OCCASIONAL NOTE
The first attempt to fly across the Atlantic has failed. Major Wood and his pilot have had bad luck. It would have been a dramatic surprise if they could have landed on the American side while the aviators in Newfoundland were still waiting for an opportunity to start, but the fates were against them. Starting from Eastchurch, in Kent, they had crossed the Anglesey coast line near Holyhead when the engine of their aeroplane broke down and they fell into the sea, near enough to the land to be easily rescued. Whey Reuter should inform us that the aviators “sat on the huge petrol tank and lit cigarettes” is beyond comprehension. We know it is the fashion for wrecked aviators to sit on some part of their floating aeroplanes and smoke cigarettes – it was in this picturesque attitude that Latham was depicted when he failed to rival Bleriot’s feat of crossing the Channel in 1909 – but we have never before heard of them lighting cigarettes on the top of a petrol tank, and should not expect to hear anything of them again if they did so. When the accident happened Major Wood was making for Limerick, this being the preliminary stage of his intended fight. His trans-Atlantic flight proper had not even been commenced. It is fortunate that the mishap was attended by no worse consequences. One effect is to illustrate the difficulties of the trans-oceanic flight – difficulties which, perhaps, have not been fully understood by the public.
MEDICAL EDUCATION IN MADRAS
MADRAS, APR 23
The Government have for some time past been impressed with the fact that the existing supply of medical practitioners is quite inadequate for the needs of the presidency, and that it is necessary to increase the number both of medical colleges and schools. The Surgeon-General was, therefore, requested to work out in detail a proposal for the establishment of a medical college at Vizagapatam, and plans and estimates for rebuilding the civil hospital there at a cost of over five lakhs have just been approved. He went into the question and evolved a scheme of medical schools and continuation medical schools. The Government, while accepting these proposals as most practicable in the existing circumstances, indicate that they are not the last word on the subject of medical education.
CACTUS AS FODDER
BOMBAY, APR 23
The use of cactus as a substitute for grass fodder in famine areas is said to have been proved a remarkable success by experiments carried on by the Government of Bombay in the district of Ahmednagar. In the Government experiment camps agriculturists, cattle were fed on cactus for one month at Government expense and, after being accustomed to the diet, were returned to the owners, who were encouraged to continue using cactus fodder. Villagers have been taught to prepare the cactus fodder by removing the thorns by burning them with the aid of hand bellows which, after experiments, have been found to serve the purpose best. Cactus is becoming a popular fodder. Working animals subsisting on it are keeping in excellent condition.
MADRAS LIBEL SUIT
MADRAS, APR 23
Khan Bahadur Azizuddin Saheb has filed a suit for libel against Mr. Sultan Mohideen Saheb for having caused to be published in New India certain correspondence alleged to be defamatory to the plaintiff, and the proceedings of a certain petition filed by a servant of defendant before a Magistrate for alleged criminal trespass against the plaintiff, which was also said to contain a defamatory statement. The defendant admitted publication of the correspondence in New India but contended that it was not false or malicious. He also denied that he wrote to, or caused to be published in New India the proceedings on a petition containing defamatory allegations and pleaded in the alternative that he was not liable as the account was a bona fide verbatim report of the judicial proceedings before a Magistrate, and as such was a privileged communication. The case for settlement of issues came today before Mr. Justice Kumaraswami Sastri, and the necessary issues were framed.
BUSINESS RESUMED AT AHMEDABAD
BOMBAY, APR 23
Reports from Ahmedabad state that business has been resumed. Everything is assuming a normal aspect. Two men concerned with the writing and distributing of seditious poems have been prosecuted. Their residence was searched and all copies found were confiscated. One Mahomedan rioter implicated in the murder of Police Sergeant Fraser has been arrested. The electric power station, which was damaged by the rioters, has been repaired.