INFLUENZA MORTALITY

SIMLA, AUG 4

Since January last influenza deaths have been reported every week in Bombay, Calcutta and Rangoon. In Bombay up to the end of March the number of deaths registered were few. In April mortality commenced to rise and during May and subsequent months there was an epidemic which is now abating. In Calcutta influenza mortality in January and February was high. It fell markedly in April, May and June, but showed a tendency to rise in July, although mortality in July has not reached to the average level in the first quarter of the year. In Rangoon June and July have shown a marked rise in influenza mortality. In Madras between the 1st February and the end of April very few deaths were reported. During May and June the number averaged about two a day. In July there has been a tendency to an increase in mortality.

RANGOON DEVELOPMENT TRUST

The text of the Rangoon Development Trust Bill, to be introduced in the Legislative Council on August 21, is published. It is based on the English Town Planning Bill and the Bombay and Calcutta Improvement Bills, and sets up a Board of ten trustees with an official chairman. Its object is to develop the Government estate in and near Rangoon, and complete reclamation work, taking over the funds and plant of the Town Land Reclamation Fund. Income will also be derived from a poll tax on passengers leaving Rangoon by sea of not more than two rupees and an additional two per cent stamp duty on deeds of sale, and the gift of immoveable property within the city, and also from contributions levied on owners benefited by the town planning scheme such contributions being limited to 75 per cent of the increment of included land, and 50 per cent on adjacent land not included.

HORTICULTURE IN BANGALORE

The half-yearly Horticultural Show at the Lal Bagh this afternoon bore evidence to the favourable seasonal conditions existing in Bangalore at present. The show was a most successful one both in regard to the large gathering and the number and variety of the exhibits. Among fruits the seedless Australian oranges were greatly admired. In the course of a short speech Mr. H.C. Javariya, Acting Superintendent of the Gardens, stated that the Government of Mysore had granted liberal concessions to the Mysore Horticultural Society which was recently revived, and the Society had in contemplation the appointment of a horticultural inspector to give advice to the members. He announced that the Society would take up the judging of private gardens in Bangalore from February next.