HOWRAH OPIUM SMUGGLING CASE

At the resumed hearing of the case against F.W. Sharpe, who is charged before Mr. B.C. Roy, Deputy Magistrate of Howrah, with smuggling into Howrah one maund of opium under circumstances already reported, Mrs. Whitmore, residing at Asansol, was examined for the defence. Witness stated that Mr. Sharpe had been at her place and had remained there the whole day. He had two trunks with him. Witness assisted him in searching the trunks for some certificates which could not be found. Licensed coolies carried the two trunks to Asansol station from her residence after Mr. Sharpe had left, but they were too late to catch the train by which the accused left and brought the trunks back to her house. Cross-examined, witness said that the accused had his breakfast, luncheon, and dinner with her. She was not aware whether Messrs. Kellner’s bills for chota hazri, breakfast and dinner were found on the accused after his arrest. After hearing counsel the Magistrate reserved judgment.

A BOGUS KHANSAMA

The Katwa Police are enquiring into a case of cheating in which several men, including a Police sub-inspector, were the victims. It is stated that a Mahomedan went to the Katwar Police Station the other day representing himself as the khansama of the Burdwan Police Superintendent and demanded money, saying that the Police Saheb was coming to visit the place and that he was to make arrangements for his food. The subinspector paid him Rs 3-8, and he went away. Next, the man went to the jail warders and demanded money on the same pretext, saying the Jail Superintendent was coming to visit the jail. The warders, however, did not pay him anything excepting a few annas for his own food. The doctor of the hospital to whom he said the Civil Surgeon would visit his hospital, refused to give him any; and from the Excise office where he said the Excise Superintendent was on his way to visit the place he got only a few annas.

COLLISION IN RANGOON RIVER

RANGOON, APR 24

Orders have been received from the Local Government relating to the enquiry into the charge against J.W. Smith, second grade licensed pilot, of carelessness or negligence in the discharge of his duties as a pilot, thereby bringing about a collision between the Japanese motor schooner Koum Maru and the upper spit buey, on the 20th March last. The Local Government concurred in the finding of the court that Smith was in no way to blame for the accident. Acting is being taken with regard to the recommendation that vessels of such low power as the Koum Maru should not navigate a river of swift currents like the Rangoon river without tugs.