OCCASIONAL NOTE

There is little that is new in the tribute paid to Lord Haldane and the Territorials in the course of Lord French’s reminiscences, but it is interesting to note the censure of Lord Kitchener for ignoring the Territorials when called upon to raise a new army. “The machinery for expanding the Territorial force established by Lord Haldane for the purpose (I mean the Territorial Country Associations) was already at hand,” says Lord French, “and would have proved by far the most efficient and economical method of raising the troops required.” Very interesting too is Lord French’s tribute to that “wonderful force,” the old volunteers, of whom the Field Marshal admits that “the military and other authorities gave them but little help and hardly any encouragement, in fact, they refused to take the volunteers seriously.” Strictly speaking, the pronoun ought to be “we,” because Lord French, after all, had a good deal to do with army organisation before the war. But if he is too modest to speak of himself in this connection, he makes up for it by the generous enthusiasm with which he describes the work of Lord Wemyss and Lord Kingsburgh – both of them, curiously. Scotsmen, like Lord Haldane – in fostering the patriotic spirit of the volunteer movement even in the darkest days of the unmerited derision which was so freely levelled at it.

EDUCATIONAL CONCESSIONS

MADRAS, JULY 17

In sanctioning the grant of certain educational concessions to the children of the soldiers discharged on other than medical grounds, but not for misconduct or inefficiency, Government direct that the children of such soldiers be admitted into all elementary schools under public management on payment of half the standard rate of fees, and in addition be furnished with books, slates, etc., at a cost not exceeding Rs 6 per annum per pupil. The managers of aided institutions are invited to grant similar concessions to the children of the above class seeking admission into their institutions and the Director of Public Instruction is empowered to compensate the managers to the extent necessary at the time the annual grant is fixed.

THE DISTURBANCE IN NEGAPATAM

MADRAS, JULY 17

At about 5 P.M., on the 14th instant a small party of coolies went to buy rice from rice godowns on the Beach road, but they were met with a persistent refusal, in some cases, to sell while in others a demand was made for Rs 23. An altercation ensued between the coolies and the merchants, and soon a crowd gathered and forced its way into various godowns on the beach. They opened the bags they could lay their hands upon and scattered the contents on the road. From other godowns the mob took the account books and threw them into a well. But before any further mischief could be done the police arrived and the crowds melted away. While the police were guarding the rice godowns on the beach, the mob collected again on the main bazar road, this time considerably reinforced by people from other localities. Most of the bazar men closed their shops but they fell victims to the rage of the mob. 42 arrests have been made.

SERVICE CANDIDATES FOR INDIAN CIVIL SERVICE

SIMLA, JULY 17

A Press communiqué has been issued by the Government of India today announcing the conditions of appointments to the Indian Civil Service by the nomination of candidates who have served during the war in the navy, army or air forces. Service candidates selected during 1919-20 will be dealt with in eight groups according to age, and those aged 25, 26 and 27 will be required to proceed at once to India after selection without undergoing any probationary training in the United Kingdom. Those aged 24 will undergone year’s probation if they so desire. Those aged 22 and 23 will require one year’s probation, those aged 21 will undergo one or two years at their option, and those aged 20 will undergo two years’ probation. Conditions of leave and pension are also laid down.

THE LATE MISS RAYSON

The body of Miss Rayson, of the Superior Convent, Dacca, who accidentally slipped off from the gangway plank and was drowned in the river on the morning of the 14th inst., in circumstances already reported, was recovered this morning in a khal branching off the Meghna. After the inquest, the body was buried in the European Burial ground. The funeral was attended by a large number of local Europeans. Mr. Morrison, manager of the Union Jute Co., was present from the time the body was discovered till it was buried.