CALCUTTA METEOROLOGY

To The Editor Of The Statesman

SIR, – I think Calcutta has now grown to sufficient importance to claim that there be more than one meteorological reporting station. There should be one at Alipore, as at present, one in the heart of the city, and one in the north. The last named might be similar as to surroundings as the one at Alipore, but the one in the heart of the city should represent conditions in a crowded locality. The two additional stations need not be elaborate but suitable only for correctly recording temperature, humidity, and rainfall. I have for many years suspected that both temperature and rainfall are appreciably higher in the city than in Alipore, and may add that a few others share my suspicion. It was only the other day, when a hailstorm occurred, that Alipore reported a rainfall of 2 and three fourth inches while St. Xavier’s College reported 4 and three fourth inches. Again, during the present heat wave, Alipore is consistently reporting temperature 5 degrees lower than Bowbazar.

W.P.M.

Calcutta.

“LADS FROM INDIA”

To The Editor Of The Statesman

SIR, – It is stated that the Home Government are about to grant a special medal to all pre-war Territorials who came overseas on the outbreak of war. Cannot the Indian Government follow suit and grant some kind of distinction to lads of India who belonged to the volunteer units and joined up, say in the first eighteen months of the war. There were many lads from India who went out to various fronts, such as those who went out with the machine guns. Others were sent Home to join Lord Kitchener’s Army and several joined units in India. All were not fortunate to see real active service, stjill these lads gave up everything and answered the call for their King and Country, surely it is not asking too much that some sort of distinction be bestowed on these heroes. It would also make a few of those volunteers who could have joined up but did not do so – till the I.D.F. was instituted – feel a little downhearted.

S.

Ferozepore.

HIGH PRICES IN MANBHUM DISTRICT

To The Editor Of The Statesman

SIR, – The high price of cloth is felt everywhere, but the price of necessary food-stuffs is absolutely preposterous, and unless the matter is taken in hand by the powers-that-be at once, there is every likelihood of a severe famine very shortly. To give a few examples – the price of rice is (good quality) 2 seers per rupee; for coolies 5 seers per rupee. Ghee is Rs 2-4 per seer for adulterated stuff and sugar eleven annas per seer. If you compare these few items with those set down in the Punjab Martial Law Order recently issued, you will see that I am not complaining without good cause. The colliery folk get no War bonus or increase of pay to meet these new and increasing contingencies, nor are the coolies’ wages raised. These things can easily be remedied, as I know that the prices are far in excess of Calcutta rates.

FAMILY MAN.

Manbhum District.