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1888 Extracts from the
September & October
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Local / General News
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Additional, General/Local News etc. Index and Images can be found here
Burma Gazette B.M.D's Shipping Volunteer News
Mar. & Apr. May & June July & Aug. Nov. & Dec.
Additional, General/Local News etc. Index and Images can be found here
Burma Gazette B.M.D's Shipping Volunteer News
September
Adverts / Sales / Notices
Adverts / Sales / Notices
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Notices
Rangoon Presbyterian Church - Choral Union The opening practice of the above Society will be held in the church on Monday next ... C. Findlay, Honorary Secretary. Women’s Workshop 50 Lewis St. Open daily (Sunday excepted) from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Underclothing for gentlemen, ladies and children is made at modest charges and a small supply of ready-made garments is kept in stock. Servants clothing, horse jhoole, purdahs etc. made to order. Mending of all kinds done at the Workshop. Price lists to be had on application on the premises. Mrs S.P. Long, Superintendent. Mrs J.F. Nesbitt, Manager. Joseph Mosessohn Jeweller and Guilder Articles of any description Electro-plated or guilded by a new system, on two years guarantee at prices that no other house in Burma can compete with. ... Joseph Mosessohn, 8 Merchant St., attached to Evershed’s Hotel. Found In Sparks St. – A bunch of keys. Owner can have them on giving description and paying cost of this advertisement. Apply Brooking Street Wharf, W. Wagstaff, Ward Superintendent. 18th Sept. 1888. Wanted A Second Judicial Clerk for the office of the Deputy Commissioner. Salary Rs. 35 rising to Rs. 50. Knowledge of English, Burmese and Office work is essential. Apply to the undersigned ... H.S. Hartnoll, Deputy Commissioner, Minbu. Advert. Mrs J. Appolis, Diplomaed Nurse. Passed the Government Hospital, Madras. Address – care of Mr J. Welsh, Engine Driver, Pyinmana. “The Empress” (An Illustrated Magazine) Under the distinguished patronage of and subscribed to by their Excellencies, the Countess of Dufferin, Lady Connemara, Lady Reay and Lady Bayley; and subscribed to by her Royal Highness the Duchess of Connaught. Published in Calcutta on the 1st and 16th of each month. ... Payments for subscriptions etc. to be made to: W.A. Stoddard, Agent for the proprietors in Burmah and the Straits. Address: 1 Sparks St., Rangoon. Found A white Fox Terrier dog with tan spots. The owner can have the same by paying the cost of the advertisement. Apply to: Capt. Winter, L. Poozoondoung. |
To Let
The following land will be available from the 29th instant. That lot of land known as ship building and timber yard allotment no. 10 at Ahlone next to Moung Pho Myin’s Saw Mill and having a river frontage of 406 feet. Apply to: A. Dixon Warren & Co., 13 Dalhousie St Notices Holy Trinity (Cathedral) Church, Rangoon A conversazione will be held at the Phayre Street School (Mr Andrew’s) on Wed. 5th Sept. The Rev’d. John Fairclough, officiating Archdeacon and Bishop’s Commissary in the Chair. ... A proposal to form a permanent Asst. Chaplain: the Chaplain to reside in town. District Grant Lodge, Burma The regular quarterly communication will be holden in the Masonic Temple, Cantonments, this evening 6.15 o’clock precisely. Master Masons are invited to attend. A.M. Buchanan, Dist. Grand Secretary Agri-Horticultural Society, of Burma A show of rare plants, flowers, fruits and vegetables; will be held at the Society’s Garden on 12th Feb. 1889. Copies of the prize list may be had on application to Mr Noble tt the Phayre Museum. A.M. Buchanan, Acting Secy. Concert Under the distinguished patronage of Col. Butlin and the officers of the Cheshire Regt. A Concert will be given at the Assembly Rooms, on Sat. 15th Sept. in which Madame Korff, of the Conservatoire of Berlin and Mademoiselle Maillard of the Conservatoire of Paris will perform assisted by the following Amateurs: Mrs Olive, Mrs Parkin, Mr Fox, Mr Ceril Lowis, Mr Birkby and Mr Meyer who have kindly consented to perform. ... Provincial Grand Lodge of Mark Masters, Burma A special communication of the above Lodge will be holden at the Masonic Temple, Cantonments, this evening at 8.30 p.m. precisely. A.M. Buchanan, Provincial Grand Secretary Lodge “Star of Burma” No. 614 A Regular Meeting of the above Lodge will be held this evening at 8.30 p.m. in Freemason’s Hall. Chas. Preston. P.M., Secretary. Lodge “Victoria In Burma” No. 832 A regular meeting of the above Lodge will be holden in the Masonic Temple, Cantonment, at 6.30 this evening (Fri.) H. Whitney, Secy. Painless Dentistry Mr T.H. Stephens, 70 Merchant St. Mr E.F. Stephens, Moulmein. (Rooms to let at 70 Merchant St.) |
Balthazar's Auctions
Saturday the 22nd Sept. at noon, at no.- , Halpin Road. Household furniture and fittings the property of Capt. Clavell F. Filliter, Adjutant, R.V. Rifles.
Saturday the 29th Sept. at noon, at his residence, Marine Lodge, 51 Barr St. Household furniture and fittings, the property of J.H. Ryan Esq.
Sat. 27th Sept. at no. 23 Phayre St., at 7.30 a.m. Household furniture & fittings, the property of the late Mr C. Warberton, (sic) late of the Rangoon Pilot Service.
29th Sept. at 7.30 a.m. on the Spot – Western portion of 1st class Lot No. 2, measuring 57 x 100 with houses thereon, no.’s 52, 53, and 54, Dalhousie St.
On an early date at no. – Halpin Rd. Elegant household furniture and fittings – the property of A.B. Gatherer Esq., Superintending Engineer, P.W.D.
Mon. 24th Sept. at 7.30 a.m. at the Oil Godowns at Dunneedaw, Mr Hazlewood’s Yard, about 2,379 cases Devoes high screw Kerosine (sic) Oil. Slightly damaged by the water.
Tue. 25th Sept. at noon at no. 31, 42nd Street. Household furniture and fittings, the property of Capt. S.F. Case.
Saturday the 29th Sept. at noon, at his residence, Marine Lodge, 51 Barr St. Household furniture and fittings, the property of J.H. Ryan Esq.
Sat. 27th Sept. at no. 23 Phayre St., at 7.30 a.m. Household furniture & fittings, the property of the late Mr C. Warberton, (sic) late of the Rangoon Pilot Service.
29th Sept. at 7.30 a.m. on the Spot – Western portion of 1st class Lot No. 2, measuring 57 x 100 with houses thereon, no.’s 52, 53, and 54, Dalhousie St.
On an early date at no. – Halpin Rd. Elegant household furniture and fittings – the property of A.B. Gatherer Esq., Superintending Engineer, P.W.D.
Mon. 24th Sept. at 7.30 a.m. at the Oil Godowns at Dunneedaw, Mr Hazlewood’s Yard, about 2,379 cases Devoes high screw Kerosine (sic) Oil. Slightly damaged by the water.
Tue. 25th Sept. at noon at no. 31, 42nd Street. Household furniture and fittings, the property of Capt. S.F. Case.
Local - General News / Letters to the Editor
Bhamo
Mandalay 1st Sept.
Latest advices received here state that Kan Laing has attacked the village of See Kaw near Bhamo killing ten men and burning the village. Kan Laing is a dacoit chief who supports Law Yan Nine and his headquarters are on the borders of the Bhamo Dist.
Mandalay 1st Sept.
Latest advices received here state that Kan Laing has attacked the village of See Kaw near Bhamo killing ten men and burning the village. Kan Laing is a dacoit chief who supports Law Yan Nine and his headquarters are on the borders of the Bhamo Dist.
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Editorial
Mr Nolan’s Visit This able civilian has come and gone. He has had a trip to Burma at the public expense and has scampered through the more accessible parts of Upper and Lower Burma in a few days. We have no doubt it has proved a pleasant change for him, although it was not undertaken at the best season of the year. Whether his visit is likely to prove worth the expenditure of the few thousand rupees it will have cost the State is another matter. It has been, we believe, too hurried to be of much public service. Mr Nolan can have seen but little of the country and nothing whatever of those few English settlers and disappointed applicants for land, who might have given him some valuable suggestion. The first thing we want in Burma is a better Land Law and less power given to the Deputy Commissioners to interfere with men who have spent their capital and labour on the land they have acquired. Under the present system, the Deputy Commissioner has the power, if he chooses to sue it, to ruin any landholder on the most flimsy pretexts. It is idle to say that Government officers would not do such things, for we have seen how, a very few years ago, revenue officers treated grant holders in the Hanthawaddy district. Had they acted in the same way in their own individual capacity, they would have run the risk of being criminally prosecuted. Acting as Revenue officers, they receive no censure and in some cases were even promoted after having saved Government money by deceiving a grant holder of the true facts of his case, which latter were known and purposely misstated. We would give Revenue officials no power to interfere with land owners who fulfil the conditions of their grants. The latter must be freehold if [we] wish to induce capitalists to settle in Burma. Labourers, if brought here by Government without capital, will gravitate into tows where they can get better employment and lead more congenial lives than in the districts. To us it seems that with the numerous well paid and well trained survey establishments existing in Burma, it should not be difficult to map out the country and the land available and thus enable any settler to get an allotment by pointing it out at a Land Office on a map, paying a small fee rather than putting him to the expense of surveying and bribing a post of minor officials, without which, we are assured, nothing can be done under the present system. |
Tavoy News
25th Aug. Since I last wrote a brutal murder has been committed here: A Burman killed his two wives and then committed suicide by the inelegant process of cutting his own throat. This occurred on the very day our new Deputy Commissioner arrived and formed a pleasant introduction to the work before him; needless to say “the active ad intelligent” was all there immediately. Our annals are yet more criminal; on the 17th we suspended a Chinaman for the murder of his step-mother. I wonder no extenuating circumstances could be found; in France they do these things better. The weather is fairly fine, with occasional showers; crops are looking good and a fair harvest is expected. At the same time the poorer classes are in rather distressed circumstances at present and are living on bamboo roots and leaves to a very great extent. I heard of one case in which a mother sold one of her children to keep the rest from starving. Though the roads in town are in good order surely some work could be found for the really poor on the roads outside, which are in a very bad condition and would afford needed relief. Rice is selling at. Rs. 2-12 to Rs. 3-0 and mostly comes from Maulmein (sic) by the Tavoy steamers; so we are actually obliged to export our scanty savings and shall have to do so till the new crop comes on the market. The Moulmein steamer is getting very unpunctual again, on the last two trips she was over twelve hours late, this is very inconvenient for those with large correspondence and for business people generally, especially those trading in perishable commodities. The Rev’d. Mr Finn has been here for some time and is trying to induce sundry of us to walk in the paths of righteousness. But in this “sleepy hollow” where Sundays and week days are much alike, and “the custom of the country” obtains much, it would take at least a S. Chrysostom, or a man with a big whip to awaken our somnolent consciences. The dacoits seem to have disappeared and peace, like a dove, broods over this benighted, man-forsaken – I had almost added the inevitable corollary – locality. Don’t wake me up till the next steamer comes in, Boy; tuck the mosquito curtains in properly and let down the chicks. Bye, bye! |
Mandalay News
29th Aug.
It has been raining very heavily lately and the streets have been in an awful mess. ... Fever and dysentery are still very prevalent and this year Mandalay seems to have kept up the old reputation for un-healthiness that it had been losing a little in the last year or two. ... There is a good deal of cholera in the districts and I hear of occasional cases in Mandalay, though it has completely disappeared from the cantonments. There have been some very important captures lately in the Pokoko district and two Bohs have been sent up for trial; this corer, once among the worst in Burmah, is getting much quieter and river traffic is proceeding uninterruptedly, whereas a year ago not a native boat could get down without great danger of attack. Boh Yan has been shot by the military police out Popa way. Mr Walton, D.S.P., Lower Chindwin District, went up the Chindwin on August 12th with a launch load of police, civil and military. After a sharp brush, they captured Boh Choe, Nga Aung and Nga Sah Gyi; Boh Ban Gyi was killed in the scrimmage. A number of guns and two dahs were captured, one of the latter being identified as one taken from a constable about a year ago. Bah Choe was cut down in attempting to escape and was seriously wounded. The death of Bo Na Ya in the Yeu district is confirmed; a branded dacoit, he was once the terror of the neighbourhood and had no less than 500 ruffians behind him.
Mandalay will, before long, lose its only claim to respect, as soon as the present temporary arrangements expire and Burma is made a single divisional command, Headquarters will be moved down to Rangoon but it is possible that the Force, or a modification of it, will be continued on a semi-independent footing after the end of the financial year. ... I hear it is intended to raise a branch of the U.B.R.V. composed of Flotilla men. It is proposed to arm them with machine guns and to drill the men both in shore and river defence work. My informant tells me that “Baas” Kennedy, C.I.E., if not previously recalled by the irate Swann for making messes of things, will be offered the Colonelcy and the guns will be provided by Government. Time alone will prove if these things be so; but I remember Travers Drapes once incubating a great egg that was to produce a species of land-lubber Naval Brigade, a sort of cross between gunners and mud-larks.
The energy of Major Cooke and the local authorities in sending supplies from Mandalay, and arranging for more, has averted all fears of famine in the Central Division and the price of rice has fallen in Mandalay itself. Trade, however, is very far from lively and I hear many complaints among the traders. Among our most recent visitors I see Mr Dawson of the Salween. S.N. Co.
29th Aug.
It has been raining very heavily lately and the streets have been in an awful mess. ... Fever and dysentery are still very prevalent and this year Mandalay seems to have kept up the old reputation for un-healthiness that it had been losing a little in the last year or two. ... There is a good deal of cholera in the districts and I hear of occasional cases in Mandalay, though it has completely disappeared from the cantonments. There have been some very important captures lately in the Pokoko district and two Bohs have been sent up for trial; this corer, once among the worst in Burmah, is getting much quieter and river traffic is proceeding uninterruptedly, whereas a year ago not a native boat could get down without great danger of attack. Boh Yan has been shot by the military police out Popa way. Mr Walton, D.S.P., Lower Chindwin District, went up the Chindwin on August 12th with a launch load of police, civil and military. After a sharp brush, they captured Boh Choe, Nga Aung and Nga Sah Gyi; Boh Ban Gyi was killed in the scrimmage. A number of guns and two dahs were captured, one of the latter being identified as one taken from a constable about a year ago. Bah Choe was cut down in attempting to escape and was seriously wounded. The death of Bo Na Ya in the Yeu district is confirmed; a branded dacoit, he was once the terror of the neighbourhood and had no less than 500 ruffians behind him.
Mandalay will, before long, lose its only claim to respect, as soon as the present temporary arrangements expire and Burma is made a single divisional command, Headquarters will be moved down to Rangoon but it is possible that the Force, or a modification of it, will be continued on a semi-independent footing after the end of the financial year. ... I hear it is intended to raise a branch of the U.B.R.V. composed of Flotilla men. It is proposed to arm them with machine guns and to drill the men both in shore and river defence work. My informant tells me that “Baas” Kennedy, C.I.E., if not previously recalled by the irate Swann for making messes of things, will be offered the Colonelcy and the guns will be provided by Government. Time alone will prove if these things be so; but I remember Travers Drapes once incubating a great egg that was to produce a species of land-lubber Naval Brigade, a sort of cross between gunners and mud-larks.
The energy of Major Cooke and the local authorities in sending supplies from Mandalay, and arranging for more, has averted all fears of famine in the Central Division and the price of rice has fallen in Mandalay itself. Trade, however, is very far from lively and I hear many complaints among the traders. Among our most recent visitors I see Mr Dawson of the Salween. S.N. Co.
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Local News
Capt. Green The case in which Capt. Green stands charged under the Stamp Act has been posted for orders today. The Pegu bridge parted on 30th instant owing to the floods, the river is now crossed by ferry boats. The Secretary of the Paundge Reformatory Committee reports that there are no vacancies in the Reformatory School. By the kind permission of Colonel Butlin the Band of the Cheshire Regt. will play in the Cantonment Gardens this evening at 6 p.m. and every Monday hereafter till further notice. Revenue Department 31st Aug. Copies of papers cited below forwarded to the Editor of the Rangoon Times for information, with the compliments of the Director of Land Records and Agriculture, Burma ... (Signed) H.T. Hall, Director of Land Records and Agriculture. |
Municipal Committee
A special meeting of the Municipal Committee will be held on 6th Sept. 1888 ... The business to be transacted will be: 1. To confirm letter dated 9th Aug. from Mr E.K. Moylan, regarding his position as Legal Adviser to the Rangoon Municipality. ... 7. The appointment of Mr F.C. Kennedy, C.I.E., to the Public Works Sub-Committee. ... 9. To consider papers connected with Judah Ezekiel’s claim to compensation under section 75 of the Municipal Act. ... Saturday’s Concert Everyone who was present at the Assembly Rooms on Saturday – and there were only some two dozen all told – must regret that Madam Korff and Mdlle. Maillard were so ill-advised as to give a concert on only three days’ notice, when all those who could appreciate or support so high-class an entertainment had long since made their engagements ... Madame Korff is a pianist of exceptional strength ... Mdlle. Maillard has a fair soprano, highly trained ... Herr Loening rendered valuable assistance at the piano while Mr Barckhansen played brilliantly some long and, if he will permit us to mention the fact, intensely uninteresting variations on the flute. In the more piano parts of his duet with Madam Korff, Mr Barry showed himself a master of the clarinet; but in the forte and bass passages he completely drowned his accompaniment. ... |
Rangoon Hunt Club
The paperchase will start tomorrow at 5.30 p.m. from the Cheshire Regt. Mess and will finish at the corner of Fraser and Halpin Roads.
The paperchase will start tomorrow at 5.30 p.m. from the Cheshire Regt. Mess and will finish at the corner of Fraser and Halpin Roads.
Yandoon
Information reached the Yandoon Sub-divisional officer on Thursday that one of the largest bunds in his charge was showing signs of weakness and that it would probably burst and submerge some thousands of acres of paddy land and several villages. Mr Cronin lost no time in proceeding at once in the Government steamer launch, which the District Officer placed at his disposal, and calling out all the villagers adjacent and with 2000 gunny bags which he had luckily had the foresight to being with him, which were filled and placed in the gap, and destruction which seemed at first inevitable was delayed. Fortunately the rain also ceased on Friday, but the work from 6 a.m. until long after dark at filling the bags a quarter of a mile away and carrying them to the bund, was thus rendered more severe in the heat. There is no doubt that Mr Cronin’s prompt action in this respect has saved the Government thousands of rupees of land revenue which would otherwise have been lost and that the homes of some hundreds of villagers have also been saved from destruction by their promptly turning out and working so energetically under him on Friday last.
Information reached the Yandoon Sub-divisional officer on Thursday that one of the largest bunds in his charge was showing signs of weakness and that it would probably burst and submerge some thousands of acres of paddy land and several villages. Mr Cronin lost no time in proceeding at once in the Government steamer launch, which the District Officer placed at his disposal, and calling out all the villagers adjacent and with 2000 gunny bags which he had luckily had the foresight to being with him, which were filled and placed in the gap, and destruction which seemed at first inevitable was delayed. Fortunately the rain also ceased on Friday, but the work from 6 a.m. until long after dark at filling the bags a quarter of a mile away and carrying them to the bund, was thus rendered more severe in the heat. There is no doubt that Mr Cronin’s prompt action in this respect has saved the Government thousands of rupees of land revenue which would otherwise have been lost and that the homes of some hundreds of villagers have also been saved from destruction by their promptly turning out and working so energetically under him on Friday last.
Police
Mr Hare, who returned from Minbu on Saturday last, was retained by a native police officer who was brought upon a charge of writing an anonymous letter reflecting on his commanding officer, Capt. Cook. We believe the accused got off, it not being proved that he had wither written or instigated the writing of the objectionable letter in question.
Mr Hare, who returned from Minbu on Saturday last, was retained by a native police officer who was brought upon a charge of writing an anonymous letter reflecting on his commanding officer, Capt. Cook. We believe the accused got off, it not being proved that he had wither written or instigated the writing of the objectionable letter in question.
J. Jackson
Mr J. Jackson, Photographer, proceeded on Saturday to take photographs of the Irrawaddy Flotilla godowns and steamers at Yandoon and we understand has been fortunate in securing some excellent views in this great trading depot of fish and nappi.
Mr J. Jackson, Photographer, proceeded on Saturday to take photographs of the Irrawaddy Flotilla godowns and steamers at Yandoon and we understand has been fortunate in securing some excellent views in this great trading depot of fish and nappi.
Upper Burma Summary – Official
In Mandalay town there was one robbery. In Shwebo there were five dacoities, in one of which 2 villagers were murdered. A gang of Kachins attacked and looted five trading boats in the defile below Letma and killed 3 men, severely wounding a fourth. Myadoung and the Ruby Mines were undisturbed. In Sagaing there wee two dacoities in one of which some houses burnt. In the other the Chaungu Thugyi recovered the dacoited property. Bo Le Myo with 10 followers surrendered to Mr Carter with a revolver and other firearms. Eleven dacoits were captured and one surrendered with arms in Myinmu and the Pyinmana Thugyi captured a proclaimed murderer. The Kyaukse gang are still in hiding and are held in check by the police. In Myingyan the police attacked Bo Chok’s camp, killed one dacoit and captured 3 guns. In Toungdwingyi the police encountered dacoits and captured three with three guns. There was no violent crime reported n the district. In Minbu there were 3 dacoities, in two of which the police met the gang and recovered the dacoited property. Zigaing Bo one of Oktama’s lieutenants was captured near Sagu. In Pyinmana Pin Kyaung Pongyi Bo, a noted dacoit leader, who was proclaimed in 1887, was arrested by the Burmese police. Mr Jardine and Lieut. Holland from Meiktila surprised Myat Hmon’s camp in the Kyaukse district and captured 15 guns and much ammunition. The Eastern Division was generally quiet.
In Mandalay town there was one robbery. In Shwebo there were five dacoities, in one of which 2 villagers were murdered. A gang of Kachins attacked and looted five trading boats in the defile below Letma and killed 3 men, severely wounding a fourth. Myadoung and the Ruby Mines were undisturbed. In Sagaing there wee two dacoities in one of which some houses burnt. In the other the Chaungu Thugyi recovered the dacoited property. Bo Le Myo with 10 followers surrendered to Mr Carter with a revolver and other firearms. Eleven dacoits were captured and one surrendered with arms in Myinmu and the Pyinmana Thugyi captured a proclaimed murderer. The Kyaukse gang are still in hiding and are held in check by the police. In Myingyan the police attacked Bo Chok’s camp, killed one dacoit and captured 3 guns. In Toungdwingyi the police encountered dacoits and captured three with three guns. There was no violent crime reported n the district. In Minbu there were 3 dacoities, in two of which the police met the gang and recovered the dacoited property. Zigaing Bo one of Oktama’s lieutenants was captured near Sagu. In Pyinmana Pin Kyaung Pongyi Bo, a noted dacoit leader, who was proclaimed in 1887, was arrested by the Burmese police. Mr Jardine and Lieut. Holland from Meiktila surprised Myat Hmon’s camp in the Kyaukse district and captured 15 guns and much ammunition. The Eastern Division was generally quiet.
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Poungday News
3rd Sept. We are exceedingly dull and damped in spirits. The frequent showers of rain and the sodden condition of the roads, precludes all prospect of a quiet stroll through the town. ... Cholera has to a great extent abated in the town and medicines for the hospital have at length arrived. ... Another cowardly assault has been committed by some of the Reformatory boys (or rather men) on one of their fellows. ... This was no boyish quarrel, but a preconcerted and savage attack ... had it not been for the speedy assistance rendered by the Superintendent. As it was, blood flowed freely and the sufferer has been laid up for the last week with a swollen and painful leg and two ugly gashes on the head. The Superintendent has no authority to deal with the ruffians concerned and can but report the circumstances. It is for Mr Hough to mete out condign punishment ... Dr Marks was among us yesterday. He attended a meeting in connection with the Reformatory and proceeds up to Prome today for the purpose of holding service there. The clouds are broken and the glorious sun again sheds upon us his refulgent light – no more damp – and no more sticking at home. We are all jubilant at the prospect of an early opportunity of turning up our heels in the mazes of a witching dance -for have not we been invited to take part in the Zegone affair? Verily, if the gallant Schuyler fails us not, we shall have our hearts full. The womenfolk are engaged in the preparation of their dresses and other mysteries of their toilet ... |
Mandalay News
1st Sept. I find that by the “two important Bohs” whose capture in the Pokoko District I mentioned in my last letter, Boh Choe, Gna Aung & Co., captured by Mr Walton in the Lower Chindwin District, ... Rubies are decidedly not brisk, it is of course only those which are rejected by Mr Streeter’s Agent that are offered for sale in Mandalay, but still that only three lots reached the reserve price is certainly not “good business.” I should say that Government are rather sorry that they did not let Streeter have them, for worked as they are now, the royalty and the licenses won’t being in much. The races are on now and there is a fair sprinkling of people from the districts. The sport on the first day was fairly good ... What with wild elephants and tigers prowling around ... The man eater at Amarapoora is still alive and has run his record up to five people and 200 rupees are offered for his ears. On Mandalay Hill there dwells a wild elephant whom they have in vain tried to capture. Two days ago, after following it across a tributary of the Irrawaddy, they managed to surround it with nine elephants but were unable to put the chains upon her (it is a female) for she escaped after flooring two elephants. They were unable to have the tuskers out as they are all in must. Two mahouts on elephants have been left to watch her. |
Bhamo News
30th Aug.
This week there was a small dacoity at a small village just the other side of the river. No one was killed although one man was a good deal cut about. Mr Seagrave went over in the small launch with some police to investigate matters as soon as was possible. The Hindoos of the Military Police gave a great tamasha last night to which were invited the ladies of the station by the second in command, Chulta Sing Rai Bahadur. Unfortunately the day was very wet and although it did clear up in the evening for a short time, yet the roads were in such a frightful state that without coolies it was impossible for them to go. In some places the roads were so slippery that it was quite a pastime to sit and watch the natives pass and speculate as to how many would fall down. It really was much worse than walking on ice and the consequence of a fall most disastrous, at any rate to one’s clothes.
30th Aug.
This week there was a small dacoity at a small village just the other side of the river. No one was killed although one man was a good deal cut about. Mr Seagrave went over in the small launch with some police to investigate matters as soon as was possible. The Hindoos of the Military Police gave a great tamasha last night to which were invited the ladies of the station by the second in command, Chulta Sing Rai Bahadur. Unfortunately the day was very wet and although it did clear up in the evening for a short time, yet the roads were in such a frightful state that without coolies it was impossible for them to go. In some places the roads were so slippery that it was quite a pastime to sit and watch the natives pass and speculate as to how many would fall down. It really was much worse than walking on ice and the consequence of a fall most disastrous, at any rate to one’s clothes.
Local News
The Chinese community complain that there is a great deal of delay in delivering their letters and also that many of their letters have to be taken to Calcutta for the purpose of being deciphered and this they attribute to the fact that there is no Chinese clerk employed in the Post Office. ... and we feel sure that now that the fact has been brought to the notice of Mr Hynes, he will loose no time in having the want supplied.
The following passengers proceed to Calcutta this morning [5th Sept.] by mail steamer Navasa:-
Lt. Trever, Miss Godber, Major Bingham, Rev’d. & Mrs Turner and 1 child, Rev’d. Eveleth, Mr Venn, Mr Dibblee, Master Wyatt, Lt. Walsh, Mr J. Watson, Capt. Poynder and Apothecary Tennicliffe, Mrs Hayter, Moung Hpo Kin, Mr Farraud, Mr Burke, Mrs Burke, Mr H. Rommel and one Mahomedan lady.
The Chinese community complain that there is a great deal of delay in delivering their letters and also that many of their letters have to be taken to Calcutta for the purpose of being deciphered and this they attribute to the fact that there is no Chinese clerk employed in the Post Office. ... and we feel sure that now that the fact has been brought to the notice of Mr Hynes, he will loose no time in having the want supplied.
The following passengers proceed to Calcutta this morning [5th Sept.] by mail steamer Navasa:-
Lt. Trever, Miss Godber, Major Bingham, Rev’d. & Mrs Turner and 1 child, Rev’d. Eveleth, Mr Venn, Mr Dibblee, Master Wyatt, Lt. Walsh, Mr J. Watson, Capt. Poynder and Apothecary Tennicliffe, Mrs Hayter, Moung Hpo Kin, Mr Farraud, Mr Burke, Mrs Burke, Mr H. Rommel and one Mahomedan lady.
Rangoon Autumn Meeting, 1888
Under Calcutta Turf Club Rules of Racing
Patron: General B.L. Gordon, C.B.
Hony. Secy. & Treasurer: Capt. A.G. Schuyler
Clerks of the Scales: Col. Butlin and Col. Cooke
Starters: Capt. Filliter and W. Innes
Judge: General Gordon, C.B.
Clerk of the Course: A. Sutherland
Hony. Veterinary Surgeons: Dr. Frost and G.W. Macarthur
Stewards: Col. Butlin, J.W. Darwood, Col. Cooke, Surg.-Major H. Johnstone, W. Innes, Col. Hesketh, A. Sutherland and Sugr.-Major Gormley, Moola Ismail.
Under Calcutta Turf Club Rules of Racing
Patron: General B.L. Gordon, C.B.
Hony. Secy. & Treasurer: Capt. A.G. Schuyler
Clerks of the Scales: Col. Butlin and Col. Cooke
Starters: Capt. Filliter and W. Innes
Judge: General Gordon, C.B.
Clerk of the Course: A. Sutherland
Hony. Veterinary Surgeons: Dr. Frost and G.W. Macarthur
Stewards: Col. Butlin, J.W. Darwood, Col. Cooke, Surg.-Major H. Johnstone, W. Innes, Col. Hesketh, A. Sutherland and Sugr.-Major Gormley, Moola Ismail.
Football
A match under Rugby Rules was played on the Maidan on Wednesday evening between a team of Volunteers captained by Lt. Chandler, R.V.A. and fifteen men of the South Wales Borderers under Capt. Armitage. ... The ground, as was to be expected, was sodden and entirely prevented fast play. ... The Volunteers are to be congratulated on the result of their plucky fight against a picked team like the Borderers. ...
A match under Rugby Rules was played on the Maidan on Wednesday evening between a team of Volunteers captained by Lt. Chandler, R.V.A. and fifteen men of the South Wales Borderers under Capt. Armitage. ... The ground, as was to be expected, was sodden and entirely prevented fast play. ... The Volunteers are to be congratulated on the result of their plucky fight against a picked team like the Borderers. ...
Rangoon Municipality
A General Meeting of the members of the Municipal Committee was held in the Municipal Office, Town Hall yesterday afternoon, when the following were present: J.D. Norton, President, C.J. Brown, Vice-president, Brigade Surgeon H. Griffith, Surgeon Major H. Godber, Rev’d. Dr. Marks, E.A. Lutter, J. Kearney, Ebrahim Ally Moollah, Oo Myat Ysan, Oo Kye, O L Kin Seng, A. Pennycuick, F.C. Kennedy and L. Anderson. ... The appointment of a Legal Adviser ... The President stated that, though no advertisement had been issued, he already received two applications from Messrs. Grant and Lutter; these were written in consequence of Mr Moylan’s first letter in which he demanded an assistant to take up the minor cases and it was for this position that these gentlemen applied. But as he himself was satisfied with the manner in which Mr Baxtrun, (sic) the Nuisance Inspector, who is officiating for Mr Stacey, had conducted the minor cases in the Police Courts, he considered there was no necessity to appoint an assistant. Therefore they had only to consider whether they would accept Mr Moylan’s terms: a retaining fee of Rs. 500 per mensem, or to allow him to charge his usual fee. Mr Lutter proposed, seconded by Dr. Marks, that the matter be allowed to stand over for a month as Mr Moylan was at present “all in a flutter.” To this proposal Dr. Griffith strongly objected, pointing out that Mr Moylan’s present position had nothing to do with what had been set down for discussion today. The President said he thought it would be best to allow the matter to stand over, as it might give offence to either Mr Moylan or the Recorder to settle the matter just now. ... Mr Andrews then proposed that the services of Mr Moylan be retained, the usual fees being charged, which he stated he knew, from personal experience, to be very moderate, at any rate much less than those of the late Mr Gillbanks and other good lawyers. ... Mr Kennedy then proposed that Mr Moylan’s services be retained at Rs. 500 a month for one year; this was seconded by Dr. Marks. To this Surgeon Major Godber moved an amendment that whenever they thought there was any necessity for them to go to law, a Committee of seven members should be nominated, who should consult as to whether they should go to law or not and select the person to conduct the case. After some discussion this resolution as amended was carried. ...
The question of appointing a permanent paid President was next discussed. ... Brigade Surgeon Griffith then proposed that a letter be written inviting the Government to nominate an official at a salary of Rs. 2000 a month. But at the same time they should ask that the Municipality be freed, as an exceptional case, from any liability as to pension; and that the President receive such powers as would enable [him] to deal with the work as satisfactorily as a Deputy Commissioner and also that the Rs. 500 per mensem which was formerly allowed by Government towards the pay of the President, but which is now withheld, be restored. Carried. ...
The objections to the proposed increased Water Tax were then considered ... The case of Judah Ezekiel next came up. The Municipality have ordered him to restrain from building on a portion of a first class lot in the vicinity of China Street, ... Claim amounts to nearly a lakh of rupees. Legal Adviser of the Municipality says the body has the right to restrain without compensation, in the interests of the public. That the claimant be restrained without compensation and that any action be contested as a test case. ...
A General Meeting of the members of the Municipal Committee was held in the Municipal Office, Town Hall yesterday afternoon, when the following were present: J.D. Norton, President, C.J. Brown, Vice-president, Brigade Surgeon H. Griffith, Surgeon Major H. Godber, Rev’d. Dr. Marks, E.A. Lutter, J. Kearney, Ebrahim Ally Moollah, Oo Myat Ysan, Oo Kye, O L Kin Seng, A. Pennycuick, F.C. Kennedy and L. Anderson. ... The appointment of a Legal Adviser ... The President stated that, though no advertisement had been issued, he already received two applications from Messrs. Grant and Lutter; these were written in consequence of Mr Moylan’s first letter in which he demanded an assistant to take up the minor cases and it was for this position that these gentlemen applied. But as he himself was satisfied with the manner in which Mr Baxtrun, (sic) the Nuisance Inspector, who is officiating for Mr Stacey, had conducted the minor cases in the Police Courts, he considered there was no necessity to appoint an assistant. Therefore they had only to consider whether they would accept Mr Moylan’s terms: a retaining fee of Rs. 500 per mensem, or to allow him to charge his usual fee. Mr Lutter proposed, seconded by Dr. Marks, that the matter be allowed to stand over for a month as Mr Moylan was at present “all in a flutter.” To this proposal Dr. Griffith strongly objected, pointing out that Mr Moylan’s present position had nothing to do with what had been set down for discussion today. The President said he thought it would be best to allow the matter to stand over, as it might give offence to either Mr Moylan or the Recorder to settle the matter just now. ... Mr Andrews then proposed that the services of Mr Moylan be retained, the usual fees being charged, which he stated he knew, from personal experience, to be very moderate, at any rate much less than those of the late Mr Gillbanks and other good lawyers. ... Mr Kennedy then proposed that Mr Moylan’s services be retained at Rs. 500 a month for one year; this was seconded by Dr. Marks. To this Surgeon Major Godber moved an amendment that whenever they thought there was any necessity for them to go to law, a Committee of seven members should be nominated, who should consult as to whether they should go to law or not and select the person to conduct the case. After some discussion this resolution as amended was carried. ...
The question of appointing a permanent paid President was next discussed. ... Brigade Surgeon Griffith then proposed that a letter be written inviting the Government to nominate an official at a salary of Rs. 2000 a month. But at the same time they should ask that the Municipality be freed, as an exceptional case, from any liability as to pension; and that the President receive such powers as would enable [him] to deal with the work as satisfactorily as a Deputy Commissioner and also that the Rs. 500 per mensem which was formerly allowed by Government towards the pay of the President, but which is now withheld, be restored. Carried. ...
The objections to the proposed increased Water Tax were then considered ... The case of Judah Ezekiel next came up. The Municipality have ordered him to restrain from building on a portion of a first class lot in the vicinity of China Street, ... Claim amounts to nearly a lakh of rupees. Legal Adviser of the Municipality says the body has the right to restrain without compensation, in the interests of the public. That the claimant be restrained without compensation and that any action be contested as a test case. ...
The Flotilla and the Gazette
Our Flotilla contemporary, the Rangoon Gazette, corrects two important mistakes we made recently. The Hata, it seems, was built by Denny & Co. instead of Yarrow & Co. and the Flotilla did lose a steamer this year, the Katha, of a value between Rs. 60,000 and a lakh. The Thoorea, we should think, must have cost three times as much. ...
Our Flotilla contemporary, the Rangoon Gazette, corrects two important mistakes we made recently. The Hata, it seems, was built by Denny & Co. instead of Yarrow & Co. and the Flotilla did lose a steamer this year, the Katha, of a value between Rs. 60,000 and a lakh. The Thoorea, we should think, must have cost three times as much. ...
Mandalay News
5th Sept.
There have been one or two small engagements with the dacoits. ... On Sunday Mr Fowle, with a party of the Mandalay Civil Police, rushed Boh Toh’s camp near Madaya, taking one prisoner and capturing 6 guns and a number of dahs; they also managed to make Boh Toh’s wife a prisoner. ... The weather keeps showery and we have said good bye to the cool temperature we were enjoying some time back; at present it Is close and muggy even at night ...
The Herald has not got quite the correct facts about the Macleod case. Mr Truda backed Macleod’s cheque and the bank has come down on the former for the money.
I am sorry to say that we are losing our very popular Secretary of the Race Club, Mr Campbell, who leaves Mandalay this evening for Myingyan, where I hear he takes over the duties of Executive Commissariat Officer. Mandalay will, I know, agree with me in saying that we can ill spare one who is always trying to relieve the monotony of our evenings here by getting up theatricals, concerts etc., and the Gymkhana Club, I know, mourns his departure. He succeeded a really good man in Mr Jackson and we had no reason to complain of the exchange; I believe that the last named will take over the Secretaryship once more.
Bassein
We hear from Bassein that a propeller, which was shipped for one of Mr Dawson’s steam launches, was refused delivery, on the ground of being wrongly described in the mate’s receipt. It was brought back to Rangoon and again taken back to Bassein and offered to the consignee. Meanwhile, Mr Dawson’s Agent had procured another propeller in Bassein and did not require it and refused to take delivery. A law suit will, it is said, be the result of refusing delivery in the first instance.
5th Sept.
There have been one or two small engagements with the dacoits. ... On Sunday Mr Fowle, with a party of the Mandalay Civil Police, rushed Boh Toh’s camp near Madaya, taking one prisoner and capturing 6 guns and a number of dahs; they also managed to make Boh Toh’s wife a prisoner. ... The weather keeps showery and we have said good bye to the cool temperature we were enjoying some time back; at present it Is close and muggy even at night ...
The Herald has not got quite the correct facts about the Macleod case. Mr Truda backed Macleod’s cheque and the bank has come down on the former for the money.
I am sorry to say that we are losing our very popular Secretary of the Race Club, Mr Campbell, who leaves Mandalay this evening for Myingyan, where I hear he takes over the duties of Executive Commissariat Officer. Mandalay will, I know, agree with me in saying that we can ill spare one who is always trying to relieve the monotony of our evenings here by getting up theatricals, concerts etc., and the Gymkhana Club, I know, mourns his departure. He succeeded a really good man in Mr Jackson and we had no reason to complain of the exchange; I believe that the last named will take over the Secretaryship once more.
Bassein
We hear from Bassein that a propeller, which was shipped for one of Mr Dawson’s steam launches, was refused delivery, on the ground of being wrongly described in the mate’s receipt. It was brought back to Rangoon and again taken back to Bassein and offered to the consignee. Meanwhile, Mr Dawson’s Agent had procured another propeller in Bassein and did not require it and refused to take delivery. A law suit will, it is said, be the result of refusing delivery in the first instance.
Gambling
That gambling is carried on to a large extent in the Poozoondoung division is a fact beyond dispute and the several Inspectors who have in charge of that division have one and all been informed that one particular house, about 50 yards behind the Tramway Guard, was a notorious gambling den; and what is worse, that the police stationed at the Guard freely patronised the place and that it was practically guarded by them in return for a monthly subsidy. All the effort of the various Inspectors from time to run the house down proved futile until Sunday night when Inspector Carlyle, acting on certain information, rushed the house. Four policemen were seen rushing out, two of whom he arrested, and with great difficulty and damage to himself, being dragged through thorny bushes, held on to. On recognising that one man was the Sergeant of the Guard, he released his hold of him and clung on to the other, whom he recognised to be one of the Constables of the Guard; on returning to the house, the Naik and another Constable were found secreted and Rs. 10, the anedoungs, and some playing cards were found. A charge has been framed against the four men.
