Australian (Sydney, NSW : 1824 - 1848), Friday 19 June 1829, page 3


EAST INDIA TOPICS.

The ship Albion, Captain James Ralph, which sailed hence the 1st of January, for Madras, anchored in the Roads on the 17th of March. Passengers and crew all well.

We are glad to understand from a commu-nication addressed to a contemporary, that coals, as good as English, can be deposited at the Mauritius from the Austalian Agri-cultural Company's Pits, at Port Hunter, in any quantity, at 15s. per ton, and a ballast freight. Mr. Waghorn, we have reason to know, was not aware of this. - Madras Ga-zette. Nor were we. There can be gulls in Hindostan, we find, as in any other parts of the Globe. A communication from the Secretary to the Supreme Government, has been addressed to the. Merchants of Calcutta,, conveying the gratifying intelligence that Europeans are no longer restricted in the occupation of lands nor to the cultivation of one article of mer-chandise singly, but that the indulgence is extended to the cultivation of Indigo, and other Agricultural products. It appears that the liberal policy, which it has been predicted would distinguish the Bentinck Administration of the Government of India, has been in some degree verified. The Press breathes a little freer than it did in the Halcyon days of Lord Amherst, who has by this time shrunk into private life, leaving to India that precious legacy the Stamp Tax upon Newspapers. It was expected, that the Governor-Gene-ral, in his tour to the Upper Provinces, would be accompanied by the several Members of Government, Members of Council, Secreta-ries, &c. This change was contemplated as sufficiently indicative of a material alteration in the Constitution of the Government of the Country on the expiration of the Charter. Several lives had been lost in the removal of the Vepery Missionary premises. A sort of fatality appeared to attend every such al-teration and addition that was taking place. In an action for libel, instituted by the Editor of the John Bull, Dr. Bryce v. ----Smith, Esq., Proprietor of the Bengal Hur-karu, for a certain article reflecting on the character of the plaintiff, a Minister, of the Gospel, the judges differed in opinion ; no damages were given, and each party had to pay their own costs, which separately amounted to some thousands of sicca rupees. This was victory with a vengeance. Sulphate of Quinine, in large doses, has been proved to be an excellent remedy against the dangerous effects of Malaria, a disorder very prevalent and disastrous in its effects. An Act for the relief of Insolvent Debtors in Calcutta, was introduced, and in full peration. The case of Rex at the prosecution of the Archdeacon v. Hall, appears in the Indian Papers at full length. The Theatre in the "City of Palaces," appears to have gained the fullest support of the Indian Public. The establishment is conducted by a Managing Committee. Mr. Gregson's Trade List has been noticed in the Madras Gazette, with some encourag-ing remarks on the utility of such a publica-tion. The long established prejudice that op-posed the introduction of European Litera-ture among the numerous classes of Hindoos, supposed by many to be insurmountable, is at length removed, and the advancement of the native youth of Bengal, In European education is represented as surprising. Cobbett's Grammar of the English Lan-guage was obtaining a rapid circulation. An Indian edition has been published, at the price of one pagoda per copy. New comers find dwellings rather scarce just now, and rents extravagantly high— a thing not to be wondered at, when the influx of population is considered. Sydney already covers a considerable space, yet there is room enough, and to spare, for three times the present number of houses. Building will go on as long as rents keep high, the supply keeping pace with the demand. Within a couple of years, it is astonishing to view the works industry and enterprise have accomplished. How much more might be expected, had they been liberally assisted. It is expected the Judges' opinion relative to the division of the Bench, will be given at the close of the present Term. The intelligence of the accidental death of Mr. George Lusk, son of Captain Lusk, has been re-ceived by his friends and acquaintance in Sydney with much regret. This young person was a Clerk in the Secretary's Office about two years ago in this Colony, after which he was attached to the Commissariat Department, in the Lumber-yard. He then removed to the Derwent, where he became attached to the Commissariat Department there, and proceeded in that service to Macquarie Har-bour, where he remained up to the time of his death. We understand Mr. Hillier has taken the meat Contract at Newcastle, to which place he has pro-ceeded to make the necessary arrangements to fulfil the same. The Jury at 15s. per diem were employed on Tuesday in the Supreme Court, in trying a man for stealing a ham, which trial lasted half an hour; two other parties were arraigned for perjury, but the indictment, being informal the case was quashed. Two bruizers proclaim that a "turn up" for twenty pounds aside is to take place some time to day, we shan't say where, -be-. between two Paddy's, who are exprected to make out prime sport. Report has it that the Authorities mean shortly to effect a transfer of the execution-drop, from its present site at the back of the gaol, in George-street, to the new gaol wall on the South Head-road, and to raise skil-lings all round the yard, to receive debtors; and the present long room, it is said, will have an additional story for the use of the govenor of the gaol, Mr. Steel. The ad-ditions in favor of debtors may be very well, but there is wanting a radical cure. The whole should be transplanted as speedily as possible. Some of the debtors now are mi-serably off in respect of lodging. Cobbett has made a dead set at the Quak-ers, whom he denominates blackguards.