TRANSFER

OF THE BACKERGUNGE DIVISION OF THE SUNDERBUNDS FROM THE DACCA DIVISION COMMISSIONER TO

THE COMMISSIONER OF JESSORE.

after minute inquiry and due deliberation, informed the Secretary to the revenue board, through the medium of the secretary to Government in the revenue department, that Government did not consider the case of this defalcation attributable to Mr. Trower, nor did it attach any blame regarding it to that gentleman in his official capacity; therefore his honor the deputy Governor of Bengal, did not consider that gentleman

Government has, at the suggestion of E. M. Gordon, Esq., backed by the recommendation of the Sudder board of revenue, been pleased to transter the control over the proceedings of the divisions of the Sunderbunds, appertaining to the zillah of Backergunge, from the surveillance of E. M. Gordon, Esq. the commissioner in any way blameable or responsible for this deficit. of the 15th or Dacca divison, to the superintendence of Dampier, Esq. commissioner of the 18th or Jessore division; and the secretary to the revenue board was directed by the secretary to Government, in the revenue department, to inform the two aforestated commissioners of the transfer.

The revenue board was further informed, that the revenue accountant had been directed by the secretary to Government in the revenue department, by the orders of the Vice-President in Council on this subject, to write the amount of this defalcation, in his acoount of the revenue, to the profit and loss entry in his books, with a memorandum that the amount is to be debited conditionally to Hollodhur Roy. In the event Defalcation of sicca rupees 5,014 was lately discover- of the bills for the amount of this deficit being found, ed to have occurred in the office of the collectorate of the amount is to be recovered by a bill from the said Calcutta, whilst it had been under the superintendence Hollodhur Roy, as the discovery of these bills are conof Mr. C. Trower. This was duly reported to Govern sidered by Government to be necessary in order to prove ment, and his honour the Vice-President in Council, | his responsibility for this amount,— Hurkaru, June 26.

DEFALCATION IN THE CALCUTTA COLLECTORATE.

SITTINGS IN THE SUDDER DEWANNY AND NIZAMUT ADAWLUT.

Since the commencement of the present, month the judges of the courts of Sudder Dewanny and Nizamut Adawlut, have commenced their private sittings in

which they adjudicate matters submitted to the court as a joint body, twice a week, instead of once a week, as was formerly the case.-Hurkaru, June 26.

TIRHOOT,

PRINCIPAL SUDDER AMEEN'S COURT, MAY 28, 1838.

(Ubdool Wahid Khan, Bahadoor.) This case was originally instituted in the court of the moonsiff of Mudepoor. The plaintiff sues three individuals, viz. Premjha, Hemunjha, and Shamjha, for a bonded debt of Rs 200 with 11 Rs 8 As. interest that has accrued thereupon. The defendants contest the demand by denying the genuineness of the tumussook; and producing witnesses to prove as much. The plaintif substantiates his plea, by the depositions of witnesses, who swear to the money claimed, having been paid to one of the defendants, and to the rest being parties to the instrument produced in court. The moonsiff decrees the suit in favour of the plaintiff. The defendants appeal; the case is referred to the former principal Sudder ameen, by whom the decision of the moonsiff is reversed. The respondent resorts to a khas appeal, i.e. to the court of the additional judge, who, considering the grounds of the decision of the principal Sudder ameen as inconclusive, refers the case to this Court.

This-day the principal Sudder ameen examined the case, and had all the papers on the file read. It was discovered that two of the vakeels, a mookhtarkar and the stamp vender attached to the moonsiff's court, named by the respondent as witnesses to the defendants' prevent ing him by entreaties from prosecuting him, some time before the institution of the suit, had not been called in by the principal Sudder ameen. This court thought it desirable to have them produced, and gave the vakeel of the respondent two weeks' time for that purpose. The vakeel of the appellant, was also permitted to produce, if he wished it, any other witnesses or proofs in support

In the course of examining the file of the proceedings in the case, the fysula of the moonsiff was read. Ere it had been gone through, it struck the court that half of the fysula related to one, and half to another care. The under part of the paper had been added evidently by carelessness or accident, without the incongruous junction having been discovered, by any of the courts through which the file had been travelling in quest of a finat decision; and but for the watchfulness of this court, it might have had to stand a second khas appeal.