That gambling is carried on to a large extent in the Poozoondoung division is a fact beyond dispute and the several Inspectors who have in charge of that division have one and all been informed that one particular house, about 50 yards behind the Tramway Guard, was a notorious gambling den; and what is worse, that the police stationed at the Guard freely patronised the place and that it was practically guarded by them in return for a monthly subsidy. All the effort of the various Inspectors from time to run the house down proved futile until Sunday night when Inspector Carlyle, acting on certain information, rushed the house. Four policemen were seen rushing out, two of whom he arrested, and with great difficulty and damage to himself, being dragged through thorny bushes, held on to. On recognising that one man was the Sergeant of the Guard, he released his hold of him and clung on to the other, whom he recognised to be one of the Constables of the Guard; on returning to the house, the Naik and another Constable were found secreted and Rs. 10, the anedoungs, and some playing cards were found. A charge has been framed against the four men.
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Mr Graham
A gharry wallah sued Mr Graham of the Income Tax Office for Rs. 4-10 gharry hire. Mr Graham admitted the claim but said he had engaged the gharry on public service and could not pay the money till he got it from the office and asked the man to wait, but he would not and went away and sued. The Asst. Magistrate who heard the case said that as he engaged the gharry he was responsible for the hire and consequently ruled that he should pay the amount, Rs. 4-10 with costs of Rs. 4. O’Malley A seaman named Patrick O’Malley was charged before the Asst. Magistrate yesterday with having been drunk and disorderly and resisting the police near the Assembly Rooms on Sunday. The accused admitted being drunk but said he really did not know what he did. His Worship sentenced accused to pay a fine of Rs. 25 or to undergo ten days rigorous imprisonment. |
Capt. Filliter
We are sorry to hear the Capt. Filliter was very unwell on Saturday, so much so as to cause his friends anxiety. He is, however much better now and hopes to be about in a few days. Pegu Bridge The wooden bridge which spans the Pegu river and which has come to grief lately, was completed by the Public Works Dept. in 1873 under the Superintendence of Mr Wallnutt, Asst. Engineer, at a cost of Rs. 37000. It consists of a double road-way supported on quene post trusses in four spans of 50 feet and two spans of 40 feet. The posts suffered considerably by the damages to the tereod navalis and had to be frequently renewed. It was the first bridge every build over the Pegu river and before its construction the Burmese and anyone wishing to cross had to go by boat. |
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Upper Burma Summary – Official
In the Northern Divn. the districts are generally quiet. Shwe Gya, Myook, of Mogaung, was murdered on 28th Aug. in his house by seven Kachins. Two Kachins have been arrested. In Ye-u there was one dacoity, all the property taken being subsequently recovered. In the other districts of the Central Divn. no violent crime was committed. Nine guns were captured from Nga To’s gang by Sagaing and Mandalay Police and five were surrendered in Sagaing. In Minbu the camp of Tha Din was surprised and four prisoners with three guns captured. The Southern Divn. was generally quieter. In Pyinmana one dacoity with murder, and in Yamethin one dacoity was committed. Meiktila was free from violent crime. Thayetmyo News 10th Sept. Fourteen ponies cast from the Mounted Infantry Police were sold by public auction on Wednesday morning in the police station compound. The ponies were on their last legs, pitiable objects to look at and the unfeigned surprise caused by the high prices they fetched sent one and all away in a great state of wonderment. The purchasers would have acted wisely if they made this stipulation with police authorities, i.e. exemption from the charge for cruelty to those animals, if they were inclined to ride them soon after purchase. ... The Judicial Commissioner, Col. Spearman, left Thayetmyo on Friday by the express Beeloo for Henzada. The General Meeting of the Thayetmyo Municipality was held at the Municipal Office, at which the following gentlemen were present: K.G Burne, President, Surgeon E.J. Frenchman, I.M.S., Vice-president, U Noung, U Hle, U Hline, Deen Mahomed, U Tha Shun, Cyin Dun, U Chin O, U Thaik Gyi, Fouzadar Ally and Sit Hlaw, Members. |
Letters to the Editor
Irresponsible Journalism Dear Sir, Your contemporary the Rangoon Gazette in his issue of 5th Sept. 1888 publishes with extreme avidity certain “notes from Pyinmana” – I do not know who the writer of these “notes” is, but with your remission I will give him my name and tell him publicly that he has, in one part of his communication, stooped to falsehood and misrepresentation which should make him hang his head. He informs us that he was “somewhat surprised to see a new face among the Company at the Tennis Court,” and he goes on to say that this “graceful being” (the inverted commas are his,”) whose name is Mrs J. Price, deplomaed midwife, from Madras, played so well that “it is to be hoped that she will be as successful in the treatment of her patients as she was at the tennis court with her bat.” I do not blame your contemporary for publishing the, to put it mildly, above stretches of imagination, as he is probably not aware that the Tennis Court, to which his correspondent so cooly refers, is supported exclusively by the High Officials, both of the Civil and Military, of the station. It is not the place to which Mrs Price would be invited and she is the last person in the world who would ever dream of going into society which is not her own. My wife and I have known Mrs Price for some years and we are proud to be numbered amongst her friends. She was our guest for the first few days after her arrival in Pyinmana and it was to attend a sick lady that she left our house. We shall be glad to welcome her back when she is disengaged. I consider it particularly wrong and unmanly on the part of the Gazette’s correspondent to indulge in so many gratuitous falsehoods. I beg that in justice to the residents of Pyinmana you will allow me to expose the author of the above particulars, who, evidently an interloper, wishes to palm himself off as a member of the Gymkhana Club. Yours faithfully, J.A. Corbett, Pyinmana, 7th Sept. |
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Bhamo News
6th Sept. For the last two years there have been no disturbances between this and Tsenboo but on the 31st Aug. the irrepressible Kachins fell on the passengers of 5 boats some few miles below Tsenboo ... Our Superintendent of Police started immediately in the steam launch on receipt of the information ... Rangoon We have to thank Mr A.W. Lonsdale for a copy of his “First step in Burmese” which has now, we see, reached a third edition. The little book in question is, as its name implies, an introduction to the study of the Burmese language and is likely to be of the greatest assistance to beginners. Yesterday when the names of the gentlemen to serve on the Jury in the Poozoondoung murder case were being called out, Mr T. Davey was absent, he was accordingly fined Rs. 50. |
Htigyaing – Myadaung Dist. News
3rd Sept. 25 dacoits with dahs and guns attacked a gang od D.P.W. road coolies. ... There was also a dacaoity about a month ago at Taumar, a village about 10 miles from Htigyaing on the Lawlin Road ... Rice is very scarce in this district and the poor people are living almost entirely in roots and vegetables. Toungoo News 10th Sept. It appears that the Deputy Commissioner in a judgement in a recent gambling case, which he decided, cast some aspersions on the way the police acted in the discharge of their duty. It is certainly not at all creditable to them that the Deputy Commissioner should be compelled to employ one of his own servants to do the duties of a detective. ... |
Mr Masters
It will be seen by a notice being issued by Mr Masters, who was lately an Inspector in the employ of the Rangoon Municipality and who also holds first class certificates from several Engineers and from the Civil Engineering College at Madras, as a first class Surveyor and Draftsman, that the Municipality have accorded to him the privilege, but not the right, of drawing plans and surveying land for those who intend filing applications to the Municipality for permission to build houses on certain specified plans. This is, no doubt, a boon to those who need the services of a good Draftsman and Surveyor and is a wise step on the part of the Municipality.
A. Barnes
The old soldier, Mr Arthur Barnes of Messrs. Barnes & Co., who, no doubt, still has a love of his old profession, has liberally come forward with a sum of Rs. 500 to be divided into four prizes to be shot for by the regular troops stationed in Burma, European and Native, between 1st and 31st Dec.
It will be seen by a notice being issued by Mr Masters, who was lately an Inspector in the employ of the Rangoon Municipality and who also holds first class certificates from several Engineers and from the Civil Engineering College at Madras, as a first class Surveyor and Draftsman, that the Municipality have accorded to him the privilege, but not the right, of drawing plans and surveying land for those who intend filing applications to the Municipality for permission to build houses on certain specified plans. This is, no doubt, a boon to those who need the services of a good Draftsman and Surveyor and is a wise step on the part of the Municipality.
A. Barnes
The old soldier, Mr Arthur Barnes of Messrs. Barnes & Co., who, no doubt, still has a love of his old profession, has liberally come forward with a sum of Rs. 500 to be divided into four prizes to be shot for by the regular troops stationed in Burma, European and Native, between 1st and 31st Dec.
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Cyclone
We hear that the Port authorities here have received a telegram from Tavoy announcing the near approach of a cyclone and as a precautionary measure have warned the shipping in port by hoisting the storm ball on the yard arm of flagstaff. Employment The Manager and Engineer in Chief of the Burma State Railway has accorded sanction to the office establishment proposed for the Executive Engineer 5th Division, to be as follows from the 1st instant viz: One Head Clerk on Rs. 125 and Mr E. Row, will act in this capacity ... Mr Sherriff We are sorry to hear that Mr Frank Sherriff has a sunstroke on Friday last and is now in the General Hospital. Garnet Man We hear from a reliable source from London by this mail that Mr E. Garnet Man will be out here again next month and that he intends to resume his former practice at the Bar for the next two to three years. Mr Miller Mr W. Miller, the Sub-Manager of the Flotilla, arrived in town on Saturday by the Amarapoora. Various Entertainments An entertainment will be given in the R.V.A. Headquarters on Friday next the 21st instant by the “Wandering Minstrels” in aid of St. Philip’s Church. The public are invited to give this laudable cause their hearty support. A programme of the entertainment will appear in our issue tomorrow giving further particulars. Tickets at Rs. 2 each to all parts of the room can be obtained from Messrs. A. Scott & Co., Messrs. Watson & Summers, Messrs. Edmund Jones & Co. and from the Sergeant Instruction R.V.A. Headquarters. The Concert on Saturday night was fairly attended, the reserved seats being well filled. The assistance given by our amateurs was valuable in strengthening an attractive and decidedly select programme; and all present seemed to thoroughly enjoy the good things provided for them. From a musical point of view, perhaps the most interesting contribution was a quartet for clarinets, excellently played by Mr Birkby and some of his fellow musicians. Mr Preston’s violin fantasia with Mdme. Korff at the piano, ran this hard for second honours. Mdlle. Maillard was in decidedly better voice than on the first night; if possessing no great power, she combines both purity of intonation with a finished style and her voice is much sweeter and more sympathetic than is possible with the more florid and artificial style usually adopted among French artistes: Madam Korff got the leaves of her score mixed while playing a sonata by Schumann but recovered herself ... Of the amateurs it would be unfair to speak individually, as all did well; but Mrs Olive scored so heavily with her beautiful rendering of Bishops “Bid me discourse,” which she gave as an encore, that the audience recalled her and Mr Fox ... The Indian Civil Service The following are the names of the gentlemen selected in 1886 who are declared by the Civil Service Commissioners to have shown a competent knowledge of the subjects of the final examinations and the Presidency or Division of Presidency to which assigned:- W.H. Dawson, Burma B.P. Standen, Burma R.C.M. Symns, Burma The following prizes were awarded:- Mr Dawson, Burmese |
Maymyo
5th Sept. There is nothing of stirring importance to write about from the so-called “Otty” of Upper Burma. Yet there are a few things to note which may be of more or less importance to your many readers concerning the hill station of Pyenulwin, popularly known by the name of Maymyo. My acquaintance with this place of noted fame as a health resort and “Sanitarium” was only made the other day and I am inclined to admit that the reports I have seen chronicled from time to time in some of our local daily and triweekly journals are in the extreme misleading. The medical statistics codified from European and Native troops stationed here, show a very high percentage of sickness. I understand that this has been more marked since the commencement of the rains. The temperature is about 15˚ lower than the generality of garrisoned out-posts in Upper Burma, but the climate is markedly humid and unhealthy during the rainy season. The European troops appear debilitated and worn out and apparently stand very much in need of a change – I think that it may go without saying that before Maymyo is chosen as a depot for sick and convalescents, several radical and effective changes will have to be carried out. It may be taken as a fair maxim that a place within the residents thereof contract fever in a high percentage, is scarcely the resort for feverish subjects getting quit of their malady. I would therefore advise any who contemplate making a visIt to this place “to look before you leap” – as on account of the bad state of the road the difficulties of access are very much increased. I fancy that after the rains the place will be more inviting. I hear a detachment of the Royal Munster Fusiliers, who have been stationed here these last 12 months, leave early in October for Mandalay, when the whole regiment returns to India. It is not settled whether the place will be garrisoned in future by European troops as the statistics are not encouraging. Bernardmyo, I understand, has proved one of the healthiest places in Burma, out of two companies, according to the last reports, there was not a single patient in hospital. The Public Works Department are busy making the road more inviting between here and Mandalay. In certain places the road approaches that of a carriage drive, while in other places you get the pure unadulterated paddy field with a vengeance; here the difficulties of progression are more easily imagined than described. Dacoities are now few and far between, although our poor postman got robbed of his parcels the other day, with a severe dah cut into the bargain. He was brought into the dak bungalow at Pyintha; Surg. V.E. Hunter bandaged up his wounds. He is now progressing favourably; but refuses to carry any more letters without an escort. The road between Pyintha and Tounghoo is still over-run by the plundering and adventure-some Jack Burman, who secludes himself among the cliffs of the mountains, awaiting an easy prey. The weather at present is anything but propitious. We are continually visited by heavy showers of rain. The nights are very cold, necessitating an extra “tarpaulin.” We can’t boast of much in the way of amusements – A fair Polo Team has been organised, which, like the busy bee, is only to be seen in the sunny afternoon - driving away the dull monotony of “out-post” life. A new face has appeared amongst us, that of Surgeon Rogerson Hamilton, Medical Staff, who relieves Surgeon V. E. Hunter of the duties appertaining to the station hospital. We sometimes get a visit from some of our Mandalay friends in want of a change, but, as a rule, I am inclined to think that the benefit to health which the place affords scarcely balances the difficulties in reaching it. |
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Kindat News
12th Sept. Three dacoits submitted to the authorities during the last month. The inhabitants of Kindat and Lukayine Division are in much trouble from the scarcity of food-grain. Kindat is better off at present, on account of the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company boats being able to run as far as this place. The villages above Kindat are badly off; as the river is falling fast, the price of rice has risen from 4 to 7 Rs. Per basket. Last month the Flotilla boat Pathein brought up from 500 to 700 bags of rice; owing to the falling of the river she was not able to proceed further and about 40 country boats came down from those villages and took up some 300 to 400 bags of rice. It will take 10 to 15 days or more to get to their villages. At present the stock of paddy here and above depends entirely on rice from Rangoon; the two steam boats at present on the Chindwin and Kindat run are not able to go up above this place. If they are not replaced by lighter draught boats on this line, it will soon be a hard case for the poor inhabitants of the upper portion of the Chindwin. It will take [a] good four months before the new crops come in. Toungdwingyi 13th Sept. Joy of Joys! A new Postmaster and a new Signaller have arrived and communication goeth again upon golden wheels, the axletree only requiring the customary amount of grease. Considering the weakness of our community, as one piece after another, of riffraff, has been foisted upon us, it is high time that the parties who “bask in the fierce white light that beats about the throne, (I use this because it sounds poetic,) should beam upon us the optic of partiality, favour and affection. From Hardy Andy’s descendants and sons of Bacchus; thou hast delivered us” O Heads of Department and we praise thee, we adore thee and shall continue to do so till thou shalt condescend to afflict us again, when we shall “cuss” thee with bitter and strange “cussing” such as thy conduct hath caused us to invent in days gone by. Two or three dacoit leaders have surrendered during the past week, giving us the usual rusty gun, dah and bag full of all sorts of rubbish, and there is a prospect of more coming in. Crime is decidedly on the decrease. There has been a good deal of rain lately and things are “looking up” but the rain is late and the Burman who began the year with good intentions is consulting his horoscope to see whether or not he will have to dig up the dah and gun which he so cunningly buried at the beginning of Kasone, to enable him to make both ends meet as the year wanes. The Deputy Commissioner and the Dist. Superintendent of Police have gone off to Mergui and our Headquarters will be there, I suppose, ere this reaches you. Many of your readers will be glad to hear that Mr Robinson, who joined the Police from the Public Works Department last year has been, I believe, promoted to Assistant Superintendent. He has worked hard and no one is more deserving. Rumour says that our Dist. Superintendent of Police goes over to the Commission. If rumour is right, the Police will have lost a hard worker and the Commissioner will grin at the Police. This is the fifth or sixth Police Officer that the Commission has taken away this year. |
Mandalay News
Mandalay cannot complain of the paucity of rain; during the past fortnight we have had at least one shower almost every day and the drains are well filled; frogs abound and keep the neighbourhood pretty lively; the heat too is dreadful; no sooner the shower is over than the heat is oppressive, so life here just now is not very enviable; mosquitoes and other insects give but little peace wither day or night. The Chief Commissioner leaves on Friday evening and will be escorted by the Volunteer Mounted Rifles to the place of embarkation. An Article that recently appeared in the Mandalay Herald headed “Land Jobbing” has caused the authorities to call for a return showing the amount of land in the possession of officials. But officials, though low in rank, are far seeing and in many instances have registered the deeds in their wives’ names, so it is a matter of impossibility for the Government to impound them. If this is allowed, the plots of land round about the European quarter which are in the possession of officials, or of their wives and have been in such possession for the past year, without any attempt having been made to build, should be resumed, or the owners forced to build proper houses. The Government has power to resume the land if a house is not built within a year of date of purchase: this is one of the conditions on which land was sold. The Ruby Mines Bombay, 19th Sept. Today’s Times of India understands on good authority that last week’s rumour regarding the Burma Ruby Mines is well founded; the concession granted by Government to Messrs. Streeter and Co. is for nine years instead of five years; Rothchild is interested to the extent of one half in the Mines, the concession is already sold to a syndicate for 200,000 or 300,000, who will, with the aid of Rothchild, being it as a Company on the Stock Exchange; the later details have not yet been finally settled. Thayetmyo 17th Sept. Optician What is the Government about that it is so slow in finding out the needs of its loyal subjects? Is it not a reproach to us to be told at the close of the 19th century and after an occupation of this Province for over 30 years, that people, ailing from optical diseases, have to travel over a thousand miles to consult the only skilful optician in the Madras Presidency? Nay, even in many cases, people with means are known to have gone yet further, either to England or Germany, to interview experts in eye complaints and obtain relief. Institutions have been started for women and children (under distinguished patronage) with the object of substituting scientific and humane treatment of such people, in lieu of the barbarous and murderous course of treatment practiced by natives of this country. ... Why then are we so indifferent and unconcerned about the suffering endured by our fellow creatures in not having a hospital in Rangoon where all ailments connected with our sight can be attended to, at less expense and personal inconvenience to sufferers? ... |
Mr Ayerst
It was with extreme regret that I noticed in the Burma Gazette, published in your issue of the 15th instant, the transfer of Mr Ayerst, Asst. Commissioner, to the Myede Sub-divn. The news alighted on us like a clap of thunder and I have no doubt that many in the station will share with me in the regret expressed. Lt. Ayerst’s stay amongst us has been very short, about three months or so and during this brief period he has endeared himself to the people by the exercise of great care in the disposal of business and by his affable and courteous conduct to both rich and poor; assisting and directing wherever necessary. We have had no less than four Asst. Commissioners in the short space of eight months. It is to be deplored that the administration of this province cannot be carried on without these frequent changes; the system in my humble manner of thinking does not benefit either the officers concerned or the State, but, of course, the Chief Commissioner knows best in such matters.
Irrawaddy Flotilla Co.
Captain Sevenoakes, Agent of the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company for Thayetmyo, I believe, has indented for sufficient timber to erect a landing stage, instead of which, for the present, he has provided the public with an empty flat. All former inconveniences are the same, the only extra difficulty being the crossing over from the flat to the steamer on two boards (not railed) when you must keep your weather-eye open.
Capt. Sevenoakes returned from Pagan on Sunday morning, the 16th instant, having gone there to make suitable arrangements at stations between this and Pagan for the supply of firewood for the use of the Company’s steamers.
Chief Commissioner
The Chief Commissioner arrived here by the Irrawaddy on Sunday, 16th at 1.30 p.m. and was met by the Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police and the Inspector with 15 “Bobbies.” He remained on board all the time he was here and left this morning at 8 a.m.
A few dacoits have been reported this week as having taken place inland and west of Thayetmyo.
We have had a few good showers of rain during the past week but the weather continues close.
Mr White
We hear that Mr H.F. White, Superintending Engineer, 1st Circle, Burma, intends applying for privilege leave sometime next month.
It was with extreme regret that I noticed in the Burma Gazette, published in your issue of the 15th instant, the transfer of Mr Ayerst, Asst. Commissioner, to the Myede Sub-divn. The news alighted on us like a clap of thunder and I have no doubt that many in the station will share with me in the regret expressed. Lt. Ayerst’s stay amongst us has been very short, about three months or so and during this brief period he has endeared himself to the people by the exercise of great care in the disposal of business and by his affable and courteous conduct to both rich and poor; assisting and directing wherever necessary. We have had no less than four Asst. Commissioners in the short space of eight months. It is to be deplored that the administration of this province cannot be carried on without these frequent changes; the system in my humble manner of thinking does not benefit either the officers concerned or the State, but, of course, the Chief Commissioner knows best in such matters.
Irrawaddy Flotilla Co.
Captain Sevenoakes, Agent of the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company for Thayetmyo, I believe, has indented for sufficient timber to erect a landing stage, instead of which, for the present, he has provided the public with an empty flat. All former inconveniences are the same, the only extra difficulty being the crossing over from the flat to the steamer on two boards (not railed) when you must keep your weather-eye open.
Capt. Sevenoakes returned from Pagan on Sunday morning, the 16th instant, having gone there to make suitable arrangements at stations between this and Pagan for the supply of firewood for the use of the Company’s steamers.
Chief Commissioner
The Chief Commissioner arrived here by the Irrawaddy on Sunday, 16th at 1.30 p.m. and was met by the Deputy Commissioner, Superintendent of Police and the Inspector with 15 “Bobbies.” He remained on board all the time he was here and left this morning at 8 a.m.
A few dacoits have been reported this week as having taken place inland and west of Thayetmyo.
We have had a few good showers of rain during the past week but the weather continues close.
Mr White
We hear that Mr H.F. White, Superintending Engineer, 1st Circle, Burma, intends applying for privilege leave sometime next month.
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Mandalay Railway Extension
The Indian Engineering says: It may be taken for granted that the line to Mandalay will not be open on 1st January 1889 and that this event will not take place till about next March. The delay is due to the inability to complete the Sinthay bridge (22 miles north of Pyinmana) for want of girders etc., in the 3rd division and three or four other bridges in the 6th division. The Railway Engineers, especially in the 3rd and 4th divisions, have had indescribably heavy work. Such a season’s work in fact has never been dreamed of in Burma before; but the fates have been against them in every way that was possible. First came famine, then pestilence, hundreds of the workmen dying from cholera and then, most unseasonably, floods, all which caused a delay of two months and finally the breakdown of communications at Sinthay for the cause already explained. |
Crop Summary
The following is a summary of the state and prospects of crops in Burma for the week ending 8th Sept. 1888: Agricultural operations are progressing. In Lower Burma floods are subsiding and the fields, where crops were destroyed, are in many cases being replanted. In Upper Burma the crop prospect is generally improving, notably in Minbu, where there was lately much apprehension about the crops. There has been a fair rainfall in all districts during the week. Cholera still prevails in Prome and Thayetmyo. Cattle-disease is reported from Hanthawaddy, Tharrawaddy, Prome, Thongwa, Thayetmyo, Amherst, Myadaung, Ruby Mines, Minbu and Meiktila districts. The price of paddy has risen in Akyab, Rangoon, Pegu, Bassein, Henzada, Shwegyin, Mergui, Mandalay and Kyaukse districts. Prices have fallen in Tavoy, but else where are stationary. |
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Zeegong
21st Sept. The Chief Commissioner arrived at Gyobingouk on the night of the 18th instant. On the following morning he walked round the town in company with the Financial Commissioner and visited the public buildings, such as he Municipal market, the hospital, guardhouse etc. ... Yesterday’s Durbar was a great success and I think made a very deep and favourable impression of the Burmese community. The distribution, in public, of rewards for faithful and meritorious service had also a beneficial effect. ... At 4 p.m. precisely the Chief Commissioner, attended by his Secretaries, entered ... where he was received by the Financial Commissioner, the Commissioner of Pegu, he Inspector-General of Police ... The Chief Commissioner having taken his seat, Mr Todd Naylor, the Deputy Commissioner, proceeded to present all civil officers and leading residents, amongst whom we noticed the Extra Assistant Commissioner, Moung Tun Aung, Mr Godbier, Moung Paw Tun and Moung Pho, Myokes, and Dumree Lall, local Hospital Assistant. Mr Jamieson then presented his Police Officers, amongst whom were Inspectors Clogstoun and Sherman and Head Constables Folger and Shwe Thaung. ... At the close of the evening Mr Todd Naylor entertained the Chief Commissioner and the leading officials at a dinner at the circuit House ... |
Zeegong
30th Sept. The Chief Commissioner held a Durbar at Goybingouk at 4 o’clock this afternoon. He was received at the structure, constructed for the purpose, by the Financial Commissioner, the Commissioner of Pegu, the Inspector-General of Police, the Deputy Commissioner of Tharrawaddy and several other Civil and Police Officers. The usual guard of honour was furnished and the State Railway Band attended. On the Chief taking his seat, Mr Todd Naylor proceeded to present all the Civil Officers and leading residents; amongst whom were Extra Asst. Commissioners, Myokes, (sic) Hony. Magistrates, Municipal Commissioners and Thugyis. Mr Jamieson, Inspector-General of Police, then presented Police Officers, such as Inspectors, Head Constables and Native Officers. After two addresses of welcome from the Municipal Members of Gyobingouk and Thonzay were read out Sir Charles addressed the assemblage in English, at some length; a translation in Burmese being afterwards delivered. The following distributions for good service were then made; E.A.C. Moung Tun Aung, presented with a letter of thanks from the Chief Commissioner, Moung Paw Tun, Myoke, with a letter of thanks; Mg Pho, Myoke, with a certificate of approved service and promotion; Shwe Thaung, Head Constable, with a certificate and promotion to the rank of Inspector; Oung Gine and Mg Phe, Thugyis, with certificate and a silver mounted dah each; Pho Tu, Oung Min and Cho Doon, Thugyis, with certificates and a revolver each; Tha Ba, an informer, received a certificate, a silk putso and a perpetual free grant of 32 acres of land. The Durbar was a great success and impressed the people deeply. |
Minbu
5th Sept.
During the past six weeks there have been signs of marked improvement in the Minbu district and crime has diminished to a considerable extent. The Police, both Military and Civil have had several successful brushes with dacoits, capturing both men and arms; this has gone a long way in weakening, if not breaking up existing gangs. Military and Police parties have scoured the country far and frequently for the purpose of capturing Byaing-Gee, a noted dacoit leader, who has for a long time harassed the district in the neighbourhood of the Mon creek and made several daring attacks on Police posts; should the energy recently displayed in pursuing him be kept up, his reign will undoubtedly be a short one.
Oktama and his brother Priest Oktaya, the well- known rebel Chiefs, have more or less retired from action for the present; they each have a following of about fifty men, but remain among the hills around Sidotia. More Police have consequently been quartered near Sidotia, including a Kareen (sic) levy and Oktama will, before long we trust, be sent to join his forefathers, as both the Deputy Commissioner and the Military authorities seem determined to rid the district of him.
From Salin energetic endeavours have been made to put down crime. We hear of a night march of nearly 50 miles as having been accomplished by a European and Native Mounted Infantry under Capt. the Hon. E. Noel, Rifle Brigade, accompanied by the Assistant Commission, Mr Collins and a number of Military Police. Some guns and a young elephant were captured and a number of surrenders have, we hear, followed. Great surprise was evinced by the Burmans at the distance covered by the troops in one night and no doubt a beneficial effect will be produced by such a performance. The elephant and guns captured belonged to a minor Chief of Oktama’s followers, the former is said, by the Burmans in Salin, to be of the sacred species known as the White Elephant; but to the eye of a European there is no difference between it and an ordinary elephant and it certainly has nothing of the nature of white about it.
The country around Salin is one vast paddy field and the state of the crops is most satisfactory; nothing but green meets the eye in every direction. The lands are abundantly watered by canals run off from the Salin river; the latter are on an extensive scale and are worked by the Burmans methodically and satisfactorily.
5th Sept.
During the past six weeks there have been signs of marked improvement in the Minbu district and crime has diminished to a considerable extent. The Police, both Military and Civil have had several successful brushes with dacoits, capturing both men and arms; this has gone a long way in weakening, if not breaking up existing gangs. Military and Police parties have scoured the country far and frequently for the purpose of capturing Byaing-Gee, a noted dacoit leader, who has for a long time harassed the district in the neighbourhood of the Mon creek and made several daring attacks on Police posts; should the energy recently displayed in pursuing him be kept up, his reign will undoubtedly be a short one.
Oktama and his brother Priest Oktaya, the well- known rebel Chiefs, have more or less retired from action for the present; they each have a following of about fifty men, but remain among the hills around Sidotia. More Police have consequently been quartered near Sidotia, including a Kareen (sic) levy and Oktama will, before long we trust, be sent to join his forefathers, as both the Deputy Commissioner and the Military authorities seem determined to rid the district of him.
From Salin energetic endeavours have been made to put down crime. We hear of a night march of nearly 50 miles as having been accomplished by a European and Native Mounted Infantry under Capt. the Hon. E. Noel, Rifle Brigade, accompanied by the Assistant Commission, Mr Collins and a number of Military Police. Some guns and a young elephant were captured and a number of surrenders have, we hear, followed. Great surprise was evinced by the Burmans at the distance covered by the troops in one night and no doubt a beneficial effect will be produced by such a performance. The elephant and guns captured belonged to a minor Chief of Oktama’s followers, the former is said, by the Burmans in Salin, to be of the sacred species known as the White Elephant; but to the eye of a European there is no difference between it and an ordinary elephant and it certainly has nothing of the nature of white about it.
The country around Salin is one vast paddy field and the state of the crops is most satisfactory; nothing but green meets the eye in every direction. The lands are abundantly watered by canals run off from the Salin river; the latter are on an extensive scale and are worked by the Burmans methodically and satisfactorily.
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Rangoon Hunt Club
The hounds will meet this evening at St. John’s College at 5 p.m. Mr Krauss has kindly invited the “Hunt” to finish at his house (behind the Cantonment Post Office) and he will be glad to see all the members and their friends at the finish. Mrs Warburton In the Recorder’s Court Mrs Warburton applies for Letters of Administration to her husband’s estate, which was valued at Rs. 1618, consisting of money in the bank, salary due and personal effects. Rangoon The remains of the Burmese hairy family, which went to Europe in 1886 soon after the taking of Mandalay, is now exhibiting at the Brighton Aquarium with Mr Albert Piperus as their guide, philosopher and friend. The old woman, of whom a picture is given in Colonel Yule’s book, died in America but the other members of the family are in good health. They hope to return to Burma in a few months. Rangoon Port Trust Excerpts from the Proceedings of the Two Hundred and Twenty-sixth Meeting of the Commissioners held at their office on Wed. 19th Sept. 1888. Read a letter from the Port Officer dated 8th Sept. forwarding an application from Mr J. L. Lefevre, probationer, Pilot Service, to be examined as to his qualifications for a 4th grade Pilot’s License for the Rangoon river. Resolved that the Port Officer be informed that the Commissioners sanction a Committee being convened for the purpose named. |
Customs Patrol
The Customs Patrol peon, Dilar Khan, acting under instructions from Mr Kings, the Patrol Officer, searched the passengers on board the Irrawaddy steamer Yomah, on the 20th instant, and found a Burman named Moung San Hlau in possession of 990 tolahs of opium, valued at about Rs. 200. The man was handed over to the Police and will be tried on the 23rd instant. Monastic The Royal Burma Chapter, Rangoon, on hearing that His Royal Highness the Duke of Connaught was to be installed as first Principal of Chapter “Keystone,” Bombay, on 15th September, wired its congratulations to that Chapter. Mr S. Oppenheimer, the first Principal of Royal Burma Chapter, received the following telegram from Chapter “Keystone.” “His Royal Highness returns his sincere thanks for your kind congratulations and wishes your Chapter and members every prosperity.” Upper Burma Summary (Official) In Shwebo, Myadaung, Yeu and Myingyan, there were serious dacoities. In Mandalay town there was one by [a] gang of five dacoits, of which three men were arrested. In Sagaing a village headman was murdered. In Sagaing also two dacoit Bos were killed. In Taungdwingyi a gang was pursued by Military Police and one dacoit was killed. In Minbu two important followers of Ottama were captured. In the Eastern division there was no serious dacoity but a police sepoy was shot by dacoits, who exchanged shots with police pursuing them by night. |
Kindat News
17th Sept.
In a previous letter I made mention regarding the scarcity of food grain in the villages above Kindat station; the poor villagers are now subsisting partly on roots and vegetables. The Irrawaddy Flotilla steamer Pathein cannot proceed higher up the river owing to the shallowness in some parts which renders navigation rather too dangerous for large boats like Pathein and Kah Byoo. Rice is being taken up by country boats, they take a long time to get to their destination.
A number of up country boats have arrived here for more rice. Rumours are afloat that parents ae giving away their children to save them from starvation. If the authorities do not take early measures several deaths may be expected from starvation. Unhappily in this emergency all the Officers in charge of this sub-division are away.
The Kah Byoo arrived yesterday with a cargo of about 1000 bags of rice which were readily bought up by up-country boatmen. The price of rice up country is gradually increasing; it is now Rs. 8 per basket.
This morning, shortly after midnight, a severe shock of earth-quake was experienced here. The shock lasted about 3 seconds.
17th Sept.
In a previous letter I made mention regarding the scarcity of food grain in the villages above Kindat station; the poor villagers are now subsisting partly on roots and vegetables. The Irrawaddy Flotilla steamer Pathein cannot proceed higher up the river owing to the shallowness in some parts which renders navigation rather too dangerous for large boats like Pathein and Kah Byoo. Rice is being taken up by country boats, they take a long time to get to their destination.
A number of up country boats have arrived here for more rice. Rumours are afloat that parents ae giving away their children to save them from starvation. If the authorities do not take early measures several deaths may be expected from starvation. Unhappily in this emergency all the Officers in charge of this sub-division are away.
The Kah Byoo arrived yesterday with a cargo of about 1000 bags of rice which were readily bought up by up-country boatmen. The price of rice up country is gradually increasing; it is now Rs. 8 per basket.
This morning, shortly after midnight, a severe shock of earth-quake was experienced here. The shock lasted about 3 seconds.
Mandalay News
20th Sept.
The past week we have had no rain, the weather is something dreadful, dust flying in clouds and making things in general very unpleasant; and to crown all mosquitoes are troublesome both day and night.
The proprietor of the Mandalay Herald has a peculiar knack of ventilating his grievances through the columns of his paper; some time back he went in wholesale against Judge Richardson and now has started with the Forest Department, stating the lack of supervision on drift timber etc.
Our City Fathers are pretty busy in draining the roads; but this portion of their work can be safely set aside for the present as the rains are almost over. We want bridges, culverts, roads made passable, cesspits looked after and precautionary measures taken against fire; a few portable screens on Mr Coath’s principle would be a boon to the thickly populated portion. Then there are low-lying swamps to be filed in, stagnant pools drained; these are actual necessities and wants immediate attention.
The Municipality some months back got up a steam roller; tenders were called for to put it up and deliver in working order; the putting together was done thoroughly by the Flotilla Co., but as to making it over in working condition they are unable to do so as the bridges in existence are not strong enough to allow its crossing; in the meanwhile this “White Elephant” is lying in state on the foreshore bund, in all its glory, and the roads are looking after themselves beautifully.
20th Sept.
The past week we have had no rain, the weather is something dreadful, dust flying in clouds and making things in general very unpleasant; and to crown all mosquitoes are troublesome both day and night.
The proprietor of the Mandalay Herald has a peculiar knack of ventilating his grievances through the columns of his paper; some time back he went in wholesale against Judge Richardson and now has started with the Forest Department, stating the lack of supervision on drift timber etc.
Our City Fathers are pretty busy in draining the roads; but this portion of their work can be safely set aside for the present as the rains are almost over. We want bridges, culverts, roads made passable, cesspits looked after and precautionary measures taken against fire; a few portable screens on Mr Coath’s principle would be a boon to the thickly populated portion. Then there are low-lying swamps to be filed in, stagnant pools drained; these are actual necessities and wants immediate attention.
The Municipality some months back got up a steam roller; tenders were called for to put it up and deliver in working order; the putting together was done thoroughly by the Flotilla Co., but as to making it over in working condition they are unable to do so as the bridges in existence are not strong enough to allow its crossing; in the meanwhile this “White Elephant” is lying in state on the foreshore bund, in all its glory, and the roads are looking after themselves beautifully.
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Railways
We hear the Railway authorities are rapidly pushing on the work of building the bridge over the Sinthai river and also in repairing the ravages made by the floods during the past few months. License Isaac Cohen & Sons made application yesterday to the Commissioner of Pegu for license to vend arms and ammunition. The Commissioner has referred the matter to the Chief Commissioner; Mr Eddis appeared for petitioner. Charitable Society Minutes of a meeting of the Committee of the Rangoon Charitable Society held at the office of the Secretary on the 5th Sept. 1888 ... Present: Reverend’s J. Cushing, D.D., S.P. Long, E. Luce and W. Sisam, E.A. Lutter Esq. and the Secretary. Rev’d. Cushing in the chair. ... The following cases were considered: William Cochrane, assistance in food given Mootama, assistance toward passage given Edmund Burke, application not repeated Wm. Gray, passage given to Tonghoo F. Brown, assistance in food given F. Bullen, a passage given to Calcutta Thos. Coleman, assistance in food given Rachel Marks, assistance given Mrs Cowsell, assistance given Pyinmana 25th Sept. All Pyinmana was out this morning to witness the execution of Nga Lat, of whose capture, I see, you were informed some time ago. From all accounts he was a thorough paced scoundrel, who, in 1886 was the organiser and leader of several dacoit bands, whose chief pleasure seemed to be the hacking to pieces of defenceless coolies for no other reason than that they were “Kalas.” Rumour has it that Nga Lat took a leading part in the two skirmishes in which Lieutenants Shubrick and Eckersley lost their lives and even that he himself shot these officers. ... We have had very little rain during September and to date are several inches behind last year’s fall. |
Thayetmyo News
24th Sept. A performance given on Tuesday, 18th (Staff night) by the elite of Thayetmyo drew the most crowded house ever witnessed here, in spite of the threatening weather and highly priced tickets. ... The cast was as follows:- Mr Robinson, Mr Rideout, Mr Going, Mr Graham, Mr Bradford, Mr Bourke, Mrs Perreau, Mrs Campbell, Mrs Bourke. Acting Manager: Mr G. Bourke. Stage Manager: Mr O’Donnell. Scenic Artist: Pte. Leonard. Presbyterian Church, Rangoon The third organ recital will be given by Mr Frank Sherriff in the above church this evening ... Women’s Association On the 3rd proximo a meting will be held in the Reading Room at the Rangoon station under the presidency of Mr Buyers on behalf of the Women’s Association. A prize of Rs. 9 is offered for the best fruit cake ... The special prize of Rs. 15 offered by Capt. Schuyler for knitting, we believe, is reserved for a future distribution ... Health A board of Medical Officers assembled at the Station Hospital, Rangoon, on the 25th inst. to report on the state of health of 2nd grade Apothecary T.W. Watts, of the Sub-ordinate Medical Dept. First grade Asst. Apothecary A.R.G. Rodrigues is directed to report himself to the Senior Medical Officer, Station Hospital, Rangoon, for duty. Local News The S.S. Palitana with the following passengers and mails passed Saugor Island at 2 p.m. on Thursday: Capt. Masey? Lt. Morton, Lt. Triton, Messrs. Crosthwaite, Slade, Lowe, Todd, Heinrich, Gabriel, Mistress Scutt and child. Burma State Railways The length of line open on the Burma State Railway up to date now is calculated to be 392 miles. |
Mr A.E. Hill
We are sorry to learn of the dismissal of Mr A.E. Hill of the office of the Director of Public Instruction, on account of monetary difficulties, we understand, and his having to seek the assistance of the Insolvent Court. Mr Hill belongs to a family well-known in Moulmain (sic) and Rangoon and has always, we understand, borne the highest character from officers under whom he has served. We believe he is appealing, against the order dismissing him, to the Chief Commissioner and from what we know of the young man and his family, we trust he may be successful. The orders regarding dismissal for insolvency are not, we believe, imperative and they have certainly not hitherto been carried out in Burma, nor is it always to the public advantage that they should be.
