OCCASIONAL NOTE

The record of recruiting in the United Provinces issued by the provincial War Board is very satisfactory. During the first half of 1917, 12,551 combatants were recruited; during the second half of that year 28,865; and 38,757 during the first half of the present year.

During the year ended June 30 last, 67,622 combatant recruits were obtained in the United Provinces – a number which, if not quite up to the figure of nearly 100,000 required, is highly creditable.

In many districts where connection with the Army has long been almost if not quite non-existent, the result of the work of propaganda is only just beginning to show itself.

The best recruiters are the recruits themselves and it is only when they have become fairly numerous that the enthusiasm of a non-military district begins to light up.

What may ultimately happen in divisions such as Gorakhpur, Benares, Bundelkhand and other similar areas is suggested by the improvement already shown in their figures. During the first half of 1917, the whole of Gorakhpur yielded only 106 men, but in the first six months of 1918 it produced 1,716.

In the Benares division the figures rose from 321 to 2475. And so on. The United Provinces are already proving a worthy second to the Punjab and the improvement in the non-martial districts should become even more marked if the war lasts, as it may, another year or two.

RECHABITE SOCIETY MANAGER SENTENCED

Mr. F.D. Simpson, Sessions Judge of Allahabad, delivered judgment today in the case in which Charles E. Dye, formerly managing director of the Rechabite Society, was charged with the embezzlement of various sums of money, being contributions of members.

The Sessions Judge found accused guilty and said it was impossible to pass a light sentence. The embezzlement was committed by a man in a position of trust. He was, in fact, completely trusted by the Board of Directors.

He abused this trust in order to put into his own pocket a vast number of small sums belonging to poor people, private soldiers in the army and others, and he spent this money on his own luxury.

He appeared to have hoodwinked the Board of Directors. The fact that they were incompetent to sit on any Board of Directors in no way palliated his conduct.

He sentenced Dye to five years’ rigorous imprisonment and a fine of Rs 2,000, remarking that it was understood that his provident fund was forfeited and that not more than this sum could be realised.

AN OLD LADY’S ACADEMY PICTURE

Few, perhaps, says the Daily Telegraph, among the visitors to the Royal Academy recognise the wholly exceptional interest of the small picture, numbered 401, and hanging in the “gem” room, by Mrs. E.M. Ward.

The official designation is “A Corner of a Private House,” and it represents with remarkable fidelity a little niche among the artistic beauties of stately Knole. It represents what must surely be a record in the history of the Royal Academy.

For Mrs. Ward had her first drawing hung upon those exclusive walls at the age of 15. She is now in her 86th year, and in that long interval of seventy-one years she has been a constant exhibitor.

This latest exhibit she sent in at the earnest wish of her old friend, Sir Luke Fildes, and she has been the recipient of widespread congratulations regarding it. Mrs. Ward, it is pleasant to add, is in the best of health, and is now engaged upon a larger work, which she hopes to exhibit in due course.

LOVE YOUR ENEMIES

The Rangoon Diocesan Conference has concluded its sittings. Among the decisions arrived at was a unanimous vote to oppose the Matrimonial Causes Bill now before the British Parliament, as the separation of families in India might lead to injustice.

As regards the duty of the clergy, Sir Reginald Craddock thought that they should be treated as commercial firms had been. All who could be spared as chaplains or combatants should go, and others should remain to carry on necessary spiritual work.

The form of service for Intercession Day, August 4, was submitted, and Mr. Justice Ormond, in a vigorous speech objected to the absence of definite prayers for victory and to being asked to love our enemies.

He would like to pray for someone who could invent better infernal machines than the enemy had so as to end the war more quickly in our favour. Other speeches supported this view and the Bishop eventually said that if the clergy wished to use the suggested prayers on August 4th they might do so.

SIND BANK CASE

The High Court Bench of the Sind Judicial Commissioner’s Court yesterday commenced the hearing of an application of the liquidators of Sind Bank against the directors of the Bank asking for an examination into the conduct of the directors and managers in order to compel the payment of over two lakhs of rupees, loss suffered by the Bank on account of alleged gross mismanagement and breach of trust.

Counsel for the applicants addressed the court, after which the case was adjourned till Wednesday, when no fewer than twenty Karachi pleaders appearing for various opponents are expected to deliver arguments.