Calcutta, 15th March.
The India Office have apparently no one equal to editing telegrams relating to transfrontier affairs, and the result is that the Just blue-books are disfigured by man} ocrea. Ths wor] Jambar," eumear eaoagh term on the border used to describe a large, armed gathering, seems to have been a stumbling block: Thus one telegram begins by stating that the "Lashkar nation of Afridis" is advancing on the Khyber, and closes with the remark that no news of Lashkars having reached the limits of the pass had been received. Evidently it was Supposed that some important clan was referred to.
Bombay, 16th March.
There were 198 attacks and 195 deaths from Plague reported to-day. The total mortality from all causes was 308. The natives seem to be very gratified with the new scheme-suggested by the Governor, especially the withdrawal of the house search parties. Operations in connection with the Plague Committee for dealing with the epidemic in the city were practically at a stand-still to-day in the face of the Governor's announcement that house to house visitation has been abandoned, and a notification to that effect having been posted throughout the city, this morning the Plague Committee could not do anything especially in the absence of any a from Government on the subject.
Government have arranged with the Bank of Bombay regarding the Plague Committee Funds, and half a lakh has been paid over to-day.
Mr. T.G. D. Innes, Agent on the Bal-ramour Estate, has compiled and published in pamphlet form an interesting list of the jungle products used by the poor in the famine, showing how each plant was prepared, and what part of it was used for food.' Some idea of the resources of the Indian jungle in this respect may be gathered from the fact that Mr. Innes catalogues 115 separate edible products.
Surgeon-Lieutenant-Colonel Roe, Hon. Secretary, Pasteur Institute, says that he is waiting for some information from Cal-cutty with regard to the Bengal Branch before he calls a meeting, when he intends to lay the whole state of the funds, etc., before the Committee, and ask for fresh instructions as he will then have carried out all the orders of the last Committee, Mr. Sleigh, Secretary and Treasurer of the Bank of Bombay, criticises Mr. Liridsay's scheme in a long letter to the Press, and, concluding, says: "Of the schemes for the accomplishment of a gold standard which have yet been before the public, Mr. Lindsay's certainly ' holds the field' above all other systems. International bimetallism is the ideal remedy for all our currency troubles, but as this seems now impossible of attainment within a reasonable distance of time, it behoves the Government of India to accept the only alternative, and hasten on with all possible speed to the accom-pushment of their gold standard schemes. Nearly five long years have been spent in discussion and hard experience, and in that time there certainly has been talking and writing more than enough. What we now want badly is clear-_ headed action, and a deaf ear to all the Dicks, Toms, and Harrys whose ideas have already surmounted the side issues that spring from their own individual interest. Government have to act solely for the good of the Empire, and not of a class. Should, however, the Government of India and the Secretary of State atill feel unequal to the task, or should they shrink from accepting the responsibility of fresh legislation, the recommendation of the Bombay Chamber of Commerce to submit the question once again to a committee of experts should be adopted without moment's delay."
Allahabad, 17th March.
'The Civil and Military Gazette in speaking of "strong rumours" that Sir William Lockhart ''on the ground of health" will not after all succeed Sir George White as Commander-in-Chief, remarks that some colour" is given to' these reports by the dates the Pioneer has given for Sir William Lockhart's departure on leave (March 26th) and Sir George White's departure (March 21st), "If Sir William is to succeed, he takes over office on the 22nd and from that date until his term expires it is impossible for him to leave India except by Act of Parliament." The Pioneer dates were quite correct, but also stated that General Nairne becomes provisional or ad_ interim Commander-in-Chief on the 21st of March. Sir William Lockhart is now in good health, and has every intention of taking up his post on return from leave to England; but he will not be formally gazetted Chief until his leave expires.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.