Mr C. Hill
We are glad to hear that in consideration of the good services previously rendered by him and of his brother’s recent services in Tharrawaddy, the Chief Commissioner has been pleased to cancel the order of dismissal of Mr Inspector C. Hill, late of Pagandoung. Mr C. Hill will revert to his previous position in the Police and be posted to the Tharrawaddy district, where, we have no doubt, he will prove that the kindness of the Chief has not been bestowed on an unworthy recipient.
Mr Millar
Last Wednesday evening a Punjabi Policeman was seen by Mr Millar, the Superintendent of the Fytche Square gardens, walking on the new grass at the site where the band plays, Mr Millar spoke to him rather sharply about it, on which he got insolent. Mr Millar then struck him, the man retaliating with his baton. Mr Millar did not forget to take his number down.
Capt. Berry
We have just received from Capt. Berry, Rangoon Pilot Service, a very interesting pamphlet containing a full account of the life of the late Admiral Pim and the description of a brass memorial tablet towards which the Rangoon Pilots subscribed.
Police
Mr J. Dixon, Superintendent of Police, Hanthawaddy district, officiates for Mr J. D. Jamieson as Inspector-General, the latter officer proceeding on three months’ leave to England by tomorrow morning’s [29th Sept] mail steamer.
We are sorry to learn of the dismissal of Mr A.E. Hill of the office of the Director of Public Instruction, on account of monetary difficulties, we understand, and his having to seek the assistance of the Insolvent Court. Mr Hill belongs to a family well-known in Moulmain (sic) and Rangoon and has always, we understand, borne the highest character from officers under whom he has served. We believe he is appealing, against the order dismissing him, to the Chief Commissioner and from what we know of the young man and his family, we trust he may be successful. The orders regarding dismissal for insolvency are not, we believe, imperative and they have certainly not hitherto been carried out in Burma, nor is it always to the public advantage that they should be.
Mr C. Hill
We are glad to hear that in consideration of the good services previously rendered by him and of his brother’s recent services in Tharrawaddy, the Chief Commissioner has been pleased to cancel the order of dismissal of Mr Inspector C. Hill, late of Pagandoung. Mr C. Hill will revert to his previous position in the Police and be posted to the Tharrawaddy district, where, we have no doubt, he will prove that the kindness of the Chief has not been bestowed on an unworthy recipient.
Mr Millar
Last Wednesday evening a Punjabi Policeman was seen by Mr Millar, the Superintendent of the Fytche Square gardens, walking on the new grass at the site where the band plays, Mr Millar spoke to him rather sharply about it, on which he got insolent. Mr Millar then struck him, the man retaliating with his baton. Mr Millar did not forget to take his number down.
Capt. Berry
We have just received from Capt. Berry, Rangoon Pilot Service, a very interesting pamphlet containing a full account of the life of the late Admiral Pim and the description of a brass memorial tablet towards which the Rangoon Pilots subscribed.
Police
Mr J. Dixon, Superintendent of Police, Hanthawaddy district, officiates for Mr J. D. Jamieson as Inspector-General, the latter officer proceeding on three months’ leave to England by tomorrow morning’s [29th Sept] mail steamer.
Pagan News
25th Sept.
We have been having frequent showers of rain during the past few weeks. The country all round is beautifully green. Crops look in a thriving condition. The river is now steadily falling. Capt. Eyre having re-joined from his short leave, left for Pokoko (sic) on the 9th instant with Mrs Eyer and assumed charge of the new Pokoko district from Mr Stevenson, who now goes to the Yetago subdivision. Pagan is now settling down into the ways of a quiet subdivision. With the exception of the hospitals, all Headquarter establishments have gone across to Pokoko; the hospitals will have to wait till some sort of accommodation is provided for them at Pokoko. The Native Assistant Surgeon has been transferred to Mogok and Apothecary Peacock has taken his place at the Civil Hospital here.
The British troops have returned from cholera camp. The men are now all doing well. The change to Pagan has done the Bhamo invalids an immense amount of good. The services of Surgeon Stewart being no longer required for cholera duty, he was transferred to Pabwye, where he assumes medical charge of the troops quarters at that post.
Lt. Brett’s troop of cavalry is still out in camp. They have, however, had no recent cases of anthrax, so it is to be hoped that they have now shaken off the disease. The Farrier Havildar of the troop, I hear, had a narrow escape from contracting the fell disease. In examining a horse he received a scratch and shortly after the arm became swollen. Under treatment however no further ill effects follows and he is now quite well again.
Heliographic communication between Pagan and Pokoko has now been taken over by the Telegraph Department. All hele messages have now to be paid for at the usual telegraph rates.
25th Sept.
We have been having frequent showers of rain during the past few weeks. The country all round is beautifully green. Crops look in a thriving condition. The river is now steadily falling. Capt. Eyre having re-joined from his short leave, left for Pokoko (sic) on the 9th instant with Mrs Eyer and assumed charge of the new Pokoko district from Mr Stevenson, who now goes to the Yetago subdivision. Pagan is now settling down into the ways of a quiet subdivision. With the exception of the hospitals, all Headquarter establishments have gone across to Pokoko; the hospitals will have to wait till some sort of accommodation is provided for them at Pokoko. The Native Assistant Surgeon has been transferred to Mogok and Apothecary Peacock has taken his place at the Civil Hospital here.
The British troops have returned from cholera camp. The men are now all doing well. The change to Pagan has done the Bhamo invalids an immense amount of good. The services of Surgeon Stewart being no longer required for cholera duty, he was transferred to Pabwye, where he assumes medical charge of the troops quarters at that post.
Lt. Brett’s troop of cavalry is still out in camp. They have, however, had no recent cases of anthrax, so it is to be hoped that they have now shaken off the disease. The Farrier Havildar of the troop, I hear, had a narrow escape from contracting the fell disease. In examining a horse he received a scratch and shortly after the arm became swollen. Under treatment however no further ill effects follows and he is now quite well again.
Heliographic communication between Pagan and Pokoko has now been taken over by the Telegraph Department. All hele messages have now to be paid for at the usual telegraph rates.
Htigyaing
18th Sept.
Htigyaing was the scene of some excitement last Saturday morning [22nd Sept.] when it was discovered that the Executive Engineer, Lt. Beebor, R.E., had been murdered in bed the previous night. About his face and body he had received forty wounds, his throat being cut right across and he had been stabbed through the heart. The murder was not discovered till his servant went in the morning to take him his chota hazri. Whether there was more than one assassin implicated in this diabolical murder, is not yet known, nor is it known if the villain who perpetrated the deed was a Burman or native f India; I believe Rs. 1000 has been offered for information that will lead to the apprehension of the scoundrel. The down Mail boat was at Htigyaing on Friday night, leaving early on Saturday morning so it is very probable that the murderer or murderers made their escape on it. The clothes and several articles of the murdered man were taken away but whether any money was stolen from the office of the D.P.W., which is underneath the deceased’s bedroom, or what was the motive for the crime, cannot be conjectured. The body was buried with Military Honours on the afternoon of Saturday.
Minbu
26th Sept.
I send you a short description of his station and our doings which I trust will be of interest to some of your readers. Minbu, a military post and a large village of rising importance, stands on the west bank of the Irrawaddy about 50 miles north of Thayetmyo.
The Cantonments are in the lower end of the town, the troops consisting of a company of the Rifle Brigade about 100 strong, European and Native Mounted Infantry and four Companies of the 33rd Bengal Infantry. The Colonel of the 33rd is the Officer Commanding the station. The Commissioner lives at the southern end of the fort in a large and prettily built house at the bottom of a pagoda; and close by the Executive Engineer’s house is being constructed; the site has been well chosen as it is on a hill and commands an extensive view of the river – the building is of brick and must have cost a tidy sum. The Barracks are of wood, large and airy, standing in the centre of the stockade. The Post Office is a new wooden building, but being at the far end of the town, it is very inconvenient for the town people. It is rumoured that the post Office will be shortly removed to the town, the Telegraph Office occupying their present building.
A cricket match was played last week between the Civil and Station Staff vs. Rifle Brigade. The match was a drawn one, but in favour of the former. The Rifles made 68 in their first and 107 in their second innings; while the Civil 104 in their first innings and 2 wickets for over 40 runs when stumps were drawn for that day, leaving three of their best batters yet to play. Mr Morrison, the Telegraph Master, made the highest score on the Civil side and was one of their bowlers. Lt. Mulllins and Mr Beale batted very well, Mr Burrows, their best bowler, through indisposition could not play in this match, his twist to the leg bowling is very difficult to bat. The fielding of the Rifles was excellent and the “sneaking” of runs by Sergt. Hawksford very marked. Dr. Tate and Lt. the Hon’ble St. Aubyn for the Rifle Brigade were nowhere in the match although in previous ones they always made their double figures.
The Volunteer inspection comes off next month and they are practicing every morning in order that they may gain as good a name in drilling as they did in shooting.
The Headquarters of the Police and the Deputy Commissioner, have been removed to Pyilanjaw, an island station 25 miles from Minbu.
The new silk stall market building requires only roofing and walling to complete it but for weeks past no work has been done – the reason, it is presumed, being want of funds.
The river has fallen considerably; sandbanks are making their appearance to the danger of the mail steamers who still come up to the new landing stage opposite the Cantonments.
No repairs are being done to the roads, some of them sadly require a touching up.
The public health in the town Is improving – not many cases of malarial fever now. Health of troops good.
18th Sept.
Htigyaing was the scene of some excitement last Saturday morning [22nd Sept.] when it was discovered that the Executive Engineer, Lt. Beebor, R.E., had been murdered in bed the previous night. About his face and body he had received forty wounds, his throat being cut right across and he had been stabbed through the heart. The murder was not discovered till his servant went in the morning to take him his chota hazri. Whether there was more than one assassin implicated in this diabolical murder, is not yet known, nor is it known if the villain who perpetrated the deed was a Burman or native f India; I believe Rs. 1000 has been offered for information that will lead to the apprehension of the scoundrel. The down Mail boat was at Htigyaing on Friday night, leaving early on Saturday morning so it is very probable that the murderer or murderers made their escape on it. The clothes and several articles of the murdered man were taken away but whether any money was stolen from the office of the D.P.W., which is underneath the deceased’s bedroom, or what was the motive for the crime, cannot be conjectured. The body was buried with Military Honours on the afternoon of Saturday.
Minbu
26th Sept.
I send you a short description of his station and our doings which I trust will be of interest to some of your readers. Minbu, a military post and a large village of rising importance, stands on the west bank of the Irrawaddy about 50 miles north of Thayetmyo.
The Cantonments are in the lower end of the town, the troops consisting of a company of the Rifle Brigade about 100 strong, European and Native Mounted Infantry and four Companies of the 33rd Bengal Infantry. The Colonel of the 33rd is the Officer Commanding the station. The Commissioner lives at the southern end of the fort in a large and prettily built house at the bottom of a pagoda; and close by the Executive Engineer’s house is being constructed; the site has been well chosen as it is on a hill and commands an extensive view of the river – the building is of brick and must have cost a tidy sum. The Barracks are of wood, large and airy, standing in the centre of the stockade. The Post Office is a new wooden building, but being at the far end of the town, it is very inconvenient for the town people. It is rumoured that the post Office will be shortly removed to the town, the Telegraph Office occupying their present building.
A cricket match was played last week between the Civil and Station Staff vs. Rifle Brigade. The match was a drawn one, but in favour of the former. The Rifles made 68 in their first and 107 in their second innings; while the Civil 104 in their first innings and 2 wickets for over 40 runs when stumps were drawn for that day, leaving three of their best batters yet to play. Mr Morrison, the Telegraph Master, made the highest score on the Civil side and was one of their bowlers. Lt. Mulllins and Mr Beale batted very well, Mr Burrows, their best bowler, through indisposition could not play in this match, his twist to the leg bowling is very difficult to bat. The fielding of the Rifles was excellent and the “sneaking” of runs by Sergt. Hawksford very marked. Dr. Tate and Lt. the Hon’ble St. Aubyn for the Rifle Brigade were nowhere in the match although in previous ones they always made their double figures.
The Volunteer inspection comes off next month and they are practicing every morning in order that they may gain as good a name in drilling as they did in shooting.
The Headquarters of the Police and the Deputy Commissioner, have been removed to Pyilanjaw, an island station 25 miles from Minbu.
The new silk stall market building requires only roofing and walling to complete it but for weeks past no work has been done – the reason, it is presumed, being want of funds.
The river has fallen considerably; sandbanks are making their appearance to the danger of the mail steamers who still come up to the new landing stage opposite the Cantonments.
No repairs are being done to the roads, some of them sadly require a touching up.
The public health in the town Is improving – not many cases of malarial fever now. Health of troops good.
Judicial
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Dr. McLeod
A gharry wallah yesterday charged Dr. McLeod, the dentist, with refusing to pay his gharry hire, accused stated on oath that Mr McLeod had the use of his gharry for two whole days. Mr McLeod on the other hand admitted having had the gharry for only 12 hours and that he tendered the man the only loose rupee he had with him and told him to call for the remainder in the morning. He asked His Worship to grant him compensation as the charge was a vexatious one. His Worship replied that if Mr McLeod had paid up the full 12 hours fare and the man then sued him, the case might have been called a vexation one; but as he only tendered one rupee, he could not well call it vexatious; he therefore ordered that the |
Local News
Mr Reardon, of the Preventive Service, made three seizures of ganja two on the Madras steamer ... and one on the Calcutta steamer. ... The three men were charged before the Junior Ass. Magistrate ... Inspector Macmanus A further hearing of the case against Mr Inspector Macmanus was resumed before the Asst. Magistrate yesterday, when the complainant’s wife and a Chetty were examined. The complainant’s wife said that it was she who arranged to pay the Rs. 50 for the release of her husband and that she went to a Chetty and mortgaged her jewels and got the money and handing it to Mr Macmanus. The Chetty spoke to having lent the money to complainant’s wife on some jewellery. The further hearing was then adjourned till 4th instant. |
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Robbery
We understand that a robbery of an atrocious character has been committed in the residential chambers of Mr A.J. Read, Barrister-at-Law. Mr Read went out of Rangoon for four or five days and on his return found that a clean sweep had been made of the whole of his wearing apparel even down to boots and shoes. The case is in the hands of Baboo Khan who will no doubt in due time hand the culprits over to justice. Two Madrassee boys are at present under suspicion. |
Assault
The case of assault against Mr Evans the Chief Officer of the Scindiah was called on Saturday last before the Asst. Magistrate, when it was proved that the complainant had been several times that day been warned off the vessel, but in spite he persisted in going on board and buying fowls from the khalasies who smuggle them on board; and that the man’s money was refunded to him and the fowls thrown overboard, there being a strict order against the ship’s servants trafficking. Nothing beyond the complainant being warned having been proved, the Magistrate discharged the accused. |
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Ganja
In spite of the numerous arrests and the heavy fines in ganja cases, the importation does not seem in any way to abate and many are the artful didges to land it without detection; the latest of which was in the case of a peon in the Commissariat department, who was a passenger from Madras by the Secundra. He managed to make up a double cased bed of about 800 tolahs of the drug but Mr Preventive Officer Reardon was too sharp to be done so easily and the man was nabbed and now awaits his trial. Assault A German master carpenter named Henry Waiter sued another German named Haymann before the Asst. Magistrate yesterday for having assaulted him on Sunday last, causing a severe blackeye and asked that the accused should be bound down to keep the peace towards him; accused admitted the assault but pleaded provocation. His Worship after going into the evidence, came to the conclusion that there was no provocation and that the assault was quite uncalled for and fined the accused Rs. 20 and directed that he should sign a recognizance bond for Rs. 100 to keep the peace towards the complainant for the space of one year. |
Damages
We understand that in the action by Hugh Fraser, the Judicial Commissioner’s award is Rs. 15,000 damages, plus Rs. 5,000 nomine expensarum, plaintiff to pay his own costs. We hope to print the full judgement shortly. Inspector MacManus The case in which Inspector MacManus of the River Police is charged with receiving an illegal gratification was resumed before the Asst. Magistrate yesterday when the case for the prosecution was closed. The case for the defence has been fixed for the 14th instant. Before the Additional Recorder First day, Mon. 10th Sept. Queen Empress Vs Swamy Alias Ramaswamy – Accused who is an old offender with 4 previous convictions against him, was charged with theft. Messrs. J. Binning (Foreman) A. Sutherland, E.C. Moylan, Jas. Gahan and George Agar were empanelled on the Jury. Prisoner pleaded guilty ... |
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Legal
The case of the Queen Empress versus Kyaw Zah Oo, late Forest Overseer in the Pegu Circle, was heard ... Mr A.D. Christopher appeared for the prosecution and Mr F.N. Burn fio the accused. The charge was one of criminal breach of trust as a public servant in respect of three sums of Rs. 9, Rs. 11-4 and Rs. 11-4 said to have been paid to accused ... when certain permits to cut mangoe and pingado wood was given to [him]. No entry of receipts of such amounts appeared in accused’s cash book. Mr Rosario of the Forest Department gave evidence regarding accused’s duties. ... As the accused was given bail to extent of Rs. 4000 and security in the Forest Office to extent of Rs. 2000, he was allowed to remain on bail ... Before The Addition Recorder Queen Empress vs. Ramen and Kurapaya The accused stand charged with the murder of a name named Palaneandy ... The following gentlemen were empanelled on the Jury: A. Pennycuick (Foreman) W.R. Hewett, W. Mutter, Jas. Allmark and A. Malcolm. Eleven witnesses ... Correction From our contemporary’s report of what took place yesterday in the case of Queen Empress versus Proprietor, Printer and Publisher, Rangoon Gazette, it would appear that both the learned Judge and the Counsel for accused were under the impression that only one case of the kind existed in the late Mr Wilkinson’s time. As a matter of fact this is not the case, the late Mr McPhail, then editing the Rangoon Gazette, was once brought up for contempt of Court in writing about the cause of Queen versus Chick Kan and others. The late Mr F. Housman was then the Recorder. This was in 1870, if we remember right. Mr McPhail apologised and the Court accepted his apology. |
Recorders Court
Judgement was passed on Thursday by the Additional Recorder in the case of Ma Gyee versus 1, Catchick, 2, Moung Loogalay; Mr Burn appeared for the plaintiff and Mr Vertannes for 1st defendant. Plaintiff was the daughter of one Ma Thwai who lived for some years with Catchick as his wife. In 1887 he executed a deed of gift of certain jewellery to her, specifying the articles and their value and registering it. Ma Thwai died in January last, when Ma Gyee claimed the property as daughter of Ma Thwai and as she could not get her brother to join her in the suit, he being in Upper Burma, she made him a defendant in the suit. Catchick contested the suit inasmuch as he claimed to deduct monies paid for medical attendance on the deceased and for her funeral, which was said to have been largely attended and in which 16 phoongies obtained presents worth over Rs. 300. His Honour said these were all gratuitous payments on the part of Catchick and he could not be allowed to virtually set aside a formal document like the registered deed of gift, which would be the result of allowing him to deduct the monies he wished to do. As regards one of the articles, a pearl necklace, it has not been bought, but was to have been bought. The value would not be included. The remainder of the property must be brought into Court, or if that was not done a decree would pass for its value with costs Rs. 2,532. After payment of costs the plaintiff would receive one share and her brother two shares, according to the proportion laid down in the 66th section of the 10th chapter of the Damathat, which seemed to be the law for divisions of property on the death of a mother leaving one daughter and one son, not in the house at the time of her death. |
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Before The Additional Recorder
12th Sept. On the Additional Recorder taking his seat on the Bench yesterday he called attention to a paragraph that appeared in our contemporary’s local columns purporting to report a pending murder case. His Honour remarked upon the inaccuracy of the report and said a statement in it was not only absolutely untrue but a gross contempt of Court. He should deal with the offending paper when the orders in the pending contempt of Court case on the point of Jurisdiction were passed by the learned Recorder. Mr Grant said he was the author of the report in question. His Honour said he was the more surprised that a Barrister, however young and inexperienced, should have made an absolutely untrue statement in a case in which he was engaged and which was pending. He should note what Mr Grant said and would include him in the rule to the publisher of the Gazette when it was issued. Mr Grant apologised most humbly and the business of the day proceeded. MacManus The case in which Mr Inspector MacManua (sic) of the River Police was charged by a sampan wallah with having received Rs. 50 from him as an illegal gratification in consideration of having let him off in a case in which he was to be charged under the Excise Act for carrying ganjah in his sampan, was called on before the Asst. Magistrate on Saturday last, when Mr Macmanus was acquitted; the Magistrate being of opinion that the whole of the evidence for the prosecution was incredible. Mr Macmanus asked for permission to prosecute the complainant for preferring a false charge; the Magistrate referred him to the District Magistrate. |
Mr Moylan
On taking his seat yesterday morning, the learned Officiating Recorder intimated he would pass judgement on Mr Moylan’s matter this morning. Mr Moylan, we understand, proceeds to Calcutta by today’s mail. Arrests Mr Lewis, Excise Officer, on Wednesday last, arrested four Chinamen in the Joss house in Crisp Street for being in possession of 12 tolahs of opium. O’Sullivan The case of O’Sullivan, late Tawa Lock Toll Collector, committed by the District Judge of Pegu for criminal breach of trust, has arrived here, and will be tried at the present Sessions. The Additional Recorder is unwilling to expose the accused, who is in jail, to the hardship of waiting seven weeks for trial, which would be the ordinary course we understand, if the case were not taken up now. We think arrangements should be made next year for monthly Sessions in Rangoon; delays in Sessions cases would then be of comparatively rare occurrences. Cattle Trespass Martin Brown, Nazarally Annoorally and Ameerally were brought up before the Asst. Magistrate on Saturday the 15th instant for cattle trespass and also under Section 183, Indian Penal Code, by Mr Inspector Fredrico on the 12th instant. Mr Fredrico and two soldiers proved that Mr Martin (sic) was preventing the cattle which had been seized on the road from being driven into the Thanna – he was found guilty and fined Rupees ten; the other three were also guilty and were accordingly fined Rupees one each. |
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Accused
Mr Read, Barrister-at-Law, charged two of his servants ... before the Asst. Magistrate yesterday with criminal breach of trust in respect of some of his clothing, valued at Rs. 216, which Mr Read alleged he had entrusted to their keeping, but which could not now be found. His Worship discharged the accused, saying that there was no evidence that the clothing had been entrusted to their keeping. Mr Fraser Soap Fraser’s case has been set down for hearing before the Additional Recorder on Wednesday, 19th, but as the present Sessions are being held by the Additional Recorder and are not like[ly] to be finished by that date, it is probable that the case will not be heard until after the vacation. Before the Additional Recorder 5th day, 17th Sept. 1888 Queen Empress vs 1. Nga Shwe Lon, …4 … This, the river robbery case was brought to a conclusion yesterday after a long trial of four days. The gentlemen empanelled as a Jury were as follows:- J. Dalrymple, Foreman, T. Lang, E.T. Neale, J. Rae and Moung Tu. ... The Jury fund the prisoners guilty of two charges and the third having been withdrawn the Judge sentenced each of the accused to seven years’ transportation in lieu of rigorous imprisonment on each charge or in all 14 years’ transportation for each accused. After the above trial was concluded the Sessions Judge took evidence in the case of Queen Empress vs Sullivan, charged with Criminal Breach of Trust, as to the accused being a British born subject. Mr Page for Mr Grant showed cause. The trial begins today, some six charges in all being against the accused. Mr Fraser Yesterday Mr Read moved the Officiating Recorder to decide the case of Soap Fraser before the vacation, stating that his client was in straitened circumstances. Mr Lowis, who will move that the award of the Judicial Commissioner as arbitrator be set aside, on account of the plaintiff having neglected to give certain information, offered no objection, and the case, which promises to be interesting, was set down for hearing on Friday. Mr Hare On Mr Sherlock Hare called to appear with reference to his conduct in the case of the B.B.T.C., Mr Hare being absent the Officiating Recorder fixed the case for hearing on Friday and said formal notice would be served on him. Mr Moylan We hear that a telegram has been received from Calcutta that Mr Moylan’s appeal is set down for hearing before the High Court, Calcutta, on the 25th November. Mr Moylan will be represented by Sir Gregory Chater Paul, the Advocate General, and Mr Gasper. |
Before the Additional Recorder
6th Day, 18th Sept. 1888 Queen Empress vs. Sullivan The accused in this case, late Collector of Tolls at the Tawa Lock in the Pegu Canal, was placed in the dock yesterday morning charged with criminal breach of trust as a public servant and with having framed incorrect documents as such public servant with intent to injure. The charges related to some three cases but only one of the three was taken up by the Asst. Government Advocate. The accused having pleaded Not Guilty to them, the following gentlemen were empanelled as Jury, Mr Geo. Agar, Foreman, Messrs. A. Malcolm, A. Pennycuick, Jos. Allmark, J. Binney. The Crown Prosecutors in opening the case, said that the accused, with two other officials, were in charge of the toll collections of the Canal. There was the gauger who measured and numbered the boats wishing to pass through the Canal; the accused who received the tolls and issued tickets to the boats and the ticket collector who sent on the tickets after collection to the officer in charge of the division of Public Works at Pegu. It was the duty of the accused not only to receive the tolls but to keep daily registers and from these registers to prepare daily abstracts for submission for check[ing] in due course. A boat entering the Canal usually did so empty, passed up in this state and generally returned laden with paddy. There were not only different charges for sizes of boats, but the charges also varied with the condition of the boats when passing, that is whether empty or full. A boat which had once entered could not again enter the lock without having previously returned through it. In the first case taken up, which concerned the sum of Rs. 5-4-0 only, the boatman, Moung Bogee, whose number was 4,502 had first entered the lock on the 1st of February last. There was however, no register of his return; and yet he was found entering the lock again on 15th February. Similar occurrences had happened with reference to others and the charges relate to such as having occurred between 29th January and 5th February, the 5th and 11th February, the 1st and 10th, as well as, 10th and 20th February. Full details of all these, together with evidence in support of the charges, would be placed before the Jury in due course. There are altogether three groups of charges, concerning a total sum of about Rs.15. But the amount did not matter, the offences charged being serious ones. Besides, although in these cases the amount was small, still that did not give a proper idea of the defalcations which had occurred, it having been estimated that the whole value of such during a year came up to some 2,000 rupees. There were some nine witnesses for the prosecution and it was not till half past six in the evening that the case was brought to a close. No evidence was called for the defence and after addresses from Counsel, the Judge summed up more carefully. The Jury without retiring, brought in a unanimous verdict of Not Guilty when the accused was acquitted and discharged. The Asst. Government Advocate then intimated he would not proceed with the other group of charges. |
In the Court of the Recorder of Rangoon - The case of Soap Fraser
Civil Reg. no. 137 of 1888 before Charles Edmund Fox Esq., offg. Addl. Recorder of Rangoon
In the case of Hugh Fraser, Mr Lowis moved that the arbitrator’s award should be set aside owing to a suppression of material evidence in the plaintiff’s statement, to wit, that he had been convicted of obtaining money under false pretences at a former date and sentenced to imprisonment. This, Mr Lowis urged, would materially lessen the damages; he would ask that the case should again be referred to the arbitrator for an assessment of damages under the new features the case presented. On behalf of the plaintiff, it was urged that a conviction as long as fourteen years was immaterial; and that it would in no way lessen the damage the plaintiff had received. The Additional Recorder concurred; and the award of the arbitrator will now go up for confirmation by the Judicial
Judgement
This is an application to have the award made by the arbitrator in this case set aside, on the ground that the plaintiff Fraser had been guilty of fraudulent concealment of his having been imprisoned for a criminal offence fourteen years ago and on the ground that he ought to have disclosed this fact and that he wilfully misled and deceived the arbitrator. which the damages would necessarily have to be based. It is now said that if the arbitrator had known the facts disclosed in the affidavit of Mr Hall, his opinion as to the plaintiff’s statement of his position in life and sources of income at the time of his accident might have been affected. That may be so, but the question now is whether the plaintiff was guilty of fraudulent concealment of any matter which he ought to have disclosed. It appears to me that the question before the arbitrator resting entirely on what the plaintiff’s position in life and his sources of income were at the time of the accident, he was not bound to disclose a matter which only could be incidentally in point and that it cannot be said that he wilfully misled or deceived the arbitrator on the material matter before him. I therefore reject this application with costs. Two gold mohurs are allowed as Advocate’s fee.
C.E. Fox, offg. Addl. Recorder.
Civil Reg. no. 137 of 1888 before Charles Edmund Fox Esq., offg. Addl. Recorder of Rangoon
In the case of Hugh Fraser, Mr Lowis moved that the arbitrator’s award should be set aside owing to a suppression of material evidence in the plaintiff’s statement, to wit, that he had been convicted of obtaining money under false pretences at a former date and sentenced to imprisonment. This, Mr Lowis urged, would materially lessen the damages; he would ask that the case should again be referred to the arbitrator for an assessment of damages under the new features the case presented. On behalf of the plaintiff, it was urged that a conviction as long as fourteen years was immaterial; and that it would in no way lessen the damage the plaintiff had received. The Additional Recorder concurred; and the award of the arbitrator will now go up for confirmation by the Judicial
Judgement
This is an application to have the award made by the arbitrator in this case set aside, on the ground that the plaintiff Fraser had been guilty of fraudulent concealment of his having been imprisoned for a criminal offence fourteen years ago and on the ground that he ought to have disclosed this fact and that he wilfully misled and deceived the arbitrator. which the damages would necessarily have to be based. It is now said that if the arbitrator had known the facts disclosed in the affidavit of Mr Hall, his opinion as to the plaintiff’s statement of his position in life and sources of income at the time of his accident might have been affected. That may be so, but the question now is whether the plaintiff was guilty of fraudulent concealment of any matter which he ought to have disclosed. It appears to me that the question before the arbitrator resting entirely on what the plaintiff’s position in life and his sources of income were at the time of the accident, he was not bound to disclose a matter which only could be incidentally in point and that it cannot be said that he wilfully misled or deceived the arbitrator on the material matter before him. I therefore reject this application with costs. Two gold mohurs are allowed as Advocate’s fee.
C.E. Fox, offg. Addl. Recorder.
Mr Hare’s Case
On the case of Mr Hare being called, he appeared in person. The Recorder stated his position was that a Promissory Note was not a contract but a valuable security that he had taken from his client when little or no work had been done. A Promissory Note is transferable and it is on an entirely different footing to an agreement of any kind. Mr Hare said it would be difficult to draw an agreement that would be payable in any event; it was done in the interests of the client alone, to secure the payment in any event. Mr Hare had been obliged to expose himself to save his client. He said that he had no wish to discuss the matter in Court, as it might seem to be tantamount to questioning its authority; this was not his contention and he was prepared to accept the judgement of the Court. But he submitted the matter was not within the jurisdiction of the Court and it was hardly fair to say he had done no work as he had filed the plaint and they were half through the case. This Court has never assumed the power to tax costs and cannot interfere in this matter; in these matters lawyer and client could make their own agreement. The man knew what he was doing and knew that his only way of suing as a pauper would be by giving a promissory note and not an agreement; the latter would have prevented him so suing. He asked that the Court would kindly point out the best way of working. The Court was of opinion that the best way would be to take money down before moving in the suit. If a man cannot pay for legal advice, he ought not to get it on credit. Mr Hare said that most people got everything else on credit and he thought there was no reason why the system should not apply generally. The Court said it wished to strongly discountenance this system of taking Promissory Notes in advance, Mr Hare pointed out that the note was payable to order and was not endorsed; it was of no value until endorsed. The Court said that as Mr Hare was ready to give up the note, it would merely point out that this system of giving credit to litigants was simply to direct encouragement to them, however unfair their action. Mr Hare said that unfortunately the Advocates could not work otherwise. The Court disapproved of the system and said it should be discouraged. Mr Hare intimated, in reply to a question, that he placed himself entirely in the hands of the Court.
His Honour, passing orders, said that Mr Hare, having placed himself entirely in the hands of the Court and having stated that he was prepared to carry out whatever order the Court thought it necessary to make and having also intimated his readiness to return the Promissory Note to his client, Htoon On, in deference to the opinion of the Court, His Honour did not think it necessary to do anything more than say that the practice (if practice there be) of taking Promissory Notes from clients for considerable sums of money, when little or no work had been done, was highly objectionable. The matter having come to the notice of the Court, it was its duty to say it was an improper proceeding, one which could not be overlooked or permitted. Mr Hare seemed unable to distinguish between a Promissory Note and an ordinary agreement. The difference however, had been pointed out in various ways in the reference and in the course of the statement which Mr Hare himself had just made. His Honour expressed a hope that this expression of the Court’s disapproval of this practice would put an end to it, that the Court would never again have occasion to deal with another care of this kind. The facts had been found in favour of Mr Hare and therefore His Honour did not think it necessary to say or do anything further in the matter.
On the case of Mr Hare being called, he appeared in person. The Recorder stated his position was that a Promissory Note was not a contract but a valuable security that he had taken from his client when little or no work had been done. A Promissory Note is transferable and it is on an entirely different footing to an agreement of any kind. Mr Hare said it would be difficult to draw an agreement that would be payable in any event; it was done in the interests of the client alone, to secure the payment in any event. Mr Hare had been obliged to expose himself to save his client. He said that he had no wish to discuss the matter in Court, as it might seem to be tantamount to questioning its authority; this was not his contention and he was prepared to accept the judgement of the Court. But he submitted the matter was not within the jurisdiction of the Court and it was hardly fair to say he had done no work as he had filed the plaint and they were half through the case. This Court has never assumed the power to tax costs and cannot interfere in this matter; in these matters lawyer and client could make their own agreement. The man knew what he was doing and knew that his only way of suing as a pauper would be by giving a promissory note and not an agreement; the latter would have prevented him so suing. He asked that the Court would kindly point out the best way of working. The Court was of opinion that the best way would be to take money down before moving in the suit. If a man cannot pay for legal advice, he ought not to get it on credit. Mr Hare said that most people got everything else on credit and he thought there was no reason why the system should not apply generally. The Court said it wished to strongly discountenance this system of taking Promissory Notes in advance, Mr Hare pointed out that the note was payable to order and was not endorsed; it was of no value until endorsed. The Court said that as Mr Hare was ready to give up the note, it would merely point out that this system of giving credit to litigants was simply to direct encouragement to them, however unfair their action. Mr Hare said that unfortunately the Advocates could not work otherwise. The Court disapproved of the system and said it should be discouraged. Mr Hare intimated, in reply to a question, that he placed himself entirely in the hands of the Court.
His Honour, passing orders, said that Mr Hare, having placed himself entirely in the hands of the Court and having stated that he was prepared to carry out whatever order the Court thought it necessary to make and having also intimated his readiness to return the Promissory Note to his client, Htoon On, in deference to the opinion of the Court, His Honour did not think it necessary to do anything more than say that the practice (if practice there be) of taking Promissory Notes from clients for considerable sums of money, when little or no work had been done, was highly objectionable. The matter having come to the notice of the Court, it was its duty to say it was an improper proceeding, one which could not be overlooked or permitted. Mr Hare seemed unable to distinguish between a Promissory Note and an ordinary agreement. The difference however, had been pointed out in various ways in the reference and in the course of the statement which Mr Hare himself had just made. His Honour expressed a hope that this expression of the Court’s disapproval of this practice would put an end to it, that the Court would never again have occasion to deal with another care of this kind. The facts had been found in favour of Mr Hare and therefore His Honour did not think it necessary to say or do anything further in the matter.
Mr Sullivan
Mr Sullivan of the British Burma Advertiser and Clerk of the Agent of the Oriental Government Security Life Assurance Co., was charged at the instance of the Income Tax Collector with having failed to stamp a receipt granted to Mr Geo. Stafford for the premium paid on his policy. This document was presented to the Collector of Income Tax in proof of a claim to be freed of a certain amount of tax on his payor’s income when it was impounded and this action was instituted. The Defendant stated that the document was not intended as a receipt but as a simple acknowledgement until such time as the usual receipt was forwarded. Mr Vaillant, on the Magistrate asking his opinion, stated that it was a receipt and being for an amount of Rs. 20 should have been stamped. The Magistrate being also assured that it was meant for and was a receipt within the meaning of the Stamp Act, fined the defendant Rs. 2-8-0.
Mr Sullivan of the British Burma Advertiser and Clerk of the Agent of the Oriental Government Security Life Assurance Co., was charged at the instance of the Income Tax Collector with having failed to stamp a receipt granted to Mr Geo. Stafford for the premium paid on his policy. This document was presented to the Collector of Income Tax in proof of a claim to be freed of a certain amount of tax on his payor’s income when it was impounded and this action was instituted. The Defendant stated that the document was not intended as a receipt but as a simple acknowledgement until such time as the usual receipt was forwarded. Mr Vaillant, on the Magistrate asking his opinion, stated that it was a receipt and being for an amount of Rs. 20 should have been stamped. The Magistrate being also assured that it was meant for and was a receipt within the meaning of the Stamp Act, fined the defendant Rs. 2-8-0.
Charged
Golam Kader, A Kalassi, was brought before the Asst. Magistrate, charged with having deserted from the S.S. Nevasa, Mr A. Houghton, Chief Officer of S.S. Nevasa stated that the accused joined the ship a few weeks ago and signed for a period of six months. ... Accused made no defence and was sentenced to 14 days’ imprisonment.
Golam Kader, A Kalassi, was brought before the Asst. Magistrate, charged with having deserted from the S.S. Nevasa, Mr A. Houghton, Chief Officer of S.S. Nevasa stated that the accused joined the ship a few weeks ago and signed for a period of six months. ... Accused made no defence and was sentenced to 14 days’ imprisonment.
Editorials
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Mr Nolan’s Visit
It seems that Mr Nolan, whose recent rush through Burmah has excited considerable comment, although connected with a Land Scheme, had nothing to do with the great question the Government are now considering with reference to opening up our enormous wastes to cultivation. This latter is a point upon which no ultimate and final decision has been as yet formed; though we are in a position to state that the Government will be prepared to meet applicants of assured position in a liberal spirit and without any of the restrictions as to the class of labour employed, against which public opinion has been strongly manifested in the columns of the press. Mr Nolan was deputed by the Government of India to consult the Local Government with regard to finding an out-let for the surplus agricultural population of Behar, where the land seems insufficient to support the ever increasing numbers and the average daily wage of an able-bodied coolie, one and a half annas, has fallen to a point at which it is impossible for him to support both himself and family. Under these circumstances certain capitalists came forward, among whom was the Mr Milne whose grant has already raised public curiosity, and offered to settle a portion of this surplus population on certain conditions. Although the wisdom of this policy may be questioned, and its ultimate success considered extremely problematical, every care will, we are assured, be undertaken to secure the public against the intrusion of mere speculators, or the State from committing itself to any scheme of aided pauper immigration. In the first place, under these arrangements, the area of land set aside for the location of the Behar immigrants will be restricted, and no grants will be made to any but persons of known and approved position, financial or otherwise. The conditions of the grants will also prevent speculative trading in these concessions, as they will be conditional leases to individuals and the power of transfer will be limited, a prime consideration being the consent of the Government to any such step. These grants are made to meet a special case and in no way effect the more general question of the opening out of our Waste Lands to cultivation. Under these circumstances, although we have no hesitation in saying that we regard this scheme as a mistake, and have no hesitation in prophesying its absolute failure, we think that this explanation of Mr Milne’s grant and of Mr Nolan’s visit, will tend much to simplify the issues with which the Government will be ultimately called upon to deal and regarding which our original opinions have undergone no material change. |
Theebaw In Exile
The late ruler of Upper Burma, like the great Corsican at St. Helena, does not take his exile and incarceration philosophically. In some respects Theebaw is treated even worse than Napoleon Bonaparte was at St. Helena, for whilst the latter was allowed to see any visitors coming to the island, who expressed a wish to see him, Theebaw is debarred from receiving visitors at Rutnagherry. We think under certain restrictions the Government of India might well relax a little of this strict seclusion of their state prisoner. The only way of his getting away from Rutnagherry would be by sea and for several months of the year this route is practically closed to him. The whole of his attendants, the whole of the police guard and the steamer people would all have to be in league to enable Theebaw to get out of the station and when he was free where would he be likely to go? Our French neighbours have not found the Mengoon Prince such a successful card in their hands, that they would be likely to trouble themselves with holding Theebaw in addition, as a perpetual charge on their country. There being but the smallest prospect then of Theebaw’s escaping or attempting to escape, the rigorous rule which, for the last 2 and a half years, has prevented his receiving visitors, might well be relaxed. Burmans who chose to go and see him in his exile should be allowed to do so, care of course being taken to see that they carried no written communication from him to Burma. The story that Theebaw was employing his leisure time in acquiring a knowledge of English is without foundation. When told of it, he remarked; “Do they want me to do my own interpreting, I wonder.” Even reading his own language is not much practised by the Royal prisoner, who passes his time in wandering from one room to another in meditation and conversation with the Chief Queen. She chafes at her imprisonment even more than the ex-King, doubtless remembering that it is principally to her bad advice and hasty temper that most of her husband’s misfortunes are due. The younger Queen, who is still in great awe of Soopyalat, although the power of the latter to do her harm is gone for ever, looks after the Royal wardrobe and does some sewing and needle work. The Royal exiles obstinately refuse to take any carriage exercise and although a phaeton and a pair of splendid Australian horses are available for their use, ever since they have been at Rutnagherry, they have never once been out for a drive. Beyond the loss of liberty they have ample supplies of all sorts and all delicacies obtainable in way of food. But they seem unable to make the best of the circumstances in which they find themselves and are greatly to be pitied. We think, in the interests of humanity, the Government of India might somewhat relax the provision not allowing Theebaw to receive visitors. They would not be so numerous at Rutnagherry that much fears need be entertained that evil would result from such increased kindness to the Royal exiles. |
The Theatre Royal
Among the public buildings of Rangoon, the one called the Assembly Rooms, otherwise known by the title quoted above, is pre-eminent for its general – there is no other word that will adequately describe it – beastliness. Its origin is enveloped in the mists of time; but for years past it has been the theme of perpetual groaning, not only among the public but also among those who for their sins and in quest of amusement or dollars, are doomed to strut their hour upon its dilapidated stage.
