The Sun.
London, England, 1861-06-28 00:00:00

INDIA.

We have received Bombay journals to May 27,
but they contain little more than confirmations of
the Calcutta news, published yesterday, as to the
general quiet of India, and the greater hopeful-
ness which prevails respecting the cessation of the

famine.
The Surat and Broach collectorates are to be
amalgamated—the thirteen Pergunnahs of Surat
are to be reduced to seven, and the six Pergunnahs
of Broach to four. This will effect a saving of the
salary of a collector and his establishment, and of
eight mamlutdars and their establishments.
Four regiments of Bombay native Infantry are
order to be broken up; the establishment of native
infantry of the Bombay army will thus be reduced
to 21,300 of all ranks, against 30,158 on August 1,
1852—a total reduction of upwards of 8,000 men of
all ranks.
The Administration Report of Oude for 1859-60
has been published. The whole province has been
restored to peace and industry, and the year 1859 60
was the first in which the administrative scheme of
government as declared at the annexation was uni-
formly carried out.
The most important political event of the year in
Oude was the investing, in November, 1859, of some
of the principal Talookdars with magisterial and
revenue powers. The chief commissioner, in a re-
port published on the Bth May, considers that the
experiment of associating the great landholders
with the servants of government, in the administra-
tion of justice, has been attended with complete
success. It is considered an immense benefit to the
peasantry that their petty disputes with each other
should be referred to the decision of their heredi-
tary chief, and not be brought into our courts, to
the ruin of both disputants.
Sonthalistan is again disturbed. The deputy
commissioner reports that suits for enhancement of
rents have been brought against the Sonthals, and
that pressure has been exercised by the Mahajuns.
The Senthals were holding meetings, and the de-
puty commissioner had sent for the head men.
Military police have been sent in considerable force
to Nya Doomka and Beerbhoom. Mr. Pontet's
enhancement of rents was the cause of the first
Sonthal rebellion.
Mr. Gladstone's budget has given great satisfac-
tion in India, as being both in its theoretical and
practical parts so entirely in accordance with Mr.
Laing's. It is regarded as full of hope for the
future of both countries, that the two Chancellors
of Exchequer, rather than im pose new taxes, or get
deeper into debt, have resolved to reduce the ex-
penses of national housekeeping.
The extensive reductions in the native army,
mentioned in Mr. Laing's budget as in a great
measure carried out, or distinctly ordered in a
manner admitting of no discussion, are rapidly
becoming faits accomplis.
The resolution of his Excellency the Governor-
General in Council ior of the native
infantry of the three presidencies was published in
Bombay on the 13th May. The establishment of
native infantry in the Indian army will henceforth
be as follows :—Under the Government of India,
12 battalions; Bengal army (including Sikh and
Punjaub regiments), 60 ; Madras army, 52 ; Pegu
Sapper battalion (temporary), 1; Bombay army,
30 : total, 155 battalions—making a total strength
of about 110,400 men of all ranks, native officers
included, against a total of 174,237 of all ranks on
the Ist October, 1859, showing a reduction of more
than 63,800 men of all ranks, and a saving fully
equal to one million sterling.
It is stated that there is to be a new uniform for
the whole native army, to consist of a tunic without
collar, leaving the neck bare, a pair of loose trousers,
gaiters, and a newly-invented turban. It is thought
that this uniform would be admirably suited for the
European soldiery in India.
The following aecount of the death of Lieutenant
Hughes, already announced, is given by a corre-
spondent writing from Manantoddy on May 11:
" A melancholy occurrence took place in the
Terriott (?) Jungles the other day. Lieut. Hughes,
of the 66th, was killed by an elephant. He had
succeeded in killing one, but on going in for another
his cap missed fire, and he was immediately trodden
into the mire, from which he found difficulty in
extricating his feet. One tusk was driven through
h is thigh ; his neck, arm, and leg were broken, and
his chest flattened. Much praise is due to one
Richard Hadin, who, on hearing of the accident,
went to the spot at night with torches and found
the body, amidst the noise of tom-toms, as the place
was alive with monsters."