INDIA AND THE EAST.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume IX, Issue 72, 25 March 1874, Page 2

INDIA AND THE EAST.

The news of the defeat of Mr Grace and his Eoglish cricketers in Melbourne and Stawell has been received with surprise. In India the latest Austrnliau intelligence is now leceived through the English press, telegraphic intelligence not being supplied to the Indian papers, although passing through Madras ami Bombay. Australian coals have been proved in Colombo to be far better adapted for gas-making purposes than any English coal, and preference is now invariably given to the former, although the coko made from it is not so good. Coal is being discovered in several districts in India, and hopes are again entertained of coalmining being commenced on a large scale. The Queensland and South Australian Governments could not do better than make the experiment now of introducing Indian labor into Northern

Australia, and a couvenlion would be nadily granted at the present time. Great scarcity still prevails in many districts of the ttougal presidency, and although grain las fallen in Home parts, the worst is yet to come. The Government of India led by Lord Noithbrook, seem fu!ly prepared, however, for any emergency. Special famine commissioners have been appointed. Large purchases I of lice in India and foreign markets are being inado by Government. Sir George Campbell, who had resigned tho Lieulenant-Governorship from ill health, remains at his post, and the Viceroy has announced that there will be no migration of the Government to Simla this year. As many of the people as possible are being employed on public tvo.k?. It is calculated that Government will shortly have a million of people on its hands in the Tirhoot distiict alone ; altogether, there maybe two millions and a half to feed for seven mouthe, requiring 240,000 tons of rice. Government has arranged for the purchase of 340,000 tons, so as to have 100,000 toDS for reserve. All this is detailed in a despatch from the Viceroy to the Secretory of State. Lord Northbrook Kaa also very clearly laid down his reasons lor refusing to interfere with the export trade in rice from ludia. At this crisis, it would probably destroy an important trade for the future, and complicate, rather than simplify, the action of the Government. Besides, India- is bound to supply ilB emigrant population in Ceylon and Mauritius. In view of the extending distress in Behar, &c. t a deniselycrowded public meetiug was held in the Calcutta Town-hall, on the 4th instaDt, the Viceroy presiding; a relief committee was appointed, and subscription lists opened — Sir Richard Temple and others describing what the Government had already done. The Viceroy announced thut Her Majesty headed the list with £1,000; Lord Northbrook followed with £1,000, and the Maharajah of Burdwan gives £2,000.