It belongs, apparently, to the Municipality; though its forlorn air would suggest that it was practically nobody’s child. It subserves one useful purpose, in that it costs large sums for repairs and provides divers (sic) people with salaries and perquisites they doubtless deserve. A description of this temple might interest readers who have never seen it; and may warn intending companies of the difficulties with which they will have to content. The building stands in a gigantic compound and no man knoweth to this day which end is the front one, it being not unlike a Skye terrier, inasmuch as one looks exactly like the other. You drive up first to the stage door and are afforded a magnificent view of the performers dressing themselves in the rooms on either side thereof, the windows being usually opened on account of the heat. Your gharry then wanders round the side of the building, disclosing a forest of posts on which the superstructure is reared and amid which fearsome smells and abominations lurk. You are eventually desposited under a noble portico of thatch and bamboo and, after driving into a morass that collects in front during the monsoon, you crawl up a wretched flight of steps to the platform above. You turn to the right and walk along the verandah, the chief characteristics of which are dirt and darkness. This bring you to the Stalls’ entrance, the box office consisting of a rickety table supported by a smoky lamp. Then the full magnificence of the scene bursts upon you; a long hall built on the severest P.W.D. lines, with a semi-hexagonal roof, an apsoidal termination at one end, and the proscenium at the other. The walls and ceiling are lined with match boarding, that must have cost quite thirty rupees a ton when new, in the proportion of two-thirds wood to one of cracks; the whole is smeared with a dull grey paint that makes the building look not unlike a mortuary. There are any amount of doors, resulting in fearful draughts; but it is unnecessary to state that ventilation is conspicuous by its absence. There are no punkahs, though some mouldy ropes overhead suggest that our ancestors were partially civilized. The floor is mostly a succession of hills and valleys, caused by the uneven wearing of the planks and some nice patches are arranged at intervals to trip the unwary in his attempts to find his seat; it apparently has not been washed within the memory of man and yet is usually damp. The chairs are plain, cane-seated, armless arrangements such as are usually re-relegated to servants’ bed-rooms in England and would be dear at one-eight apiece. An inspection of the building renders it almost impossible to doubt that Noah’s Ark does not remain on the top of Ararat, but that it has stuck in the mud at Rangoon and subserves, after many strange vicissitudes, the humble purpose of a public “Hall.”
The Orchestra lives in a species of den, excavated below the floor, which takes up a large amount of valuable space ad renders any attempt at decorating the break of the stage an impossibility. The stage itself is a platform with no rake and the wing spaces are insufficient to carry flats. The roof is so low that change of drops (sic) during a performance is impossible and there are no flies. There is no room at the back of the stage to work properties and the lighting is of the most meagre description. There are only two dressing rooms and no further accommodation whatever; this latter remark applies to the whole building, which has no cloak or other retiring rooms. The stage door opens on the stage itself, and there is no place to store either properties, scenery or wardrobe. The scenery consists of a few warped wing borders, two or three very painful cloths, the sky borders that might be naturally expected and a drop that speaks more for the pains than for the experience of the man that perpetrated it. There is no curtain and the furniture consists of a plain table and two chairs, needless to say there is neither baize or carpet. The roof leaks like a sieve. The bar is an elegant bamboo structure, neatly floored with simple earth; it is approached by a thatched gantry, floored in the same manner; neither seats nor any other accommodation are provided here.
It is to be hoped that when our Jubilee Hall is built, the engineers in charge will see that some provision is made therein, both for players and public, The present building is a standing disgrace to the town; and we should not go into mourning if it pleased a cyclone to burst it to pieces or lightning to conflagrate the wretched old barn. Out of evil would come good; the Municipality would be obliged to build something more consonant with the dignity of the town.
Among the public buildings of Rangoon, the one called the Assembly Rooms, otherwise known by the title quoted above, is pre-eminent for its general – there is no other word that will adequately describe it – beastliness. Its origin is enveloped in the mists of time; but for years past it has been the theme of perpetual groaning, not only among the public but also among those who for their sins and in quest of amusement or dollars, are doomed to strut their hour upon its dilapidated stage.
It belongs, apparently, to the Municipality; though its forlorn air would suggest that it was practically nobody’s child. It subserves one useful purpose, in that it costs large sums for repairs and provides divers (sic) people with salaries and perquisites they doubtless deserve. A description of this temple might interest readers who have never seen it; and may warn intending companies of the difficulties with which they will have to content. The building stands in a gigantic compound and no man knoweth to this day which end is the front one, it being not unlike a Skye terrier, inasmuch as one looks exactly like the other. You drive up first to the stage door and are afforded a magnificent view of the performers dressing themselves in the rooms on either side thereof, the windows being usually opened on account of the heat. Your gharry then wanders round the side of the building, disclosing a forest of posts on which the superstructure is reared and amid which fearsome smells and abominations lurk. You are eventually desposited under a noble portico of thatch and bamboo and, after driving into a morass that collects in front during the monsoon, you crawl up a wretched flight of steps to the platform above. You turn to the right and walk along the verandah, the chief characteristics of which are dirt and darkness. This bring you to the Stalls’ entrance, the box office consisting of a rickety table supported by a smoky lamp. Then the full magnificence of the scene bursts upon you; a long hall built on the severest P.W.D. lines, with a semi-hexagonal roof, an apsoidal termination at one end, and the proscenium at the other. The walls and ceiling are lined with match boarding, that must have cost quite thirty rupees a ton when new, in the proportion of two-thirds wood to one of cracks; the whole is smeared with a dull grey paint that makes the building look not unlike a mortuary. There are any amount of doors, resulting in fearful draughts; but it is unnecessary to state that ventilation is conspicuous by its absence. There are no punkahs, though some mouldy ropes overhead suggest that our ancestors were partially civilized. The floor is mostly a succession of hills and valleys, caused by the uneven wearing of the planks and some nice patches are arranged at intervals to trip the unwary in his attempts to find his seat; it apparently has not been washed within the memory of man and yet is usually damp. The chairs are plain, cane-seated, armless arrangements such as are usually re-relegated to servants’ bed-rooms in England and would be dear at one-eight apiece. An inspection of the building renders it almost impossible to doubt that Noah’s Ark does not remain on the top of Ararat, but that it has stuck in the mud at Rangoon and subserves, after many strange vicissitudes, the humble purpose of a public “Hall.”
The Orchestra lives in a species of den, excavated below the floor, which takes up a large amount of valuable space ad renders any attempt at decorating the break of the stage an impossibility. The stage itself is a platform with no rake and the wing spaces are insufficient to carry flats. The roof is so low that change of drops (sic) during a performance is impossible and there are no flies. There is no room at the back of the stage to work properties and the lighting is of the most meagre description. There are only two dressing rooms and no further accommodation whatever; this latter remark applies to the whole building, which has no cloak or other retiring rooms. The stage door opens on the stage itself, and there is no place to store either properties, scenery or wardrobe. The scenery consists of a few warped wing borders, two or three very painful cloths, the sky borders that might be naturally expected and a drop that speaks more for the pains than for the experience of the man that perpetrated it. There is no curtain and the furniture consists of a plain table and two chairs, needless to say there is neither baize or carpet. The roof leaks like a sieve. The bar is an elegant bamboo structure, neatly floored with simple earth; it is approached by a thatched gantry, floored in the same manner; neither seats nor any other accommodation are provided here.
It is to be hoped that when our Jubilee Hall is built, the engineers in charge will see that some provision is made therein, both for players and public, The present building is a standing disgrace to the town; and we should not go into mourning if it pleased a cyclone to burst it to pieces or lightning to conflagrate the wretched old barn. Out of evil would come good; the Municipality would be obliged to build something more consonant with the dignity of the town.
Municipal Doings
It seems some very important business is to be considered tomorrow at a special meeting of the Municipal Committee. One of the subjects before the meeting is apparently to consider Mr E.K. Moylan’s position as Legal Adviser and to consider applications for the post of an assistant to him. No information is, of course, vouchsafed the outside public on these matters and the Commissioners themselves are apparently kept considerably in the dark as to the legal business of the Municipality. Many of them, we know, consider that the action of the then President in enforcing his orders by the arrest of a respectable native house owner, who has since obtained a decree for damages against the Municipality, was harsh and uncalled for and that the strictures passed by the learned Recorder who tried the case, on the Municipal mode of doing business, were just what might have been expected from an English Judge in his position. Now it appears that the irresponsible President, an officer in the Commission, without any property or stake in the town and who may be any day posted to another district hundreds of miles away from it, wishes to spend thousands of rupees of taxpayers’ money in appealing against the recent judgement. We say that the public who have to pay for these proceedings should be consulted regarding them and that until, at any rate, the Municipal Commissioners have agreed on the advisability of appealing, no steps should have been taken in Court. As regards an assistant Legal Adviser, the same remarks hold good. Until the necessity of having one is proved, we think, none should be appointed. It seems to us that this multiplication of Legal Advisers will lead to an indefinite extension of legal work. If there is work to be done, by all means let money be spent in getting the best legal advice obtainable, which is generally cheapest in the end. Burma is full just now of pauper advocates – of men who would doubtless jump at such an appointment on any pittance of salary. But the money expended would, we think, be more wisely spent in retaining an able man when there is work, rather than frittering it away in the manner proposed.
Another matter to be considered tomorrow is the appointment of a separate and independent President, paid by the Municipality and nominated by the Local Government; an arrangement the Government say they are prepared to receive favourably. We have before this stated our belief that a paid President is required but we cannot see why, if the taxpayers pay him, they should not nominate and chose him and not the Local Government. It is the town and the taxpayers interests he will have to look after and not the Government’s. We have managed under official unpaid President’s to make the Municipality a bye-word for all that is harsh, oppressive and wrong in the way of doing public business. We do not blame the men so much as the system which places them there, when they are already hampered with too many official duties and when they are unable to take much interest in or devote much time to Municipal work. We do not want to pay Municipal Presidents large salaries, who, if they offend the Local Government, can be packed off to Arakan, or some remote district, as a punishment. Men fit for the post are perhaps plentiful, but we should try and get some man who looks on Burma as his home and has nothing to hope or expect from Government. As long as his connection with the Commission continues it would be hopeless to expect this from any Deputy Commissioner. The names of two occur to us who perhaps would sever their connection with the Commission if sufficient inducement offered, Capt. B.A.N. Parrott and Mr J.K. Macrae, who will shortly retire. Dr. Marks, if it were not for his clerical profession, would be a fit and able man; but as an educationalist, if not as a missionary, he has perhaps a better field for his talents than the Municipality affords. Mr F.C. Kennedy, if there is any truth in the rumours that were circulated some time ago of his place being about to be taken by Mr Miller, is, no doubt, an able man of business, who would make a better President than he has Municipal Commissioner. He probably has views of an early retirement to Europe as his ultimate home, which are not in keeping with out ideas that a Municipal President of Rangoon should look on Burma as his home, rather than on England or Scotland. Some of those we have named do so we believe. The matter is one of the greatest importance to Rangoon and we think Municipal Commissioners whilst discussing the matter thoroughly tomorrow would do well not to come to any hasty decision. The names of Mr B. Cowasjee and Mr P.C. Sen have also been suggested as learned house owners amongst us, who feel where the evils of the present system touch the townspeople and who might possibly be disposed to accept a Presidentship which in their case might mean also dispensing with other legal assistance where the Municipality was involved in litigation. We certainly, speaking for ourselves, would prefer either of these gentlemen to any Deputy Commissioner and we think the large majority of the townspeople would prefer them with us.
As the Municipal Commissioners are near the end of their term of office, we think they might very gracefully leave the settlement of this important business to their successors, rather than bind their hands a few months before their own term of office expires.
The objections to the water tax and the claim of Judah Ezekiel to compensation have also to be considered at tomorrow’s meeting. On both subjects we have previously written our views and both are of a most important nature affecting the interests of thousands of taxpayers of all nationalities in our midst.
We trust the deliberation of the Committee tomorrow will show at once their forethought, wisdom and moderation; but we confess their actions hitherto have not been such as to lead us to expect tomorrow all that we would wish.
It seems some very important business is to be considered tomorrow at a special meeting of the Municipal Committee. One of the subjects before the meeting is apparently to consider Mr E.K. Moylan’s position as Legal Adviser and to consider applications for the post of an assistant to him. No information is, of course, vouchsafed the outside public on these matters and the Commissioners themselves are apparently kept considerably in the dark as to the legal business of the Municipality. Many of them, we know, consider that the action of the then President in enforcing his orders by the arrest of a respectable native house owner, who has since obtained a decree for damages against the Municipality, was harsh and uncalled for and that the strictures passed by the learned Recorder who tried the case, on the Municipal mode of doing business, were just what might have been expected from an English Judge in his position. Now it appears that the irresponsible President, an officer in the Commission, without any property or stake in the town and who may be any day posted to another district hundreds of miles away from it, wishes to spend thousands of rupees of taxpayers’ money in appealing against the recent judgement. We say that the public who have to pay for these proceedings should be consulted regarding them and that until, at any rate, the Municipal Commissioners have agreed on the advisability of appealing, no steps should have been taken in Court. As regards an assistant Legal Adviser, the same remarks hold good. Until the necessity of having one is proved, we think, none should be appointed. It seems to us that this multiplication of Legal Advisers will lead to an indefinite extension of legal work. If there is work to be done, by all means let money be spent in getting the best legal advice obtainable, which is generally cheapest in the end. Burma is full just now of pauper advocates – of men who would doubtless jump at such an appointment on any pittance of salary. But the money expended would, we think, be more wisely spent in retaining an able man when there is work, rather than frittering it away in the manner proposed.
Another matter to be considered tomorrow is the appointment of a separate and independent President, paid by the Municipality and nominated by the Local Government; an arrangement the Government say they are prepared to receive favourably. We have before this stated our belief that a paid President is required but we cannot see why, if the taxpayers pay him, they should not nominate and chose him and not the Local Government. It is the town and the taxpayers interests he will have to look after and not the Government’s. We have managed under official unpaid President’s to make the Municipality a bye-word for all that is harsh, oppressive and wrong in the way of doing public business. We do not blame the men so much as the system which places them there, when they are already hampered with too many official duties and when they are unable to take much interest in or devote much time to Municipal work. We do not want to pay Municipal Presidents large salaries, who, if they offend the Local Government, can be packed off to Arakan, or some remote district, as a punishment. Men fit for the post are perhaps plentiful, but we should try and get some man who looks on Burma as his home and has nothing to hope or expect from Government. As long as his connection with the Commission continues it would be hopeless to expect this from any Deputy Commissioner. The names of two occur to us who perhaps would sever their connection with the Commission if sufficient inducement offered, Capt. B.A.N. Parrott and Mr J.K. Macrae, who will shortly retire. Dr. Marks, if it were not for his clerical profession, would be a fit and able man; but as an educationalist, if not as a missionary, he has perhaps a better field for his talents than the Municipality affords. Mr F.C. Kennedy, if there is any truth in the rumours that were circulated some time ago of his place being about to be taken by Mr Miller, is, no doubt, an able man of business, who would make a better President than he has Municipal Commissioner. He probably has views of an early retirement to Europe as his ultimate home, which are not in keeping with out ideas that a Municipal President of Rangoon should look on Burma as his home, rather than on England or Scotland. Some of those we have named do so we believe. The matter is one of the greatest importance to Rangoon and we think Municipal Commissioners whilst discussing the matter thoroughly tomorrow would do well not to come to any hasty decision. The names of Mr B. Cowasjee and Mr P.C. Sen have also been suggested as learned house owners amongst us, who feel where the evils of the present system touch the townspeople and who might possibly be disposed to accept a Presidentship which in their case might mean also dispensing with other legal assistance where the Municipality was involved in litigation. We certainly, speaking for ourselves, would prefer either of these gentlemen to any Deputy Commissioner and we think the large majority of the townspeople would prefer them with us.
As the Municipal Commissioners are near the end of their term of office, we think they might very gracefully leave the settlement of this important business to their successors, rather than bind their hands a few months before their own term of office expires.
The objections to the water tax and the claim of Judah Ezekiel to compensation have also to be considered at tomorrow’s meeting. On both subjects we have previously written our views and both are of a most important nature affecting the interests of thousands of taxpayers of all nationalities in our midst.
We trust the deliberation of the Committee tomorrow will show at once their forethought, wisdom and moderation; but we confess their actions hitherto have not been such as to lead us to expect tomorrow all that we would wish.
The Chief Commissioner and The Police
After the delivery of his Myinmu speech, it was generally conceded that the present Chief Commissioner was a man with the courage of his convictions; nor will this view – which happens to be perfectly correct – be at all diminished on reading his able minute on the present state of our police. The document in itself is interesting, not merely as a dispassionate review of actual and indisputable fact, but as a specimen of official plain-speaking that might be judiciously copied by some of those officials who seem to regard the public as about the very last persons who should be admitted to their confidence.
There is no doubt that the attempt to mix Indians and Burmese together has resulted in the deterioration of the latter in the force. Nor are the reasons far to seek; if the Englishman occasionally stands on his dignity and gives himself airs, he, or his half-brother the Eurasian, is as a sucking dove compared to the pure Aryan. The consequence is that the service has become unpopular among the Burmese; nor has the mixed system, as at present obtaining, proved other than a disastrous failure, causing the Civil Police to degenerate into that which Sir Charles Crosthwaite does not hesitate to call an “undisciplined rabble” and other people to regard as approximating farce.
Our own opinion is that in the purely Burman Districts it would be advisable to use an almost exclusively non-Indian police and to largely increase the amount of European and Eurasian supervision. In the large towns, where mixed populations have to be considered, it will not do to depend entirely upon a purely Burman force; but, by establishing pickets of Indian police, who would stand to their Burmese colleagues in much the same position as the European to the native constables in the Straits, it would be possible to preserve order without creating the unhappy mixtures complained of, resulting in both confusion and inefficiency. If the Civil Police were made purely Burman and the Punjaubi (sic) element regulated strictly to military duties, or to service on railway and other distinct corps, companies being held in reserve in large town to furnish guards and reinforce the other police when necessary, a great deal of the present chaos would be avoided. For outpost and punitive police duties Punjaubis exclusively should be employed and of these, while the drilled and stronger men should be sent to what might be practically termed the front, the recruits and invalids might be drafted into the town reserves as above suggested.
If the two bodies were entirely separated; if the Burman were freed from the bullying of his Indian brother and the hopes of higher promotion so obtainable were offered him, he would be less discontented with his position than at present, and a better class of recruit would be available. In this connection we would point out the very excellent material for subordinate officers that exists among the educated scholars of St. John’s and other schools in Rangoon and that could probably be furnished by similar institutions elsewhere. Many of the lads that are annually turned out from these schools are well educated both in English and in the vernacular; they are accustomed to mixing freely with people of all nationalities; their characters can be investigated and they are not un-seldom of excellent personal and moral training. Accustomed to manly sports, many of them excellent drills and good shots, they seem to be the one thing needful and to many of them the pay and position, with hopes of promotion and pension, would be attractive. Their loyalty too, is beyond question and we think that the State that so largely contributes to their education might avail itself largely of the material thus ready to hand, instead of going farther and faring only too palpably worse.
After the delivery of his Myinmu speech, it was generally conceded that the present Chief Commissioner was a man with the courage of his convictions; nor will this view – which happens to be perfectly correct – be at all diminished on reading his able minute on the present state of our police. The document in itself is interesting, not merely as a dispassionate review of actual and indisputable fact, but as a specimen of official plain-speaking that might be judiciously copied by some of those officials who seem to regard the public as about the very last persons who should be admitted to their confidence.
There is no doubt that the attempt to mix Indians and Burmese together has resulted in the deterioration of the latter in the force. Nor are the reasons far to seek; if the Englishman occasionally stands on his dignity and gives himself airs, he, or his half-brother the Eurasian, is as a sucking dove compared to the pure Aryan. The consequence is that the service has become unpopular among the Burmese; nor has the mixed system, as at present obtaining, proved other than a disastrous failure, causing the Civil Police to degenerate into that which Sir Charles Crosthwaite does not hesitate to call an “undisciplined rabble” and other people to regard as approximating farce.
Our own opinion is that in the purely Burman Districts it would be advisable to use an almost exclusively non-Indian police and to largely increase the amount of European and Eurasian supervision. In the large towns, where mixed populations have to be considered, it will not do to depend entirely upon a purely Burman force; but, by establishing pickets of Indian police, who would stand to their Burmese colleagues in much the same position as the European to the native constables in the Straits, it would be possible to preserve order without creating the unhappy mixtures complained of, resulting in both confusion and inefficiency. If the Civil Police were made purely Burman and the Punjaubi (sic) element regulated strictly to military duties, or to service on railway and other distinct corps, companies being held in reserve in large town to furnish guards and reinforce the other police when necessary, a great deal of the present chaos would be avoided. For outpost and punitive police duties Punjaubis exclusively should be employed and of these, while the drilled and stronger men should be sent to what might be practically termed the front, the recruits and invalids might be drafted into the town reserves as above suggested.
If the two bodies were entirely separated; if the Burman were freed from the bullying of his Indian brother and the hopes of higher promotion so obtainable were offered him, he would be less discontented with his position than at present, and a better class of recruit would be available. In this connection we would point out the very excellent material for subordinate officers that exists among the educated scholars of St. John’s and other schools in Rangoon and that could probably be furnished by similar institutions elsewhere. Many of the lads that are annually turned out from these schools are well educated both in English and in the vernacular; they are accustomed to mixing freely with people of all nationalities; their characters can be investigated and they are not un-seldom of excellent personal and moral training. Accustomed to manly sports, many of them excellent drills and good shots, they seem to be the one thing needful and to many of them the pay and position, with hopes of promotion and pension, would be attractive. Their loyalty too, is beyond question and we think that the State that so largely contributes to their education might avail itself largely of the material thus ready to hand, instead of going farther and faring only too palpably worse.
Comfort in Travelling
It would be highly desirable that the Burma State Railway managers should bestow a little more thought on the comfort and convenience of travellers, more especially the third-class ones, who here, like everywhere else, provide the bulk of the passenger receipts. In no third-class carriage is there any provision made, as there is in 1st class and some 2nd class carriages, for washing and necessary purposes. It would cost be a trifle to provide a closet for every 3rd class passenger van and considering that when the Mandalay line is opened to traffic, people will be some 30 hours on the journey, we think that some arrangement of the kind should be provided. At the stations there is, of course, some accommodation of the kind for 3rd class passengers, but we fail to see why 2 feet at the end of each carriage should not be provided as in the other classes, out of which the Railway makes much less profit.
Although in the public interests we have repeatedly pointed out how, as it appears to us, the country, the trade and the Government, would benefit by having other steamers than one single Company plying on the Irrawaddy, we have never denied that the Flotilla Company, a far as providing for comfort of their passengers, sets an example to all other public companies and the State Railways which they might well follow. A deck passenger, either male or female, can go to Mandalay or return from there, in fine well-appointed steamers. Spacious accommodation is afforded, with roofs and awnings to protect from sun and rain, cooking places, bathing places and all necessaries for both sexes are abundantly provided. From dark till 10 p.m. the steamers are lit with the electric light, a luxury that only one private person has as yet introduced into his house in Burma. All these comforts are obtainable by deck passengers in the Flotilla steamers. We believe all through passengers to Mandalay, who can afford the time, will always prefer the space and comfortable way of living on board steamers to the 3rd class accommodation of the State Railway, even if the latter were half the price. But the Railway might do more than it does for the comforts of its poorer, but most numerous patrons, and it will be forced to do it, if it hopes to compete successfully with the slower, but more comfortable steamers of the Irrawaddy Flotilla.
In the matter of speed too, great improvement should be possible on the Burma State Railway, which often crawls along now at ten miles an hour and dawdles at most insignificant stations for sometimes a quarter of an hour, as if time was really what Burmans are so often accused of considering it, of no value.
Inspecting Railway Officers who travel on the line, do so in carriages not available to the general public and in much greater comfort than even first-class passengers can obtain. If instead, they had to make periodic inspections in ordinary carriages, they might be better able to appreciate the entire absence of decency and comfort as regards 3rd class passengers and the necessity of their following the more liberal treatment of their most paying constituents, adopted by the Irrawaddy Flotilla, with which they will so soon, as regards the Mandalay traffic, have to compete. Assuredly if they do not alter their present system all through, the Burmese passengers will prefer the three to five days in the Flotilla steamers to the thirty hours of torture and misery which they will experience as third-class passengers in the train.
It would be highly desirable that the Burma State Railway managers should bestow a little more thought on the comfort and convenience of travellers, more especially the third-class ones, who here, like everywhere else, provide the bulk of the passenger receipts. In no third-class carriage is there any provision made, as there is in 1st class and some 2nd class carriages, for washing and necessary purposes. It would cost be a trifle to provide a closet for every 3rd class passenger van and considering that when the Mandalay line is opened to traffic, people will be some 30 hours on the journey, we think that some arrangement of the kind should be provided. At the stations there is, of course, some accommodation of the kind for 3rd class passengers, but we fail to see why 2 feet at the end of each carriage should not be provided as in the other classes, out of which the Railway makes much less profit.
Although in the public interests we have repeatedly pointed out how, as it appears to us, the country, the trade and the Government, would benefit by having other steamers than one single Company plying on the Irrawaddy, we have never denied that the Flotilla Company, a far as providing for comfort of their passengers, sets an example to all other public companies and the State Railways which they might well follow. A deck passenger, either male or female, can go to Mandalay or return from there, in fine well-appointed steamers. Spacious accommodation is afforded, with roofs and awnings to protect from sun and rain, cooking places, bathing places and all necessaries for both sexes are abundantly provided. From dark till 10 p.m. the steamers are lit with the electric light, a luxury that only one private person has as yet introduced into his house in Burma. All these comforts are obtainable by deck passengers in the Flotilla steamers. We believe all through passengers to Mandalay, who can afford the time, will always prefer the space and comfortable way of living on board steamers to the 3rd class accommodation of the State Railway, even if the latter were half the price. But the Railway might do more than it does for the comforts of its poorer, but most numerous patrons, and it will be forced to do it, if it hopes to compete successfully with the slower, but more comfortable steamers of the Irrawaddy Flotilla.
In the matter of speed too, great improvement should be possible on the Burma State Railway, which often crawls along now at ten miles an hour and dawdles at most insignificant stations for sometimes a quarter of an hour, as if time was really what Burmans are so often accused of considering it, of no value.
Inspecting Railway Officers who travel on the line, do so in carriages not available to the general public and in much greater comfort than even first-class passengers can obtain. If instead, they had to make periodic inspections in ordinary carriages, they might be better able to appreciate the entire absence of decency and comfort as regards 3rd class passengers and the necessity of their following the more liberal treatment of their most paying constituents, adopted by the Irrawaddy Flotilla, with which they will so soon, as regards the Mandalay traffic, have to compete. Assuredly if they do not alter their present system all through, the Burmese passengers will prefer the three to five days in the Flotilla steamers to the thirty hours of torture and misery which they will experience as third-class passengers in the train.
Editorial
Snakes and Snipe
Beyond the fact that their two first letters are the same, there seems no connection between snakes and snipe, but we have received some information regarding both from a correspondent at Pegu this week which we think will prove of interest to our readers.
At the present season of year snakes are pretty common in many places in Burma, but where the land has been submerged for miles, as it has been in this district within the last 3 weeks, snakes make for the rising ground and collect in such numbers that their destruction wholesale is not difficult. One Public Works bungalow, not far from the Sittang Canal, on the only rising ground in the vicinity, had to be deserted by the employees residing in it on account of the snake invasion.
There are said to have been literally destroyed in hundreds and the same destruction has been going on in dozens of Burmese villages, when they were on raised ground. Probably more snakes have been killed in the Pegu district in the past month than for years previously. The same instinct which sent them to their fate, also caused deer, anxious to escape from the rising waters, to lose their natural fear of man and to go for refuge close to his habitations.
The supply of venison in the district has consequently been plentiful, far in advance of local wants, on some days 10 to 15 deer being captured and slaughters within a mile of Pegu town itself. Some of this meat, not required for immediate use, has been dried and smoked for future use, whilst some found its way fresh to Rangoon, where all classes appreciate it as a comparative rarity.
Snipe have been remarkably plentiful in the Pegu district also this year, affording plenty of sport during the last few days of August and the beginning of September. The sporting District Superintendent of Police has been specially fortunate or skilful in making big bags. In ten hours, we are informed by our correspondent, he succeeded in obtaining 208 birds, which we think, must be the largest bag of the season, though we have not had accounts sent us from other districts of successful snipe shooting. Mr Tucker obtained his largest bag in the neighbourhood of Hlaigoo and the Burmese who watched him were greatly surprised at his splendid right and left shots, hardly ever missing a bird.
Snakes and Snipe
Beyond the fact that their two first letters are the same, there seems no connection between snakes and snipe, but we have received some information regarding both from a correspondent at Pegu this week which we think will prove of interest to our readers.
At the present season of year snakes are pretty common in many places in Burma, but where the land has been submerged for miles, as it has been in this district within the last 3 weeks, snakes make for the rising ground and collect in such numbers that their destruction wholesale is not difficult. One Public Works bungalow, not far from the Sittang Canal, on the only rising ground in the vicinity, had to be deserted by the employees residing in it on account of the snake invasion.
There are said to have been literally destroyed in hundreds and the same destruction has been going on in dozens of Burmese villages, when they were on raised ground. Probably more snakes have been killed in the Pegu district in the past month than for years previously. The same instinct which sent them to their fate, also caused deer, anxious to escape from the rising waters, to lose their natural fear of man and to go for refuge close to his habitations.
The supply of venison in the district has consequently been plentiful, far in advance of local wants, on some days 10 to 15 deer being captured and slaughters within a mile of Pegu town itself. Some of this meat, not required for immediate use, has been dried and smoked for future use, whilst some found its way fresh to Rangoon, where all classes appreciate it as a comparative rarity.
Snipe have been remarkably plentiful in the Pegu district also this year, affording plenty of sport during the last few days of August and the beginning of September. The sporting District Superintendent of Police has been specially fortunate or skilful in making big bags. In ten hours, we are informed by our correspondent, he succeeded in obtaining 208 birds, which we think, must be the largest bag of the season, though we have not had accounts sent us from other districts of successful snipe shooting. Mr Tucker obtained his largest bag in the neighbourhood of Hlaigoo and the Burmese who watched him were greatly surprised at his splendid right and left shots, hardly ever missing a bird.
Editorial
Moulmain (sic) and the Octroi Tax
An article in the Burman says we have altogether mistaken the nature of the proposed new tax in Moulmain, which they call Octroi and that it in no way bears any likeness to a Municipal Import Duty. We must confess to have taken our ideas of the proposed new tax from the advertisement the Municipality [placed] in the Moulmain Advertiser which stated the rates the Municipal Committee proposed to levy; and in an editorial in the same paper it was said that the tax would be collected at the Custom House and would therefore cost but little for collection. We do not see how it is proposed, when collecting such a tax at the Custom House, to separate articles which are to be consumed within the limits of the Moulmain Municipality from those that will be sent outside of it. The Burman says the Octroi does not touch the latter, but does not explain how it leaves them alone as they will pass through Municipal limits. We see no proposed arrangements for refunds. The Burman says the Octroi is largely objected to in Moulmain. We have no doubt this is perfectly true. The large majority of tax-payers always object to increased taxation. But that it appears to us is not the point at issue. Assuming increased taxation to be necessary how can it best be levied to cause the least amount of public inconvenience and discontent and not to press hardly on the poorest classes? Possibly, as the Burman says, economy might be introduced with advantage into the Moulmain Municipality. There is room for economy also on the Rangoon Municipal Board. But merely to practice economy will not put a stop to necessary expenditure and for that taxation is necessary. We should much like to see the press in Burma discuss the question of taxation and the wisdom or otherwise of the present policy of levying it by direct means, instead of in-direct. We abolished the Import Duties and now have in their stead an Income Tax and Salt, a necessity of life to all, doubled in price. Does the Burman think this a wise policy or does he not know, as well as we do, that by such finance we are making British Rule unpopular in thousands of households, who see their daily expenses for necessary food not only increased but doubled? We are admirers of Free Trade which has done so much for England and we do not advocate Protection; but we think for a country like India, requiring the revenue, it is wiser to levy it in the shape of Custom House Duties rather than by direct taxation on the consumers as we are doing now and creating an enormous amount of dissatisfaction and discontent in the process. It seems to our unenlightened minds that the proposals of the Moulmein (sic) Municipality, as we understood them, were novel and likely to be successful. We are told we are wrong, but the mode they propose to raise their Octroi Tax is not pointed out by the Burman, who simply says we are wrong in looking upon the Octroi as a Municipal Import Duty and that it would not be required if economy were practiced. Our tax-payers said the same thing when the water rates were raised, but it has not availed them much.
Moulmain (sic) and the Octroi Tax
An article in the Burman says we have altogether mistaken the nature of the proposed new tax in Moulmain, which they call Octroi and that it in no way bears any likeness to a Municipal Import Duty. We must confess to have taken our ideas of the proposed new tax from the advertisement the Municipality [placed] in the Moulmain Advertiser which stated the rates the Municipal Committee proposed to levy; and in an editorial in the same paper it was said that the tax would be collected at the Custom House and would therefore cost but little for collection. We do not see how it is proposed, when collecting such a tax at the Custom House, to separate articles which are to be consumed within the limits of the Moulmain Municipality from those that will be sent outside of it. The Burman says the Octroi does not touch the latter, but does not explain how it leaves them alone as they will pass through Municipal limits. We see no proposed arrangements for refunds. The Burman says the Octroi is largely objected to in Moulmain. We have no doubt this is perfectly true. The large majority of tax-payers always object to increased taxation. But that it appears to us is not the point at issue. Assuming increased taxation to be necessary how can it best be levied to cause the least amount of public inconvenience and discontent and not to press hardly on the poorest classes? Possibly, as the Burman says, economy might be introduced with advantage into the Moulmain Municipality. There is room for economy also on the Rangoon Municipal Board. But merely to practice economy will not put a stop to necessary expenditure and for that taxation is necessary. We should much like to see the press in Burma discuss the question of taxation and the wisdom or otherwise of the present policy of levying it by direct means, instead of in-direct. We abolished the Import Duties and now have in their stead an Income Tax and Salt, a necessity of life to all, doubled in price. Does the Burman think this a wise policy or does he not know, as well as we do, that by such finance we are making British Rule unpopular in thousands of households, who see their daily expenses for necessary food not only increased but doubled? We are admirers of Free Trade which has done so much for England and we do not advocate Protection; but we think for a country like India, requiring the revenue, it is wiser to levy it in the shape of Custom House Duties rather than by direct taxation on the consumers as we are doing now and creating an enormous amount of dissatisfaction and discontent in the process. It seems to our unenlightened minds that the proposals of the Moulmein (sic) Municipality, as we understood them, were novel and likely to be successful. We are told we are wrong, but the mode they propose to raise their Octroi Tax is not pointed out by the Burman, who simply says we are wrong in looking upon the Octroi as a Municipal Import Duty and that it would not be required if economy were practiced. Our tax-payers said the same thing when the water rates were raised, but it has not availed them much.
Editorial
Loyalty or Pigheadedness?
Our contemporary, the Rangoon Gazette, has strange ideas of decency and the fitness of things. He ventures to suggest that the Additional Recorder proposes going to Calcutta “perhaps to talk over matters in a friendly way with Mr Moylan in some Darjeeling Hotel, or to read up by way of relaxation the law relating to contempts by the press.”
This perhaps may be very funny; but, considering the subject of it has just been struck off the Rolls of Advocates of the Recorder’s Court; that he was found guilty of misappropriation of his clients’ money in Grenada; that the Courts there were of opinion that he was unworthy of the character of a Barrister or a gentlemen; we can hardly believe that the Gazettes counsel could have seen the objectionable paragraph we allude to, which asserts that one Recorder, against whose conduct and character there has never been yet breathed a word of suspicion, would make friends with a man just declared by another Recorder unworthy to hold the position of an Advocate of his Court.
Grenada may not have a very large population, but the people there are evidently of a different class from the majority of those in Burma. They did not take very long to find out Mr Moylan and a jury of English planters evidently did not appreciate an Advocate trying to oust a defendant from land by a fraudulent lease for his own benefit. As regards salaries, if the Gazette will take the trouble to go through his Whittaker, he will find that an £800 judgement in healthy colonies, within 15 or 20 days steam of England, are not thought so little of as he, with his large Indian ideas, imagines. Plenty of suitable men for such appointments are found, on what appears out here to be low pay Mr Moylan himself went out on £400 a year and was doubtless glad of the opportunity. Anyhow, these colonial appointments are never long vacant; and, though occasionally the Government may get, as they evidently did in Mr Moylan, an objectionable hand, the rule is the reverse.
Mr Moylan’s fall, after he had been riding roughshod over so many of the toadies and sycophants in Burmah, has evidently been a surprise for our contemporary and some few others of the community. They wish perhaps to try to minimise it and make out that their idol was not really so black as the Grenada underpaid Judge made out. But what about the Jury, composed, as we said, of English planters? What about the folly of talking about exparte proceedings, when Mr Moylan himself appealed?
We should have been content to allow all these matters to rest, had Mr Moylan’s admirers only the grace to be silent on his downfall. But, as they insist on stirring up mud, and mixing it with falsehood and indecent suggestions regarding honourable men on the Bench and at the Bar, we can hardly remain silent. The Gazette, we notice, is going to try and make money out of its quondam friend’s shame by publishing the whole case in pamphlet form at a rupee a copy. Let the proprietor of that paper insert in his pamphlet his own and our articles on the subject and also note that, when Mr Moylan was first suspended by the learned Recorder, that learned Judge’s own subordinate, the Deputy Commissioner of Rangoon, at a Municipal meeting, dared to put the suspended Advocate’s name before the Judge’s; when talking of a proposal to make the suspended Advocate legal adviser to the Municipality, he said “he thought it would be best to allow the matter to stand over, as it might give offence to either Mr Moylan or the Recorder to settle the matter just now.” When Burmah possesses a larger element of healthy English opinion, some more of the Gazette’s despised Grenada planter class, so lengthy and prosperous a career of such a man as Mr Moylan, would be an impossibility here. Those whom he has not ridden roughshod over and insulted, those whom he has used for his own purposes, to their own great delight at having been noticed by a man of undoubtedly superior talents and ability, are thunderstruck at the fall of their idol, which was of very base clay after all. But these people are an sufficient majority and their opinions and feelings are not worth a moment’s consideration when compared with the good of the province and the advantage of the general community, which the recent order has undoubtedly tended to being about.
Loyalty or Pigheadedness?
Our contemporary, the Rangoon Gazette, has strange ideas of decency and the fitness of things. He ventures to suggest that the Additional Recorder proposes going to Calcutta “perhaps to talk over matters in a friendly way with Mr Moylan in some Darjeeling Hotel, or to read up by way of relaxation the law relating to contempts by the press.”
