A report reviewing the operations of the Indisn Mint for the year 1900-01 has just been published. Tt is a most satisfactory one, and the Government are entirely satisfied with the results of the fast The gold tendered in the Mint dur-this period exceeded eight crores in also, Init wes G42 crores less than the The silver coinage, which was the highest on record, exelusive of British dollars, amounted to 17 crores, 26 lakhs. The demand for rupees was felt at the end of 1900, and it increased toward the beginning of the current year to such an extent that the Mints were working at a great pressure to meet the exigencies of the moment. They had, in fact, to face heavier work than in any previous year of their history. The rorentie of the Mint was 476 lakhs, against 23} expenditure; the net profit has been transferred to the Gold Reserve Fund.
Afghanistan.
There has been no news of a disquiet ing nature from Afghanistan so far, but it is impossible to make any forecasts.
Though Habibullah's accession has been peaceable, and though his brothers have acknowledged him ax Amir, there is one very important factor we have to reckon with—a. factor the power of which only those can full~ realise who are familiar with the inner workings, the wheels within wheels of a native State—viz., the harem. In native politics it is the case of "cherchez La femme" more often than those accustomed to Western ideas could suppose. In this case Habibullah has a younger brother—a half-brother—whose "mother comes from a family more ancient and more noble than does the mother of the present Amir. It is quite on the cards that this Indy may consider that Hal lab stands in the way of her own son, and may start an intrigue, the results of which might lead to most unpleasant complications. It only needs the necessary spark to set the whole territory ablaze, and Russia might think it to her interest to supply the spark or fan the flame as the case to set the whole territory ablaze, and Russia has her hands full in China, and some think that that will keep ber from active interference in Afghanistan. In any case, England's.patience ought to be pretty well worn out by now. She must either let her powerful enemy approach the very borders of her Indian Empire, or she must insist on her halting, and resist any ad. vance from her with all the force available. It is a great thing for us, that we have at this moment as Viceroy a man who is able to thoroughly grasp the situation, one who is familiar with Afghanistan, and cultivated friendly relations with the late Amir, which puts him on a friendly footing with his successor, and enables him to give him the benefit of his sound judgment when required.
Impending Famine in Behar.
A telegram from Banikpur states that fan tine is impending in Bebar on account of the failure of the rains. Matters are also serious in the Muzzefferpur district, and the Lieutenant-Governor has been asked to hold " conference on the subject. The weather in other parts of India is not causing any serious anxiety. In some parts the weather is abnormal for this time of the year, but within the last fortnight we have been enjoying some very refreshing N.E. monsoon showers.
The late famine has awakened the Government to the necessity of studying more Subject of Invigation, and a Commission as been appointed to visit various parts of India with the object of trying to open the country out more effectually to irrigation, which is to take the form of canals, not wells. The canal which was dug at Kabul has proved a great success, and is now paying at the rate of 21 per cent. It was built in 1892, was swept away by rains, and was recon structed in' 1898} yet it is already paying so large a dividend. It is hoped that irrigation will also do much to solve the vexed and much-discussed question of the frontier policy. Tnvigation successfully carried out should tend to people the frontier tracts with greater mimpers of culti" vaters, drawn from the Pathan countries. Ivis evident that the advantages of having these tracts peopled with a quiet, poaceloving tribe of cultivators, instead of, as at present, with warlike tribes who are constantly at feud with each other, would indeed be very great. Tu one case the half of one Pathan' tribe migrated over into British territory to settle down on the land after irrigation had been provided.
Criminals and Finger Mark Identification.
Mr. Fanshawe's system of identifying criminals by their finger marks has proved successful that itis now. being adopted in Government offices, ud police officers are receiving special training in this system in Rangoon. So far, even with the small amount of train: ing that has been available, criminals have been successfully traced and identified. The impression of every offender's hand is at onte sent to Rangoon. In one case, a man who had been—previously convicted, and. was arrested a second time for another offence under an assumed name, was identified. In another case, a sentry who was guarding some prisoners was told to take the impression of their finger marks. This worthy, being too azy to go to the lock-up. took the impression of the finger marks of two of the constables instead. The impressions were duly sent to Rangoon, where the fraud was discovered and the sentry found himself suspended.
The Boycotting of the Barmaid.
Owing to several petitions which have lately been addressed to the Government on the evils of employing European women as barmaids, Lord Curzon has issued an order prohibiting any barmaids or women in any capacity whatever to be employed in public-houses. This clause is to be included in the license, and it is to come into force next year. This will remove a social -evil_ which has been particularly noticeable in the large Presidency towns.
Plague is, alas! still slightly on the increase and shows a tendency to spread. But in other respects the general health in India is good, Hyderabad, 9th November.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.