THE PLAYGROUND FOR CHILDREN

To The Editor Of The Statesman

SIR, – Dr. Kennedy, as Chairman of the Committee for the Children’s Playground, desires me to thank you for your leader in support of the scheme, and your correspondents of the 5th, and 6th instant for their interest in what is generally deemed a deserving cause. The Committee foresee many difficulties ahead which they hope to overcome, especially that of getting the children for whom the scheme is intended. They are also alive to the prospect of the project expanding so as to necessitate larger or other playgrounds. May I take this opportunity of saying that if subscribers find it more convenient to send their contributions to Dr. Kennedy at 10, Harington Street or to me at 25/1, Rowland Road, than to the Bank of Bengal, we shall be glad to receive them and acknowledge them in periodically published lists?

A.E. HARRIS.

Hon. Secretary and Treasurer,

Calcutta.

RETIRED OFFICERS AND THE RATE OF EXCHANGE

To The Editor Of The Statesman

SIR, – I am on retired pay from a British regiment, and am residing in the hills in India for the benefit of my health. I draw my retired pay in England and, to get money in India, draw cheques on England by which at the present rate of exchange, which is more likely to get worse than better, I lose more than 20 per cent, i.e., for a cheque for pound 100 I get only Rs 1,188 instead of Rs 1,500. There must be others situated like myself, who are residing in India for the sake of their health, or for other good reason, who will agree that paying income tax at Home, with a loss of 20 per cent by exchange in India, added to the increased price of all the necessaries of life, means ruination. The only way appears to be to leave the country and return to the cold and fogs of Europe. Can any of your readers suggest the means?

R.P.C.

ANGLO-INDIAN SEAMEN

To The Editor Of The Statesman

SIR, – With reference to the article on “Mine Sweeping off Colombo” in The Statesman, I may inform you that although operations were commenced off Bombay by use of harbour craft, the first two vessels fitted out to sweep and keep the buoyed channel clear for ships were the Jattra of Calcutta and the tug Rose of Bombay. Both these vessels were commanded by Anglo-Indian captains who had been towing river craft to Busrah and had been complimented for their service, and were given commissions as lieut.-commanders R.N.R. for the duration of the war. Neither of these vessels having been built for regular sea service the commanders experienced a very strenuous time during the monsoon off Bombay. As little has been said re the Anglo-Indian and domiciled community as seafaring men, I may inform you that several of the Royal Bengal pilots and harbour masters, also masters and officers of several of the big steamers sailing out of this port, are of this community.

“ONE WHO HAS BEEN THROUGH THE MILL.”