This perhaps may be very funny; but, considering the subject of it has just been struck off the Rolls of Advocates of the Recorder’s Court; that he was found guilty of misappropriation of his clients’ money in Grenada; that the Courts there were of opinion that he was unworthy of the character of a Barrister or a gentlemen; we can hardly believe that the Gazettes counsel could have seen the objectionable paragraph we allude to, which asserts that one Recorder, against whose conduct and character there has never been yet breathed a word of suspicion, would make friends with a man just declared by another Recorder unworthy to hold the position of an Advocate of his Court.
Grenada may not have a very large population, but the people there are evidently of a different class from the majority of those in Burma. They did not take very long to find out Mr Moylan and a jury of English planters evidently did not appreciate an Advocate trying to oust a defendant from land by a fraudulent lease for his own benefit. As regards salaries, if the Gazette will take the trouble to go through his Whittaker, he will find that an £800 judgement in healthy colonies, within 15 or 20 days steam of England, are not thought so little of as he, with his large Indian ideas, imagines. Plenty of suitable men for such appointments are found, on what appears out here to be low pay Mr Moylan himself went out on £400 a year and was doubtless glad of the opportunity. Anyhow, these colonial appointments are never long vacant; and, though occasionally the Government may get, as they evidently did in Mr Moylan, an objectionable hand, the rule is the reverse.
Mr Moylan’s fall, after he had been riding roughshod over so many of the toadies and sycophants in Burmah, has evidently been a surprise for our contemporary and some few others of the community. They wish perhaps to try to minimise it and make out that their idol was not really so black as the Grenada underpaid Judge made out. But what about the Jury, composed, as we said, of English planters? What about the folly of talking about exparte proceedings, when Mr Moylan himself appealed?
We should have been content to allow all these matters to rest, had Mr Moylan’s admirers only the grace to be silent on his downfall. But, as they insist on stirring up mud, and mixing it with falsehood and indecent suggestions regarding honourable men on the Bench and at the Bar, we can hardly remain silent. The Gazette, we notice, is going to try and make money out of its quondam friend’s shame by publishing the whole case in pamphlet form at a rupee a copy. Let the proprietor of that paper insert in his pamphlet his own and our articles on the subject and also note that, when Mr Moylan was first suspended by the learned Recorder, that learned Judge’s own subordinate, the Deputy Commissioner of Rangoon, at a Municipal meeting, dared to put the suspended Advocate’s name before the Judge’s; when talking of a proposal to make the suspended Advocate legal adviser to the Municipality, he said “he thought it would be best to allow the matter to stand over, as it might give offence to either Mr Moylan or the Recorder to settle the matter just now.” When Burmah possesses a larger element of healthy English opinion, some more of the Gazette’s despised Grenada planter class, so lengthy and prosperous a career of such a man as Mr Moylan, would be an impossibility here. Those whom he has not ridden roughshod over and insulted, those whom he has used for his own purposes, to their own great delight at having been noticed by a man of undoubtedly superior talents and ability, are thunderstruck at the fall of their idol, which was of very base clay after all. But these people are an sufficient majority and their opinions and feelings are not worth a moment’s consideration when compared with the good of the province and the advantage of the general community, which the recent order has undoubtedly tended to being about.
Repairing Rangoon Streets
The residents of 18th and 19th Streets complain, and we think with justice, of the way they have been treated by the Municipality.
The streets in question are inhabited towards their junction with the Strand Road, by well-to-do Chinese, Arakanese and Burmese traders. For the last three weeks they have been newly metalled, but no attempt seems to have been made to put down the usual amount of sand and earth, or to pass a roller over the metal. It is thus made a matter of extreme difficulty for the residents to go to their houses or to quit them wither on foot or by gharries.
The usual process of repairing roads where Europeans reside is to roll the road during the progress of metalling and sanding and to endeavour to create as little obstruction to public traffic and as little annoyance to residents as possible. Why, because the taxpayers in this case happen to be Asiatics is an altogether different process followed, and their convenience left unstudied altogether?
It is by such treatment of the large majority of taxpayers in Rangoon, that the Municipality has got the bad name it has in the place. When people can make their grievances heard, they meet from the Rangoon Municipality Committee an altogether different treatment than where only Asiatics are concerned. If the native members of the Committee brought to light cases similar to the one we are ow writing on, they would certainly obtain a better name amongst their constituents and probably native taxpayers would be better treated than they now are by Municipal Officers.
The Ruby Mines
The news that the Streeter concession has been so far recognised by the Government that the concessionaries have been able, according to information for which the Times of India seems primarily responsible, to dispose of it for a comparatively enormous sum, would lead to the inference that this peculiar portion of our affairs has advanced a stage.
No previous intimation that the sale of the lease to Messrs. Streeter & Co. had been confirmed, had been received; but it was generally understood that it would be “all right” for them. But how is it that the lease has been extended to nine years in this particular instance, without fresh tenders being called for? This step, if taken, is a manifest injustice both to the public and to the other competitors.
Everybody’s business is nobody’s business; but it seems that the whole transaction is one to which the attention of Parliament can be reasonably called next Session. The last Parliamentary Papers were of a most meagre description and it is to be hoped someone may call for a return that will give a more complete account of the dealings of Streeter’s and other agents, both with the Local and other Governments.
The communications both before and subsequent to the Secretary of State’s painful exhibition in the House, being naturally official papers that have passed between the Local, Indian and Home Authorities, might also be included; and then we might have an opportunity of seeing the manner in which a pubic property, apparently of very considerable value, has been allowed to pass quietly into the hands of private speculators. ...
The residents of 18th and 19th Streets complain, and we think with justice, of the way they have been treated by the Municipality.
The streets in question are inhabited towards their junction with the Strand Road, by well-to-do Chinese, Arakanese and Burmese traders. For the last three weeks they have been newly metalled, but no attempt seems to have been made to put down the usual amount of sand and earth, or to pass a roller over the metal. It is thus made a matter of extreme difficulty for the residents to go to their houses or to quit them wither on foot or by gharries.
The usual process of repairing roads where Europeans reside is to roll the road during the progress of metalling and sanding and to endeavour to create as little obstruction to public traffic and as little annoyance to residents as possible. Why, because the taxpayers in this case happen to be Asiatics is an altogether different process followed, and their convenience left unstudied altogether?
It is by such treatment of the large majority of taxpayers in Rangoon, that the Municipality has got the bad name it has in the place. When people can make their grievances heard, they meet from the Rangoon Municipality Committee an altogether different treatment than where only Asiatics are concerned. If the native members of the Committee brought to light cases similar to the one we are ow writing on, they would certainly obtain a better name amongst their constituents and probably native taxpayers would be better treated than they now are by Municipal Officers.
The Ruby Mines
The news that the Streeter concession has been so far recognised by the Government that the concessionaries have been able, according to information for which the Times of India seems primarily responsible, to dispose of it for a comparatively enormous sum, would lead to the inference that this peculiar portion of our affairs has advanced a stage.
No previous intimation that the sale of the lease to Messrs. Streeter & Co. had been confirmed, had been received; but it was generally understood that it would be “all right” for them. But how is it that the lease has been extended to nine years in this particular instance, without fresh tenders being called for? This step, if taken, is a manifest injustice both to the public and to the other competitors.
Everybody’s business is nobody’s business; but it seems that the whole transaction is one to which the attention of Parliament can be reasonably called next Session. The last Parliamentary Papers were of a most meagre description and it is to be hoped someone may call for a return that will give a more complete account of the dealings of Streeter’s and other agents, both with the Local and other Governments.
The communications both before and subsequent to the Secretary of State’s painful exhibition in the House, being naturally official papers that have passed between the Local, Indian and Home Authorities, might also be included; and then we might have an opportunity of seeing the manner in which a pubic property, apparently of very considerable value, has been allowed to pass quietly into the hands of private speculators. ...
Mr Moylan’s Case
Indian Contemporary Opinion
The astute Mr Moylan allowed himself to go too far when he aspersed the impartiality of the Bench before whom he was practicing. Like an Irish M.P. he appears to have calculated that a half apology tendered with the worst possible grace would have been a sufficient atonement for anything he might choose to say before. But the Recorder, who passed judgement in the case on Saturday, kept to his opinion that the apology made matters worse and pronounced decision that his name should be struck off the rolls of the Court. Incidentally it appears that Mr Moylan at an earlier period of his career had been disbarred at Grenada “for fraudulent conduct unworthy [of] the character of a Barrister or gentleman,” but this fact did not become known until after his admission to the Rangoon Bar. It is to be hoped that these revelations will convince the Times at last of the propriety of adopting another correspondent in Burma. – Pioneer.
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Rangoon has been thrown into a state of ferment by a sort of quarrel, if it may be so termed, between the bench and the Bar. The facts are simple. Mr MacEwen, who was for many years one of the best Judges in our Small Cause Court, is now Recorder of Rangoon; and practicing in his Court are certain Barristers, one of whom, Mr Moylan, may be termed, perhaps, the leading member of the Bar in Burmah. In a case before the Court, another Barrister approached the Recorder and spoke to him about a word or something in a document before the Court. Mr Moylan thereupon made use of some expressions, implying that the Court showed favour to that Barrister from motives of friendship or social intimacy, stating that no other member of the Bar would have been allowed such a privilege by the Court. This the Recorder felt to be a most unwarranted reflection upon his impartiality as a Judge and he of course resented the imputation by suspending Mr Moylan from practice in his Court until he purged his contempt and satisfied the Judge. We are not surprised that Mr MacEwen should have resented the imputation of unfairness or partiality in his Court. No suspicion of the kind ever attached to him in Calcutta and we do not remember that his decisions were ever questioned or over-ruled by the High Court. The Rangoon Gazette also gave offence to the Court, but we think the press made its peace; and we will not mix up the cases. Mr Moylan had to appear before the Court to show cause why he should not be dealt with as the law directs for his contempt of the Court. He appeared by a learned brother, the case occupying the whole day and Mr Eddis concluding his arguments in favour of Mr Moylan by referring to the good feeling which should exist between the Bench and the Bar. Mr MacEwen, the Recorder, probably feeling this as a sort of challenge to his good nature, said he had always had a friendly feeling towards the Bar and endeavoured to uphold its best traditions and it was because he was doing so that he had been charged or challenged with showing undue favour. Not wishing to act hastily or under excited feelings, Mr MacEwen took time to consider his decision; and he seems to have been improving the shining hours in the interval by looking into the antecedents of Mr Moylan. Perhaps the latter, presuming on his position of correspondent of the London Times, thought to overawe the Court. If so he was under a wrong impression. Our telegrams state clearly and distinctly the sentence passed upon him by the Recorder. It is not, we are told, a hasty judgement, nor that of the Recorder himself. He has carefully considered the case and has consulted his colleagues who concur in the judgement withdrawing Mr Moylan’s certificate to practice in that Court and striking him off the rolls. Not only was he punished for his contempt of the Rangoon Court but as in the case of the convicted criminal, a previous conviction was recorded against him, and some damaging statements were made as to his previous conduct. In the presence of these facts, Mr Moylan would have acted wisely not to have made offensive remarks to the Court, or having made them in the heat of the moment under a wrong impression, he might have saved himself by a graceful apology, which would have well become him and would have saved his position at the Bar and also have prevented the resuscitation of some previous escapades with which are associated some very uncomplimentary terms. What Mr Moylan can do in the way of appeal we are not aware. It will be well if he does not make the case still worse by causing to be recalled events which should be remembered chiefly as a warning and as the basis of stern resolutions to walk cautiously in the future.
Indian Daily Mail.
Indian Contemporary Opinion
The astute Mr Moylan allowed himself to go too far when he aspersed the impartiality of the Bench before whom he was practicing. Like an Irish M.P. he appears to have calculated that a half apology tendered with the worst possible grace would have been a sufficient atonement for anything he might choose to say before. But the Recorder, who passed judgement in the case on Saturday, kept to his opinion that the apology made matters worse and pronounced decision that his name should be struck off the rolls of the Court. Incidentally it appears that Mr Moylan at an earlier period of his career had been disbarred at Grenada “for fraudulent conduct unworthy [of] the character of a Barrister or gentleman,” but this fact did not become known until after his admission to the Rangoon Bar. It is to be hoped that these revelations will convince the Times at last of the propriety of adopting another correspondent in Burma. – Pioneer.
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Rangoon has been thrown into a state of ferment by a sort of quarrel, if it may be so termed, between the bench and the Bar. The facts are simple. Mr MacEwen, who was for many years one of the best Judges in our Small Cause Court, is now Recorder of Rangoon; and practicing in his Court are certain Barristers, one of whom, Mr Moylan, may be termed, perhaps, the leading member of the Bar in Burmah. In a case before the Court, another Barrister approached the Recorder and spoke to him about a word or something in a document before the Court. Mr Moylan thereupon made use of some expressions, implying that the Court showed favour to that Barrister from motives of friendship or social intimacy, stating that no other member of the Bar would have been allowed such a privilege by the Court. This the Recorder felt to be a most unwarranted reflection upon his impartiality as a Judge and he of course resented the imputation by suspending Mr Moylan from practice in his Court until he purged his contempt and satisfied the Judge. We are not surprised that Mr MacEwen should have resented the imputation of unfairness or partiality in his Court. No suspicion of the kind ever attached to him in Calcutta and we do not remember that his decisions were ever questioned or over-ruled by the High Court. The Rangoon Gazette also gave offence to the Court, but we think the press made its peace; and we will not mix up the cases. Mr Moylan had to appear before the Court to show cause why he should not be dealt with as the law directs for his contempt of the Court. He appeared by a learned brother, the case occupying the whole day and Mr Eddis concluding his arguments in favour of Mr Moylan by referring to the good feeling which should exist between the Bench and the Bar. Mr MacEwen, the Recorder, probably feeling this as a sort of challenge to his good nature, said he had always had a friendly feeling towards the Bar and endeavoured to uphold its best traditions and it was because he was doing so that he had been charged or challenged with showing undue favour. Not wishing to act hastily or under excited feelings, Mr MacEwen took time to consider his decision; and he seems to have been improving the shining hours in the interval by looking into the antecedents of Mr Moylan. Perhaps the latter, presuming on his position of correspondent of the London Times, thought to overawe the Court. If so he was under a wrong impression. Our telegrams state clearly and distinctly the sentence passed upon him by the Recorder. It is not, we are told, a hasty judgement, nor that of the Recorder himself. He has carefully considered the case and has consulted his colleagues who concur in the judgement withdrawing Mr Moylan’s certificate to practice in that Court and striking him off the rolls. Not only was he punished for his contempt of the Rangoon Court but as in the case of the convicted criminal, a previous conviction was recorded against him, and some damaging statements were made as to his previous conduct. In the presence of these facts, Mr Moylan would have acted wisely not to have made offensive remarks to the Court, or having made them in the heat of the moment under a wrong impression, he might have saved himself by a graceful apology, which would have well become him and would have saved his position at the Bar and also have prevented the resuscitation of some previous escapades with which are associated some very uncomplimentary terms. What Mr Moylan can do in the way of appeal we are not aware. It will be well if he does not make the case still worse by causing to be recalled events which should be remembered chiefly as a warning and as the basis of stern resolutions to walk cautiously in the future.
Indian Daily Mail.
Ruby Mines Road
The hill road from Tahbeikyin to Bernardmyo, a distance of 60 miles, has been laid out; the first 50 miles have been opened out to a width of 12 feet, excavated from the hillside; all the major and most of the minor streams have been bridged, so that carts were running to within 12 miles of Bernardmyo before the rains commenced. Carts will not be able to use the road during the rains till the road is metalled, but for this funds are not available. The 10 or 12 miles that remained to be done to open the road through to Barnardmyo offer no difficulties but the hill labour has gone off to the cultivation of fields, and Burmans from the plains cannot be induced to go up to work in the hills. The cost of the road to date has been about Rs. 3,00,000, which includes about Rs. 50,000 spent by the Military authorities on mule-roads. The road to Mogok will take off about 13 miles to Bernardmyo and the branch will be about 20 miles long, costing about Rs. 100,000 unmetalled.
We believe there are many firms of contractors in England who would, for the money which has been spent, have laid down a small tramway over these 60 miles of hill road to the future sanitarium of Bernardmyo. It is satisfactory to find that so much progress has been made in bridging and excavations, but three lakhs spent over some fifty miles and then only to possess a road which is available for six months of the year, is a heavy price to pay. When the road is completed and metalled, it will, we fear, be found to have cost over six lakhs instead of three, whilst it will require constant repairs and supervision if it is to be kept serviceable for public traffic. We regret the apparent failure of the authorities to see that at the present date a tramway or light railway is cheaper in its first cost than a road, whilst infinitely more serviceable for convenience of goods and passengers and requiring comparatively little outlay for repairs. If advantage was taken of the firms of large European contractors to open out our new territory, instead of keeping everything in the hands of the D.P.W., there is no doubt we might open out communications very much more speedily in Upper Burma than we are likely to do at present. Both the Government and the public have great interests involved in improving communications in Burma and no pains should be spared to have such works undertaken in the most economical and speedy manner possible.
The hill road from Tahbeikyin to Bernardmyo, a distance of 60 miles, has been laid out; the first 50 miles have been opened out to a width of 12 feet, excavated from the hillside; all the major and most of the minor streams have been bridged, so that carts were running to within 12 miles of Bernardmyo before the rains commenced. Carts will not be able to use the road during the rains till the road is metalled, but for this funds are not available. The 10 or 12 miles that remained to be done to open the road through to Barnardmyo offer no difficulties but the hill labour has gone off to the cultivation of fields, and Burmans from the plains cannot be induced to go up to work in the hills. The cost of the road to date has been about Rs. 3,00,000, which includes about Rs. 50,000 spent by the Military authorities on mule-roads. The road to Mogok will take off about 13 miles to Bernardmyo and the branch will be about 20 miles long, costing about Rs. 100,000 unmetalled.
We believe there are many firms of contractors in England who would, for the money which has been spent, have laid down a small tramway over these 60 miles of hill road to the future sanitarium of Bernardmyo. It is satisfactory to find that so much progress has been made in bridging and excavations, but three lakhs spent over some fifty miles and then only to possess a road which is available for six months of the year, is a heavy price to pay. When the road is completed and metalled, it will, we fear, be found to have cost over six lakhs instead of three, whilst it will require constant repairs and supervision if it is to be kept serviceable for public traffic. We regret the apparent failure of the authorities to see that at the present date a tramway or light railway is cheaper in its first cost than a road, whilst infinitely more serviceable for convenience of goods and passengers and requiring comparatively little outlay for repairs. If advantage was taken of the firms of large European contractors to open out our new territory, instead of keeping everything in the hands of the D.P.W., there is no doubt we might open out communications very much more speedily in Upper Burma than we are likely to do at present. Both the Government and the public have great interests involved in improving communications in Burma and no pains should be spared to have such works undertaken in the most economical and speedy manner possible.
Articles
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Municipal Doings
We hear that another dispute on an important point will very probably come before the Recorder’s Court before long, unless some understanding is arrived at between the Committee and a land-holder in town. Some few months ago, one Judah Ezekiel received a notice that the wooden buildings belonging to his father’s estate, on the corners of Dalhousie and China Streets, were in a dilapidated and unsafe condition and he was summoned in the Assistant Magistrate’s Court for not putting them in order or removing them. The case, we believe, was dismissed or struck off, as, before it was heard, the buildings were removed. Judah Ezekiel then applied with a plan for the usual permission to erect a new pucca building on the land in question. After a considerable amount of delay, he was told that the plan, as submitted to the authorities, could not be entertained and that he must leave a strip of land 10 feet wide and the whole length of his land, some 57 feet we believe, for scavenging purposes and for fresh air. Now this is, no doubt, very desirable, but it will be somewhat hard on the owners if they have to give up a large portion of their land for such public purposes as this without consideration; we believe the Municipality object to give this and if they have to give it in every instance, the amount will be, no doubt, large. But why sell or lease a person land to build on and then refuse his permission to build without he gives you back a certain proportion of the land gratis for the public benefit? We hear that in Judah Ezekiel’s case the Municipality are satisfied now with a strip 6 feet wide instead of the 10 feet that they originally demanded. They thus would seem to admit they were demanding a strip 2/5ths more than was necessary for the purposes they set out, which would appear to be public ones. But they think they are not liable to give compensation to the private owner of valuable land thus taken up. We differ from their views and think it likely the Court will differ also. We should like to see the matter discussed at a Municipal meeting. It seems one of the highest importance and one in which owners of property in town and tax payers who will eventually have to pay compensation if it is given, should be represented and give their views as fully as possible. |
Taxation
A correspondent in the Rangoon Gazette of Thursday writes 2 and a half columns to complain of missionaries being subjected to the Income Tax, which he calls “unprecedented.” We are, and always have been, ready to acknowledge the immense services done by them to education, civilisation and good government in Burma, but we fail to see why, if other men getting Rs. 50 per mensem have to pay income tax, missionaries should be exempt. On the score of good service, public officers and volunteers might equally claim to be not liable to pay the tax. We are glad to find the missionaries grumbling at the tax, not that we think they should be exempted, but because the more the subject is ventilated, the more its un-suitableness to the East will be made manifest. When Import Duties were in force, no particular class was exempted from their operation. The rich paid more than the poor, because they used more imports and the taxes on luxuries might have been made still more productive without oppressing the poorer classes. But no class, not even missionaries were exempted and no particular hardship was experienced by any one from slight contributions to the public revenue in this form. It is altogether different with the Income Tax from which people try to get exemption and in which, except the officials, whose official incomes are known, probably four-fifths of those paying do not pay on their true income. The Income Tax encourages fraud, untruthfulness and dishonesty. Import Duties are seldom evaded and are not found to be oppressive to the majority of those paying, the consumers who purchase what they want in the shops and bazaars, not knowing they are paying the tax in the slightly increased price of the commodities they require, any more than they appreciate the fact, now that the Import Duties are removed, that they are getting such articles free. To largely increase the tax on a necessity of life like salt, means a great deal to a poor family and nothing at all to a rich man, who probably consumes much less salt with his food than an agriculturist who also gives it to his cattle to keep them in health. The sooner the Government of India recognises the fact that raising Import Duties for the purposes of revenue is no infringement of the principles of free trade, the sooner is India likely to be relieved of oppressive Salt Duties and an Income Tax to which all classes appear to object, and which in the case of those with the smallest incomes is undoubtedly a great burden. |
From the Occasional Correspondent
Tavoy 19th Aug.
It is many years since the crops were in such a flourishing condition as they are now. Last year the early rains prevented the Karens burning the jungle they had cut on lands intended for paddy cultivation; consequently these poor people are now in great distress; rice and other grain are not procurable at Myitta and in fact the whole of the inhabitants of the Tennasserim valleys are in want. Sometimes an enterprising tradesman of Tavoy sends out as many bags of rice as the few elephants at his disposal will carry, the grain is eagerly bought up by the villager at prices varying from Rs. 6 to Rs. 8 per basket.
Some time ago the Local Government brought 100 baskets of rice (carriage free) to a place named Wagone, distant about 24 miles, the grain was disposed of at Rs. 2-1 per basket and I need hardly remark that this supply has long since been consumed. Yesterday a party of about 12 Karens came into town to relate their sufferings, first to the Police and then to the Asst. Magistrate but I am unable to say what steps have been taken to assist them. On questioning a few of the party I was greatly struck with their simplicity and fortitude, they replied that they were in great distress, that their children were weak and starving for want of rice and that only the available food was bamboo, roots and wild yams. It is to be hoped that the Government will exert themselves in the interest of these loyal people, who have rendered Government very valuable services during the recent attacks by rebels on villages in the district.
Mr Aldworth, Asst. Superintendent of Police, is still hovering about Waboolai, on the watch to pounce upon the rebels who are supposed to lurking about these quarters. The Deputy Commissioner, Mr Twomey and the Dist. Superintendent, Mr Harris, are again on the track of some notorious characters. Mr Sarfus officiates during the Deputy Commissioner’s abence.
Po Sun, a half-bred Chinaman, who murdered a woman (his step-mother) in her own house on the 21st May last, because she has refused to deliver up some property unless the accused paid her Rs. 21, suffered the extreme penalty of the law at 6 o’clock this morning. The culprit was a very intelligent and pleasing looking young man of 22 years but looked much younger. The prisoner on being told to prepare himself for death on the following morning and that in consequence he would eb permitted to interview his relatives and friends, calmly remarked that he should like to see his wife and his sister, the latter paid him visits during the day. The execution took place within the precincts of the jail and in presence of the prison authorities and the Medical Officer, the prisoner appeared quite cool and indifferent and walked with a firm step from the cell to the scafford; almost immediately the trap fell, life was extinct; the body, after hanging for one house, was cut down and shortly afterwards buried.
20th Aug.
The Pontoon, which cost the Government over Rs. 20,000 and was always used by the Commander of the P.S. Tavoy as a landing stage, now lies at the bottom of the river, where it has been for some weeks past. About 1-30 o’clock on the night of the 12th ultimo, the Tavoy made fast to the Pontoon. At about 3 or 4 a.m. next morning the steamer rolled on her side nearest the Pontoon. On learning that the stage was rapidly sinking the Commander cut his ropes and cleared off just in the nick of time. The P.S. Tavoy is not what she was formerly.
I can remember the times when our mails were delivered in the morning and seldom so late as 6 p.m., even in the dry season but now affairs are quite different. One hears the Tavoy’s unearthly blast at all hours, sometimes so late as 11 p.m. Of course, there are reason[s] for the delay and it is only fair that they should be mentioned. Sometimes the cause is due to her having been run upon some sand bank or stuck in the mud at some unpronounceable place up the river or that she had been compelled to drop her mud hook because there was insufficient water for her to come up, and now we hear it is the boilers, which are reported to be so old as to prevent the Engineer putting on more steam than will drive her at six knots an hour, some months ago, the Engineer then in charge, managed to get her along at the rate of 8 and 9 knots, but he had eventually to reduce his pressure. Mr Steel’s successor did not remain long in charge of the mechanical arrangements of this strange looking craft, and the present Chief, I believe, does not entertain a very high opinion of the state of the boilers, engines etc. and he, I understood, is unable to make more than 6 knots.
Tavoy 19th Aug.
It is many years since the crops were in such a flourishing condition as they are now. Last year the early rains prevented the Karens burning the jungle they had cut on lands intended for paddy cultivation; consequently these poor people are now in great distress; rice and other grain are not procurable at Myitta and in fact the whole of the inhabitants of the Tennasserim valleys are in want. Sometimes an enterprising tradesman of Tavoy sends out as many bags of rice as the few elephants at his disposal will carry, the grain is eagerly bought up by the villager at prices varying from Rs. 6 to Rs. 8 per basket.
Some time ago the Local Government brought 100 baskets of rice (carriage free) to a place named Wagone, distant about 24 miles, the grain was disposed of at Rs. 2-1 per basket and I need hardly remark that this supply has long since been consumed. Yesterday a party of about 12 Karens came into town to relate their sufferings, first to the Police and then to the Asst. Magistrate but I am unable to say what steps have been taken to assist them. On questioning a few of the party I was greatly struck with their simplicity and fortitude, they replied that they were in great distress, that their children were weak and starving for want of rice and that only the available food was bamboo, roots and wild yams. It is to be hoped that the Government will exert themselves in the interest of these loyal people, who have rendered Government very valuable services during the recent attacks by rebels on villages in the district.
Mr Aldworth, Asst. Superintendent of Police, is still hovering about Waboolai, on the watch to pounce upon the rebels who are supposed to lurking about these quarters. The Deputy Commissioner, Mr Twomey and the Dist. Superintendent, Mr Harris, are again on the track of some notorious characters. Mr Sarfus officiates during the Deputy Commissioner’s abence.
Po Sun, a half-bred Chinaman, who murdered a woman (his step-mother) in her own house on the 21st May last, because she has refused to deliver up some property unless the accused paid her Rs. 21, suffered the extreme penalty of the law at 6 o’clock this morning. The culprit was a very intelligent and pleasing looking young man of 22 years but looked much younger. The prisoner on being told to prepare himself for death on the following morning and that in consequence he would eb permitted to interview his relatives and friends, calmly remarked that he should like to see his wife and his sister, the latter paid him visits during the day. The execution took place within the precincts of the jail and in presence of the prison authorities and the Medical Officer, the prisoner appeared quite cool and indifferent and walked with a firm step from the cell to the scafford; almost immediately the trap fell, life was extinct; the body, after hanging for one house, was cut down and shortly afterwards buried.
20th Aug.
The Pontoon, which cost the Government over Rs. 20,000 and was always used by the Commander of the P.S. Tavoy as a landing stage, now lies at the bottom of the river, where it has been for some weeks past. About 1-30 o’clock on the night of the 12th ultimo, the Tavoy made fast to the Pontoon. At about 3 or 4 a.m. next morning the steamer rolled on her side nearest the Pontoon. On learning that the stage was rapidly sinking the Commander cut his ropes and cleared off just in the nick of time. The P.S. Tavoy is not what she was formerly.
I can remember the times when our mails were delivered in the morning and seldom so late as 6 p.m., even in the dry season but now affairs are quite different. One hears the Tavoy’s unearthly blast at all hours, sometimes so late as 11 p.m. Of course, there are reason[s] for the delay and it is only fair that they should be mentioned. Sometimes the cause is due to her having been run upon some sand bank or stuck in the mud at some unpronounceable place up the river or that she had been compelled to drop her mud hook because there was insufficient water for her to come up, and now we hear it is the boilers, which are reported to be so old as to prevent the Engineer putting on more steam than will drive her at six knots an hour, some months ago, the Engineer then in charge, managed to get her along at the rate of 8 and 9 knots, but he had eventually to reduce his pressure. Mr Steel’s successor did not remain long in charge of the mechanical arrangements of this strange looking craft, and the present Chief, I believe, does not entertain a very high opinion of the state of the boilers, engines etc. and he, I understood, is unable to make more than 6 knots.
Fares
Although fares by steamer to Yandoon have been raised to 8 annas in the past few days crowds of people fill the steamers which leave the Williams Street Wharf daily for that place. On an average we should think at least 300 people travel daily each way. The two Flotilla steamers Kindat and Hata built by the well-known firm of Yarrow & Co. are now on the line. They draw little over 2 feet, are stern wheelers and seem admirably fitted for the navigation of small creeks. Both were employed in Upper Burma during the dry season and will probably be used there again very shortly. They proceed to Yandoon by the Khattiah creek, touching several large villages en route and return by the larger though more winding Panlang, coming into the Taline river about 2 hours steam from Rangoon. Mr Dawson’s two steam launches, which were the origin of reduced fares, are running now we hear to Pantanaw, between which and Yandoon the Flotilla steamer Ruby makes two journeys daily. The district Burmese have advantages of comparatively comfortable and speedy travelling at low rates of fares, unknown a few years ago. And it was all brought about by the two small opposition launches of Mr Dawson’s, who intends, we hear, to start an Irrawaddy Steam Navigation Company, of which the two small launches are the fore-runners. There is no doubt there is an immense traffic to be done almost anywhere in Burma at reduced rates and the Rangoon and Yandoon traffic which has increased fourfold since opposition was started, is only an earnest of what would take place anywhere between this and Bhamo with reduced rates.
ABL note: A correction appears a few days later regarding some of the above information under the heading The Flotilla and the Gazette
Although fares by steamer to Yandoon have been raised to 8 annas in the past few days crowds of people fill the steamers which leave the Williams Street Wharf daily for that place. On an average we should think at least 300 people travel daily each way. The two Flotilla steamers Kindat and Hata built by the well-known firm of Yarrow & Co. are now on the line. They draw little over 2 feet, are stern wheelers and seem admirably fitted for the navigation of small creeks. Both were employed in Upper Burma during the dry season and will probably be used there again very shortly. They proceed to Yandoon by the Khattiah creek, touching several large villages en route and return by the larger though more winding Panlang, coming into the Taline river about 2 hours steam from Rangoon. Mr Dawson’s two steam launches, which were the origin of reduced fares, are running now we hear to Pantanaw, between which and Yandoon the Flotilla steamer Ruby makes two journeys daily. The district Burmese have advantages of comparatively comfortable and speedy travelling at low rates of fares, unknown a few years ago. And it was all brought about by the two small opposition launches of Mr Dawson’s, who intends, we hear, to start an Irrawaddy Steam Navigation Company, of which the two small launches are the fore-runners. There is no doubt there is an immense traffic to be done almost anywhere in Burma at reduced rates and the Rangoon and Yandoon traffic which has increased fourfold since opposition was started, is only an earnest of what would take place anywhere between this and Bhamo with reduced rates.
ABL note: A correction appears a few days later regarding some of the above information under the heading The Flotilla and the Gazette
Burma, A Crown Colony
Although Mr Chan Htoon, the young Arakanese gentleman who has recently distinguished himself so highly at the Inns of Court, cannot have much personal knowledge of Burmese affairs, seeing that he left Arakan a mere youth before the annexation of Upper Burma and has not been out here since, he undoubtedly has hit upon what has long been considered a desirable course, both by Anglo-Burmans here and by advanced Radicals in Indi viz., the separation of the province from India and its formation into a Crown Colony. We, in Burman, are quire satisfied that as a Crown Colony, managing our own affairs, we shall be able to make still greater advances than Pegu made in the first decade after its annexation in 1853. Indian taxpayers generally look upon Burma as likely to be an unprofitable burden for some years to come, although Indian civilians generally view with dismay the prospects of depriving them of the patronage which the Government of Burma affords. We believe the separation of Burma into a Crown Colony is not, as Sir Richard Temple avers, beyond the range of practical politics and we think it would, no doubt, be for the advantage of Burma to be governed as Ceylon is independently of India. We would then have more control over our own affairs, of the modes of raising the necessary revenue and expending it. We may be certain that, as a Crown Colony, we should look out for some more popular method of taxation than an Income Tax, and some more equitable one than doubling the price of salt, so largely consumed here by the poorest classes. We have hitherto spent our annual surplus of from £800,000 to a million sterling, by sending it to India. Under a more popular form of Government we should keep it in the country either allowing it to fructify in the pockets of the taxpayers or using it in making railways, which it has been conclusively shown are of the greatest assistance to the Government and trade, whilst, at the same time giving a fair return for the money invested. We may be certain that as a Crown Colony we should soon have more liberal land law, and greater attention paid to the administration of justice throughout the country. The agitation for separation will, we believe, be productive of good and tend to make the Government of India more careful how they make Burma the place to send their hard bargains, as, we believe, they have sometimes done. As the Home News remarks, until pacification is accomplished, we must be content to go on as we have been doing, but the progress recently made under Sir. C. Crosthwaite’s able administration has been remarkable and we think we may fairly presume that, under present circumstances, we are not likely to have any large gangs of dacoits at operation again in any part of the province. Working under the greatest difficulties such as we believe, no previous ruler encountered, our present Chief Commissioner has succeeded admirably. We hope he may long preside over the destinies of the province he has brought under British administration. But however much we may admire his pluck, determination and success, we hope, when in the fullness of time he has to leave us, that we shall then be separated from India and go on and prosper as a Crown Colony managing our own affairs in our own way and connected only with India as Ceylon and Singapore and Penang are, by trade, and the fact of numerous Indian settlers making Burma their home.
Although Mr Chan Htoon, the young Arakanese gentleman who has recently distinguished himself so highly at the Inns of Court, cannot have much personal knowledge of Burmese affairs, seeing that he left Arakan a mere youth before the annexation of Upper Burma and has not been out here since, he undoubtedly has hit upon what has long been considered a desirable course, both by Anglo-Burmans here and by advanced Radicals in Indi viz., the separation of the province from India and its formation into a Crown Colony. We, in Burman, are quire satisfied that as a Crown Colony, managing our own affairs, we shall be able to make still greater advances than Pegu made in the first decade after its annexation in 1853. Indian taxpayers generally look upon Burma as likely to be an unprofitable burden for some years to come, although Indian civilians generally view with dismay the prospects of depriving them of the patronage which the Government of Burma affords. We believe the separation of Burma into a Crown Colony is not, as Sir Richard Temple avers, beyond the range of practical politics and we think it would, no doubt, be for the advantage of Burma to be governed as Ceylon is independently of India. We would then have more control over our own affairs, of the modes of raising the necessary revenue and expending it. We may be certain that, as a Crown Colony, we should look out for some more popular method of taxation than an Income Tax, and some more equitable one than doubling the price of salt, so largely consumed here by the poorest classes. We have hitherto spent our annual surplus of from £800,000 to a million sterling, by sending it to India. Under a more popular form of Government we should keep it in the country either allowing it to fructify in the pockets of the taxpayers or using it in making railways, which it has been conclusively shown are of the greatest assistance to the Government and trade, whilst, at the same time giving a fair return for the money invested. We may be certain that as a Crown Colony we should soon have more liberal land law, and greater attention paid to the administration of justice throughout the country. The agitation for separation will, we believe, be productive of good and tend to make the Government of India more careful how they make Burma the place to send their hard bargains, as, we believe, they have sometimes done. As the Home News remarks, until pacification is accomplished, we must be content to go on as we have been doing, but the progress recently made under Sir. C. Crosthwaite’s able administration has been remarkable and we think we may fairly presume that, under present circumstances, we are not likely to have any large gangs of dacoits at operation again in any part of the province. Working under the greatest difficulties such as we believe, no previous ruler encountered, our present Chief Commissioner has succeeded admirably. We hope he may long preside over the destinies of the province he has brought under British administration. But however much we may admire his pluck, determination and success, we hope, when in the fullness of time he has to leave us, that we shall then be separated from India and go on and prosper as a Crown Colony managing our own affairs in our own way and connected only with India as Ceylon and Singapore and Penang are, by trade, and the fact of numerous Indian settlers making Burma their home.
The Founding of an Administration
The Report upon the Administration of Upper Burma, of which our Rangoon correspondent two days ago telegraphed a brief summary, will amount practically to a record of Sir Charles Crosthwaite’s Government of the new Province. Sir Charles, it is true, has been more than a year in his command; but administration, in the official sense of the word, dates from his arrival. Two years ago a Civil Government could hardly have been said to exist in the country. The forces of Law and Order were represented by some 140 military posts; the District Officer was in effect merely a policeman with extended powers, whose principal business it was to further, or as it was sometimes said to hinder, the operations of the flying columns in their hunt after the dacoits. The judicial work of the Government was confined to trying the prisoners brought in. But the vigorous operations of the season of 1886-87 effected a marked change in the situation; the flood of disorder had begun to subside and in places we had begun to see dry ground at last. Nevertheless the situation was unpromising enough; a civil war was still going on amongst the Shan States within measurable distance of Mandalay; the north of the Irrawaddy Valley was only nominally under our influence; on the bank opposite Mandalay the worst and most systematic form of dacoity was in full paly; the eastern districts, though the principal gangs had dispersed and disappeared under Sir W. Lockhart’s vigorous pursuit, were in a state of utter disorder; while in those above Thayetmyo, at the foot of the Yomas, the redoubtable Bo Shwe still flourished as in the days of Thebaw (sic) and beyond him a bandit of almost equal renown, Oktama. The Upper Chindwin was still unsettled beyond the range of our posts, while even on the Lower, boats could not ply without a guard. Such was the state of affairs when the new Chief Commissioner, handing over Lower Burma for the time to a Lieutenant, devoted himself to the urgent work before him in the new Province. His eighteen months of office have not only seen peace all but universally restored, but the foundations of a stable administration truly laid and already rising into view.
To the general public the most satisfying feature of Sir Charles Crosthwaite’s Report, for the moment at least, will be the striking increase it exhibits in revenue. The final figures for the year are apparently not yet out even in Rangoon; but in round numbers it may be said that while the revenue for 1886-87 was Rs. 21,68,325, that for 1887-88 will be something like 50 lakhs, giving an increase of between 125 and 130 per cent. As the principal source of revenue is a house-tax – an impost of Rs. 10 per house paid in a lump by villages, who are free to make their own arrangements as to its assessment – it is easily to be understood how the receipts will double themselves in a year as the people settle down; and a large further increase is morally certain to go hand in hand with the extension of order and security. Another considerable head is the revenue which should come in from the Royal Lands which we have inherited from Thebaw, the fines and incidences from which formed an appreciable part of his revenues, but which have yet to be registered and surveyed before they will yield a return. In the Kyoukse (sic) district 80 per cent of the land is said to be under tenure; but that district has been so harried by dacoits that no attempt to verify the fact has yet been possible. Other heads of revenue are not, indeed, equally promising. The absolute prohibition of opium, as regards the Burman population, forbids the possibility of any considerable return from that source; and the moral welfare of the Burman is almost equally well looked after in the matter of liquor. The whole provincial revenue from excise does not amount to three lakhs. And, indeed, it is worth remark that the four lakhs which, but for Lord Cross, the Government would now be receiving from the Ruby Mines would have been, after land revenue, the largest item in the receipt account.
