NEWS ITEMS

AGRICULTURE IN BENGAL
The New programme
Important Schemes Initiated
(From Our Special Correspondent)
Simla, July 6
The following is the programme of the Bengal Agricultural Department:- This province has undergone an administrative change since April 1st, 1912; and consequently the work includes various problems formerly relating to Eastern Bengal.
The Agricultural Chemist will arrange for the distribution of Barbados cane seedlings, which have proved of great merit and will conduct experiments connected with planting methods, etc., on an extended scale.

AN ALLEGED DISHONEST SIKH
The Commissioner Of Police, Calcutta, has received intimation that a resident of Allahabad City, has been robbed of a complete magneto, belonging to a four-seated Daracq motor car worth over Rs 5000. It is alleged that accused called on the complainant in search of employment, towards the middle of June last, and produced certain credentials, showing that he was a chauffeur and had come from Calcutta. The complainant put him in charge of the car, and after working for three days the accused is reported to have absconded to Calcutta with the magneto. The Calcutta Police are making enquiries in the matter.

"CALCUTTA DIOCESAN RECORD"
With the July issue the Calcutta Diocesan Record enters upon its second year, and the number fully maintains the reputation already won. The Bishop of Calcutta writes a brief note relative to the long proposed Bishopric of Assam, based upon the experiences of his recent tour, and his Lordship seems to think that this particular bit of work needs to be placed in the forefront of ecclesiastical politics. The missionary notes by the Rev. R. Gee, of Bishop’s College, are most interesting reading, and the paper by the Rev. J.F. Smith, Chaplain of St. James’, originally read before the Calcutta Clerical Society, is a valuable contribution to the educational question from the standpoint of the value of a child, as pourtrayed in the New Testament. In conclusion the Editor prints his balance sheet for the year, and, whilst showing that the Record more than pays its way, appeals for a larger circle of annual subscribers on the ground that an increased and intelligent knowledge of the doings of the Church in India cannot but be beneficial.

OCCASIONAL NOTE

Telegrams published this morning show that the floods in Cachar and South Sylhet are abnormal and call for the special attention of the authorities. A correspondent telegraphing from Kallicherra reports that the highest flood since 1883 is now being experienced. The distress is much greater than in the year mentioned. Areas which were considered absolutely safe, and which had become thickly settled, have been submerged. Many houses have been carried away; many others are covered above the eaves. There have been great losses of stored paddy, and new planting is inevitable. Our correspondent urges that Government should arrange for the immediate import of rice, as in 1883. A Rema correspondent, telegraphing from Chandpur Bagan, states that serious  floods have occurred in South Sylhet, and that tea prospects there are bad. The price of rice locally has risen to a very high figure. It is evident from these  messages that the floods have created a serious emergency.