OCCASIONAL NOTE

Viewed historically the demand of a Mauritius delegation for the cession of their island to France is interesting. After the Portuguese and the Dutch had in turn possessed and abandoned the colony the French East India Company took it over early in the eighteenth century, changed its name to the Ile de France, introduced sugar planting and, it may be admitted, laid the foundations of the prosperity which the island enjoys today. It is from that period – which terminated with the Napoleonic wars, when the island passed into the hands of the British and reverted to its old Dutch name – that the connection of most of the Creole families with the island may be dated. The current of the island’s development, however, has deviated from its original channel. It was the British who, in the thirties, paid nearly pound 2,000,000 to free the negro slaves. At that time the total population was roughly 100,000. Today the total population is nearly 400,000 of whom the Indians number about 260,000. The Indian immigrants have been the life blood of the sugar industry which, during the war, experienced a remarkable revival and in 1916 sent sugar valued at the record total of pound 4,620,000 to Europe. It would appear only fair that the British Indians who form the majority of the population should have their say before any change is made. The island still maintains its fortnightly steamship connection with Marseilles – an interesting relic, like nearly all its place names, of the period of French predominance.

CONTRACTOR CHARGED WITH BREACH OF TRUST

Mr. Salik, Police Magistrate of Alipore has delivered judgment in a case in which Mr. A. Dormieux, a contractor of the Army Clothing Factory, Alipore, charged Ismail Molla, a Mahomedan tailor of Krihnagore, with criminal breach of trust in respect of about 2,000 garments of various descriptions valued at about Rs 8,000. It was alleged that the complainant gave about 5,000 garments to the accused for sewing and that he returned only about 3,000 garments. For the defence it was contended that this was a false case instituted for the purpose of meeting a case already filed by the accused against Mr. Dormieux. It was alleged that the complainant owed money to the accused and that accordingly the latter had refused to deliver the garments in his possession unless the debt was paid. The complainant, it was stated, forcibly removed all the garments from accused’s place and then instituted the present case. The magistrate, finding the evidence insufficient, ordered an acquittal.

SUGGESTED BOYCOTT OF ENGLISH PIECE-GOODS

An adjourned extraordinary general meeting of the native Piece-Goods Merchants’ Association was convened yesterday afternoon to consider three resolutions forwarded by three different members, all relating to the question of adopting a resolution boycotting the importation of and dealing in English piece goods till the Rowlatt Act was repealed. There was some trouble in connection with the election of the chairman of the meeting. No less than four names were proposed, and after a good deal of discussion Mr. Morarji Velji was elected by fifty votes to twenty-four. When the Secretary got up to read the minutes of the previous meeting an objection was raised by a member. The chairman intervened and said he would under no circumstances sign the minutes. Shortly after he vacated the chair and occupied another seat amid an outburst of laughter. Eventually the meeting was dissolved amid confusion.

SEQUEL TO AN ANARCHIST AFFRAY

The Government of India have been pleased to sanction the grant of a pension of Rs 35 a month for the support of the family of the late head constable Patiram Singh, who succumbed on the 16th June, 1918, to the injuries he received at the hands of some anarchists in the Dacca shooting affray. They have also sanctioned the payment of a sum of Rs 300 to cover the expenses of the funeral and the sradh ceremonies of the deceased head constable, and of a dowry of Rs 200 to each of his three nieces on their marriage. HOUSING LABOUR IN BOMBAY BOMBAY, JUNE 10 Dr. A.G. Viegas has given notice that at a forthcoming meeting of the Corporation he will move that the President be requested to approach the Government representing the urgency of legislation to empower themselves or the Municipal Corporation to compel large employers of labour to provide housing accommodation for labourers and workmen.