OCCASIONAL NOTE

It is to be hoped that, in their aloofness from the mundane sphere, the Indian Government are not altogether unconscious of the havoc which the uncertainty in regard to exchange is working on India’s foreign trade. The present stagnation of business is due in essence not to the comparatively high rate of exchange but to the total uncertainty as to what the future may have in store. The importer who stands to gain from the relative cheapness of materials purchased abroad is as helpless as the exporter who, in quoting in dollars or sterling, must enhance his price to compensate for the higher exchange value of the rupee. The activities of both are paralysed by the uncertainty as to the implication of their contract when it is completed a week, or a fortnight, or a month ahead. The old assurance, based on the certainty that no drastic change was possible until the Currency Committee had reported, has been replaced by nervousness and uncertainty which may have untoward results if it is long continued. The general feeling is that any rate of exchange would be preferable to a condition which makes all external exchange of commodities impossible. It is to be hoped that the Indian Government, despite the absence of all their financial experts in England, are keeping them advised, and that the Currency Committee, if it has evolved a sovereign specific for currency troubles, will produce it speedily.

ATTACKED BY SON-IN-LAW

Mr. G.N. Roy, District and Sessions Judge of Hughly, has just disposed of the case in which Shebakram Chatterjee and Ananta Rana were prosecuted for having caused grievous hurt to Annada Ch. Bannerjee and his daughter and a Mahomedan on the highway near Haripal station. It is stated that owing to the alleged ill-treatment of Annada’s daughter by his son-in-law, Shebakram, he brought his daughter to the Serampore Magistrate’s court for a maintenance suit. Shebakram coming to know of this is alleged to have prearranged to murder his father-in-law, and when Annada and his daughter were returning – with a Mahomedan who was with them, Annada was attacked from behind and stabbed with a tangi. His daughter on crying out was also stabbed as was the Mahomedan who had attempted to help. The jury returned a unanimous verdict of guilty, and the judge agreeing with their verdict, convicted and sentenced the two accused each to undergo seven years’ rigorous imprisonment.

SOUTHERN INDIA PASTEUR INSTITUTE

COONOOR, AUG 19

In his report on the working of the Pasteur Institute of Southern India, Colonel J.W. Cornwall states:- The increase in the number of patients proved somewhat less than had been anticipated. It is probable that influenza and the difficulties of railway travelling, particularly on the Nilgiris Railway, were factors of moment in deterring many who would otherwise have come. Owing to the shortage of labour and materials it has proved impracticable to put up the new buildings urgently needed for the accommodation of indigent patients. 2,975 persons went through the full course of treatment, an increase of 579. The increase was entirely among Asiatics. Europeans were 112 fewer than in the previous year. Four patients died during the course of treatment from hydrophobia, one from cholera and one from smallpox. The expenditure during the year exceeded that of the previous year by Rs 10,000.

FLOODS IN BURMA

RANGOON, AUG 19

From particulars received of the recent floods in the Amherst district it appears that the area includes the valley of the Gyne and Attaram and their tributaries. Young crops have been destroyed and last season’s unsold rice and paddy have been lost as well as house property. Bridges have been washed away and broken down and in many low-lying stretches telegraph poles have been submerged. At Kyapin and Seikgyi the floods came on like a tidal bore. Considerable distress has been caused to the inhabitants of the flooded villages and relief has already been sent. The Deputy Commissioner, Amherst, proceeded to Kyondo to investigate and arrange relief measures. The Commissioner will visit the affected area this week.

MAIL TRAIN DERAILED

About 4-20 A.M. on the 18th, when 3 Up Bombay mail had emerged from tunnel No. 5 between Attock and Khairabad, it collided with a heavy boulder which had fallen on the track about fifty yards beyond the mouth of the tunnel. The engine with the three bogie coaches next to it were derailed. There was no loss of life but the engine crew sustained some injuries. Mails and passengers are being transhipped. Through communication is expected to be restored at about 8 P.M. on date.