OCCASIONAL NOTE

Commander Eyres Monsell, M.P., in the House of Commons has expressed regret on behalf of Mr. Montagu for the “lamentable occurrence” which resulted in thirty-one casualties, comprising two deaths, twelve cases of heat stroke, and seventeen cases of exhaustion, among the men of the 3rd Garrison Battalion Bedford Regiment during their journey to Lucknow in May last. If this tragedy had occurred in England it would have evoked a public expression of sympathy from the Head of the Army and would have been followed by a public inquest upon the fatalities, a public Board of Trade inquiry and, if responsibility were brought home to any officials, however, exalted, a public censure. In India we do things differently. There is no public expression of regret. On the contrary, the responsible authorities seem to hide their heads in the clouds and to pray that they may hear no more of the incident. If, as in the case of the Karachi disaster, the story leaks out and action is forced upon the authorities by an indignant public, a secret inquiry of an irregular character is held with the natural result that nobody is satisfied. In pursuance of this stupid policy of secrecy or attempted secrecy the Secretary of State is apparently treated with the same contempt as the taxpayer, for although the disaster to the Bedford Regiment happened at the end of May a full report had not been received at the India Office up the end of July.

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IMPROVEMENT TRUST SCHEME

A matter of some importance in connection with the Improvement Trust’s Schemes came up before Mr. P.N. Dutt at Jorabagan, when Johur Lall Agarwalla prosecuted Jumma Meah for intimidating him and refusing to vacate No. 9, Manik Lall Seal’s Street, which was sold to him by the Trust for the purpose of demolition, which was to be completed by the 14th instant. Complainant having failed to carry out the contract the Trust inflicted a fine of Rs 500 on him, and he stated that it was owing to the accused refusing to quit the premises that he was unable to carry on the work. The matter was sent to the local police for enquiry. Mr. K.C. Gupta, vakil, and Mr. C.C. Boral, pleader, on behalf of the complainant, argued that the accused had no right to continue occupying the premises. The magistrate allowed accused further time to vacate the premises.

RICE SUPPLIES FOR BENGAL

Arrangements have been made for the import from Burma into Calcutta of a large quantity of Burma rice to meet the increasing demands for its consumption in the province of Bengal. Similarly, arrangements are being made for an increase in the import of Burma rice into Chittagong. Meanwhile a large amount of rice is already in transit from Calcutta to eastern districts in Bengal. The allotment for exports of rice to other provinces from Bengal during the month of September has been considerably reduced, and exports of rice by sea from Calcutta will practically cease. The condition of the aus crop, which is being reaped, is on the whole satisfactory. CORPORATION S ALL-NIGHT SITTING BOMBAY, AUG 28 For the first time in its history the Bombay Municipal Corporation yesterday held a night sitting, Mr. Cowasji Jehangir presiding. The reason for this departure was a large number of items remaining undisposed of. It seemed that the idea of holding the meeting at night was not acceptable to a number of members for, when the proceedings commenced, Dr. Ruttonsha B. Nariman rose to protest against holding the meeting at night. He said that this decision was come to at the conclusion of the last meeting when there were very few members present. The President ruled Dr. Nariman out of order. There was also a letter from Dr. N.H.E. Sukhia, protesting against holding the meeting at night. The remaining portion of the July agenda was disposed of at the meeting.

CASE OF BUBONIC PLAGUE AT MULTAN

MULTAN CITY, AUG 28

A case of bubonic plague is reported from the city and the Assistant Chief Plague Medical Officer has visited the town. The Influenza Prevention Committee has resolved to move the District Board and the municipality to sanction a substantial grant in the case of influenza breaking out here, and to appeal to the public for help. It has been arranged to divide the city into various wards, each under the supervision of a member of the executive committee, with the Civil Surgeon as president.