ADDITIONAL PRINCIPAL SUDDER AMEEN'S COURT.

(Shoojaoodeen Ullee Khan, Bahadoor.)

On entering, we found the court engaged with a suit respecting the right by law, and fact of occupancy, to certain real property, lustily being contested by four vakeels. There was apparently so much said by all of them, several speaking at once, that if the court could by any possible means, remember but a tithe of what was spoken for and against the merits of the case, we warrant the result would be the most inconclusive conclusion, at which any judge or jury could arrive. were utterly foiled in our attempts to make anything of the business. The court, however, patiently endured the wrangling of the legal twigs, and seemed to be very much at its ease, as to the drift of the speeches addressed to it, as if out of a four-mouthed speaking trumpet.

We

In the midst of the hubbub, we caught the eyes of the court, which led to the inquiry, "what is that gentleman about?" One of the vakeels, who had seen us

explained the sum and substance of our business, with When we made our debut as a reporter at Monghyr, which the Khan seemed satisfied; and turning to us we had our fears; we did not, we frankly own, expect asked, whether we should like to consult any of the pa- that ready and civil encouragement in those courts pers in the file, to furnish ourselves with accurate data which we were satisfied would by no means be long for our reports. We should have accepted the offer, but withheld. The authorities there not only offered no contented ourselves with replying, that we would at pre-hindrance to the prosecution of our duties, but seemed to sent rather dispense with any other mode of preparing our reports than that which we have hitherto adopted,

THE PUNDIT'S COURT.

There is yet another court at this station to be noticed. We have several times passed by it, while it sat in the verandah of the building in which the magistrate's kutcherry is held; but could not possibly suppose it to be a court of justice. We had taken the whole concern as the durbar of the nazir, or dufter of one of the pleader's practising here. Being told this morning what it meant, we took a closer survey of it than it had deserved, without a label to point it out. "This too is a judge; and this is a court of justice!" To this court criminal cases are referred by the magistrate,-sometimes with a direction, that if the case turned out to be a serious one, it should be sent back for trial to the magistrate's court. The Pundit seemed to be a quiet, harmless personage, with two smart right and left hand men, to help him to sustain the labours of justice.-Hurkaru, June 18.

THE JUDGE'S COURT, MAY 25, 1838.

Since our appearance in this court, we had no appre hension that our avocations would prove unpleasant to the authority that presides over it, we could not possibly anticipate any thing but ready encouragement in the prosecution of our labours. Publicity, we should have imagined, would be courted where there was a consciousness of the characteristics which adorn the bench. Our first report will offer a satisfactory testimony of readiness to set in the fairest point of view, as we are in justice bound to do, those qualities which are entitled to approbation, and this we shall continue to do wherever and whenever we may have opportunity.

help us forward, though we are sure the freedom of our remarks was calculated to rouse into irritation the corrupt passions of human nature, and expose us at least to the exhibitions of some tokens of the displeasure of those who had not been accustomed to have their public proceedings roughly handled, or freely commented on; still they took no means of obstructing us of even indirectly exhibiting any hostile feelings. We were readily accommodated with a seat, though there were not wanting people, among those who frequented the courts, who regarded our being allowed to sit in court as reprehensible. It was argued that it was a mark of the favour of the court owards us; for what was more monstrous in the mofussil than to permit any person not a functionary to be sitting in open court!

all the authorities; nay, they seemed to be studious to At Bhaugulpore, too, every facility was afforded us by render us perfectly satisfied that we were before liberalminded judges and magistrates, who desired no kind of concealinent from the eyes of the public at large. They seemed rather to Court publicity; and both there and at Monghyr, we pursued and terminated our career without the slightest impression on our minds that we could possibly give umbrage. Had we published any misstatements we should have been happy to have had our mistakes rectified: we courted no favour, but we received kindness freely.

