OCCASIONAL NOTE

The clamant need for a new Eye Hospital in Calcutta has long been recognised, and the subject has attracted attention lately in the British Journal of Ophthalmology, which writes in strong terms about what it regards as “a disgrace to the Presidency.” The war has afforded some excuse for the Government’s slowness to move in this matter, but it is now high time that more energy were shown. Initial steps have been taken, thank mainly to the zeal and persistency with which the need of better hospital accommodation was advocated by the former Superintendent, Lieut.-Colonel Maynard, I.M.S., who recently retired. About three years ago the Government bought land for a site. Colonel Maynard, with Mr. Crouch, Consulting Architect to the Government, prepared plans for an adequate building with the necessary adjuncts. What is now to be hoped is, firstly, that the work will be pushed forward as quickly as possible, and, secondly, that there will be no stinting of expense in carrying out the design and providing the full equipment and staff required. Bearing in mind the large amount of preventable or curable blindness which depends for treatment directly or indirectly upon the Calcutta Eye Hospital, the urgency of this subject hardly needs further advocacy. The extent of the work carried on by the hospital is indicated by the statement that operations have risen to over 3,000 a year and cataract cases to a thousand, while out-patients number over 20,000.

STRANGE ALLEGATIONS

Mr. Swinhoe, Chief Presidency Magistrate, had before him yesterday a rather remarkable case in which Mr. Jamal Osman, manager and partner of the firm of Messrs. Haji Jamal Noor Mahomed, of Amratallah Lane, preferred a charge of threat and attempt at extortion against Gunny Dada, residing in the same locality. The prosecution case is that both the parties are dealers in kerosene oil and that there has been rivalry between them, which has often resulted in litigation at Howrah, Alipore and other places. Complainant, it is alleged, had received a letter from accused in which he said that unless a sum of Rs 2,000 in currency notes was left at a certain spot at the Nakhoda Mosque, in such a manner that the writer of the letter would have no difficulty in finding it, his (complainant’s) nose would be cut off, the senior partner of his firm would be decapitated and the premises of the firm would be set on fire.

PUNJAB TRIALS

LAHORE, JULY 16

Judgment was delivered today by the Special Tribunal consisting of Messrs, Brasher (President), Prenter and Harris in the case against Lala Goverdhan Das, who was charged with offences under section 124A I.P.C. and Rule 25, Defence of India Consolidation Rules for contributing an article on April 23 to the Bombay Chronicle headed “Disturbances in the Punjab,” for publishing statements which were false and likely to cause fear and alarm to the public, and for circulating rumours which were likely to promote feelings of enmity and hatred between British and Indian subjects of His Majesty. The accused was convicted and sentenced on the former count to three years’ rigorous imprisonment and a fine of rupees one thousand.

THE COST OF COAL

A white paper is issued showing the basis on which the six shilling increase in the cost of coal per ton is calculated. The deficiency in working the coal industry for the twelve months beginning July 16 is estimated at over forty-six millions sterling. The output is estimated at 217 million tons. Deducting the quantity on which the increased price will not be effective, namely, 56 million tons, comprising 16 million for consumption at the collieries, six million for the miners’ use, and 32 million sold at open market prices, above the minimum for export and bunkers, there remains 161 million tons over which the estimated deficiency is spread, necessitating an increase in price of six shillings.

MEAT PACKING CONTROL

The Washington Federal Trade Commission has issued a report urging the President to take the strongest action with a view to preventing meat packing companies from internationally controlling meat products. The report declares that five companies, viz., Swift, Armour, Wilson, Morris, and Cudahy control 574 companies and have secured the dominating interest in numerous banks enabling them to finance their own international operations and to affect the credit of any competing cattle producers. Packers are now seeking to control meat substitutes. They already handle half the poultry, eggs, and cheese in inter-state commerce.