OCCASIONAL NOTE

The Great War, as is generally admitted, saw the demise of the War Correspondent spelt with capital letters. He had proved himself an almost unmitigated nuisance, militarily speaking, in several preceding campaigns, and no one expected that the scientific soldier would continue to tolerate him. The result was, first, the somewhat anaemic correspondent of the “Eyewitness” type and, later, the correspondent who recorded “a certain liveliness” at “X,” and so-forth. It will be admitted, however, even by those most concerned that the third Afghan War has far outdistanced even the Great War in Europe in the utter inadequacy of the descriptions and reports to which it has given rise. A correspondent inquires whether any British soldier has been killed in the war. It is utterly beyond our capacity to reply. Is it possible that to the British Empire it will make all the difference between victory and defeat if Nader Khan or Colonel Mahomed Shafi learns that certain gallant regiments are opposing him within twenty or thirty miles of the frontier? Can nothing be related which will stir the blood and awaken the enthusiasm of those who cherish the memories of the Malakhand, of Chitral or Gilghit? If only for the sake of those who have relatives engaged in a campaign which can hardly be a picnic at this time of year it should surely be possible to have on the spot one trusted and well qualified correspondent whose work will not undergo martyrdom at the hands of the “second loot” in the Censor’s office.

NAINI TAL LAKE TRAGEDY

ALLAHABAD, JUNE 5

Further particulars are now to hand regarding the tragic death at Naini Tal of Mr. J.F. Kinneen, Assistant Engineer, Public Works Department, on Monday afternoon. It appears that a number of yachting parties were out on the lake when they were overtaken by a squall. In one of the boats were Mr. Kinneen and Mrs. Johnstone, wife of Mr. Arthur Jhonstone of the East Indian Railway. This boat capsized along with three or four others. Rescue boats were sent to assist them but before anything could be done, Mr. Kinneen was drowned. Mrs. Johnstone was picked up in an unconscious condition. Mr Kinneen was known to be a very strong swimmer and had won the Humane Society’s medal for saving life. It appears that he exhausted himself trying to help Mrs. Johnstone and sank exclaiming “I’m done.” A number of other ladies and gentlemen were thrown out of their boats but were all rescued. The body of Mr. Kinneen was recovered on Tuesday afternoon.

EXPLOSION ON R.I.M. STEAMER

RANGOON, JUNE 5

A violent explosion occurred on the R.I.M.S. Mayo, which is lying in the river, last evening, in which Lieutenant Cowpert Thwaite, Gunner Joyce and five lascars were badly injured. The injured lascars were taken to the hospital where the magistrate was summoned to take their statements. From information given to the river police it appears that seven lascars, accompanied by Gunner Joyce, were sent to clean the store room in which rockets and fireworks used for signalling purposes are kept. They had been only a few moments there when a violent explosion occurred and the after hatch and the main deck were soon filled with suffocating smoke. The fire call was sounded and the fire was soon put out. Lieutenant Cowpert Thwaite, who was passing the hatch at the time of the explosion, was found lying unconscious badly burnt, and Gunner Joyce and five of the seven lascars on being brought up on deck were found to be unconscious.

BARRISTER CHARGED WITH CONTEMPT OF COURT

RANGOON, JUNE 5

Before the Moulmein District Magistrate, on Saturday, Maung Chit Hlaing, barrister-at-law, was charged at the instance of Mr. D. O’Sullivan, District Judge, with contempt of court. The complainant’s evidence was to the effect that in a recent case in which Maung Chit Hlaing was appearing before him, Chit Nlaing left the bar table and in an excited tone told the District Judge that he could not and would not produce certain documents in the case. He had thus disobeyed the orders of the court, and in leaving the court room he said: “I cannot and refuse to file those papers” Chit Hlaing’s contention was that he was then appearing before the District Judge as receiver in a certain case, and he did not utter those words in the position of a barrister, and he had no intention of insulting the District Judge, but he might have been somewhat excited at the time. After the hearing, the defendant repeating that he had no intention to insult the Judge and apologise in writing.