On our arrival at this station, we heard a rumour that our pursuing the avocations of a reporter would not be relished by the authorities; but we gave no credit to it: we went quietly round the courts and were much gratified by what we saw in some of them. We readily laid the result before the public. To-day we appeared in this court and took our stand not far from the bench in a part of the court-house to which the vakeels and others freely resorted, and where we ourselves went several days without any objections being raised. But when we went to-day with pencil and paper in hand, we were desired by the judge to place ourselves there were the populous was standing Adulation we hold in contempt; but we shall never -a place so far removed from the presence that we are forget ourselves so far as to withhold the meed of praise certain we shall not be able to catch distinctly what when the authorities deserve it. On the other hand we transpires about it. There was not another individual, have fearlessly brought to the notice of the public every vakeel or mooktear, in the place where we had stationthing that required to be dragged from mofussil obscurity ed ourselves, we incommoded nobody we were merely to the knowledge of the world. Of this nobody that taking notes in our memorandum book placed on a kind values the weal of the community, the impartial distribu- of railing that separated us from the vakeels, &c. that tion of justice, the correction of abuses which seldom were standing before the court. Whatever might have find the light of publicity through any other channel, been the object of the direction we received this-day, can possibly question the advantages. And we always we cannot view it in any other light than at a mani. had an impression on our mind, not yet obliterated, that festation of those sentiments which we were on our the appearance of public reporters in the mofussil courts arrival at this district told to expect. We were unwillcould not but be appreciated by Government, likely as iting to call away the attention of the court from the case is to be left totally in the dark, respecting a thousand things and circumstances which transpire at a distance from the presidency. Such has been and are our views; and we persuade ourselves that we are not harbouring chimerical notions.

which it was then occupied upon; but we intend to bring the matter formally before the judges, as it is obvious that we cannot rely on the accuracy of our reports, if we have not an opportunity of distinctly hearing the proceedings.-Hurkaru, June 23.

MISCELLANEOUS.

CALCUTTA.

MEETING OF THE GOVERNOR WITH RUNJEET SING.It is said that a large force, under the command of Major General Duncan, will proceed, soon after the rains, towards Ferozepore, on the Sutledge, in which neigh bourhood the meeting between the Governor-General of India and the ruler of the Punjab, will take place. The force will consist of one regiment of native cavalry, a troop of European horse artillery, two squadrons of Her Majesty's 16th lancers, one regiment of European, and five of native infantry.

THE GOVERNOR OF SERAMPORE.-The Hon. Mr. Han son having been appointed Governor of Serampore, by His Majesty the King of Denmark, arrived in the river on the 20th instant, and landed in Serampore the next day at noon, under the salute due to his rank.

THE BHOTAN

EMBASSY.-Within the last few days, letters have been received in this city from the British embassy in Bhotan, from which we learn, that Captain Pemberton and party have abandoned their original plan of proceeding into Thibet, and may be expected in Ĉalcutta towards the latter end of June.

Ogilvy, and a criminal information against Mr. Barlow for improper neglect in the discharge of his magisterial and judicial duties, no less than thirteen civil actions, arising out of the Culna affair, have been instituted by different parties against the first-named gentleman, who has been arrested by Mr. O'Hanlon, the magistrate, but bailed on two lacs of rupees.

The preliminary proceedings in the case of the pretender to the raj of Burdwan, commenced before Pertaub the magistrate of Hooghly on Monday. Chund was in the cutcherry, the greater part of the day, having portions of the documentary evidence Tead. He admitted many of the letters addressed by him to neighbouring Rajahs. On Tuesday, Mr. Shaw these gentlemen had taken out a mooktar-nameh. There and Mr. Graham attended on his behalf. Neither of was no objection to his cross-examination of any of the witnesses on any points relating to himself; and he very frequently addressed the magistrate. The proceedings were not of much importance. The soi disunt Rajah was not present on Tuesday.