But if the development of the finances of the Province is a matter that is chiefly after all in the hands of Time, in the directions where more immediate result was possible, very much has been achieved. To begin with, the administrative union of the two Provinces is now practically complete. One Secretariat now manages the entire business of the country; the great departments, such as Forests, Jails and the like, are now each under one head. In the Police only, owing to the division of the force into “military” and “civil” bodies, a different arrangement obtains. The junction obviously means a vast benefit to the new Province, which is thus enabled to draw upon a larger staff of officers for its more pressing needs and to obtain larger grants for its more immediate necessities. The results are already in many ways apparent. Two years ago there were no jails in Upper Burma; and the numerous prisoners were kept in, or escaped from, impoverished lock-ups. There are now two prisons with accommodation for 1,000 convicts each, three smaller ones and twelve large lock-ups, with a department to look after them which is rapidly approximating to the established standard of other Indian Governments. A civil Medical Department has been organised which now extends over the whole country. A Forest Department has been established and is being worked up to full strength to meet the heavy labours which lie before it in settling, surveying and marking off the vast but as yet little-known inheritance into which the Government has come. Even Self-Government has had its share of attention; for there is now a big Municipality at Mandalay and smaller ones at many other places, which are understood to do their work satisfactorily, albeit the elective principle is as yet unknown. The basis of all this work, moreover, has had to be laid by preliminary legislation. The administration was started in business with a Laws Act, a Criminal and Civil Justice Regulation and a Regulation for the Acquisition of Land. It has fallen to the present Chief Commissioner to add Regulations dealing with such subjects as Forests, Revenue, Registration, Municipalities, the Ruby Mines, Stamps and Limitation and the Village System. The shaping out of each one of these measures must have cost the Government anxiety and time.
The feature, however, which differentiates the settlement of Upper Burma from past instances of other newly-acquired territories is the presence, under the direct orders of the Civil Government of what is practically an army of military police. There are now in Upper Burma, as our readers know, some 17,000 police entirely composed of natives of India, with a military organisation in battalions and companies and under the command of military officers. To take a force of this size through one province and place it in another, arrange for its lodgings, feeding, clothing, medical treatment and so forth, is not work that falls every day to a Local Government. Some mistakes were inevitably made at first, especially in the matter of Commissariat; wherein it seems to have been overlooked that the food of the natives of Upper India was just as unobtainable in the wilds of Burma as Wiltshire mutton and that extra payment would be no benefit to the men who wanted what they could not buy. But this was quickly rectified by the establishment of s special supply depot, f which a smart Bengal officer was placed in charge and the police battalions soon drew their rations and clothing as regularly as a native regiment. The prophecy that they would turn out among an alien population as wolves let loose upon sheep has been singularly falsified; and as to their efficiency, although it is certainly the case that after their substitution for the troops there was a certain revival of disorder, while the dacoits were anxious to try the mettle of their new adversaries, the whole history of the last few months show that the police, as soon as they learnt the country and their work, have been amply equal to keeping the robber bands in check, as well as to beating them wherever they have met in fight. A word, too, must be added in notice of the excellent understanding which appears to have prevailed between them and the troops. The military seem to have co-operated with the police and the police with the military, as occasion offered, with the smallest possible amount of friction.
The administration of Upper Burma has been so persistently blackened and maligned that there is a temptation to enlarge upon the other side of the picture. But Sir Charles Crosthwaite is a man very sparing of praise to his subordinates and would be the last to appreciate any lavish eulogy of himself. The day, nevertheless, will come when the work done with such total absence of ostentation will be understood as its true value and when people will recognise that officers who started the British Government in Upper Burma did their duty, though they called attention to the fact neither with trumpets nor with psalms, with as much courage and not less wisdom and sagacity than any who have ever preceded them in India. – Pioneer.
The Report upon the Administration of Upper Burma, of which our Rangoon correspondent two days ago telegraphed a brief summary, will amount practically to a record of Sir Charles Crosthwaite’s Government of the new Province. Sir Charles, it is true, has been more than a year in his command; but administration, in the official sense of the word, dates from his arrival. Two years ago a Civil Government could hardly have been said to exist in the country. The forces of Law and Order were represented by some 140 military posts; the District Officer was in effect merely a policeman with extended powers, whose principal business it was to further, or as it was sometimes said to hinder, the operations of the flying columns in their hunt after the dacoits. The judicial work of the Government was confined to trying the prisoners brought in. But the vigorous operations of the season of 1886-87 effected a marked change in the situation; the flood of disorder had begun to subside and in places we had begun to see dry ground at last. Nevertheless the situation was unpromising enough; a civil war was still going on amongst the Shan States within measurable distance of Mandalay; the north of the Irrawaddy Valley was only nominally under our influence; on the bank opposite Mandalay the worst and most systematic form of dacoity was in full paly; the eastern districts, though the principal gangs had dispersed and disappeared under Sir W. Lockhart’s vigorous pursuit, were in a state of utter disorder; while in those above Thayetmyo, at the foot of the Yomas, the redoubtable Bo Shwe still flourished as in the days of Thebaw (sic) and beyond him a bandit of almost equal renown, Oktama. The Upper Chindwin was still unsettled beyond the range of our posts, while even on the Lower, boats could not ply without a guard. Such was the state of affairs when the new Chief Commissioner, handing over Lower Burma for the time to a Lieutenant, devoted himself to the urgent work before him in the new Province. His eighteen months of office have not only seen peace all but universally restored, but the foundations of a stable administration truly laid and already rising into view.
To the general public the most satisfying feature of Sir Charles Crosthwaite’s Report, for the moment at least, will be the striking increase it exhibits in revenue. The final figures for the year are apparently not yet out even in Rangoon; but in round numbers it may be said that while the revenue for 1886-87 was Rs. 21,68,325, that for 1887-88 will be something like 50 lakhs, giving an increase of between 125 and 130 per cent. As the principal source of revenue is a house-tax – an impost of Rs. 10 per house paid in a lump by villages, who are free to make their own arrangements as to its assessment – it is easily to be understood how the receipts will double themselves in a year as the people settle down; and a large further increase is morally certain to go hand in hand with the extension of order and security. Another considerable head is the revenue which should come in from the Royal Lands which we have inherited from Thebaw, the fines and incidences from which formed an appreciable part of his revenues, but which have yet to be registered and surveyed before they will yield a return. In the Kyoukse (sic) district 80 per cent of the land is said to be under tenure; but that district has been so harried by dacoits that no attempt to verify the fact has yet been possible. Other heads of revenue are not, indeed, equally promising. The absolute prohibition of opium, as regards the Burman population, forbids the possibility of any considerable return from that source; and the moral welfare of the Burman is almost equally well looked after in the matter of liquor. The whole provincial revenue from excise does not amount to three lakhs. And, indeed, it is worth remark that the four lakhs which, but for Lord Cross, the Government would now be receiving from the Ruby Mines would have been, after land revenue, the largest item in the receipt account.
But if the development of the finances of the Province is a matter that is chiefly after all in the hands of Time, in the directions where more immediate result was possible, very much has been achieved. To begin with, the administrative union of the two Provinces is now practically complete. One Secretariat now manages the entire business of the country; the great departments, such as Forests, Jails and the like, are now each under one head. In the Police only, owing to the division of the force into “military” and “civil” bodies, a different arrangement obtains. The junction obviously means a vast benefit to the new Province, which is thus enabled to draw upon a larger staff of officers for its more pressing needs and to obtain larger grants for its more immediate necessities. The results are already in many ways apparent. Two years ago there were no jails in Upper Burma; and the numerous prisoners were kept in, or escaped from, impoverished lock-ups. There are now two prisons with accommodation for 1,000 convicts each, three smaller ones and twelve large lock-ups, with a department to look after them which is rapidly approximating to the established standard of other Indian Governments. A civil Medical Department has been organised which now extends over the whole country. A Forest Department has been established and is being worked up to full strength to meet the heavy labours which lie before it in settling, surveying and marking off the vast but as yet little-known inheritance into which the Government has come. Even Self-Government has had its share of attention; for there is now a big Municipality at Mandalay and smaller ones at many other places, which are understood to do their work satisfactorily, albeit the elective principle is as yet unknown. The basis of all this work, moreover, has had to be laid by preliminary legislation. The administration was started in business with a Laws Act, a Criminal and Civil Justice Regulation and a Regulation for the Acquisition of Land. It has fallen to the present Chief Commissioner to add Regulations dealing with such subjects as Forests, Revenue, Registration, Municipalities, the Ruby Mines, Stamps and Limitation and the Village System. The shaping out of each one of these measures must have cost the Government anxiety and time.
The feature, however, which differentiates the settlement of Upper Burma from past instances of other newly-acquired territories is the presence, under the direct orders of the Civil Government of what is practically an army of military police. There are now in Upper Burma, as our readers know, some 17,000 police entirely composed of natives of India, with a military organisation in battalions and companies and under the command of military officers. To take a force of this size through one province and place it in another, arrange for its lodgings, feeding, clothing, medical treatment and so forth, is not work that falls every day to a Local Government. Some mistakes were inevitably made at first, especially in the matter of Commissariat; wherein it seems to have been overlooked that the food of the natives of Upper India was just as unobtainable in the wilds of Burma as Wiltshire mutton and that extra payment would be no benefit to the men who wanted what they could not buy. But this was quickly rectified by the establishment of s special supply depot, f which a smart Bengal officer was placed in charge and the police battalions soon drew their rations and clothing as regularly as a native regiment. The prophecy that they would turn out among an alien population as wolves let loose upon sheep has been singularly falsified; and as to their efficiency, although it is certainly the case that after their substitution for the troops there was a certain revival of disorder, while the dacoits were anxious to try the mettle of their new adversaries, the whole history of the last few months show that the police, as soon as they learnt the country and their work, have been amply equal to keeping the robber bands in check, as well as to beating them wherever they have met in fight. A word, too, must be added in notice of the excellent understanding which appears to have prevailed between them and the troops. The military seem to have co-operated with the police and the police with the military, as occasion offered, with the smallest possible amount of friction.
The administration of Upper Burma has been so persistently blackened and maligned that there is a temptation to enlarge upon the other side of the picture. But Sir Charles Crosthwaite is a man very sparing of praise to his subordinates and would be the last to appreciate any lavish eulogy of himself. The day, nevertheless, will come when the work done with such total absence of ostentation will be understood as its true value and when people will recognise that officers who started the British Government in Upper Burma did their duty, though they called attention to the fact neither with trumpets nor with psalms, with as much courage and not less wisdom and sagacity than any who have ever preceded them in India. – Pioneer.
Holidays in Burma
The holiday season has once more come round in Burma and not much better means for passing it satisfactorily are available to the generality of the public. Elephant Point and Amherst are pleasant enough spots for a few days stay but the difficulties and cost of getting to either are insuperable obstacles to most people, whilst there is not hotel accommodation at either place and the excursionist would have to excogitate ways and means of lodging himself as well as feeding himself at either of these sea-side places he might choose. To the man with time and money at his command there are plenty of ways of travelling in comfort and luxury and passing a pleasant enough holiday even in this, one of the most unpleasant months of the year. Penang and Singapore offer pleasant changes from Rangoon, with a short, but not cheap sea trip and fair accommodation to those who can afford to pay for it. To those who prefer avoiding the risk of cyclones or bad weather in October at sea, a trip to Mandalay or Bhamo by the Flotilla express steamers would offer a pleasant change of scene although the weather up country is hardly better than what we get in Rangoon at the present time. There is, however, generally, a breeze on the river when the steamers are under weigh and even at night sleeping on board is generally cooler than in houses in town. The cabin passage money is by no means cheap, but the accommodation afforded leaves nothing to be desired and we have no doubt many will avail themselves of the opportunity afforded by the present holidays to see the river stations of Upper Burma and note the great progress that has been made in them since British occupation. We would advise those who have time to stick to the steamers and not to attempt to catch them at Prome or leave them at that station on their return to Rangoon. The few hours saved by the railway is not, when one is out for a holiday, worth the extra discomfort entailed by changing a comfortable steamer for a jolting train on a narrow gauge line. In other places than Burma, railway and steamer managers do a good deal in the way of reducing fares in holiday time to induce people to travel. We do not seem to have got so far as this in Burma; and on our railway 2nd and 3rd class passengers are not given even the ordinary return ticket privileges conceded we believe, on most other railways in India, but which here are only granted to first class passengers.
The holiday season has once more come round in Burma and not much better means for passing it satisfactorily are available to the generality of the public. Elephant Point and Amherst are pleasant enough spots for a few days stay but the difficulties and cost of getting to either are insuperable obstacles to most people, whilst there is not hotel accommodation at either place and the excursionist would have to excogitate ways and means of lodging himself as well as feeding himself at either of these sea-side places he might choose. To the man with time and money at his command there are plenty of ways of travelling in comfort and luxury and passing a pleasant enough holiday even in this, one of the most unpleasant months of the year. Penang and Singapore offer pleasant changes from Rangoon, with a short, but not cheap sea trip and fair accommodation to those who can afford to pay for it. To those who prefer avoiding the risk of cyclones or bad weather in October at sea, a trip to Mandalay or Bhamo by the Flotilla express steamers would offer a pleasant change of scene although the weather up country is hardly better than what we get in Rangoon at the present time. There is, however, generally, a breeze on the river when the steamers are under weigh and even at night sleeping on board is generally cooler than in houses in town. The cabin passage money is by no means cheap, but the accommodation afforded leaves nothing to be desired and we have no doubt many will avail themselves of the opportunity afforded by the present holidays to see the river stations of Upper Burma and note the great progress that has been made in them since British occupation. We would advise those who have time to stick to the steamers and not to attempt to catch them at Prome or leave them at that station on their return to Rangoon. The few hours saved by the railway is not, when one is out for a holiday, worth the extra discomfort entailed by changing a comfortable steamer for a jolting train on a narrow gauge line. In other places than Burma, railway and steamer managers do a good deal in the way of reducing fares in holiday time to induce people to travel. We do not seem to have got so far as this in Burma; and on our railway 2nd and 3rd class passengers are not given even the ordinary return ticket privileges conceded we believe, on most other railways in India, but which here are only granted to first class passengers.
The Upper Burma Forests
Blessed be the Government that, regardless of the waste of paper and money, not only improves the minds of editors and enlarges their understandings, but provides them with material for the manufacture of articles when they might otherwise have to fall back upon the encyclopaedia or like a contemporary, on Macaulay. The book at present under review may be considered Mr H.C. Hill’s apology for his existence and a very fair case he makes out, thought the work done by his Department, save in the way of enquiry and references, does not seem to have resulted in much. Still, for this neither he nor his subordinates seem to blame; on the contrary they deserve all credit for the manner in which they have, in some instances, accepted all the risks and discomforts of travelling in Burma at a time when the least appliances of civilization were unprocurable the forests unhealthy and the country swarming with dacoits. During the initial year of working in Upper Burmah, the day of small things, the Forest Department cleared Rs. 1,75,724, a profit of nearly sixty per cent on turn-over. But this has not been attained without heavy work and consequent sickness; Mr Aplin, had to go home as a result of the Shan Hills, while Messrs. Hill, Muriel and Calthorp have all suffered severely. And climatic difficulties have not been the only ones, as the following extract will show:- “The year under review has for many reasons been marked by very uneven progress under the various heads in the different divisions. The many difficulties and obstacles that have beset officers have been the outcome of the necessity for armed escorts and the trouble involved in arranging transport for rations and a large following. The suggestion of the Inspector-General for organising an armed Forest subordinate establishment of sufficient strength to protect themselves and form a guard to European officers was not acted upon. It was considered that the Police Department had much greater facilities for training, equipping and provisioning an armed body of men, and that as probably never more than 200 men would be required at one time, and these in small escorts here and there throughout the circle, there would under ordinary circumstances be no difficulty in supplying them. On the whole the arrangement has worked well and both Civil and Military Police Officers have combined to give all the help in their power; but in some instances the Forest officers’ requirements have of necessity had to give way to more urgent demands on the Police; in others the officers responsible, in view of the unvisited and unknown localities of the forests, have insisted on a guard of such magnitude that to march with it to any distance, fully provisioned for the necessary time, has involved transport arrangements beyond the possible means of the thinly peopled forest tracts. Political reasons prevented one officer from visiting the most valuable forests of his charge which lie within the territory of a Sawbwa whose susceptibilities had to eb considered. There has been the general hampering of field work caused by the knowledge that dacoits might be met with at any turn and had to be prepared for and the many other lesser blocks to progress inseparable from the commencement of operations in a new country. That the year should have been passed without casualty is matter for congratulation.”
An examination of the Report would lead us to believe that a large proportion of the forests have been most recklessly worked and that the supply of timber in accessible forests will prove smaller than was at first supposed. Little information of any practical value is given concerning the more remote districts and the whole report is a mere office production and by no means the interesting and valuable review that it might have been in Mr Hill’s hands.
The disputes with the original lessees of the late Royal Forests are referred to at considerable length. The Government proposition is “to continue these rights” – as specified in the lease – “ to the holders under new arrangements, substituting a system of payment on the timber actually extracted for the yearly lump-sum payments and enforcing the rules and regulations as regards girdling, felling of green teak and all other matters connected with the girdling of the forests. So far so good; but the writer continues. “The actual terms of these new agreements were the subject of lengthy and protracted negotiations throughout the year, but were not finally concluded.” Some idea of the paralysis caused by the war may be gathered by the incidental reference to the Pyinmana Forests; from these the B.B.T.C. extracted 63,000 tons in 1885, while the totals for the two ensuing years are 18,000 and 26,000 respectively. With the exception of the Bombay Burma, the lessees seem doing little or nothing; while the Chetties are quarrelling among themselves and endeavouring to keep Moung Myn Htaw and Moung Bauk – whose leases terminate in 1895 – on their legs, it is an open secret that a flourishing though illicit trade has been carried on in their timber for a considerable credit. The new buildings in Mandalay seem to have given a great impetus to the local demand and some disputes have arisen owing to Railway and other P.W.D. contractors having cut green teak. The Conservator mildly complains that “the collection of drift was not attended with much success much unmarked timber and timber to which local people had no claim fell into their hands and after passing through several more or less bona fide transfers for consideration reached a revenue station and had to be passed into the market centres on payment of the local duty.” Precisely so; and this is very probably the history of most of the 30,000 tons of teak that paid duty in Mandalay. It was pointed out long ago that the Revenue Officer there, in his anxiety to collect duty, was pursuing a course likely to stimulate the robbery of timber, worked or girdled in the up-river forests; so that we hardly see the Conservator has any right to take so lofty a view of the morality of people who have considerably less than his monthly income.
We learn that the destruction of cutch trees is so serious that the Government are seriously considering steps to prevent the wanton waste at present obtaining; we would earnestly advise Rangoon traders, who seem to be embarking rather heavily in this extremely risky trade, to note the fact, one that may considerably affect up country prices. It would be as well if some steps were taken to control the rubber working, which if carried on as at present, will result in irreparable damage. Bring conversant with the history of the trade on the Chindwin, we cannot but approve the abolition of the monopoly; although there may be some small loss to the revenue the corresponding advantages of competition, inducing fairer rates and fresh outlets for trade, are of greater importance.
There is every hope of a large and still growing increase in revenue next year; and we cannot better close this brief notice than by quoting the Chief Commissioner’s opinion, one that all conversant with the work in Upper Burma will endorse. Referring to Mr Hill’s Report, he concludes – “It is a record of good work done under difficult circumstances and shows that already a substantial advance has been made in the organisation and development of an efficient Forest Department in Upper Burma.”
Blessed be the Government that, regardless of the waste of paper and money, not only improves the minds of editors and enlarges their understandings, but provides them with material for the manufacture of articles when they might otherwise have to fall back upon the encyclopaedia or like a contemporary, on Macaulay. The book at present under review may be considered Mr H.C. Hill’s apology for his existence and a very fair case he makes out, thought the work done by his Department, save in the way of enquiry and references, does not seem to have resulted in much. Still, for this neither he nor his subordinates seem to blame; on the contrary they deserve all credit for the manner in which they have, in some instances, accepted all the risks and discomforts of travelling in Burma at a time when the least appliances of civilization were unprocurable the forests unhealthy and the country swarming with dacoits. During the initial year of working in Upper Burmah, the day of small things, the Forest Department cleared Rs. 1,75,724, a profit of nearly sixty per cent on turn-over. But this has not been attained without heavy work and consequent sickness; Mr Aplin, had to go home as a result of the Shan Hills, while Messrs. Hill, Muriel and Calthorp have all suffered severely. And climatic difficulties have not been the only ones, as the following extract will show:- “The year under review has for many reasons been marked by very uneven progress under the various heads in the different divisions. The many difficulties and obstacles that have beset officers have been the outcome of the necessity for armed escorts and the trouble involved in arranging transport for rations and a large following. The suggestion of the Inspector-General for organising an armed Forest subordinate establishment of sufficient strength to protect themselves and form a guard to European officers was not acted upon. It was considered that the Police Department had much greater facilities for training, equipping and provisioning an armed body of men, and that as probably never more than 200 men would be required at one time, and these in small escorts here and there throughout the circle, there would under ordinary circumstances be no difficulty in supplying them. On the whole the arrangement has worked well and both Civil and Military Police Officers have combined to give all the help in their power; but in some instances the Forest officers’ requirements have of necessity had to give way to more urgent demands on the Police; in others the officers responsible, in view of the unvisited and unknown localities of the forests, have insisted on a guard of such magnitude that to march with it to any distance, fully provisioned for the necessary time, has involved transport arrangements beyond the possible means of the thinly peopled forest tracts. Political reasons prevented one officer from visiting the most valuable forests of his charge which lie within the territory of a Sawbwa whose susceptibilities had to eb considered. There has been the general hampering of field work caused by the knowledge that dacoits might be met with at any turn and had to be prepared for and the many other lesser blocks to progress inseparable from the commencement of operations in a new country. That the year should have been passed without casualty is matter for congratulation.”
An examination of the Report would lead us to believe that a large proportion of the forests have been most recklessly worked and that the supply of timber in accessible forests will prove smaller than was at first supposed. Little information of any practical value is given concerning the more remote districts and the whole report is a mere office production and by no means the interesting and valuable review that it might have been in Mr Hill’s hands.
The disputes with the original lessees of the late Royal Forests are referred to at considerable length. The Government proposition is “to continue these rights” – as specified in the lease – “ to the holders under new arrangements, substituting a system of payment on the timber actually extracted for the yearly lump-sum payments and enforcing the rules and regulations as regards girdling, felling of green teak and all other matters connected with the girdling of the forests. So far so good; but the writer continues. “The actual terms of these new agreements were the subject of lengthy and protracted negotiations throughout the year, but were not finally concluded.” Some idea of the paralysis caused by the war may be gathered by the incidental reference to the Pyinmana Forests; from these the B.B.T.C. extracted 63,000 tons in 1885, while the totals for the two ensuing years are 18,000 and 26,000 respectively. With the exception of the Bombay Burma, the lessees seem doing little or nothing; while the Chetties are quarrelling among themselves and endeavouring to keep Moung Myn Htaw and Moung Bauk – whose leases terminate in 1895 – on their legs, it is an open secret that a flourishing though illicit trade has been carried on in their timber for a considerable credit. The new buildings in Mandalay seem to have given a great impetus to the local demand and some disputes have arisen owing to Railway and other P.W.D. contractors having cut green teak. The Conservator mildly complains that “the collection of drift was not attended with much success much unmarked timber and timber to which local people had no claim fell into their hands and after passing through several more or less bona fide transfers for consideration reached a revenue station and had to be passed into the market centres on payment of the local duty.” Precisely so; and this is very probably the history of most of the 30,000 tons of teak that paid duty in Mandalay. It was pointed out long ago that the Revenue Officer there, in his anxiety to collect duty, was pursuing a course likely to stimulate the robbery of timber, worked or girdled in the up-river forests; so that we hardly see the Conservator has any right to take so lofty a view of the morality of people who have considerably less than his monthly income.
We learn that the destruction of cutch trees is so serious that the Government are seriously considering steps to prevent the wanton waste at present obtaining; we would earnestly advise Rangoon traders, who seem to be embarking rather heavily in this extremely risky trade, to note the fact, one that may considerably affect up country prices. It would be as well if some steps were taken to control the rubber working, which if carried on as at present, will result in irreparable damage. Bring conversant with the history of the trade on the Chindwin, we cannot but approve the abolition of the monopoly; although there may be some small loss to the revenue the corresponding advantages of competition, inducing fairer rates and fresh outlets for trade, are of greater importance.
There is every hope of a large and still growing increase in revenue next year; and we cannot better close this brief notice than by quoting the Chief Commissioner’s opinion, one that all conversant with the work in Upper Burma will endorse. Referring to Mr Hill’s Report, he concludes – “It is a record of good work done under difficult circumstances and shows that already a substantial advance has been made in the organisation and development of an efficient Forest Department in Upper Burma.”
October
Adverts / Sales / Notices
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Notices
Messrs. Moore & Co. Harness Manufacturers, Butts Road, Walsal, London Indents will be received and the general business of the firm transacted during my absence in Europe by A.C. Hoare Esq., Accountant of Rangoon, who holds my Power of Attorney. P.H. Moore Mr T.H. Stephens, Dental Surgeon and Specialist in advanced Dentistry may be consulted at 70 Merchant St. until 31st Oct. As Mr Stephens cannot remain after the date named, he will feel much obliged if patients would arrange for appointments as early as possible. Mr Stephens wishes to make it known that teeth can be painlessly extracted without the patient being rendered unconscious and that artificial teeth can be fitted without plates or wires. Lodge “Star of Burma” of Mark Master Masons No. 88 Wor. Bros. S. Oppenheimer Wor. Master. A regular meeting of the above Lodge will be held this evening, Wednesday, 3rd Oct. at 8.30 p.m. punctually. By Order, A.S.A. Akbar, for Secretary. Lost In Merchant Street, an envelope containing accounts, any person finding the same will oblige by bringing it to Mr A.J. Read, No. 1 Barr St. A.J. Read, 5th Oct. 1888 Found On the morning of the 4th instant, a Stray Buffalo. Owner can have the same by paying cost of advertisement. Apply to: S. Hazlewood, Monkey Point. 9th Oct. 1888 Assembly Rooms Lessee Miss Maggie Ford Tomorrow, Wednesday 10th Oct. Second Appearance in Rangoon of Miss Maggie Ford upon the occasion she will have the valuable assistance of the following ladies and gentlemen, all of whom have in the kindest manner pre-offered their services: Mrs Regan, Mrs Stephens, Capt. Schuyler, Mr J.W. Dovey, Mr Gomes and Mr J. Anderson. ... Reserved seats can be secured at Messrs. Oppenheimer & Co. St. Andrew’s Dinner Brither (sic) Scots are invited to meet at the Rangoon Gazette Office on Sat. 13th Oct. at 3 o’clock p.m. to appoint a Committee to make arrangements for St. Andrew’s Dinner. Fred. C. Kennedy, J. Binning, A.R. Whyte, R. McCraken, J.G. Findlay, Alex. Pennycuick, G.S. Taylor, D.J. Morrison, Peter C. McFarlane, Alex. Fraser. Lodge Victoria In Burma No. 832, E.C. A regular meeting of the above Lodge will be holden in the Masonic Temple, Cantonment, at 8.30 p.m. this evening (Friday) 12th instant. H. Whitney, Secretary. |
Notices
“Star of Burma” Lodge No. 614 A regular meeting of the above Lodge will be held this evening at Freemasons’ Hall at 7.30 p.m. instead of 8.30 p.m. Supper after business. Chas. Preston, P.M. Secretary. Notice The undersigned have started business a Wholesale Wine and Spirit Merchants, no. 10 Strand, next to Messrs. Gillanders Arbuthnot & Co. Samples of all kinds of wines and liquors will be on view from today. Dickson Morgan & Co. Church Notices Pro-Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity 7th Oct., 19th Sunday after Trinity 8.30 Celebration plain ... St. John’s College Chapel, S.P.G. Services for 19th Sunday after Trinity 7 a.m. English Holy Communion and sermon. Rev’d. J. Tsan Baw State Railway Chaplaincy 6.30 p.m. Christ Church, Insein Evensong and sermon. Rev’d. Dr. Marks Presbyterian Church, Rangoon Services on Sunday, 7th Oct. ... Rangoon Methodist Church Junction of Fraser and Phayre Streets. Parsonage, 33 Fraser St. Methodist Seamen’s Mission Headquarters, Coffee Rooms, 93 Fraser St. English Baptist Church Corner of Dalhousie and Barr Streets Native Baptist Church Teluga service will be held on Sunday the 7th Oct. ... “Star of Burma” Lodge No. 614 A regular meeting of the above Lodge will be held this evening at Freemasons’ Hall at 7.30 p.m. instead of 8.30 p.m. Supper after business. Chas. Preston, P.M. Secretary. Notice The undersigned have started business a Wholesale Wine and Spirit Merchants, no. 10 Strand, next to Messrs. Gillanders Arbuthnot & Co. Samples of all kinds of wines and liquors will be on view from today. Dickson Morgan & Co. |
Mrs Murdoch
76 Merchant St.
Childrens’ Costumes, Millinery, Corsets, Flowers, Feathers, Plushes and Velvets.
Childrens’ Costumes in any material made to order.
Sale
A complete set of Photographic apparatus, quite new and all in perfect order, ½ plate Camera in Mahogany case, three double backs, “Optimus” lens. Cost in Calcutta Rs. 349, present price Rs. 280. Can be seen upon application to A.B. Jordan’s Hotel, Rangoon.
Sale
A sweet toned Violincello with machine head, new bow and set of new strings, complete in box and outer packing case, price Rs. 110. Can be seen upon application to A.B. Jordan’s Hotel.
Peter C. McFarlane
Chromometer, Watch and Clock Maker, Optician etc., 14 Merchant St., Rangoon
Mail Notices
Money order schedule ... For sale at the post Office ... H.R. Heysham, Postmaster, Rangoon General Post Office
Tenders
Sealed tenders will be received at the Office of the Executive Engineer, Thayetmyo Division ... The bricks to be delivered in the Fort and the rate to include cartage from brick field distance two miles. All necessary tools will be supplied by Government. ... J.C. Wyatt, Executive Engineer, Thayetmyo Divn.
76 Merchant St.
Childrens’ Costumes, Millinery, Corsets, Flowers, Feathers, Plushes and Velvets.
Childrens’ Costumes in any material made to order.
Sale
A complete set of Photographic apparatus, quite new and all in perfect order, ½ plate Camera in Mahogany case, three double backs, “Optimus” lens. Cost in Calcutta Rs. 349, present price Rs. 280. Can be seen upon application to A.B. Jordan’s Hotel, Rangoon.
Sale
A sweet toned Violincello with machine head, new bow and set of new strings, complete in box and outer packing case, price Rs. 110. Can be seen upon application to A.B. Jordan’s Hotel.
Peter C. McFarlane
Chromometer, Watch and Clock Maker, Optician etc., 14 Merchant St., Rangoon
Mail Notices
Money order schedule ... For sale at the post Office ... H.R. Heysham, Postmaster, Rangoon General Post Office
Tenders
Sealed tenders will be received at the Office of the Executive Engineer, Thayetmyo Division ... The bricks to be delivered in the Fort and the rate to include cartage from brick field distance two miles. All necessary tools will be supplied by Government. ... J.C. Wyatt, Executive Engineer, Thayetmyo Divn.
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Notice
The banks will be closed for Gazetted Holidays on Friday and Saturday, 19th and 20th instant. ... For the Bank of Bengal A.M. Lindsay, Acting Agent. For the Chartered Bank of India, Australia and China G.S. Taylor, Acting Agent For the Chartered Mercantile Bank of India, London and China J.O. Bridgeman, Acting Agent For the National Bank of India W. Touch, Manager Wanted For the Municipal High School, Bassein, Burma, a European Teacher of experience to act as special English Master ... C.F. Gilbert, Vice-president, Bassein Municipality. |
Notice
“BENIGNO NUMINE” Royal Arch Chapter “Cyrus” attached to Lodge “Star of Burma” No. 614 M.E. Comp. Chas. Preston Z. A regular convocation of the above Chapter will be held at Freemasons Hall on Wednesday, the 17th instant at 8.30 p.m. W.G. Thornton, Scribi E. Lost A half-bred Fox Terrier puppy, white with brown spots; lost in Dalhousie Street on the 17th inst. Anyone returning the same to 4, Barr St., will be rewarded. H.L. Temple. 17th Oct. 1888. J. Ottewill Rangoon Musical Establishment. 71 Phayre St. J.V. Moniz Violin teacher and plays for dances. C/o Rangoon Times. |
Wanted
A very steady and qualified European to take charge of “Ruby Hotel” Mandalay as Manager. Salary Rs. 50 per month with board and lodging. Successful candidate will be required to lodge a security of Rs. 1000. Apply enclosing copies of Testimonials to proprietress “Ruby Hotel” Mandalay.
Lost
On the railway between Rangoon and Prome on the night of 7th a red Dachund dog. A reward of Rs. 20 will be given to anyone returning it to Capt. Schuyler, Rangoon.
Notice
Mr T.H. Stephens, Dental Surgeon, will not leave Rangoon, as previously advertised but will reside here permanently and may be consulted as usual at No. 70 Merchant St. Mr E.S. Stephens will leave Rangoon for Akyab on Monday 15th Oct.
A very steady and qualified European to take charge of “Ruby Hotel” Mandalay as Manager. Salary Rs. 50 per month with board and lodging. Successful candidate will be required to lodge a security of Rs. 1000. Apply enclosing copies of Testimonials to proprietress “Ruby Hotel” Mandalay.
Lost
On the railway between Rangoon and Prome on the night of 7th a red Dachund dog. A reward of Rs. 20 will be given to anyone returning it to Capt. Schuyler, Rangoon.
Notice
Mr T.H. Stephens, Dental Surgeon, will not leave Rangoon, as previously advertised but will reside here permanently and may be consulted as usual at No. 70 Merchant St. Mr E.S. Stephens will leave Rangoon for Akyab on Monday 15th Oct.
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Notices
The partnership between Joseph Truda and Augustus Vaz, carrying on business in Mandalay under the firm and style of Joseph Truda and Company, has been dissolved by mutual consent. The business will be carried on by Mr Joseph Truda under the name and style as heretofore. Signed: J. Truda, Aug. Vaz, Mandalay 18th Oct. 1888 Star of Burma Lodge No. 614 Wor. Bro. J. Paterson W.M. A regular meeting of the above Lodge will be held at Freemasons’ Hall this evening at 8.30 p.m. precisely. Chas. Preston, P.M., Secretary |
For Sale
The following landed property situated at Kokine near Rangoon, belonging to the Estate of the late Dr. Clements Williams. 1. Extra Suburban allotment no 207, 208, 401 ... Advert. Ladies & Children’s Outfitting Repository. Madame Le Breton Milliner, Dress Maker and habit Maker. Bridal and Mourning Orders executed with care and despatch. Ladies’ own materials made up. Good style and perfect fit guaranteed. ... 74 Merchant St., next door to Messrs. A. Scott & Co. To Let The lower portion of house no. 11, 44th St. Apply on the premises to F.E. James Summers. |
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Notice
St. Andrew’s Dinner, 1888 Committee Col. W. Gordon Cumming – Chairman Dr. Sinclair, A. Pennycuick, R. Tarbet, R.S.T. McEwan, J. Binning, P. MacFarlane, A.R. Whyte, F.C. Kennedy, F.C. MacDonald, G.S. Taylor, D.J. Morrison, C. Findlay, J.A. Hannay, A.M. Kennedy. A meeting of the Committee will be held at Rangoon Gazette Office, Phayre St., at 5 p.m. on Mon. 29th instant. A.M. Kennedy, Hony. Secy |
Advert.
To V***n. He knows all. If you really love me come for me at once. Don’t delay a moment. Now or NEVER. Am waiting for you anxious and miserable. D.A. Image no. 00675 Wanted To purchase a pair of ponies strongly built, sound and must have run together for at least six months. AULT, 10 Strand. |
Balthazar's Auctions
Sat. the 6th Oct. at 9 a.m. at our Auction Mart in Merchant St. The racing ponies, Forester and Piper, well known in the Rangoon Turf. The property of Mr C.D. Petersen.
Sat. 27th Oct. At noon at no. 4 Merchant St. Household furniture and fittings. The property of Mr Wheeler.
On an early date at noon at no. 164 Camp Road. Elegant household furniture and fittings. The property of A.G. Wyatt Esq.
Saturday the 24th Nov. at 1 p.m. at 72 Halpin Road. Household furniture and fittings, the property of Major Hobday.
Tuesday the 30th Oct. at 7.30 a.m. at their mill in Poozoondoung, under instructions from Messrs. Kruger & Co., on account of risk of Ko Shwe Wa, 3 Burmese Paddy Boats.
Wed. the 31st Oct. at our Auction Mart in Merchant St., at 2 p.m. under instructions from Messrs. A. Dixon Warran & Co., on account and risk of Ismail Ahmed Kekebhoy – 1 case painted shoulder cuphooks, ...
Thur. 15th Nov. at 7.30 a.m. at Upper Poozoondaung. That house known as Moung Myine’s situated on what is known as Mr Stohmann’s land, Upper Poozoodoung.
Sat. 27th Oct. At noon at no. 4 Merchant St. Household furniture and fittings. The property of Mr Wheeler.
On an early date at noon at no. 164 Camp Road. Elegant household furniture and fittings. The property of A.G. Wyatt Esq.
Saturday the 24th Nov. at 1 p.m. at 72 Halpin Road. Household furniture and fittings, the property of Major Hobday.
Tuesday the 30th Oct. at 7.30 a.m. at their mill in Poozoondoung, under instructions from Messrs. Kruger & Co., on account of risk of Ko Shwe Wa, 3 Burmese Paddy Boats.
Wed. the 31st Oct. at our Auction Mart in Merchant St., at 2 p.m. under instructions from Messrs. A. Dixon Warran & Co., on account and risk of Ismail Ahmed Kekebhoy – 1 case painted shoulder cuphooks, ...
Thur. 15th Nov. at 7.30 a.m. at Upper Poozoondaung. That house known as Moung Myine’s situated on what is known as Mr Stohmann’s land, Upper Poozoodoung.
Local - General News / Letters to the Editor
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Football
At 5.15 p.m. on Friday evening a Rugby match was played between the third team of the “Spidges” (Giants) and the third fifteen of the Cantonment Club (Tom Tits.) The former team showed a marked superiority over their opponents ... For the Cantonment Club, Messrs. A. Samuel, H. White, R. Napier and H. Munro played best while for the other side the players who most distinguished themselves were Messrs. J. Redmond and F.H. Francis. The Cantonment Club played up very pluckily against their big opponents and we wish them better fortune in their next match. Apprentice An apprentice lad named Fox, belonging to the Steam Tramway Workshops had his left hand dragged into a portion of the machinery on Friday evening and suffered considerable damage; had it not been for the machinery being stopped as soon as the accident took place, it might have been more serious, as it is, the lad lost a good deal of blood and has had the flesh from his left side torn up, he was picked up in an insensible state and taken to the general hospital and seems to be, we are glad to say, in a fair way to a speedy recovery, as, up to the present there are no signs of any of his bones being broken. |
Municipal Meeting
Present: D. Norton, B.C.S. - President. Members: Messrs. H. Bateman, A. Pennycuick, L. Andrews, E.A. Lutter, J. Kearney, F.C. Kennedy, C.I.E., Surg.-Major Godber, Saya Ohn Ghine, Ibrahim Ally Moolah, Oo Young and Ohn Ghine. The Minutes of the preceding meeting being taken as read and confirmed, a letter from the Secy. to the Chief Commissioner was read, giving sanction to the raising of the water rate from 2½ - 4 per cent on all houses situated with 1000 yards of a hydrant and lowering the lighting tax from 1½ - 1 per cent, both charges to take effect from 1st April next. Toungoo News Here we are being roasted under a strong sun, thermometers showing 100 degrees in the shade. It was only two weeks ago that our river was overflowing and all the public roads along the river bank were inundated. ... From a reliable source I hear a daring robbery or dacoity had been committed in the house of the late Asst. Commissioner at Pyinmana and property to the value of Rupees one thousand in cash and jewellery stolen. The marauders must really be a daring lot to attack a house that is within the limits of the Cantonment. |
Bhamo News
20th Sept.
