OCCASIONAL NOTE

In the case of a collision between a motor car and a pedestrian, the law rightly lays the onus probandi innocentiam upon the driver of the motor car. Sometimes the latter acquits himself successfully of his onerous task. More often he fails. In a case tried before Mr. Keays, in Calcutta, yesterday, the tables were turned somewhat unexpectedly upon the pedestrian complainant, the magistrate holding that he had been guilty of negligence for not looking where he was going before quitting the comparative safety of the footpath. It was suggested that, even admitting this, the driver of the motor car, or to be more exact, taxi-cab, should have sounded his horn; but Mr. Keays somewhat neatly countered this argument by pointing out that no motorist could possibly foresee that any foot passenger would suddenly step off the footpath, and if he sounded his horn every time he saw someone in his vicinity, the result would be pandemonium. Accordingly he acquitted the accused on the charge of rash and negligent driving, but fined him for driving without a licence. Inasmuch as the accused was receiving his first lesson in driving when the accident took place, this again strikes one almost as another magisterial pleasantry; for even in Calcutta one could hardly be expected to possess a licence without having driven at all. Should the accused ever obtain this useful document, it may be hoped that he will start his taxi-driving career with the advantage of that wisdomgiving experience which so many of his confreres only acquire after they have combined the traditions of Jehu and Juggernaut for many reckless years.

PRISONERS OF WAR AND DETENUS IN INDIA

The Governor-General has authorised all prisoners of war and civil detenus interned in India: (1)To execute powers of attorney and powers of agency; (2) to make remittances of money to relations in enemy countries or territory occupied by the enemy, or in China, Siam, Persia or Morocco; (3) to make loans to each other of sums not exceeding Rs 150 in any one calendar month for repayment in an enemy country or in territory occupied by the enemy, or in China, Siam, Persia or Morocco by the friends of the borrower to the friends of the lender; and (4) to make payments to a mutual relief fund for the assistance of fellow prisoners of sums of money to be repaid to the friends of the enemy payers by a society in or by the Government of the payers’ country. Provided that such transactions shall be subject to such restrictions and conditions as the Governor-General in Council may by general or special order prescribe in this behalf.

RICE CONTROL IN BURMA

With the approval of the Government of India and the Government of Burma the Foodstuffs Commissioner with the Government of India makes the following important announcement:- It has been decided, with effect from the date of this announcement, to revise the maximum control price of rice in Burma. Prices are now controlled on the basis of a maximum price of Rs 335 per 100 baskets, each of 75 lbs., of big mill. Special prices will now be revised so as to enable millers to pay up to Rs 150 for 100 baskets for paddy delivered at the mills. The maximum price of big mills specials is therefore raised to Rs 385 for 100 baskets. Maximum prices of other qualities of rice will be revised in the same proportion, and a list is appended showing the maximum prices of different descriptions of rice. This list has been drawn up on the figures of milling here and the cash outturn supplied by big millers.

RAILWAY STATISTICS

For many years past a brief history of each Indian railway constructed or in progress has been included in the Administration Report on Railways in India issued annually by the Railway Board. As much of the information contained in these histories consists of standing matter, which is the same year after year, the Railway Board has decided that these histories are inappropriate as part of their annual report and has hence decided to issue them in the form of a separate publication quinquennially. The history of each railway system is given separately, and supplies in the case of company lines, the directorate and registered offices in London, the lines comprised in the system, the running powers, progress in opening the various contracts, and statistics of working.

MAHOMEDAN MEETING AT SIRAJGANJ

The annual meeting of the Anjumani Waizin was held at Sirajganj on Monday under the presidency of the Hon. Nawab Syed Nawab Ali Chaudhuri. Amongst others there were present, Maulana Shah Pir Abu Bakkar Sahib of Phurphura, Prince Sultan Alum, Mr. K. Ahmed, Khan Bahadur Abdus Salam, Khan Bahadur Wasimuddin Ahmed of Pabna. There was a large gathering. The President delivered a lengthy address dealing with various questions of interest to Mahomedans. The Pir Sahib also addressed the meeting, and in the course of his speech said that Mussalmans should be loyal and must not have anything to do with the passive resistance movement. He condemned those Mussalmans who allowed nonMoslems to enter into mosques and deliver political speeches from pulpits.