It is always a ticklish matter to tamper with the coinage of a country, especially one so conservative as this We are all interested in watching the fate of the now nickel coins. No doubt the new one-anna coins, which are being cireulated for suggestions before the form they are eventually to take is finally decided upon, area great improvement on the dirty' copper pi ico they are intended to replace. Two vai ies have been signed, one with a hole in the centre, to meet the hoarding proclivities of the native who can insert a string and tie up a largo number conveniently together. The other is of the same weight, but slightly smaller in size and thus more likely to be mistaken for the existing small silver coins, from which, however, their smooth bilge distinguishes them.
The Mealth of India.
There has been a serious increase in plague mortality of late; the country seems threatened with an unusually early and severe outbreak of the dreaded scourge. In South India there is much anxiety felt, as it is noticeable that the plague creeps further south every year, and seizes upon fresh districts each sea. son. Plague experts have given it their opinion that Madras Presidency, i Floods in Upper Burma.
This week's telegrams report floods in Aifferent parts of Upper Burma. In Shwebo no boatman. or fisherman will venture to cross the river, which is about 200 yards wide and ten fathoms deep, with a rapid swirling current. Native huts have been seen floating down, and it is a common sight to see deer, wild boar, and dogs struggling in the stream. Two houses have been swept away, and the inhabitants living in villages on the banks had to fly to the hills for safety. Several broaches have occurred on the Railway lines, and in parts booking for all classes of traffic has been suspended.
The Simla Fine Arts Exhibition.
'A large gathering, including Lady Ampthill, was present at the opouiug of ho Fine Arts Exhibition by the Viceroy. Phe exhibition is one of the best that has been held for some years; the water-colours being particularly good, and there fare a number of good photographs, including a remarkable telophotugraph by Mr. G. Mickels. The exhibition also includes some good wood-carving curios, and some mutiny relies.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.