On the 14th instant, seven other witnesses were examined for the prosecution in Mr. Ogilvy's case, in the course of which one of the witnesses said, his son was one of the people shot, and gave other particulars which we are requested by the magistrate to withhold, also the other evidence given. At the conclusion of this day's examination, Mr. Prinsep observed, that no distinct evidence had been heard of Mr. Ogilvy's giving the order for the firing. In reply to which, Mr. Longueville Clarke said, that very plain evidence had been given on that pre-point.

THE CULNA AFFAIR. - Mr. Shaw, who had gone in company with Mr. Hedger to attend the investigation at Burdwan, had been again arbitrarily seized by order of Mr. Ogilvy, the magistrate, who was still in power there, and dragged through the streets to the cutcherry; three men having seized him to effect that purpose, without any previous warning. After having been kept in the compound for upwards of an hour, (his papers having also been taken possession of,) he was admitted to the " sence," where he found Mr. Ogilvy on the bench, and another person, whose name Mr.Shaw was not acquainted The final examination of witnesses for the prowith. He requested Mr. Ogilvy to inform him who the secution and defence, in Mr. Ogilvy's case, concludgentleman was; but Mr.Ogilvy declined. Mr.Shaw insisted ed at seven o'clock on the 22d instant. The naon his right to be informed who it was, by whom he was zir and darogah of Burdwan, were the two last to be judged; whereupon both the gentlemen on the witnesses examined for the defence. The former deposed, bench rebuked him harshly, and paid no attention to his to his being sent for by Pertaub Chund, and to his going protest, against the examination of his private papers. Mr. on board his budgerow, and to his having received a Ogilvy at length said, that he considered Mr. Shaw's bail letter written in English for the magistrate, but which to be invalid, and that, therefore, Mr. Shaw was to be de- he returned to the bearer of it; and also to his having tained in custody. Upon this Mr. Hedger, who had has received two other letters written in Persian, from Pertaub tened to the scene,on hearing of Mr.Shaw's arrest, inform- Chund. He could not state the hour he received the ed Mr. Ogilvy, that as he Mr. Hedger, had been bail for | letters, nor from whom they came. They were signed Mr. Shaw, he considered himself discharged from all fur-by Rajah Pertaub Chund. He directed the bearer of the ther responsibility. To this Mr. Ogilvy demurred; but Mr. Hedger informed him with firmness, that as he had chosen to take Mr. Shaw again into custody, he had, ipso facto, freed the bail, and that Mr. Hedger should act accordingly. Thus Mr. Shaw was again incarcerated by a proceeding so arbitrary, that we should have thought no magistrate would have dared to have exercised his power in such a manner upon a British subject, since, at least, the revolution. As to the investigation which has been going on there, it seems from the accounts received, to be worse than mockery. Mr. Ogilvy, who stands accused of the highest crime known to human law, was actually conducting the investigation. He has, however, been temporarily removed from his acting magistracy-a course of proceeding which will secure an impartial investigation of the affair, Mr. F. C. Smith, condemns as especially indiscreet and improper, the conduct of Mr. Ogilvy, subsequently to the first arrest of Mr. Shaw, and the magistrate has been accordingly summoned to Calcutta.

English letter to send it himself to the magistrate, if he wished it to be sent. To the bearer of the two Persian letters, he gave no reply, but sent the epistles to the magistrate, after the disturbance was over. The contents of one of the Persian letters was a request to him, the nazir, to point out or say, how many and what part of Pertaub Chund's followers he wished to disperse. He further said, that he informed the magistrate of the whole of the proceedings; but when cross-examined, he stated, that he was about to inform the magistrate of the letter he had received, but was inturrupted by the magistrate's saying, "insert all in your report." This conversation took place on his way with the magistrate and others, to Mr. Alexander's house. He saw the sepoys load their guns, but could not say whether they put balls in or not. He was on the bank of the river when the sepoys were drawn up in a line. A boat was seen making off from Pertaub Chund's boat, and "the Captain ordered two guns to be fired over them. They were fired; then three others were fired, and afterwards many others were fired, one after another. He did not hear

his sight all the time. Deponent further said, that forty-dency of Hyderabad; should he accept it, Colonel two burkundazes had been sent to Culna, by a person in Spiers will go to Gwalior, and somebody else to RajPrawn Baboo's, or the Raja of Burdwan's employ. He pootna. Major Sleeman is spoken of, as likely to be apsaw them on the banks of the river. After some further pointed superintendent of police for all India. questions were put to this deponent, the darogah was called.

