BONUS FOR I.A.R. OFFICERS

To The Editor of The Statesman

SIR, – I am an Indian Army Reserve Officer who gave up billet and prospects in 1914 in order to serve my country. I have recently been demobilised and the only billets in my line appear to be temporary ones – in most cases taking the places of those about to proceed to England on leave who have never done any military work other than that of the I.D.F. Will the Government of India ever realise that the bonus granted to officers such as myself is inadequate, as I consider that I am now worthy of some Home leave and something to cover the expenses of the same? I consider that every I.A.R. officer with over three years’ service is worthy of Home and other leave before taking up civil employment again, or a guarantee of Home leave with expenses within the next three years. For the last six months or more I have put in claims for certain arrears of pay which even to this day have not yet been settled.

HIGHLANDER.

Assam.

IMPROVEMENT TRUST AND BEHALA

To The Editor Of The Statesman

SIR, – We rejoice to hear that the Improvement Trust’s operations will be extended to Behala. The claim of this village for improvement has been long neglected. The publication of the Diamond Harbour Road widening scheme was welcomed by the Behala people, but this alone will not result in the needed improvement of the village as regards sanitation. The greatest drawback to Behala as a suburban outlet to Calcutta is malaria. The malarious and insanitary area of Behala should be improved first. I hear that a proposal is on foot to the effect that the Mullahati Road due north of the Tollygunge Club should be extended to the west and made to run connecting the three suburban municipalities, viz., Tollygunge, South Suburban, and Garden Reach, and cutting the Diamond Harbour Road at the fifth mile. If this new road be opened the Improvement Trust will greatly benefit the people of Behala, for the road-side drains of the proposed road will serve as a good outlet for rainwater.

MUKERJEE.

Behala.

RAILWAY FACILITIES AT CHUADANGA

To The Editor Of The Statesman

SIR, – The merchants of Chuadanga on the Eastern Bengal Railway are labouring under a great disadvantage regarding the storage, booking and delivery of goods, and the supply of wagons by the Eastern Bengal Railway. Very frequently, for want of proper accommodation and prompt loading, their goods are damaged by rain, and this, considering the present day prices, results in very large losses. They are at a loss to ascertain to whom to apply for registration of wagons and when and where. A crying want of the locality is that of a godown for outward goods. The distribution and allotment of wagons is by no means satisfactory, and registration is denied or cancelled without any apparent rhyme or reason. The matter has been hanging fire for a considerable time and the situation has in the meantime gone from bad to worse. Will the Agent kindly take up the matter and come to their rescue?

A.N. ROY.

Chuadanga.