I mentioned in my last, a dacoity a few miles below Tsenbo. Two Kachins were arrested here as being concerned in it and were confined, pending enquiry at the Central Police guard. ... Mr Shaw, the Deputy Commissioner and Mr Segrave, the Superintendent of Police, have gone on an inspection tour to Mogoung. Mr Cloney is carrying on the current duties of the district at headquarters. The Transport Jemadar has been sentenced by Mr Cloney to two years rigorous imprisonment for criminal breach of trust. ...
20th Sept.
I mentioned in my last, a dacoity a few miles below Tsenbo. Two Kachins were arrested here as being concerned in it and were confined, pending enquiry at the Central Police guard. ... Mr Shaw, the Deputy Commissioner and Mr Segrave, the Superintendent of Police, have gone on an inspection tour to Mogoung. Mr Cloney is carrying on the current duties of the district at headquarters. The Transport Jemadar has been sentenced by Mr Cloney to two years rigorous imprisonment for criminal breach of trust. ...
Rangoon Hunt Club
The Paperchae on Wednesday will start from the Soldier’s swimming tank at 5.15 p.m. and the run will finish on the Golf ground, Prome road.
Robbery
On Sunday evening about 7.30 p.m. Head Constable F. Terbaceson was called to the public house situated between Fraser street, [sic] to arrest some natives (Madrasses) for attempting to rob a Mahomedan of the sum of Rs. 100. In the struggle which ensued two of the assailants managed to clear out. Between two and three hundred natives of all classes collected around the place during the attempt to arrest the accused.
The Paperchae on Wednesday will start from the Soldier’s swimming tank at 5.15 p.m. and the run will finish on the Golf ground, Prome road.
Robbery
On Sunday evening about 7.30 p.m. Head Constable F. Terbaceson was called to the public house situated between Fraser street, [sic] to arrest some natives (Madrasses) for attempting to rob a Mahomedan of the sum of Rs. 100. In the struggle which ensued two of the assailants managed to clear out. Between two and three hundred natives of all classes collected around the place during the attempt to arrest the accused.
Shwebo News
19th Sept.
The northern part of Shwebo district is again getting disturbed. A gang consisting of sixty dacoits ... A large number of cattle, exceeding one hundred, was taken. All this occurred not far from the police station at Okpho; this has been only lately established under the charge of Mr VanSomeren and contains about 40 Burmans. ... A few shots were exchanged, the dacoits obtaining the best of it. ... It is indeed a great pity that tis misfortune and disgrace should have occurred, a it will be the means of encouraging the dacoits ... the police post at Okpho should be strengthened ...
Cholera and cattle disease lately broke out in several villages and many deaths both of men and cattle have occurred.
There is a report that the present Superintendent of Police intends applying for leave shortly; the proper man and in the right place would be Mr T.L. Ray, at present acting Superintendent of Police at Myingyan. He is well acquainted with the district, dreaded by the dacoits and greatly liked by all good men.
Ye-U District
20th Sept.
Despite all the efforts made by the Deputy Commissioner Mr W. N. Porter to disarm the people, especially in the villages in the northern part of his district, (Indoucktha and Indinge) he was made to believe by his Myooks and his trustworthy men from Prome, that he had succeeded in doing so. Lately Mr Mumford, Superintendent of Police, made private inquiries and obtained information that there were a large number of guns hidden in the northern part of Togai. To ascertain the truth, he paid the Indinge Myook a visit and asked him if there were any guns in his district, without licenses and if there were any to demand them from his villagers. The Myook said there were none and in the meantime he sent a warning message to his men of danger being near and to keep out of the way. Mr Mumford being of a most determined character, and not caring to leave things half done when once undertaken, remained at Indinge on a pretence of hunting, in the meantime he sent spies throughout the country and obtained the exact state of affairs. He took immediate steps to capture the suspected parties and with his mounted policemen hidden in the jungles arrested 36 men and captured 40 guns. ... The Indinge Myook and his clerk (a man from lower Burmah) are under arrest ... The police here have done remarkably good service. It is mainly owing to the exertions of Mr Mumford that this district is in better order than Shwebo ... I hear Mr Mumford intends applying for leave this cold weather; we shall be very sorry to lose him and only hope that the rumour is not true.
19th Sept.
The northern part of Shwebo district is again getting disturbed. A gang consisting of sixty dacoits ... A large number of cattle, exceeding one hundred, was taken. All this occurred not far from the police station at Okpho; this has been only lately established under the charge of Mr VanSomeren and contains about 40 Burmans. ... A few shots were exchanged, the dacoits obtaining the best of it. ... It is indeed a great pity that tis misfortune and disgrace should have occurred, a it will be the means of encouraging the dacoits ... the police post at Okpho should be strengthened ...
Cholera and cattle disease lately broke out in several villages and many deaths both of men and cattle have occurred.
There is a report that the present Superintendent of Police intends applying for leave shortly; the proper man and in the right place would be Mr T.L. Ray, at present acting Superintendent of Police at Myingyan. He is well acquainted with the district, dreaded by the dacoits and greatly liked by all good men.
Ye-U District
20th Sept.
Despite all the efforts made by the Deputy Commissioner Mr W. N. Porter to disarm the people, especially in the villages in the northern part of his district, (Indoucktha and Indinge) he was made to believe by his Myooks and his trustworthy men from Prome, that he had succeeded in doing so. Lately Mr Mumford, Superintendent of Police, made private inquiries and obtained information that there were a large number of guns hidden in the northern part of Togai. To ascertain the truth, he paid the Indinge Myook a visit and asked him if there were any guns in his district, without licenses and if there were any to demand them from his villagers. The Myook said there were none and in the meantime he sent a warning message to his men of danger being near and to keep out of the way. Mr Mumford being of a most determined character, and not caring to leave things half done when once undertaken, remained at Indinge on a pretence of hunting, in the meantime he sent spies throughout the country and obtained the exact state of affairs. He took immediate steps to capture the suspected parties and with his mounted policemen hidden in the jungles arrested 36 men and captured 40 guns. ... The Indinge Myook and his clerk (a man from lower Burmah) are under arrest ... The police here have done remarkably good service. It is mainly owing to the exertions of Mr Mumford that this district is in better order than Shwebo ... I hear Mr Mumford intends applying for leave this cold weather; we shall be very sorry to lose him and only hope that the rumour is not true.
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Yandoon
A Yandon correspondent writes: Since Mr Dawson’s launches have been taken off the Rangoon and Yandoon run and fares have been raised to 8 annas a head, the passenger traffic has somewhat fallen off. The Flotilla steamers, Perseverance and Hata, under native Serangs, ae now placed on this run. The receipts, which used sometimes to exceed Rs. 100 per day with the low fares, now sometimes do not reach Rs. 50. It is possible with the number of people visiting the Shoay Dagon Pagoda this month, they may again advance. ... The Kindat, a roomy light draught steamer, has gone to her old station on the Chindwin river where, according to your Kindat correspondent’s last letter, she and vessels like her are much required. The services of two East Indians, one as a clerk and one as Engineer, are still retained on the Hata and they do a great deal towards making the Burmese passengers comfortable on board. Capt. W.D. Morgan It will be seen from our advertisement columns that Captain W.D. Morgan, late of the Irrawaddy Flotilla, has been appointed General Manager of the Irrawaddy Steam Navigation Company. The posts of Sub-Manager and Marine Superintendent are still vacant. The advert is on image no. 83 and reads:- Irrawaddy Steam Navgn. Coy. A steamer of the above Company will leave Rangoon for Peindaye calling at the undermentioned stations going and coming: Daydaya, Kyeiklat, Pyapone, Kyonta, Bogalay, Peindaye. For freight or passage apply to W.D. Morgan, Capt. No. 5 Strand – General Manager. 4th Oct. 1888 |
Official Papers
The Chief Commissioner has had under consideration the question of the grant of pardon to criminals who surrender to the authorities in Upper Burma. The practice which at present is for the Deputy Commissioner of the district, in which the criminal surrenders, to grant him a so-called pardon. This pardon is a certificate which sets forth that the criminal will not be prosecuted or molested for the offences which he has committed so long as he lives peaceably. In some cases the criminal is required to furnish security for his future good behaviour, to report himself periodically at a police station and to live in a particular village. ... Local News The Statesman says; It is rumoured that on the return of Mr D. Barbour from England, Mr J. Westland will be offered the Chief Commissionership of Burmah. Prizes It is gratifying to find the wives of our State Railway Officials in the districts so competent at cake making. Mrs Rowland at Pyinmana and Mrs Keymer at Dabein succeeded in distancing all competitors and securing two prizes at the meeting of the Women’s Association held on Tuesday afternoon at the Railway Reading Rooms, Rangoon. We have no doubt such useful wives do a great deal towards making the lot of their husbands in jungle stations more comfortable than it would otherwise be. Let us hope that these competitions on cake making and other forms of cookery may be continued monthly, though perhaps prize winners should be in some way “weighted” in future competitions or we shall be having Pyinmana and Dabein “sweeping the board” every time. |
Inspection
5th Oct.
Mr Darlington, Chief Collector of Customs, proceeded to Maulmain this morning on his Annual Inspection.
Charged
The Asst. Magistrate yesterday discharged Mr Hewit’s syee, who was charged with furious driving, thereby knocking down a Burman and causing serious injury. His Worship remarked that he looked upon the case as one of mistaken identity.
Fined
G.R. Rennick, who was charged with having assaulted Chandoo Kooman Dey, a Chittagonian, who had gone to demand the payment of a bill on the 28th Sept. last, was yesterday morning sentenced to pay a fine of Rs. 5.
Fined
For assaulting Guard Addison of the Burma State Railway, the Asst. Magistrate yesterday sentenced a man named Boodee to ten days’ rigorous imprisonment.
Building
The fine new building in Phayre Street, occupied by Messrs. Johnston and Hoffman, Photographers, has we learn, been sold by Mr Jordan, the owner, for Rs. 21,000, the purchaser is Mr Rosner of Tikegyee.
Inspection
5th Oct.
The Comptroller, Mr Hesketh Biggs, left yesterday by the steamer Bhamo on his tour of inspection to all the Treasuries; from Mandalay to Pyinmana, Yemethin and Toungoo and returns to headquarters about the 16th of this month.
5th Oct.
Mr Darlington, Chief Collector of Customs, proceeded to Maulmain this morning on his Annual Inspection.
Charged
The Asst. Magistrate yesterday discharged Mr Hewit’s syee, who was charged with furious driving, thereby knocking down a Burman and causing serious injury. His Worship remarked that he looked upon the case as one of mistaken identity.
Fined
G.R. Rennick, who was charged with having assaulted Chandoo Kooman Dey, a Chittagonian, who had gone to demand the payment of a bill on the 28th Sept. last, was yesterday morning sentenced to pay a fine of Rs. 5.
Fined
For assaulting Guard Addison of the Burma State Railway, the Asst. Magistrate yesterday sentenced a man named Boodee to ten days’ rigorous imprisonment.
Building
The fine new building in Phayre Street, occupied by Messrs. Johnston and Hoffman, Photographers, has we learn, been sold by Mr Jordan, the owner, for Rs. 21,000, the purchaser is Mr Rosner of Tikegyee.
Inspection
5th Oct.
The Comptroller, Mr Hesketh Biggs, left yesterday by the steamer Bhamo on his tour of inspection to all the Treasuries; from Mandalay to Pyinmana, Yemethin and Toungoo and returns to headquarters about the 16th of this month.
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Transfer of Mr Johns
Mr E. Johns, the officiating Examiner of Accounts, Burma State Railway, is, we hear, transferred to India to act for Mr A.C. Newcombe, Examiner of Guaranteed Railway Accounts, at Madras. ... It is not probably that Mr Johns will leave Rangoon before the arrival of Mr F.L. Brown, for whom he is now acting. Mr Brown, we understand, has already left home for Burma in the S.S. Britannia. Mr Johns reported his arrival at Rangoon on 3rd Jan. 1887 for service on the Local Line, at a time when there was great press of work owing to the Toungoo and Mandalay Extension. Without this assistance it would have been impossible for Mr Brown to have completed his work either to his own satisfaction or to that of the Government. In fact the office of the Examiner of Accounts has undergone some reorganisation since the arrival of the present Examiner. During his predecessor’s career there was no Deputy Examiner; but then the work was far less than at present, for Mr Hubbard as Examiner had only one Head Accountant as his immediate assistant. Since then the work of the Toungoo-Mandalay Extension came in and not only was it found necessary to have another Examiner for supervision of work of the line under construction but a Deputy Examiner has also been appointed and a Senior Accountant made Honorary Assistant Examiner. It is a rather ill-advised and unwise policy on the part of the Government to be shifting officers from the Burma line for employment elsewhere, for in no place so much as Burma are the services of experienced men so essentially required. We believe that a short time back, Mr Johns requested the Accountant general, Calcutta, to permit him to stay for some time in Burma; and in less than two years after his arrival in Rangoon this transfer is made. In Mr Johns the Railway loses an official who has at times shown an aptitude for checking unlawful and extra vagant expenditure of State money. Previous to coming to Burma he had been employed on the Sind-Peshin and Bolan state Railways. It is not as yet even rumoured who will succeed him. Now that the Toungoo-Mandalay Extension is almost completed perhaps the Government will not put another in Mr John’s place till the further surveys proposed are completed and more extension and construction work begins in earnest. |
Mandalay News
1st Oct. 1888 The news for the past week is next to nothing; however, to let you know that your poor correspondent is still alive, I presume I must say something about somebody, or cry down our City Fathers, or laud the Forest Department sky high for trying to prove drift timber cases and lamentably failing. ... Col. Strover returned on Saturday evening from a tour of inspection; he had a pretty nasty time of it, what with rain and the country flooded and insects. Mr Mathews, Asst. Commissioner, leaves by this mail to join his office as Thongwa Settlement Officer; he will be missed much, but as the most cherished are the first to leave, we Mandalayites do not intend, for the future, to have any more official pets. Bhamo News 25th Sept. News in Bhamo is a remarkably scanty article just at present. Our sensations all occurred three weeks or a month ago, when we had two dacoities not far away and an attempt to break jail, all within a few days. Our Deputy Commissioner and Dist. Superintendent of Police have been away at Mogoung, but the Deputy Commissioner arrived back in Bhamo last night. Mr Seagrave remains in Mogoung to officiate for Mr Elliott, Asst. Commissioner, who is ill and who will come down here immediately and go away for a change. Capt. Benson has just arrived by the mail steamer, and he proceeds to Mogoung to relieve Lt. O’Donnel who also needs a change. Shortly before the D.C. and the D.S.P. started for Mogoung, letters from the two Englishmen there said that they were very badly off for provisions, as hardly anything could be purchased in that place. The weather here still continues very wet and hot and fever is rife on every hand. Sickness in the bazaar is however much less than it was at midsummer. One soldier died very suddenly in hospital three days ago and was buried the same night. About a week ago a native in the military police rose up in the middle of the night and committed suicide by shooting himself through the breast. This week’s mail was brought up to us by the Mogoung after she had been off the run for five or six weeks, during which time she had been down to Rangoon to be overhauled and repaired. We are glad to see her popular commander, Capt. Redman, among us again. He has been well known in Bhamo for a number of years now and we shall all be sorry to lose him when he goes to the lower river on promotion. |
Poungday News
4th Oct.
Another attack on the Railway Lines between this and Minhla was expected on the night of the 29th ultimo. The matter was kept a profound secret from all without the precincts of office and only leaked out subsequently through the shrewd surmises of an eagle-eyed person of my acquaintance; the report has now received official confirmation and parties of police may be seen nightly patrolling the lines and the principal avenues of the town. The same night the Asst. Stationmaster was plunged into a state of nervous trepidation by the discovery of a Shan standing at the open door, partially concealed by the darkness without, watching his proceedings with a critical eye and to all appearances taking close stock of all the office contained. Though addressed and spoken to roughly, the man answered never a word and soon succeeded in making good his retreat, thanks to friendly darkness; all attempts to pursue and secure him proved futile. This suspicious circumstance, together with the anticipated attack, no doubt rendered sleep an unknown luxury to the eyes of the unhappy Stationmaster during his night’s experience. ...
Sometime ago when the beef exhibited at the Gyobingouk and Zeegne markets appeared to be of questionable quality, Mr Todd Naylor, the Deputy Commissioner, put a stop to the selling of all meat. This prompt action very soon awakened the butchers to a sense of their obligations; and when they next succeeded in obtaining sanction to exhibit in the market-place, they supplied most excellent meat and continue to do so to the present day. We should like to see some such wholesome remedy forced down the throats of the vendors here, as the beef we are obliged to consume is simply execrable; and a little gentle exercise of the official birch would not be out of place. ...
While walking the other morning in company with a member of the Municipal Committee – one of those garrulous though caution gentlemen, who on the occasion of Municipal siting observe a discrete silence, and, beyond acquiescing when obliged to speak in their customary laconic phrase of howta Phaya, have no other opinion to offer – my attention was drawn to a sight which ought to have been witnessed by the President. It appears the Judicial Commissioner called for a sanitary survey of the town some months ago; but the Overseer in the service of the Municipality, being by no means a qualified man, put of the evil hours from time to time, until at length the day arrived when no further delay could be brooked, the difficulty had to be faced. The Overseer found himself on the horns of a dilemma and had no other recourse left him than to partake largely of humble pie, which he appears to have done with a voracious appetite. The P.W.D. man attached to the Station was prevailed on to render the Municipality the benefit of his training and experience, and thus emancipate the Superintendent of town works from his obligation. My companion in pointing out to me the apparition of a P.W.D. servant surveying Municipal roads, made some very sensible remarks which would have done the heart of any President good to hear; unfortunately his eloquence is lost to posterity. Among other things he ventured a comparison between the two men before us. The P.W.D. man is a Sub-Overseer passed from Roorkee, whose salary and allowances amount in all about Rs. 110-0-0 per mensem. His being in independent sub-divisional charge enhances his emoluments considerably, which otherwise would not have been over Rd. 80. The Municipal servant is a man of no college and rejoices in the proud appellation of Superintendent of Town Works. He has neither training nor experience and has been debarred from employment in the Public Works Department for want of sufficient qualifications; and yet he clears a salary of Rs. 160 which, in consideration of services as Secretary, has been still further raised to Rs. 190. Why an incompetent man should be entertained, when a thoroughly qualified one can be had for the money offered, is difficult to understand. It certainly does add to the dignity of a Municipality to have one of its servants going abegging to get a piece of work done, for the execution of which it remunerates that servant – and remunerates him handsomely.
4th Oct.
Another attack on the Railway Lines between this and Minhla was expected on the night of the 29th ultimo. The matter was kept a profound secret from all without the precincts of office and only leaked out subsequently through the shrewd surmises of an eagle-eyed person of my acquaintance; the report has now received official confirmation and parties of police may be seen nightly patrolling the lines and the principal avenues of the town. The same night the Asst. Stationmaster was plunged into a state of nervous trepidation by the discovery of a Shan standing at the open door, partially concealed by the darkness without, watching his proceedings with a critical eye and to all appearances taking close stock of all the office contained. Though addressed and spoken to roughly, the man answered never a word and soon succeeded in making good his retreat, thanks to friendly darkness; all attempts to pursue and secure him proved futile. This suspicious circumstance, together with the anticipated attack, no doubt rendered sleep an unknown luxury to the eyes of the unhappy Stationmaster during his night’s experience. ...
Sometime ago when the beef exhibited at the Gyobingouk and Zeegne markets appeared to be of questionable quality, Mr Todd Naylor, the Deputy Commissioner, put a stop to the selling of all meat. This prompt action very soon awakened the butchers to a sense of their obligations; and when they next succeeded in obtaining sanction to exhibit in the market-place, they supplied most excellent meat and continue to do so to the present day. We should like to see some such wholesome remedy forced down the throats of the vendors here, as the beef we are obliged to consume is simply execrable; and a little gentle exercise of the official birch would not be out of place. ...
While walking the other morning in company with a member of the Municipal Committee – one of those garrulous though caution gentlemen, who on the occasion of Municipal siting observe a discrete silence, and, beyond acquiescing when obliged to speak in their customary laconic phrase of howta Phaya, have no other opinion to offer – my attention was drawn to a sight which ought to have been witnessed by the President. It appears the Judicial Commissioner called for a sanitary survey of the town some months ago; but the Overseer in the service of the Municipality, being by no means a qualified man, put of the evil hours from time to time, until at length the day arrived when no further delay could be brooked, the difficulty had to be faced. The Overseer found himself on the horns of a dilemma and had no other recourse left him than to partake largely of humble pie, which he appears to have done with a voracious appetite. The P.W.D. man attached to the Station was prevailed on to render the Municipality the benefit of his training and experience, and thus emancipate the Superintendent of town works from his obligation. My companion in pointing out to me the apparition of a P.W.D. servant surveying Municipal roads, made some very sensible remarks which would have done the heart of any President good to hear; unfortunately his eloquence is lost to posterity. Among other things he ventured a comparison between the two men before us. The P.W.D. man is a Sub-Overseer passed from Roorkee, whose salary and allowances amount in all about Rs. 110-0-0 per mensem. His being in independent sub-divisional charge enhances his emoluments considerably, which otherwise would not have been over Rd. 80. The Municipal servant is a man of no college and rejoices in the proud appellation of Superintendent of Town Works. He has neither training nor experience and has been debarred from employment in the Public Works Department for want of sufficient qualifications; and yet he clears a salary of Rs. 160 which, in consideration of services as Secretary, has been still further raised to Rs. 190. Why an incompetent man should be entertained, when a thoroughly qualified one can be had for the money offered, is difficult to understand. It certainly does add to the dignity of a Municipality to have one of its servants going abegging to get a piece of work done, for the execution of which it remunerates that servant – and remunerates him handsomely.
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Thayetmyo News
3rd Oct. There is nothing of any importance to be chronicled during the last week which is the sole reason of delay to my letter. Lt. Tritton has not arrived yet but is expected in a few days in the meantime Lt. Ayerst, our Asst. Commissioner, crossed to Allanmyo on the 3rd instant to receive over charge of the Myede Sub-divn. from Mr Fraser. Telegraph communication is reported to be interrupted between Penang and Madras. Telegrams from Europe to the Straits and other places in the far east and vice versa, are being diverted by the Elephant Point route; this diversion is causing a great pressure of work in the Rangoon Telegraph office; consequently Mr O’Doherty, an Assistant of the local Telegraph Office, was ordered down to assist the Rangoon folks in clearing this pressure. The poor man had to start in a few hours, leaving all his comforts behind. The rains are holding off. No showers to speak of for the last week or more, beyond one or two slight drizzles. Cultivators entertain fears of failure of their crops which are looking gay enough now. If the present weather continues longer, hot and oppressive, the price of rice (at present Rs. 3-4-0) is expected to rise still higher. |
Mr Dawson
We hear that Mr G. Dawson, who has recently gone to Maulmain, (sic) will despatch six more steam launches for the Irrawaddy Steam Navigation Company as soon as the officiating Marine Superintendent considers the weather sufficiently moderate for them to undertake the voyage with safety. Bridge The plan and estimates, amounting to Rs. 31,266-0-4, for constructing a jetty, swing-bridge and pontoon, with approaches, at the foot of Keighey Street, have been sanctioned by the Chief Commissioner. Mr D.D. Coath is to supply the swing bridge. Mr Read Yesterday Mr A.T. Read, Barrister-at-law, was charged before the Asst. Magistrate with a breach of the Stamp Act, having given an acknowledgement of the receipt of Rs. 200, being his fee as Advocate paid by Gober Ally. The Court found that the paper produced did not purport to be an acknowledgement, but merely a memorandum and the case was dismissed. Jail The number of prisoners in the Rangoon Central Jail on the 7th was 3,951. |
Yandoon
6th Oct.
Yandoon is a large populous place, no doubt, and a good deal of trade, principally in ngapee, is carried on there, but for whose benefit would you have a grand P.W.D. bungalow erected? The bungalow that is there, is a very good one, although it has only bamboo walls and roof; and the people that have to put up in it are generally only P.W.D. subordinates and an occasional policeman or so, who are allowed to stop there free; quite good enough for people of that sort you know? Why, to my knowledge there is many a P.W.D. man paying rent for a bungalow not half as good as this one, and he has to supply his own furniture etc. whereas it seems there is some kind of furniture in this bungalow; and then if you made the bungalow too comfortable, why, these people might get to like the smell of ngapee and ask to be stationed here.
Leaving ngapee on one side, Yandoon is a pretty place and if it had a few good roads in it, would be a comfortable place to live in. The bazar, too, might have a good deal done to it, in the way of making things more comfortable for its renters. As it is an enormous revenue must be drawn from it although it is one of the darkest and dirtiest bazars in Lower Burma.
One or two other items, such as a sanitary inspector and a few drains might render the town more salubrious, and then, with plenty of steam launches running between Rangoon and Yandoon at an anna a fare, people might be induced to go there for a picnic and Government to build a P.W.D. bungalow worthy of the place.
6th Oct.
Yandoon is a large populous place, no doubt, and a good deal of trade, principally in ngapee, is carried on there, but for whose benefit would you have a grand P.W.D. bungalow erected? The bungalow that is there, is a very good one, although it has only bamboo walls and roof; and the people that have to put up in it are generally only P.W.D. subordinates and an occasional policeman or so, who are allowed to stop there free; quite good enough for people of that sort you know? Why, to my knowledge there is many a P.W.D. man paying rent for a bungalow not half as good as this one, and he has to supply his own furniture etc. whereas it seems there is some kind of furniture in this bungalow; and then if you made the bungalow too comfortable, why, these people might get to like the smell of ngapee and ask to be stationed here.
Leaving ngapee on one side, Yandoon is a pretty place and if it had a few good roads in it, would be a comfortable place to live in. The bazar, too, might have a good deal done to it, in the way of making things more comfortable for its renters. As it is an enormous revenue must be drawn from it although it is one of the darkest and dirtiest bazars in Lower Burma.
One or two other items, such as a sanitary inspector and a few drains might render the town more salubrious, and then, with plenty of steam launches running between Rangoon and Yandoon at an anna a fare, people might be induced to go there for a picnic and Government to build a P.W.D. bungalow worthy of the place.
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Fire
Great credit is due to Mr Napiet of the Municipality for having extinguished a fire that originated on Sunday evening in the semi-pucca house next door to which he himself resides. ... He then, unaided, made an attack on the fire with blankets etc. and succeeded in smothering the flames. ... Upper Burma Summary (Official) Except in Shwebo, where [there] have been several dacoities, for the most part not of a serious nature during the week and in Pakokkku (sic) where there were several dacoities, mostly not serious, the condition of the Upper Burma Districts during the past week was generally satisfactory. The country east of the Mu is being taken in hand by Mr Carter and Colonel Symons, the rest of the Sagaing district is quiet. In Myingyan Yan Nyun’s gang is still on foot; but active measures are being taken to disperse it. The police in this district successfully encountered a dacoit hang, killed two leaders and captured six guns. In Sagaing a dacoit and seven guns were captured. In Shwebo the police under Mr Simpson came upon two dacoit camps and captured some arms. Several arrests were effected in the Lower Chindwin district. In Kyaukse the Setkya Pretender still lurks in the hills and Myat Hmon has reappeared. Active operations will be at once undertaken against them. The Eastern Division was almost entirely free from violent crime. Local News We notice the Bishop of Rangoon and Mrs Strachan are passengers from London in the P & O. steamer Brindisi which left on 27th Sept. Leave The furlough for twelve months granted to Mr A.T. Chiodetti, Asst. Engineer, 2nd grade, State Railways, by the Chief Commissioner of Burma, as notified in his notification no. 100 dated 26th August, 1887, has been commuted by the Secretary of State into leave on medical certificate for sixteen months. Forests Mr J.W. Oliver, Deputy Conservator of Forests, 2nd grade, Burma, is appointed to officiate in the 1st grade of Deputy Conservators during the absence of three months privilege leave of Major C.T. Bingham, B.S.C., Deputy Conservator, 1st grade, Burma, or until further orders. |
I.G.P.
We are informed that General Stedman, who arrives on Friday, will take over sole charge as I.G.P. in Burmah. Recital Mr Frank Sherriff will give his fourth Organ Recital at the Presbyterian Church on Thursday (tomorrow) evening, commencing at 9 o’clock. As will be seen by the appended programme the instrumental selections are chosen from all styles of classical music and besides well-known and justly popular pieces will be rendered by some of our best local amateurs. ... Miss Hardinge (solo) Mrs Klier, Miss Baker, Miss Porter, Mr [C.E.] Chandler, Mr C. Findlay. ... The Meingoon Prince The Meingoon Prince is still a resident of Pondicherry, where he lives in strict retirement, receiving an annual pension from the French Government of 10,000 francs, which appears to be his only income. Until within the last few months he used to receive from time to time a good many visitors, but these gradually dropped off. He did not go to the reception given at Government House on Sunday evening the 16th Dept. No official calls seem to have passed between the Prince and the acting Government. Mr Darwood Yesterday morning a large timber raft, in charge of only two men, belonging to Mr Darwood, drifted broadside on against the stern of the Puttiala while she was lying off Phayre Street wharf and was smashed up against the propeller. The debris having been cleared away, it was found that the screw had sustained no damage. Steam Launches There seems to be no falling off in the public patronage of the steam launches which ply from Rangoon to various places. Anyone, whose business takes him on the river can see how crowded these small and useful craft are. They evidently fill a useful place and it is to be hoped their numbers will increase. By using them people are quickly and cheaply taken to places at no great distance but to which a voyage by boat would mean considerable expense and personal discomfort. We hope before many years Upper Burma will be as well provided with theses useful steam launches as Rangoon seems to be at present. They can go to stations which larger vessels cannot get near. |
Earthquake - Damage Reported
The chimneys of both Messrs. Bullock Bros. mills at Upper Poozoodoung and Kemendine are cracked. The spire of the Town Church ditto. The Htee of the Shway Dagon is damaged and the cup has carried away. Nine out of thirteen of the pinnacles of the Musjid in Mogul Street were thrown down. A pucka house in the Strand Road has been cracked all along the foundation. The up-mail oscillated so seriously that the guard at first thought it had been derailed by dacoits. The clocks at Maubi and Insein stopped exactly at 1.20 a.m.
A scientific observer, who happened to be awake at the time reports that the first shock was like the recoil of a heavy gun and was followed by two tremors; he describes the sound as a dull roar, gradually increasing, with none of the detonating or rattling sounds occasionally heard.
The Madras Infantry turned out mistaking the earthquake and the consequent hubbub for an outbreak in the Jail.
A Burman living in 21st Street was thrown out of bed; lying paralyzed and insensible ever since, he died at noon. A Chinese boy, living in China Street, who had been weakened by fever, died of fright and shock.
The capitals of the inner pillars of the portico of the Town Hall have been seriously damaged. No damage is reported from the river, though the Captain of the Madras boat thought it had been run down. The shock seems to have been felt all along the coast and through Lower Burmah, though no serious damage is reported. A good many roofs have been partially un-tiled and much damage took place to crockery, toddy-pots etc. in the bazaar. The upper walls of Messrs. Oppenheimer’s are cracked and some of their goods broken.
There was great confusion in all the barracks and in the hospital; some of the patients were rather affected by the scare; no damage. The Post Office was severely shaken and several cracks are apparent, though small. The readings of the Post Office barometer did not vary between 8 p.m. and 4 a.m.
The chimneys of both Messrs. Bullock Bros. mills at Upper Poozoodoung and Kemendine are cracked. The spire of the Town Church ditto. The Htee of the Shway Dagon is damaged and the cup has carried away. Nine out of thirteen of the pinnacles of the Musjid in Mogul Street were thrown down. A pucka house in the Strand Road has been cracked all along the foundation. The up-mail oscillated so seriously that the guard at first thought it had been derailed by dacoits. The clocks at Maubi and Insein stopped exactly at 1.20 a.m.
A scientific observer, who happened to be awake at the time reports that the first shock was like the recoil of a heavy gun and was followed by two tremors; he describes the sound as a dull roar, gradually increasing, with none of the detonating or rattling sounds occasionally heard.
The Madras Infantry turned out mistaking the earthquake and the consequent hubbub for an outbreak in the Jail.
A Burman living in 21st Street was thrown out of bed; lying paralyzed and insensible ever since, he died at noon. A Chinese boy, living in China Street, who had been weakened by fever, died of fright and shock.
The capitals of the inner pillars of the portico of the Town Hall have been seriously damaged. No damage is reported from the river, though the Captain of the Madras boat thought it had been run down. The shock seems to have been felt all along the coast and through Lower Burmah, though no serious damage is reported. A good many roofs have been partially un-tiled and much damage took place to crockery, toddy-pots etc. in the bazaar. The upper walls of Messrs. Oppenheimer’s are cracked and some of their goods broken.
There was great confusion in all the barracks and in the hospital; some of the patients were rather affected by the scare; no damage. The Post Office was severely shaken and several cracks are apparent, though small. The readings of the Post Office barometer did not vary between 8 p.m. and 4 a.m.
Lecture
We understand that a lecture on Personal Experiences and Reminiscence of the Shans, will be delivered on an early date at the Rangoon Baptist Church by Rev’d. Dr. Cushing, Missionary to the Shans, at such a time as the present, we have no doubt it will prove very interesting and instructive to many in Rangoon.
Vacation Bench
Thur. Oct. 4th 1888 - Before the Hon’ble Mr Justice Macpherson and the Hon’ble Mr Justice E.J. Trevelyan
We understand that a lecture on Personal Experiences and Reminiscence of the Shans, will be delivered on an early date at the Rangoon Baptist Church by Rev’d. Dr. Cushing, Missionary to the Shans, at such a time as the present, we have no doubt it will prove very interesting and instructive to many in Rangoon.
Vacation Bench
Thur. Oct. 4th 1888 - Before the Hon’ble Mr Justice Macpherson and the Hon’ble Mr Justice E.J. Trevelyan
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Thayetmyo News
The season of daciots’ operations has arrived. I hear a band has already moved out from its hiding place and is roaming about Myothit and its vicinity. The gang is headed by Boh Po Thu Daw of Moltke’s school (not Wolseley as he is too presumptuous.) The police are warned at all points and are on the qui vive, so we must soon her of a sanguinary battle. The Deputy Commissioner left Thayetmyo on Saturday 6th followed by the Superintendent of Police on Sunday h 7th for Myothit district and they have begun to take final and stern measures for the capture (or at least expatriation) of every dacoit by the aid of the Karen Levy and Military Police. Mr Bell, Sub-Engineer, I am glad to see, is once more amongst us after a short absence, he was “laid up” with fever for a few days after arriving but is quite well again and has returned to duty. He had finished the road-work allotted to him a few months ago to the entire satisfaction of all. Really this gentleman’s services should be recognised substantially, as he is a hard-working and intelligent D.P.W. subordinate. The roads opened out are from Myothit, Minhal and Linge, all three converging on Yenama, where there is a Military out-post. The Civil Headquarters of this sub-division are at Linge. The object of having opened these roads was to appease the discontented and murmuring laborers who complained of having no work, consequently dreading starvation and furthermore, this step was taken to prevent these men from joining stray gangs of dacoits, who are mostly lurking about in that district. A hundred convicts from the local Jail, with a guard of 25 Military Policemen, were sent by the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company’s steamer Daga on Wednesday 10th to Bassein. The Superintending Engineer, Mr Gatherer, is making arrangements with the Superintendent of Indian Marine at Mandalay for the conveyance of coolies by means of steamers expressly chartered from Rangoon to Kalewa, there to commence Public Works operations. Your item of news in your issue of the 6th instant, referring to two Belfast steamers of the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company being in curse of construction in England, will no doubt be welcome to shippers and passengers. It is to be hoped that others will not be slow to follow them, thus swelling the little fleet to an enormous size after a few years. Keen and lively competition is everything and wherever it has been heard of everybody has confessed its good results; for instance, articles of consumption and passages are considerably reduced in cost and travelling becomes pleasant both to the rich and poor. Mr Gardner, Jailor of this Jail, is under orders for transfer to Myingyan and only awaits his relief to proceed thither. Since my last we have had a few more heavy showers of rain, accompanied with lightening and thunder; the aspect of the weather foretells an early breakup of the monsoons for this year, to be succeeded by our winter, of the near approach of which there are already perceptible signs. The fall of rain this year is less than that desired and goodness knows the miseries of the hot weather we are fated for in the coming year if there is to be no more rain in the meanwhile. Mr Wyatt, Executive Engineer, I forgot to mention, has returned from leave and has taken over charge from Mr Foy, who I hear, has been transferred to Maubin. |
Salin News
9th Oct. The long expected rain has at last arrived here, so the Burmans now consider themselves well rewarded for the amount of energy expended during the last six months in making night and day hideous with tom toms, in order to propitiate the Rain Divinity. The Fort, at present occupied by the Military, is in a most dilapidated condition, reminding one strongly of one after a heavy bombardment, the centre of it is composed of a huge mound faced with brick and covered with pagodas of different shapes and sizes; but now, owing to the heavy rain, most of the faces have fallen down and what little remains seems to be on the verge of falling. One large pagoda has had to be pulled down and I am told that a large quantity of bronze and silver Nats, Gaudamas etc. were found concealed in the brick work; but this is only hearsay. Mr Collins, Asst. Commissioner, has been doing some work up at The, towards the boundary of the Yaw country, getting in a large number of guns form the villages round about. Capt. the Hon’ble E. Noel, Rifle Brigade, and his Mounted Infantry, have been doing several long and difficult marches in the same direction, after dacoits; but found it hard to move rapidly on account of the fearful state of the roads. The great event here has been the capture of Boh Han, a noted Bohm belonging to the Taungdwingyi district. News arrived on Tuesday, 3rd Oct. that dacoits were supposed to be concealed on an island opposite Yenangyoung (sic) ; a party of the 10th M.I. was despatched at once to Sein to embark in country boats. They started from Sein before mid-night and shortly after day-break they arrived at their destination, where the dacoits were hiding; here the party was divided into two, Lt. Caufield, 10th M.I. going with one party and Lt. Green Wilkinson, Rifle Brigade, with the other. The dacoits did not observe the former party till they were with 200 yards of their hiding place, when they bolted, turning round in time to time to fire; on their line of retreat they had to swim a branch of the Irrawaddy about 100 yards broad; here the second party came up with them, and, the dacoits making a stand, 4 were killed and Boh Han wounded and taken. The band consisted of about 50 men and evidently considered themselves pretty secure from interruption, as the sepoys got so close up that Lt. Wilkinson, Rifle Brigade, was able to shoot one and wound a Boh (with an unpronounceable name) with a revolver. The band was followed up for some hours, but soon got lost in the jungle and elephant grass. This is the first time, for some months, hat the troops have had a brush with the dacoits and will it is to be hoped, do a good deal of good, as no doubt many men of the band were wounded and killed unknown to the troops. The paddy crop here seems to be doing well, except in the immediate vicinity of the Jheel, where it has been drowned by too much water. The road between here and Sein is very nearly impassable with weeds, but I understand that Mr Hughes, Public Works Department, will shortly return here and put things in order; may he come quick! |
Yenangyaung
10th Oct.
The little news there is to be had from this little station, I give you. A day or two ago, two durwans in the service of Findlay Fleming & Co. were returning to the oil wells from Yenangyoung (sic) they were attacked by a dacoit gang, supposed to number fifteen, about a mile from the Police stockade; both the men were very severely wounded about the head and one is not likely to recover. A snider rifle they had with them is now in the possession of the dacoits together with 20 rounds of ammunition. Our energetic Officer Commanding and the Asst. Superintendent of Police were out the greater part of the day with the Mounted Infantry in search of the gang but the same old story, dacoits nowhere to be seen.
You have no doubt heard of the sad death of our Sub-divisional Officer Mr F. de Facieu, which occurred on the night of the 30th September; it appears he was out dining and on his way home he had to cross a “nullah,” which at the time was flowing rapidly into the river (it had been raining heavily on the hills,) Mr de Facieu was riding, the pony tripped while crossing and fell with the rider, both being washed away, the pony was found next morning not far from Yenangyoung, where, as Mr de Faciue has not been heard of since, a reward of, I believe, 100 Rupees had been offered for the recovery of his body.
We are glad to see in your paper of the 6th that there is likely to be an opposition company on the river, this has been a need long felt, not only by the European, but by the native population. Cargo steamers go up and down the river almost empty; what is the cause of this? The cargo is all taken up by mail steamers; one would fancy that the Express steamers belonged to a different company. Not very long ago a mail steamer stopped for close on to three hours at a Station to take in rice and “Jagree;” to make up lost time these steamers run at night, thus greatly inconveniencing the passengers, especially those who have to get off; had we an opposition company on the river, the convenience of the passengers would perhaps be more studied by the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company.
10th Oct.