The darogah deposed, that no riot or disturbance had taken place on the part of Pertaub Chund's people.

JAIL OF CALCUTTA.-The great jail of Calcutta is at present, and has been for some days past, crowded to excess by debtors in large and small amounts, and criminals from different parts of the country-many debtors are there on account of small debts of nine and ten rupees.

In many instances he denied what the nazir had stated. He was examined as to the deposition he had made before Mr. Ogilvy at Burdwan, and, respecting INSURING GOODS.-The recent action brought by the which, he could give no explanation. He said, that he consignee of goods against the insurance office, (although could neither read Bengallee nor Persian; that the nazir the ultimate decision of the court on the legal question had done all. He gave further evidence, which we are was in favour of the defendants) has suggested to most not permitted to publish. Mr. O'Hanlon said, that insurance offices the adoption of the measure of precauhimself and Mr. Robison thought the affair was bailable, tion by inserting in every policy a clause somewhat to the and he doubted not but that such would be his determi-effect following: nation on the following day. It was then intimated, that the same bail which had been given, would again be "It is hereby further declared that nothing herein offered. Mr. Leith, addressing the magistrate, said, contained shall be construed or taken as a guarantee or that he had no wish to throw the least obstacle in Mr. affirmation on the part of the assurers, that the aboveOgilvy's way, but that it was for the magistrate to con-mentioned goods or any parts thereof have been or shall sider the heavy amount that would be required to bail be laden on such vessel or any other, and that no such Mr. Ogilvy, and the efficiency of that bail. guarantee or affirmation is hereby intended to be given by or on behalf of the assurers, to the assured or to any person or persons whatsoever, before or at the time of granting this policy."

Ross Donnelly Mangles, Esq. and John Lowis, Esq. have since become bail for Mr. Ogilvy's appearance, to stand his trial at the next sessions of oyer and terminer. Messrs. Prinsep, Ogilvy, Mangles and Lowis, were closetted with Mr. O'Hanlon; but the subject of their confabulation has not yet transpired, as all reporters were prevented from entering the room. Nobody attended on behalf of the prosecution.

BURDWAN.-In consequence of the failure of the Ranee of Burdwan to pay the Government revenue with punctuality, the Sudder Board of Revenue have, on the report of the local commissioner, directed that immense zemindarree to be brought under the jurisdiction of the court of wards. This will eject Pran Baboo, who is the brother of one Ranee and the father of the other, from all management of, or concern with, the property.

The commissioner for the division, will proceed by dawk to carry these orders into effect, and in person make arrangements for the future control of the estate.

EXTORTION OF THE THANADARS.-That worthy gentleman, J. H. Patton, Esq., the magistrate of the 24-pergunnahs, has ordered notice to be stuck up both in Bengallee and English, at the boundary guard at Malauly's durgah and elsewhere, authorizing any person or persons to take into custody any one found extorting from the venders of fish, vegetables, or other articles, and hand him or them to the police authorities.

KIDNAPPING.-Several cases of kidnapping have been brought to light during the month, which call imperatively for the interference of the Government to check the abominable system of enslaving the people, which has been for some time going on. In one instance, at Chuckkerbare, thirty-two individuals were released from imforce, and where some of these unfortunate wretches had prisonment in a gaol, guarded by an armed burkundauze been confined for about five months, and from what we learn, dealt with very cruelly. One old man, in partiPILGRIMS TO JUGGURNAUTH.-Letters have been re-ing to comply with the requests of his captors, and cular, had been daily subjected to flagellation, for refusceived at Calcutta from Balessur, and other stages on when he was released, his back presented a truly pitiable the way to Juggurnauth, stating, that the pilgrims pro-sight, being horribly scarrified and inflamed from the ceeding to that place, to witness the approaching festival of Ruthjattra, are immense; and that the price of provisions has, in consequence, considerably risen almost everywhere, a circumstance which has inconvenienced the poorer orders very much.

