INDIA.

Wellington Independent, Volume VI, Issue 468, 6 April 1850, Page 3

INDIA.

Intelligence from Calcutta to the Bth*, .and Madras to the 13th of August had ,j)eeu received by the overland mail, but it AA'as almost devoid of interest. The Punjaub continued quiet, \>ut the troops ■were ready to act instantly, if'occasion should arise. One writer says" "The •Sikhs are numerous enough aud Avilling enough to fight; but they have'no heads, no guns, and no money." The Punjaub division ofthe f.rmy,' under Sir W. Gilbert, Avas said to contain 54,000 rank and file...Sickness prevailed amongst the troops at Lahore, owing principally to the insalubrious situation and croAyded state of the barracks. The Gover.vor-Genekal, the Com mander-in-Chief, and Lord Go ugh continued at Simla. Moolraj had not been executed. It was believed that" a commutation of his sentence would be immediately made jniblic. " " ' A second and final distribution of Scinde prize-money had been ordered. The entire amount of Sir Charles Nailer's share of the spoils is said to be nearly £70,000. The commercial advices Avere favourable, except as regarded the Chinese markets. At Canton'there was much dulness and at Shanghae great distress had resulted from heavy floods Avhichhad almost wholly destroyed the cotton crops. The silk crop had also been materially injured. Ceylon.—From the minute of the governor, addressed to the legislative council on the 18th of September, il appears that the financial affairs of the island were in a more satisfactory state than for two or three previous years. The exports had considerably increased: the revenue for six months had exceeded the estimate by £10,837; and, what is more remarkable, the expenditure had fallen short of the estimated amount by the sum of £ 10,110. Thare was an excess of income over expenditure of about £12000 —or, excluding the military contribution exacted for the benefit of the imperial treasury, of £13,257. Lord Torrington, •whose economy has so largely reduced the expenditure of his government, evidently deserves more credit as a governor than his opponents have been willing to allow him. He is also extending the privilege and habit, of self-government among the natives, in Avhat seems to be a judicious mode,—by the formation of "• village councils, with municipal poAvers." About twenty had been established, and are said to be working wall.—Cape Shipping Gazette, . ' ' '