The Sun.
London, England, 1861-11-11 00:00:00

CAC TIAR.

If the information recently a afforded by the Hurkaru be
at all of a reliable character—. Ind we ourselves have ne.
doubt upon that point—one of t, he most barbarous and back-
ward provinces of the Bengal 13 residency is likely ere long
to bo the most completely Anglicised portion of our Indian.
territories. Little more than a qu, arter of a century ago the
entire province of Cachar, 110 n tiles in length and 65 in
breadth, was offered on lease by ti'm British Government
for £2,000 a year, without a sinee bid being obtained.
Though eminently adapted for the cultivation of
cotton, silk, coffee, and sugar, and traversed by
a navigable river and many fine streams, it pos-
sessed at that time several drawbacks which more than
counterbalanced its numerous advantages. The plains
were infested with tigers, open to inroads from the savage
tribes on its eastern frontiers, and more than once ravaged
by the Burmese. The population also was thinly scattered,
and not a single decent road could be said to exist in any
direction. One good result, however, of the last Burmese
invasion is the absence of small cottiers, The working
classes are mere labourers and not small " capitalists" after
Mr. Grant's pattern. There is at present, indeed, a scarcity
of labour, but this may be obviated by a large use of
machinery, for which there is abundance of water power,
The certainty of employment, however, will gradually at^
tract labour in conformity with the law of supply and de-
mand. The Lieutenant-Governor, moreover, has sanctioned
the making of roads, and a company has already been
formed for the cultivation of the tea plant. In the absence
of native proprietors there is an excellent opportunity for
Europeans to form a permanent colony, holding the land
in their own hands, and employing the peasantry as free
labourers occupying cottages built upon the estate. There
is every reason to believe that the tea cultivation will
answer fully as well as it has done in Assam.
At first there ire incidental expenses to be incur-
red which will naturally diminish the profits for a few
years, or rather it should be said that no clear returns must
be expected until the fifth y ear. To work a grant of 100
acres will require a capital of nearly £2,000, including sub-
sistence until the speculation become a paying one. When.
in full working order the profits are calculated to exceed
£2O per acre; and under intelligent management an
acre should be brought to yield fully £25 clear of all
charges. A more easy and delightful occupation
can scarcely be imagined, and every year will increase the
number of European settlers and neighbours. A few years
ago there was not a single Bnglish resident in the di•tricit,
and now there are not fewer than 70. It is impossible
to overrate the immense benefits that may accrue to
India from having a British colclay settled in Cachar. Not
only would a sense of security be imparted to the Bengal
Government, but the moral influence of the Anglo-Saxon-
character would be eatended over adjacent countries, and
might prove of inappreciable importance when the third
and final war is commenced by the Burmese. As the In-
dian Government appears at last to be awakening to the
necessity of ruling the country on some definite system and
policy, it may be hoped that seasonable and suitable encou-
ragement will be given to men of enterprise and sufficient
capital to induce them to redeem from waste the fine up-
lands of Cachar, and open up new mines of wealth by their
intelligence and perseverance.—Allen's Zndian Mai(.

COUNTRY MARKETS.

NORWICH—Nov. 9.

-7- -
Wheat to-day was in comparatively short supply, and
there being rather more disposition to purchase, prices wore
is higher on all descriptions. Of barley there was a fair
show, and last Saturday's prices were fully supported. A.
dull trade in other grain. _ _ _

White wheat 56s to 68s [ Red wheat 56s to 64s
Malting barley.... 39s to .40s [ Chevalier barley 370 to 38s
New d 0...... 37s to 5'95.1 Oats.. to to —8

Flour,t43s 6d to 44s Od per sack from the miller.

NORTHAMPTON—Nov. 9.

At this corn-market the s-upply of wheat was scarcely
so large as last week, but the tone of the business was firm
and recent rates went up fully is per qr-46s to 58s for
old, and 68s to 63s for new. A fair business in barley—.
malting 33s to 425, grinding 29s to 31s per qr. Oats in,
moderate show, and prices higher--quoted at 24s to 35s
per 24 stone. Beans, old, 38s to 465; peas, 38s to 455.
Rye, 37s to 425; malt, 70s to 74s ; flour, 40s to —s per
sack.