been received by Mr. Patton, the magistrate of the nape of the neck downwards. Information has also uals are confined in different parts of his district and the twenty-four pergunnahs, that several hundred individtown of Calcutta, and he has instituted a search for their

CIVIL APPOINTMENT.-Mr. F. Halliday succeeds Mr. Prisons. Much praise is due to the indefatigable magisR. D. Mangles, as secretary to the Government of Ben-in bringing this affair under the cognizance of the matrate and Mr. Dias, who has been mainly instrumental gal, in the judicial and revenue departments, an ap-gistrate, for their exertions to release the unfortunate pointment calculated to give general satisfaction.

THE BERENICE.- -By private letters of the 19th ultimo, received from Bombay, we learn there was a rumour at that presidency, that the Berenice would be despatched, not to the Red Sea, with the May packet, but to the Persian Gulph with troops, in consequence of disturbances having broken out in that quarter.

kidnapped individuals from durance vile and ultimate prime movers in this nefarious traffic, will be brought to slavery. We hope the miscreants who have been the condign punishment.

JUNE 11.-BRUTAL AND COWARDLY ASSAULT.-Mr. Charles Augustus Krefting, the youngest son of the late Hon. Jacob Krefting, Governor of Serampore, apPOLITICAL APPOINTMENT.-It is said, that Captain peared before the magistrate this day and presented a Wilkinson, the political agent, is to be fransferred from petition to the following effect. That on the night of Chota Nagpore to Burra Nagpore, and that Captain Sunday last, he called on a Mr. F. Lynch, (who reside Eric Sutherland is to succeed Captain Wilkinson. in Armenian Bazar, Entally, and with whom he was

AN EUROPEAN FOUND DROWNED.-On the 20th instant, the thanadar at Howrah, reported to J. H. Patton, Esq., that an European was found drowned that morning, whose body washed on Sulkea ghaut.

CRIM. CON.-The decent monotony of mofussil life has recently experienced a slight shock at a station not 100 miles from Dinapoor, in consequence of the sudden fancy of a married lady, the wife of a staff officer, to occupy the bungalow of a gallant son of Mars, distinguished for his literary and theatrical talents. The attrac tion is said to be purely platonic; but, nevertheless, the gentlemen of the long robe, are about to institute a cold

suddenly assaulted by several inmates of the house. He the house where this tragic scene occurred, were immewas first of all thrown on the steps by two burkandauzes,diately informed of the circumstance, and they lost no who held him one by each arm. Lynch then sprang time in repairing thither; when, finding the body still upon him and seated himself across Krefting's chest, warm, they cut it down, but life was quite extinct. and while in this defenceless state he beat him across the face with his clenched fists in the most cruel and unmanly manner. When Lynch had got tired of this mode of ill-usage, he laid hold of Krefting by the hair of his head, which latter he kept dashing against the step for some time. When he was released by Lynch and his myrmidons, he was delivered into the hands of chokeedars, who conveyed him to the Mannicktollah tha. nah, and after having been kept there upwards of two bours, the thanuadar was pleased to release him. The confinement and release was done without the knowledge or consent of Sergeant Dyson, to whom Krefting stated all the particulars. Mr. Krefting's clothes were actually torn from his back, and a new hat was stolen from his head. Several ladies and gentlemen who were at Allipore matter-of-fact inquiry into all the pros, and cons. as witnesses against Lynch, informed us, that they had heard Lynch and a fellow named Baboo Oboychurn writer in one of the public offices, lately seduced a young CASE OF SEDUCTION.-An East Indian, who is a Doss, assert, some days previous, that the first time they female, who, it appears, had formerly been a ward of the caught hold of Krefting they whould either beat him severely or murder hin outright. Mr. Krefting never Free-School, and had been subsequently apprenticed to gave any cause whatever for this unmanly treatment. a milliner. He, under some pretence, took her on board His face is in a shocking condition; he can scarcely a boat in the river, and there, after effecting his purpose, see out of his eyes, and his forehead is cut and bruised left her completely destitute. Information of this occur in a most shocking manner. rence was conveyed to Mr. A. Garstin, the secretary to the Free-Shool, who proceeded to the ghaut, where took her to the residence of the chief magistrate, who the boat was moored and brought the girl out of it, and took down her depositions in which she charged the on the charge, and gave bail for his appearance at the young man with a rape. He was consequently arrested police office to defend himself. The case was fixed for has not yet made her appearance to conduct the case, it trial on Monday, the 21st instant; but as the prosecutrix is to be supposed, that the affair has been hushed up.

