The Sun.
London, England, 1850-11-19 00:00:00

(From the Overland Bombay Times, Oct. 17.)

SUMMARY.—Another newslese fortnight forms sub-
ject of complaint to the newspapers, and congratula-
tion to the people. From the Ist to the 10:h of Octo-
ber, thunder storms were experienced in Western
India, and stormy weather seems to have prevailed
all over the country from Ceylon to the extreme
north- west frontier. The Governor- General and
suite leave Simla on the Ist November, and proceed
via Roopur, Hooshearpore, Pathunkote, and Deena-
nuggur, to Lahore, and after a halt there of three
weeks, to Peshawur by the usual route. Heavy
rain had latterly somewhat interfered with the com-
forts of the noble party at Cheni, but they continued
in excellent health. It is reported to he intended to
fortify, arm, and garrison the principal strongholds
in the Punjaub, with a view, we presume, of
diminishing the number of troops at present deemed
requisite for its safety. The state of the Kohat
frontier is still matter of much concern, and it seems
an open question whether it might not be more wise
to leave this part of our posessions to the charge of
the tribes themselves than to maintain it at the pre-
sent charge and risk. Sir C. Napier is understood
to have recommended that we should subsidise the
tribes, and the gallant chief is the last man to recom-
mend the purchase of peace could it be obtained on
any other terms. A scientific survey of the Salt
Range has been ordered by the Governor-General.
Mr. Pardon, who is to have charge, is ordered to be
in Lahore by the Ist of November. Lieutenant
Robertson has been ordered to commence a scientific
survey of our frontier bordering Jamoo instead of
the Ravee. Government have engaged the services
of Mr. Murdock as engineer in the in-ward at Roor-
kee. The Government of Bengal have resolved to
levy a toll on the Grand Trunk-road ; no-
thing could be more wise than to extend the
means of intercourse in all directions, making
the people pay for the roads some trifling fraction
of what they directly gained by them. It is a most
serious misfortune in India that Government is looked
to for everything; the people will do nothing for
themselves, and the country, which might so easily
be so greatly improved, is left alone. Government
will not venture to tax the people for their own ad-
vantage, and are unwilling to trust to the ordinary
means of recompense for requital. Tremendous rain
occurred near Midnapore in the end of September, 13
inches having fallen betwixt the 22d and 27th. This
is nothing to what occurred at Rejkote on the 27th
July, when 27 inches of rain fell in 24 hours-33 in
two days. The heaviest fall known at Bombay was
on July 25, 1840, when 13 inches fell in 24 hours.
The country around Purneah has been so flooded that
the destruction of the rice crop was apprehended.
The coal in Upper Assam is at present being exten-
sively worked by a Calcutta copartnery. The chief
objection in the way is the difficulty of navigat-
ing the Berhampooter, and the expense in con-
sequence of bringing the mineral to market. The
Maharajah Dhulleep Singh has bad a residence
assigned to him at Futtyghur ; he is under the
supervision of Colonel Goodwyn. The Maharajah
Goulab Singh, of Jamoo, has sent a collection
of shawls, and other articles of Cashmere manu-
facture, to Lahore, for the great London Exhibition
of 1851. They are valued in all at 10,0001, and are
bestowed in tree gift on the trustees. The contribu-
tions of the other Hill Chiefs around are numerous
and costly ; amongst them is a suit of steel armour
inlaid with gold, from the Raja of Naba. Amongst
other things are models of weapons and implements
such as ought to be interesting. Nanuck Shahaie
rupees to the value of 320,0001. are now on their way
from Lahore to be re-coined at Bombay into Com-
pany's rupees. One of the parties condemned for
murder at the late Criminal Sessions was executed on
the 11th; the other criminal was reprieved, and will,
it is supposed, be pardoned, from the questionable
nature of the evidence against him, and the fact of the
man who was executed having distinctly declared the
day before his death that he was not present in the
house at the time the murder was committed. A ser-
geant of the Bengal artillery, by name M'Keuun, has
been convicted at Bireilly of the murder of his wife; be
ran her through with a sword while under the influence
of opium. Severe sickness has of late been prevalent
at Hansi and the country around. There were in the
end of September 300 of the .Hurrianah Light In-
fantry and 180 of the 11th irregular Cavalry in hos-
pital, with scarcely a man of either corps at the
station fit for work. The rain, which had begun to
fall in quantities on the 28th ult., would, it was
hoped, improve matters. Cholera had been raging
around Agra, and home fatal cases had occurred in
the city. The foundation-stone of a new church on
the Mount-road, Madras, was laid by the bishop on
the sth instant. The Great Indian Peninsula
Railway has advertised for contrac's for the em-
bankment across Sion Marsh, six miles from Bom-
bay ; it is about half a mile long, and is the prin-
cipal Work on the line. Major Kennedy, private
secretary to Sir C. Napier, has been appointed
consulting railway engineer to the Bengal Govern-
ment, in room of Mr Simms, returned to Europe,
on a salary of 2,500r5. a month, or 3,0001. a year-
The French frigate Poursuivante having completed
her repairs went out of dock on the 6th instant. Her
stay amongst us is said to be dependent on instruc-
tions expected by next mail from France. A splendid
entertainment was given to the admiral and officers of
the Byculla Club on the 4th. The ball, which took
place at the club last night, is understood to have
been mainly got up on their account. They visit the
Caves of Elephanta on Saturday under the auspices of
Commander Jenkins, gunnery instructor; a splendid
entertainment awaits them in the caves. They have
expressed themselves much gratified by the attention
bestowed upon them while among us. Mr. J. S. de
Vitre, deputy collector of customs, died at the presi-
dency on the morning of Saturday last. A large body
of the merchants and others of Bombay have memo-
rialised the Lords Commissioners of her Majesty's
Treasury to extend the mail communication to the
most northern ports in China at present opened to fo-
reign commerce—namely, Shanghae and the other
ports on the north-eastern coast.