NETHERLANDS INDIA.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 7, Issue 328, 29 January 1863, Page 3

NETHERLANDS INDIA.

[From the Singapore Free Press] By the mail steamer we have Java papeas to the 15th October. Much excitement had been caused in Batavia by the secret departure of an individual who was generally considered very wealthy, but who would appear to have met with heavyflosses in Government contracts and other speculations. Several persons who had retired to Holland, leaving ther savings in the hands of this person, will be severe sufferers by his insolvency. On the request of the chiefs of. MokoMoko, Seluma,-Manna, Kauer and Kroe, in the Bencoolen division in Sumatra, the sale of opium in these places has been forbidden and the farm withdrawn. In Banjermassing the insurrection .is still unquenched. The bands of insurgents shift from place to place, and are said latterly to have shown considerable strategic ability. The Rebellion will no doubt be ultimately subdued, but in ' the meantime the country suffers from the uncertainty with which all industrial pursuits must be followed. Advices from the Moluecass state that the volcanoes of Makian and Ternate were still throwing out large columns of smoke. The continued heavy rains were working to the cultivation of provisions and to the coffee gardens. Salt in Amboyna was about seventeen times the usual price, and rice was also very dear. Government has abandoned the idea of repairing the telegraph cable between Batavia and Singapore. The establishments at Singapore, Munlok, and Palerobang, have been withdrawn, and the fifty miles of of new cable recently recently received from England have been placed in store. ■' r jg A drought prevailed in Java, and fires wei'e taking place in all directious. Several light shocks of earthquake had been felt here and there. In the dependencies small pox was committing frightful ravages. A great many deaths had taken place in the Bencoolen and Palembang residences on Sumatra, and on New Guinea it had carried off 6000,. and on the Island Salawatti 300>1 persons. On Halmaheira, the district of Sahu was formerly one of the best cultivated and most fertille places on the island, having a numerous population. Recently the Resident of Ternate visited the place and found it deserted ; the greater part of the population had perished by this ‘ felt disease, and the rest had fled elsewhere.