Mr. Krefting attended the magistrate this day, Monday, when the depositions of his witnesses were taken and he applied to Mr. Patton to admit Mr. C. B. Marnell, junior, as his attorney, to conduct the prosecution against Lynch, which was granted.

DACOITY AND MURDER.-On the 24th of June, a da coity was perpetrated in the house of a baboo at Sulkeah, by a band of nearly one hundred armed men! who cru. elly murdered two men, and severely wounded three others. The object of the vallains, in attacking the house of the baboo was to obtain possession of twenty thousand rupees, which he had received the day previ ously; but they were disappointed in their expectation, as the money had been sent to Calcutta. They, how ever, took away property to the amount of twelve thousand rupees. Strange to say, the whole of this large body of dacoits, after perpetrating the murders within three miles of Calcutta, with torches burning, and playing their flutes, drums, &c., effected their escape and remain undetected!

Several dacoities attended with murders, have lately been committed within a short distance of Calcutta, with impunity, the villains almost invariably effecting their escape; and latterly these robberies seem to have greatly increased. This state of affairs, calls loudly for a speedy reform in our police system. While the police committee are maturing their plans for the amelioration of the system, peaceable citizens are being pulled out of their beds and murdered, by bands of lawless marauders, who roam the country sans peur, undeterred by the imbecile police of the mofussil.

CAPITAL PUNISHMENTS. It appears that the statistical inquiries which the committe of the Capital Punishment Society has instituted, have led them to the conclusion, that milder penalties are more efficacious in all cases, and that the total abolition of Capital Punishments, would be a measure equally of humanity and expediency.

SEDUCTION AND BREACH OF PROMISE OF MARRIAGE.-Mr. T appeared at the police office, accompanied by his daughter, to prefer a charge of seduction and breach of promise of marriage, against one Mr. William l'—, who is on the eve of marriage with another party. We could not ascertain what decision the magistrate passed in the case, but we heard Mr. T. loudly declaiming against the gay Lothario, who, we sincerely trust, will be made to pay the penalty of his overt gallantry.

STEAMER ENTERPRIZE,—The bull of the steamer Enterprize, which was put up for sale to-day at Messrs. Moore, Hickey and Co.'s auction room, for the second time, was, we hear, again bought in-the highest bid being but 7,000 rupees.

SHAFT OF THE BERENICE.-What the skill of the Bombay engineers was unable to effect, and what in truth they dispaired of getting effected out of England, has been successfully wrought by the superior scientificability of Major Forbes. The shaft which was preparing at the mint, for the Berenice, has been completed under the able superintendence of that officer; and we consider that the simple fact speaks more than anything we can presume to utter, as to the praise he may justly claim for having thus shewn our friends the ducks that a remedy was nearer at hand than they had ventured to imagine.

SHIPWRECK.-The American ship Gasper, has been totally wrecked near Hooghly Point.

DISTRESS IN THE UPPER PROVINCES.-The following extract of a letter shows the great distress prevailing in upper provinces:

the

SUICIDE. On the 28th of June, between the hours of five and six o'clock, Mr. Charles Dessa, a respectable East Indian, residing in north road Entally, was dis- MAY 27, 1838.-The present state of things in this covered suspended by a rope from the ceiling of his bed-part of the country, presents matter for consideration,