible that
cultivation of the silkworm on a large scale would,
with the present price of labour, scarcely be remu-
nerative—though even that is a matter of question ;
but as ancillary to other pursuits it might become a
welcome addition to a farmer's income. There are
some months in the year when agricultural work is
not very pressing, and this is the time when the silk
is produced. There can be no doubt if the culture
were once commenced it would as easily fall in with
the main business of the farmer as beekeeping or
fowl-producing does now, and with a much greater
prospect of profit.
Amongst the objects contemplated by the society
is one which at first sight seems to be a very hum.
ble affair, but which actually is not less important
than those which look more imposing and ambitious.
We refer to the proposed introduction of different
varieties of small birdr which have a special taste
for insects and grubs. These are becoming not only
an intolerable nuisance, but the cause of serious loss
to the farmer. We are constantly receiving accounts
of the mischief which is wrought by these pests,
which seem to set at defiance,every attempt to check
their increase or to prevent their ravages. Native
birds, as Mr Lindsay stated, do not seem to enjoy
the neighbourhood of man, as they almost invert•
ably retire before him ; but our old English friends,
such as the sparrow, rejoice in human society, and
aeem to be most at home amidst the busy haunts of
men. It is well known that these birds are exceed-
ingly useful in keeping in check the increase o
vexatious and noisome insects; so that it is not a
mere childish amusement, beneath the nbtice of a
body of grave and thoughtful men, to endeavour to
acclimatise these small birds, but a work of great
importance and usefulness.
In all the neighbouring colonies the work of accli-
matisation has been vigorously taken up and ener-
getically prosecuted. Especially in Victoria has it
gone on successfully, owing undoubtedly in a great
measure to the indefatigable zeal and unwearied in.
dustry of Mr Edward Wilson. That gentleman has
thrown his whole energies into the good work, and
in the face of sneers, contempt, and obloquy, he has
succeeded, to an extent which ought to make any
man proud, in establishing the Victorian Society
on a firm basis. The Government have liberally,
seconded the efforts of the society, and with a far-
seeing wisdom and foresight have recognised the
service which such a society properly conducted may
render to the colony. We have made one'or two
efforts here, bat it must be confessed they have
proved abortive. Now, however, we are glad to see
the subject taken up in an earnest spirit. The
thing has got into good hands, and we trust it will
prove a great success. It seems very obvious, how.
ever, that the society need not look to Parliament
for much assistance. From the debate in the
Assembly it is clear enough that no very cordial
feeling exists amongst hon. members in favour of
acclimatising efforts. Only £5OO was asked for to
assist in starting a society which, in all probable
!lay, will be the means of adding largely to the re-
sources of the colony, and that sum, small as it is,
was refused, The Government offered £3OO, coupled
with the_condition that the friends of the society
should raise an equal amount, and that iroposal
the house, not without some demur and grumbling,
at last carried. We hope those who see the import-
ance of the movement will at once subscribe the
amount requisite to secure the Parliamentary grant.
There ought not to be much difficulty in obtaining
£3OO for an object so well worthy of public sup.
pert. If the Parliament have been shabby there is
the more need for the public to be generous.—
Adelaide Observer, Oct. 8.

TRIFLE CHILD MURDER NEAR LEOMINSTER.—
For some six months past a young woman, named
Emma Smith, about 17 or 18 years of age, has been living in
the service of a Mr Wilkes, at the Leystere, near Leomin-
ster. About half-past 12 o'clock on Monday last Mrs
Wilkes had occasion to go upstairs, when she saw the girl
Smith in one of the bedrooms with a large slop pail full of
water. Airs Wilkes said she would carry it downstairs for
the girl. To this Smith made strong objections; the sus-
picions of Mrs Wilkes became aroused ; she insisted upon
taking the pail away with her, and eventually carried it
downstairs. Mr Wilkes was communicated with, and ho
examined the contents o. the pail with a stick. He first
brought up to the top of the water the arm of a child, then
the body of a fine grown infent ; he next brought up the
leg and afterwards the body of a second child, and at last
discovered a third. The throe children were all of course
dead. The girl Smith had delivered herself of the three
children at a birth, and pi ovided herself with the slop pail
of water, into which she had plunged them immediately
they were born. The girl had always borne a good charac-
ter and was a hard-working industrious servant, She re-
mains in custody, awaiting the inquest,