The little news there is to be had from this little station, I give you. A day or two ago, two durwans in the service of Findlay Fleming & Co. were returning to the oil wells from Yenangyoung (sic) they were attacked by a dacoit gang, supposed to number fifteen, about a mile from the Police stockade; both the men were very severely wounded about the head and one is not likely to recover. A snider rifle they had with them is now in the possession of the dacoits together with 20 rounds of ammunition. Our energetic Officer Commanding and the Asst. Superintendent of Police were out the greater part of the day with the Mounted Infantry in search of the gang but the same old story, dacoits nowhere to be seen.
You have no doubt heard of the sad death of our Sub-divisional Officer Mr F. de Facieu, which occurred on the night of the 30th September; it appears he was out dining and on his way home he had to cross a “nullah,” which at the time was flowing rapidly into the river (it had been raining heavily on the hills,) Mr de Facieu was riding, the pony tripped while crossing and fell with the rider, both being washed away, the pony was found next morning not far from Yenangyoung, where, as Mr de Faciue has not been heard of since, a reward of, I believe, 100 Rupees had been offered for the recovery of his body.
We are glad to see in your paper of the 6th that there is likely to be an opposition company on the river, this has been a need long felt, not only by the European, but by the native population. Cargo steamers go up and down the river almost empty; what is the cause of this? The cargo is all taken up by mail steamers; one would fancy that the Express steamers belonged to a different company. Not very long ago a mail steamer stopped for close on to three hours at a Station to take in rice and “Jagree;” to make up lost time these steamers run at night, thus greatly inconveniencing the passengers, especially those who have to get off; had we an opposition company on the river, the convenience of the passengers would perhaps be more studied by the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company.
Mandalay News
8th Oct.
Yesterday (Sunday) at 2 a.m. we were aroused by a frightful noise as if the Chinese had commenced their feast by firing thousands of crackers and each vying who could make the most noise. Instead of crackers it was a splendid bonfire, the bamboos etc. being so wet from the previous day’s rain that they sounded like crackers at a distance; it originated at Inspector Moung Nee’s house situated in the Yodayah quarters and next door to the new Fire Station; the engines were out sharp and there being water at hand the flames were subdued; only five houses burnt, value Rs. 4000. There are two versions as to how the fire originated; the Inspector’s wife says she was roasting Indian corn at the unseasonable hour for her husband, who was out on patrol; it being windy, the flames caught the mat and away went the building, she just had time to run out with two children and her husband arrived opportunely and saved the baby who was asleep; the other version is the cat knocked down the naked paraffin lamp and nobody being near at hand, the flames had their own way; however the truth will come out in course of the inquiry.
The bund along Oung Bin Lay, or Nandan bund, has breached and the consequence Is that the low-lying country towards the south-east of the town Is flooded. A road and the other streets branching from it are flooded; the only way to get along is the railway line, it being raised considerably higher than the road. B road, opposite Moola Ismail’s Ice factory is submerged and the Thingaza lake looks glorious. The houses abutting on this lake are beautifully clean, all the filth, dirt, insects and vermin are washed out, free, gratis and for nothing, much to the discomfort of the occupants. Children, adults, ducks and geese are delighted, but the poor sawyers who have their saw-pits filled, are lamenting, their places being filled and in some of them right up to the top of the roof; unless something is done and pretty sharply, by letting the surplus water out into the river, the submerged portion, which is computed to be 18 miles square, will be a bed of sickness in the first place and secondly the poor people completely starved, being unable to carry on their daily work. The P.W.D. did their upmost to stop the breach, but like everything they do, took the matter in hand after the breach was made however, “its better late than never,” otherwise, if the rush had come towards the moat, which is brimful now, the results would have been disastrous. It is hoped we shall have better supervision in future.
8th Oct.
Yesterday (Sunday) at 2 a.m. we were aroused by a frightful noise as if the Chinese had commenced their feast by firing thousands of crackers and each vying who could make the most noise. Instead of crackers it was a splendid bonfire, the bamboos etc. being so wet from the previous day’s rain that they sounded like crackers at a distance; it originated at Inspector Moung Nee’s house situated in the Yodayah quarters and next door to the new Fire Station; the engines were out sharp and there being water at hand the flames were subdued; only five houses burnt, value Rs. 4000. There are two versions as to how the fire originated; the Inspector’s wife says she was roasting Indian corn at the unseasonable hour for her husband, who was out on patrol; it being windy, the flames caught the mat and away went the building, she just had time to run out with two children and her husband arrived opportunely and saved the baby who was asleep; the other version is the cat knocked down the naked paraffin lamp and nobody being near at hand, the flames had their own way; however the truth will come out in course of the inquiry.
The bund along Oung Bin Lay, or Nandan bund, has breached and the consequence Is that the low-lying country towards the south-east of the town Is flooded. A road and the other streets branching from it are flooded; the only way to get along is the railway line, it being raised considerably higher than the road. B road, opposite Moola Ismail’s Ice factory is submerged and the Thingaza lake looks glorious. The houses abutting on this lake are beautifully clean, all the filth, dirt, insects and vermin are washed out, free, gratis and for nothing, much to the discomfort of the occupants. Children, adults, ducks and geese are delighted, but the poor sawyers who have their saw-pits filled, are lamenting, their places being filled and in some of them right up to the top of the roof; unless something is done and pretty sharply, by letting the surplus water out into the river, the submerged portion, which is computed to be 18 miles square, will be a bed of sickness in the first place and secondly the poor people completely starved, being unable to carry on their daily work. The P.W.D. did their upmost to stop the breach, but like everything they do, took the matter in hand after the breach was made however, “its better late than never,” otherwise, if the rush had come towards the moat, which is brimful now, the results would have been disastrous. It is hoped we shall have better supervision in future.
Bhamo News
3rd Oct.
Perhaps you remember that two Kachin dacoits were ordered to be hanged at Mogaung. Our Deputy Commissioner, Mr Shaw, went up there and the execution, I learn, took place on the morning of the 21st ultimo. The natives are said to have been much impressed at this scene. Hope it will be a warning to Kachins and other unruly characters.
Mr Liard, Head Constable of Police, has been suspended, I am told, for submitting a false diary to the Officer in charge, Dist. Superintendent, Office. (sic) The case was thus; Mr Liard had to inspect a police section twice a day; he visited the station in the morning and submitted a report that he visited the same evening also, which is said not to have been the case. Mr Martin, Inspector of Police, went to visit this same station on the very day in the evening and found out the discrepancy between his own remarks and the Head Constable’s. He reported the fact to the Deputy Commissioner who ordered the Head Constable’s suspension.
The rumour is that some Kachins have accumulated near Tsenbo and the Subadar in charge reports that he expects an attack shortly. Hence our Deputy Commissioner, Mr Shaw, and 2nd Commandant, Rai Chutter Singh Bahadur, are going up to Tsenbo with some Sepoys in aid of the Subadar at 7 a.m. tomorrow. The result will be communicated on their return.
Lieut. Virison, Asst. Commissioner, Mogaung Levy, is going up to Mogaung tomorrow morning to assume charge of the detachment and relieve Mr Segraves, who had been deputed to take charge of the Police force during Lieut. O’Donnell’s deputation as Asst. Commissioner of Mogaung.
Jemadar Chintamoney wires despatch of 69 Gurkhas from Darjeeling, 30 out of these men have arrived at Rangoon and the rest expected to be at Rangoon in two weeks’ time. Sepoy Tola Ram of the Mogaung Levy, was accidently drowned on the 1st instant. The poor fellow was bathing and getting out of his depth, was carried away far from the shore and was too weak to return against the strong current; no trace of his body could be found.
3rd Oct.
Perhaps you remember that two Kachin dacoits were ordered to be hanged at Mogaung. Our Deputy Commissioner, Mr Shaw, went up there and the execution, I learn, took place on the morning of the 21st ultimo. The natives are said to have been much impressed at this scene. Hope it will be a warning to Kachins and other unruly characters.
Mr Liard, Head Constable of Police, has been suspended, I am told, for submitting a false diary to the Officer in charge, Dist. Superintendent, Office. (sic) The case was thus; Mr Liard had to inspect a police section twice a day; he visited the station in the morning and submitted a report that he visited the same evening also, which is said not to have been the case. Mr Martin, Inspector of Police, went to visit this same station on the very day in the evening and found out the discrepancy between his own remarks and the Head Constable’s. He reported the fact to the Deputy Commissioner who ordered the Head Constable’s suspension.
The rumour is that some Kachins have accumulated near Tsenbo and the Subadar in charge reports that he expects an attack shortly. Hence our Deputy Commissioner, Mr Shaw, and 2nd Commandant, Rai Chutter Singh Bahadur, are going up to Tsenbo with some Sepoys in aid of the Subadar at 7 a.m. tomorrow. The result will be communicated on their return.
Lieut. Virison, Asst. Commissioner, Mogaung Levy, is going up to Mogaung tomorrow morning to assume charge of the detachment and relieve Mr Segraves, who had been deputed to take charge of the Police force during Lieut. O’Donnell’s deputation as Asst. Commissioner of Mogaung.
Jemadar Chintamoney wires despatch of 69 Gurkhas from Darjeeling, 30 out of these men have arrived at Rangoon and the rest expected to be at Rangoon in two weeks’ time. Sepoy Tola Ram of the Mogaung Levy, was accidently drowned on the 1st instant. The poor fellow was bathing and getting out of his depth, was carried away far from the shore and was too weak to return against the strong current; no trace of his body could be found.
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Rangoon
Organ Recital It was a pleasure to see so many people present at the Organ Recital on Thursday evening and we now begin to hope that Mr Sherriff’s efforts for their entertainment are becoming appreciated by our citizens. Anyway, the attendance at the last recital was most encouraging; ... The rendering of the vocal selections earned the highest encorniums from those present and reflect great credit on the ladies and gentlemen who took part in them. Mr Bailey was in capital voice and sang “In native worth” as we have rarely heard it sung by an amateur. The anthem “As Pants the Hart” for six voices was a highly finished performance. Miss Hardinge took the soprano solo and the parts of the accompanying chorus were rendered respectively by Mrs Klier, Miss Baker, Miss Porter, Mr Bailey and Mr C. Findlay. In commencing the pretty solo “There is a green hill far away” Mrs Klier seemed somewhat nervous, we thought, but, gaining confidence, her pleasing and melodious voice was listened to with great attention. Our old favourite Mr Chandler had promised to sing, but unfortunately was suffering from a severe cold and consequently was unable to do so. We hope, however, to hear him on some future occasion. |
Letters to the Editor
Volunteer Oaths Sir, As you seem to take an interest in Volunteer affairs, can you inform me how it is that the Indian Volunteers on enlistment do not, as at Home, take the Oath of Allegiance, which – I am quoting from memory - runs much as follows:- “I, A.B., do hereby truthfully and faithfully swear to defend her Majesty Queen Victoria and her heirs according to the conditions of my service. So help me God.” Considering the questionable nationality of some of our Volunteers and the fact that several of them are not British subjects, I would draw your attention to the fact that, as far as I can see, our Volunteers are under no obligations whatever, except of paying fines in certain cases. Yours obediently, Englishman. [There is no mention of any oath in the Act, the Statutory declaration seems sufficient. – Ed., R.T.] Inspection Mr Darlington, Chief Collector of Customs, returned from Moulmein on Friday and proceeds this morning to Bassein to make his annual inspection of the office of Collector of Customs at that port. |
Rice Crop Prospects, 1889
Akyab – The area under rice cultivation is estimated to be 460,000 acres ... Hanthawaddy – The area under paddy cultivation is 428,007 acres ... Note – Crop estimates have for some seasons been given in annas, 16 annas indication an ordinary yield ... Revised statements will be issued from time to time when it appears that in preparing the present statement the area under cultivation this season has been wrongly estimated. W.T. Hall. Director of Land Records and Agriculture.
Akyab – The area under rice cultivation is estimated to be 460,000 acres ... Hanthawaddy – The area under paddy cultivation is 428,007 acres ... Note – Crop estimates have for some seasons been given in annas, 16 annas indication an ordinary yield ... Revised statements will be issued from time to time when it appears that in preparing the present statement the area under cultivation this season has been wrongly estimated. W.T. Hall. Director of Land Records and Agriculture.
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Mr Macfarlane
The Local Government has received information that on the evening of the 8th Mr Macfarlane encountered Byaingyi’s gang consisting of 20 men with Byaingyi himself. They fled promptly and none were caught, but two guns, a lot of ammunition and some important papers were seized. A.E. Cooper A Pegu correspondent informs us that Mr A.E. Cooper of Pegu was out on an excursion at Ugwatai, beyond the old Mahazidi Pagoda in Zineganaing, last Thursday, when he encountered in the jungles at 10 a.m. a large black bear. Mr Cooper with his breach loader fired and hit Bruin who fell back and then stood on his hind legs, growled and quickly moved toward his assistant. However, at a distance of 80 yards Mr Cooper fired a second shot and again a third, which killed the animal. The carcass was heavy and 4 men being unbale to carry it a cart was obtained on which it was brought to Pegu. Rs. 20 is, we believe, the reward for killing a large bear. It is said that in the Zineganaing jungles tigers, bears and deer abound. Taungdwingyi News 4th Oct. It has been raining daily here of late by fits and starts and all mankind save police and foreigners, rejoice exceedingly. You may remember that in May last a certain dacoit Bo was killed in a village called Tse-the, by the villagers. The sequel is worth listening to. The other night about forty of the dead Bo’s “townies” got together and swooped down upon Tse-the “like reapers descending to the harvest of death,” the only difference being that there was no dead to sweep down on; the villagers fled and the dacoits burned ten houses and returned loaded with ashes and plunder. The Police from the Wazyine Guard under Sergt. Po Shaine followed the rascals and the result is fourteen of them are in custody and have a good prospect of being escorted for a lengthy picnic at Port Blair. The Deputy Commissioner, Mr Rice, has gone to Magway. By the way, an old friend Mr P.B. Roberts, once a popular D.P.W. officer here, has been back to visit some of his former haunts. We were all sorry to see him looking so seedy, while here he was the guest of the well-known Mr Harcourt-Cooze, Yuathee. (sic) He has now, I hear, gone back to his duties in Shwebo. With the exception of the dacoity referred to above the circle is comparatively quiet. Tavoy News Since I last wrote to you nothing particular has occurred, excepting that the Commissioner, Colonel Plant was here and sentenced 10 rebels to be hanged and 12 have been transported for life; the rebels that were arrested in Siam have been identified by their photographs which have been sent here. The crops are looking very well indeed, I have never seen them look better; the weather up here is very fine. The roads are in a bad state, but the repairs are being pushed on now, so as to make them useful for the dry season. I hear that a telegraph will be constructed from here to Mergui, a step in the right direction. The “Model Duke” Estate is looking exceedingly well and gives signs of a very good crop; I hope that the owner may not be disappointed, as he has been working very hard for the last 5 years and may he now reap the benefit of his labours. The Det. M.V.R. drill season has, I believe, commenced and things are getting rather lively, - there is a cricket match to be played today between the Judicial and the Tavoy Volunteers, more anon. |
Publication
We have received from Mr Jules Friend Pereira of the Sub-ordinate Executive Service, Henzada, a copy of his “Burma Department Examination Manual,” printed at St. Peter’s Institution Press, Bassein, containing with the compass of 248 pages, extracts from the 26 Acts and Rules thereunder, in which candidates for Myookship have to be examined. We should think Mr Pereira’s work would be of considerable advantage and save a good deal of expense and trouble to those about to be examined and we are not surprised to learn that to thirds of the edition have already been sold in Burma. Those desirous of procuring copies, therefore, should not delay in writing for them, or they may find the edition has been exhausted. Entertainment Mr Norton, more usually “Wash” of that ilk, arrived yesterday with his Company. They report themselves all well, overflowing with money after their successful trip in the Far East and determined to give the long suffering Rangoonite a return for his depreciated rupees that will satisfy even the most captious. They will open this evening at the Assembly Rooms. Photography Anyone desirous of obtaining a photograph of our present Chief Commissioner should visit Messrs. Johnston and Hoffman’s Photographic Studio in Phayre Street, where some excellent and artistic portraits of Sir C. Crosthwaite have recently been taken, with two of which the firm have kindly favoured us. Messrs. Johnston and Hoffman’s Studio is well worth a visit by those interested in photography, for finer portraits or views it would be difficult to see in any photographic studio in India. Upper Burma Summary (Official) In Shwebo two very successful encounters with dacoits occurred. In one the Hyderabad Cavalry, under a Native Officer, pursued a gang of cattle lifters for 25 miles; killed 14 and recovered all the cattle. In the other, Myook Maung Yun, with Burma Police surprised a small gang of five, killed two, captured three and seized six guns. A leading dacoit named Po Ka has surrendered unconditionally with six followers. In Mandalay district there were several dacoities, mostly of a petty kind. The Pretender’s gang is still on the borders of Kyaukse; parties of police are moving against him. In Pakokku there is some petty dacoity. A moveable column surprised one party and killed on dacoit. In Minbu Byamtyi’s gang was surprised; guns, ammunition and papers were seized, but the dacoits escaped. In the Salin sub-division Ton Zan, a notable local leader, was killed and thirty-two of his followers surrendered and gave up 39 guns. In other districts there was nothing of moment; they were either perfectly quiet or troubled only by a few and unimportant crimes. |
Letters to the Editor
Poungday News
Sir, I am that erring mortal lately in the employ of the P.W.D. on whom Sympathiser makes so determined an attack in your columns of the 13th inst. Your correspondent in discovering the mote in another’s eye, discerns not the beam in his own – for who, that has read his letters can say it is not a venomous attack on a man’s private life. However, as a violent assault calls for as determined a repulse, I am happy to be able to furnish him with food for reflection over which he might with profit ponder.
In endeavouring to identify me with your Poungday correspondent, Sympathiser says I was compelled to sever my connection with the P.W. Department, owing to certain circumstances: Short, swift, unerring, comes my answer – he lies. My service book says – “resigned appointment vide Office No. 2591” and again “Resignation accepted vide Government of India No 46 G.” No compulsion here, no coercion, no “certain circumstances.”
Never was theory more truly expounded than is the truth which Sympathiser in his wrath now proclaims to the world – I am “comfortably accommodated.” Precisely so, I am happy and contented and exceedingly comfortable; and what is more I intend being so accommodated for some short time yet to come. When, however, your correspondent asserts, further, that I am wasting precious hours and that in abusing officials – the blunt, emphatic rejoinder again smites him in the face – “you lie.”
Having thus taken the shortest way to right myself, I refuse to lay myself open to contamination by further contest with a nameless traducer. Let him cast aside his nom-de-plume and reveal himself in his true character and I shall supply him with further matter for thought.
Poungday, Yours Obediently, P.S. Ollenbach, 14th Oct. 1888.
Poungday News
Sir, I am that erring mortal lately in the employ of the P.W.D. on whom Sympathiser makes so determined an attack in your columns of the 13th inst. Your correspondent in discovering the mote in another’s eye, discerns not the beam in his own – for who, that has read his letters can say it is not a venomous attack on a man’s private life. However, as a violent assault calls for as determined a repulse, I am happy to be able to furnish him with food for reflection over which he might with profit ponder.
In endeavouring to identify me with your Poungday correspondent, Sympathiser says I was compelled to sever my connection with the P.W. Department, owing to certain circumstances: Short, swift, unerring, comes my answer – he lies. My service book says – “resigned appointment vide Office No. 2591” and again “Resignation accepted vide Government of India No 46 G.” No compulsion here, no coercion, no “certain circumstances.”
Never was theory more truly expounded than is the truth which Sympathiser in his wrath now proclaims to the world – I am “comfortably accommodated.” Precisely so, I am happy and contented and exceedingly comfortable; and what is more I intend being so accommodated for some short time yet to come. When, however, your correspondent asserts, further, that I am wasting precious hours and that in abusing officials – the blunt, emphatic rejoinder again smites him in the face – “you lie.”
Having thus taken the shortest way to right myself, I refuse to lay myself open to contamination by further contest with a nameless traducer. Let him cast aside his nom-de-plume and reveal himself in his true character and I shall supply him with further matter for thought.
Poungday, Yours Obediently, P.S. Ollenbach, 14th Oct. 1888.
Poungday News Letter
17th Oct.
The past week has been one of insufferable heat. The clouds have withheld their contents, leaving suffering humanity in an agony of perspiration. The nights are close and sultry and the general heaviness of the atmosphere seems to portend another upheaval somewhere, shortly.
There have been but few events to record; a dacoity some miles out, particulars of which, however, I have not been able to collect. A Burman was also sentenced to two years’ rigorous imprisonment for being in illicit possession of a quantity of opium, in which commodity he appears to have carried on a surreptitious trade. This exemplary youth turns out to be a near relative of our Burma Assistant Superintendent of police, a man that has done good service in his days and possesses more than one decoration for meritorious service.
Mr Hough, our Assistant Commissioner has just returned from a tour of inspection into the interior. This journey was undertaken in defiance of medical advice, which forbad him from exposure and exercise of the windpipe. We are glad to observe that Mr Hough suffers no ill effects as a consequence of his energy.
17th Oct.
The past week has been one of insufferable heat. The clouds have withheld their contents, leaving suffering humanity in an agony of perspiration. The nights are close and sultry and the general heaviness of the atmosphere seems to portend another upheaval somewhere, shortly.
There have been but few events to record; a dacoity some miles out, particulars of which, however, I have not been able to collect. A Burman was also sentenced to two years’ rigorous imprisonment for being in illicit possession of a quantity of opium, in which commodity he appears to have carried on a surreptitious trade. This exemplary youth turns out to be a near relative of our Burma Assistant Superintendent of police, a man that has done good service in his days and possesses more than one decoration for meritorious service.
Mr Hough, our Assistant Commissioner has just returned from a tour of inspection into the interior. This journey was undertaken in defiance of medical advice, which forbad him from exposure and exercise of the windpipe. We are glad to observe that Mr Hough suffers no ill effects as a consequence of his energy.
Sports
The Gymkhana Club Sports will take place opposite the Race Stand on Saturday, 20th Oct. 1888, commencing at 4 p.m. The committee comprises Col. Butlin and Messrs. Rowett and Touch. ...
St. John’s College
The members of St. John’s College Minstrel Club, consisting only of members of the College, intend to give their second performance this Friday evening in the School Hall, beginning at 8.45. The lads would not willingly have chosen Friday for their performance, nor given it on such short notice. Bur one of the principal performers had been suddenly ordered off on eh service of his country and the College staff will eb scattered after today and so there was no option but to give it today or postpone it indefinitely
The youthful performers invite the attendance of all their friends. They have not courage enough to charge for admission this time, but they hope that those who come will spend a pleasant hour.
Programme Part 1. ABL note: We will only list the names of the performers. John Walker, Arthur Bloxham, William Venant, R. St. John, A.J. Simpson, J.H. Carr, Jordon Vardon, Tambo, Cecil Paul, C. Derry, A. Barratt, A. Sutherland, F. Wetherell, Sergts. S. john and Gardiner, H. Culloden, Arthur Simpson, C. Montgomery, W. Beatson, Cyril Oehme, Bertie.
The Gymkhana Club Sports will take place opposite the Race Stand on Saturday, 20th Oct. 1888, commencing at 4 p.m. The committee comprises Col. Butlin and Messrs. Rowett and Touch. ...
St. John’s College
The members of St. John’s College Minstrel Club, consisting only of members of the College, intend to give their second performance this Friday evening in the School Hall, beginning at 8.45. The lads would not willingly have chosen Friday for their performance, nor given it on such short notice. Bur one of the principal performers had been suddenly ordered off on eh service of his country and the College staff will eb scattered after today and so there was no option but to give it today or postpone it indefinitely
The youthful performers invite the attendance of all their friends. They have not courage enough to charge for admission this time, but they hope that those who come will spend a pleasant hour.
Programme Part 1. ABL note: We will only list the names of the performers. John Walker, Arthur Bloxham, William Venant, R. St. John, A.J. Simpson, J.H. Carr, Jordon Vardon, Tambo, Cecil Paul, C. Derry, A. Barratt, A. Sutherland, F. Wetherell, Sergts. S. john and Gardiner, H. Culloden, Arthur Simpson, C. Montgomery, W. Beatson, Cyril Oehme, Bertie.
Mandalay News
15th Oct.
Last week we had two fires, one on the 10th and the other on the 12th, this last makes the third within a week and if things go on at this rate you may expect Mandalay to be a howling wilderness shortly. Close to the new Catholic Cathedral, rags well saturated with earth oil were found, as also near the Zayjo Bazaar and the Volunteer headquarters. Despite these previous warnings our City Fathers are doing nothing to concentrate fires by building screens or walls, or by insisting on tile or shingle roof.
The holidays commenced last Thursday much to the delight of a few, but the poor clerks are hard and fast at their desks, some bringing up arrears, others busy with current work which is rather pressing. Some of your notables are up here enjoying themselves. The weather is oppressive, the sights worth seeing few, roads in a dreadful state; so some in disgust have gone on to Bhamo just to kill time; others are anxiously looking out for the re-opening of the Courts; for if rumour be true, cases of defamation are about to be instituted against the local Organ, I hope to send you a correct account and the judgements for publication. Editors are sometimes too forward in publishing law cases sub-judice and may consequently have to pay pretty dearly for their want of forethought; tis a long lane that has no turning, but the end is said to be pretty near at hand so far as this journal’s career is concerned.
The water round about the southwest quarter of the town has sub-sided; but the effluvium arising is dreadful and may lead to a serious epidemic. Had an official of some standing been living in this quarter he wold have moved all he could to remedy the evil; but as the people happen to be the Burmans of the poorest class they may perish without let or hindrance, ridding us in fact of a nuisance; but it may turn towards a quarter where it is the least expected; so a warning is given that the evil may be remedied in time.
The river is rising again for the last time this season; water everywhere and the sight magnificent; now is the time for wild geese and ducks; they are in myriads, but little disturbed; a few are hawked about for sale alive.
15th Oct.
Last week we had two fires, one on the 10th and the other on the 12th, this last makes the third within a week and if things go on at this rate you may expect Mandalay to be a howling wilderness shortly. Close to the new Catholic Cathedral, rags well saturated with earth oil were found, as also near the Zayjo Bazaar and the Volunteer headquarters. Despite these previous warnings our City Fathers are doing nothing to concentrate fires by building screens or walls, or by insisting on tile or shingle roof.
The holidays commenced last Thursday much to the delight of a few, but the poor clerks are hard and fast at their desks, some bringing up arrears, others busy with current work which is rather pressing. Some of your notables are up here enjoying themselves. The weather is oppressive, the sights worth seeing few, roads in a dreadful state; so some in disgust have gone on to Bhamo just to kill time; others are anxiously looking out for the re-opening of the Courts; for if rumour be true, cases of defamation are about to be instituted against the local Organ, I hope to send you a correct account and the judgements for publication. Editors are sometimes too forward in publishing law cases sub-judice and may consequently have to pay pretty dearly for their want of forethought; tis a long lane that has no turning, but the end is said to be pretty near at hand so far as this journal’s career is concerned.
The water round about the southwest quarter of the town has sub-sided; but the effluvium arising is dreadful and may lead to a serious epidemic. Had an official of some standing been living in this quarter he wold have moved all he could to remedy the evil; but as the people happen to be the Burmans of the poorest class they may perish without let or hindrance, ridding us in fact of a nuisance; but it may turn towards a quarter where it is the least expected; so a warning is given that the evil may be remedied in time.
The river is rising again for the last time this season; water everywhere and the sight magnificent; now is the time for wild geese and ducks; they are in myriads, but little disturbed; a few are hawked about for sale alive.
Thayetmyo News
17th Oct.
The Irrawaddy Flotilla launch Minyua, which was plying between Thayetmyo and Yuabhit daily, has been replaced by the Leo from Prome. The M Minyua left Thayetmyo on Monday 15th for Bassein en route to Rangoon, to relieve the Romeo which had been sent to Rangoon. The Leo is a more powerful launch than the Minyua and has a very spacious deck. The Government launch Cameo being at present at Rangoon under repairs, the Volunteers crossed over to Allanmyo on Saturday 13th in the Minyua (by kind permission of the Flotilla Agent here) for a Commandant’s parade and returned in the Custom’s Cutter. Lt. Ayerst drilled the awkward squad of fifteen and considering the short time this corps has been formed, the men know their “front” from “rear” fairly well.
Later information reaches us that two companies of the Cheshire Regiment from Rangoon temporarily relieve the South Wales Borderers till the arrival of the Leicestershire Regiment from Ranikhet, the same step being adopted for the relief of the left wing of the Borderers at Toungoo.
While at Allanmyo I chanced to see the new Telegraph office building, at present under construction. It is of the same size as the one here but a few feet higher from the ground. This is expected to be completed by the fifteenth November and I am sure it will be a great relief to the staff there as regards comfort and present inconveniences. The site selected apparently is a very uncomfortable one insomuch as the north east and south sides are surrounded by Burman huts, the west being the only side open and facing the river but not so near it as to enjoy the occasional breeze.
The Regimental School treat was held on Saturday 13th in Surgeon Major Bourke’s compound; most of the officers with their wives were present besides the Schoolmaster Mr Hughes and the Schoolmistress Miss Lindsay. Twenty two children sat down to two deliciously arranged and large sized tables of sweet and other dainties, waited on by the ladies and as a digestive the youngsters were treated to long rides n the “Master Jumbo” and were highly amused with the excursion. A few out-door games with the big folks were then gone through and lastly, as a surprise, various and appropriate toys hidden in a large cask filled with saw-dust were drawn one by one with suspended breath and eager expectations (often disappointed); and the children valsed (sic) home thinking life must be all joy and happiness.
Mr Shillong, 2nd Schoolmaster, St. Andrew’s School, has left for Rangoon, there, to take to himself “for better or worse” Miss Kitty Rogers, sister of the late Mr Rogers, Inspector of Police. Who was murdered by dacoits.
The Rev’d. Mr Krishna, the Principal of the same school, has also left us for Toungoo with a fixed determination of enjoying his well-earned holiday’s.
17th Oct.
The Irrawaddy Flotilla launch Minyua, which was plying between Thayetmyo and Yuabhit daily, has been replaced by the Leo from Prome. The M Minyua left Thayetmyo on Monday 15th for Bassein en route to Rangoon, to relieve the Romeo which had been sent to Rangoon. The Leo is a more powerful launch than the Minyua and has a very spacious deck. The Government launch Cameo being at present at Rangoon under repairs, the Volunteers crossed over to Allanmyo on Saturday 13th in the Minyua (by kind permission of the Flotilla Agent here) for a Commandant’s parade and returned in the Custom’s Cutter. Lt. Ayerst drilled the awkward squad of fifteen and considering the short time this corps has been formed, the men know their “front” from “rear” fairly well.
Later information reaches us that two companies of the Cheshire Regiment from Rangoon temporarily relieve the South Wales Borderers till the arrival of the Leicestershire Regiment from Ranikhet, the same step being adopted for the relief of the left wing of the Borderers at Toungoo.
While at Allanmyo I chanced to see the new Telegraph office building, at present under construction. It is of the same size as the one here but a few feet higher from the ground. This is expected to be completed by the fifteenth November and I am sure it will be a great relief to the staff there as regards comfort and present inconveniences. The site selected apparently is a very uncomfortable one insomuch as the north east and south sides are surrounded by Burman huts, the west being the only side open and facing the river but not so near it as to enjoy the occasional breeze.
The Regimental School treat was held on Saturday 13th in Surgeon Major Bourke’s compound; most of the officers with their wives were present besides the Schoolmaster Mr Hughes and the Schoolmistress Miss Lindsay. Twenty two children sat down to two deliciously arranged and large sized tables of sweet and other dainties, waited on by the ladies and as a digestive the youngsters were treated to long rides n the “Master Jumbo” and were highly amused with the excursion. A few out-door games with the big folks were then gone through and lastly, as a surprise, various and appropriate toys hidden in a large cask filled with saw-dust were drawn one by one with suspended breath and eager expectations (often disappointed); and the children valsed (sic) home thinking life must be all joy and happiness.
Mr Shillong, 2nd Schoolmaster, St. Andrew’s School, has left for Rangoon, there, to take to himself “for better or worse” Miss Kitty Rogers, sister of the late Mr Rogers, Inspector of Police. Who was murdered by dacoits.
The Rev’d. Mr Krishna, the Principal of the same school, has also left us for Toungoo with a fixed determination of enjoying his well-earned holiday’s.
Bhamo News
11th Oct.
We heard, a few days ago, some news which was truly astonishing – namely that Bhamo was a lively place. What more could we want, we were told, than something to do every day of the week! There was cricket for two days, polo for two and foot-ball for two. Poor tennis was not even mentioned and indeed now is seldom played somehow; in passing the tennis court, as I do nearly everyday in taking my constitutional, I no longer see the eight or ten players as of old and not counting the two or three who were there to look on. The reason of this may be partly on account of the Commissariat sheds being so near on both sides, which certainly keeps off any cool fresh breeze there may be and impart a peculiar odour of their own. It is high time that another court was built especially as the money is in hand, compensation having been given by Government for the old one which, however, up to date, has been left intact, but no one seems to take the lead and put the thing in hand. Perhaps the excessive gaiety of the place does not allow sufficient time!
Mr Benson, the new Second-in-Command of the Mogoung Levy, left here for Mogoung on the 4th of this month. He would have gone sooner, only the river was so high that there was too much water in the defile to allow of his doing so. As there was a report afloat the afternoon before he started, that Sinbo was to be attacked, the Deputy Commissioner with Chutta Sing Rai Bahadur and a small reinforcement of men, went with him as far as Sinbo. It proved to be nothing, although we hear that eh Kachins are very troublesome still between Mogoung and Sinbo; so the Deputy Commissioner returned the next day.
Mr Elliott has come down invalided from Mogoung and has gone on two months’ leave, which we hope, will set him up again. There is to be a new road made to Steamer Point; that is to the place where the steamers stop in the dry weather when unable to reach Bhamo; this, if well made, will prove a pleasant drive to those who own carriages. It is to be hoped I won’t share the fate of the circular road, which was never completed and has been overgrown by jungle in many places. Indeed, one man said he was never quite certain whether he was on the road or not.
11th Oct.
We heard, a few days ago, some news which was truly astonishing – namely that Bhamo was a lively place. What more could we want, we were told, than something to do every day of the week! There was cricket for two days, polo for two and foot-ball for two. Poor tennis was not even mentioned and indeed now is seldom played somehow; in passing the tennis court, as I do nearly everyday in taking my constitutional, I no longer see the eight or ten players as of old and not counting the two or three who were there to look on. The reason of this may be partly on account of the Commissariat sheds being so near on both sides, which certainly keeps off any cool fresh breeze there may be and impart a peculiar odour of their own. It is high time that another court was built especially as the money is in hand, compensation having been given by Government for the old one which, however, up to date, has been left intact, but no one seems to take the lead and put the thing in hand. Perhaps the excessive gaiety of the place does not allow sufficient time!
Mr Benson, the new Second-in-Command of the Mogoung Levy, left here for Mogoung on the 4th of this month. He would have gone sooner, only the river was so high that there was too much water in the defile to allow of his doing so. As there was a report afloat the afternoon before he started, that Sinbo was to be attacked, the Deputy Commissioner with Chutta Sing Rai Bahadur and a small reinforcement of men, went with him as far as Sinbo. It proved to be nothing, although we hear that eh Kachins are very troublesome still between Mogoung and Sinbo; so the Deputy Commissioner returned the next day.
Mr Elliott has come down invalided from Mogoung and has gone on two months’ leave, which we hope, will set him up again. There is to be a new road made to Steamer Point; that is to the place where the steamers stop in the dry weather when unable to reach Bhamo; this, if well made, will prove a pleasant drive to those who own carriages. It is to be hoped I won’t share the fate of the circular road, which was never completed and has been overgrown by jungle in many places. Indeed, one man said he was never quite certain whether he was on the road or not.
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Local News
Mr Anderson On Thursday evening, while Mr J. Anderson, 2nd Engineer on the Shone and Ault Drainage System, was examining the works at the junction of 39th with Dalhousie St., he missed his footing, falling into the pit, 15 feet deep, with the result that he received severe injury on his head and broke his right arm; he was at once removed to the General Hospital where he is doing well. Mr Dawson Mr G. Dawson, we learn, has been employing the holidays in putting a top deck on two of his steam launches in Moulmain, preparatory to sending them over here to run on the Pyapong and Bassein line. Having his Railway workshops over there, he can get work of the kind more cheaply and efficiently performed than on this side. The fares to Yandoon, where his launches have been recently running; have been again reduced from 8 annas to 2 annas and there is no doubt room for great reduction in rates between this and Bassein. Burmese traders are wisely patronising the launches which have succeeded in bringing about the reduced rate, as they know that when they are not running fares are immediately raised. Mr Law Mr J.M. Law, lately Dist. Superintendent of Police, Sandoway, arrived yesterday to take over charge of the Hanthawaddy district from Mr Dixon. We are glad to see he is looking in much better health than when he was in Rangoon a few months ago. |
Capt. Sparks
Not long after the annexation which followed the second Burmese war, rumours were constantly spread about the King of Burma being on his way down to retake the province of Pegu. These rumours were nearly always hatched by Phongyee fortune tellers or would-be wags. On one occasion, when Capt. T.P. Sparks, the then Deputy Commissioner of Rangoon, had one of these un-settlers of the Burmese public mind, placed before him, he, the Deputy Commissioner, to the astonishment of the culprit and of his friends and admirers, sentenced the offender to imprisonment in the Rangoon Jail till released by the King of Burma. This order had a wonderful effect in imparting a truthful tone to the alarmists of that period. Would that some such summary methods could now be adopted under similar conditions. Rangoon Volunteer Rifles Capt. Jones will temporarily take over the duties of Adjutant of the R.V.R. until a new one has been appointed, vice Capt. Filliter, gone on sick leave. Capt. Schuyler had offered his services but Capt. Filliter having taken twelve months sick leave instead of six, has thus practically vacated the post and the corps becomes at once entitled to a new Adjutant. Under these circumstances Capt. Schuyler withdrew his offer. |
Pyinmana News
20th Oct.
Without a single item of news to start with, one finds it dreadfully hard to compose a news letter and I have actually caught myself wishing that we had a few dacoities or some kind of sensational news to fill up this sheet. The district is and has been perfectly quiet for sometime past and on all sides cultivators are busy attending to their fields. What a contrast this is to the state of affairs two years ago, when looting and murder were the order of the day and neglected fields and smouldering villages were the dismal sights that met the traveller’s eye? Ningyan as it was then called, was the most unmanageable district in the Upper Province, but now, thanks to the great tact of Mr Eales, who we trust is enjoying his well-earned holiday in Europe, and to the gallant Beloochees who made short work of the gangs of adventurers who harried the country, our district, in point of loyalty and industry, sets an example to the rest of Burma. This wholesome change from anarchy to almost absolute security to life and property is likely to remain undisturbed, if our eastern neighbours, the Red Karens and Shans, particularly the latter, who are professional highwaymen, can be induced to take themselves off elsewhere and not look upon our territory as legitimate ground for plunder. If this cannot be done by diplomacy, force will have to be used. There was a talk sometime ago of sending up a small force during the coming cold weather, to hunt up the ubiquitous Buddha Yaza. The same expedition should make it their business to come to a distinct understanding with the Hill Chiefs on matters meum and tuum.
The postal authorities have not extended the privileges of insuring parcels to Pyinmana, though the railway was permanently opened 3 weeks ago. The risk now of accepting such articles has been reduced to a minimum and it is safe to allow insurance here as in any station in Lower Burma. It is hard to see why, because we are in “Upper Burma” we should be placed on another footing. Bur perhaps the postal Department is better informed regarding the state of the district than your correspondent and holds the opinion that the removal of that arbitrary rule, which won’t accept insurance and will nevertheless send parcels at the owner’s risk, would be the signal for wrecking trains and other such horrors. Left to themselves, we know from experience, this department would not keep pace with other works of progress, so I publicly draw attention to this much felt want – the parcel insurance system.
In the early part of this year we were invited to join the Upper Burma, Mandalay, Volunteers. I think that is their designation. With a few exceptions, all the residents, big and small of Pyinmana expressed their willingness to become members of this army of citizen soldiers. Lt. H.N. Warde, Asst. Commissioner, was Gazetted Lieutenant of the local detachment and altogether we had good reason to look forward to a break in the monotony of everyday life. With Lt. Warde now on his way to Merry England and not a man enrolled, it is a wonder that many have come to the conclusion that we have been entirely forgotten and the matter has been allowed to drop sine die? I expected this “finale” from the very beginning, for we had too much tall-talk about mounts over 13 hands, elchoes, riding breeches and the life. About ten men who were then willing to join, have made up their minds to join the Railway Volunteers, since it would appear that Colonel Temple of Mandalay is not in need of further recruits. This practically closes Pyinmana as a recruiting ground for the Mandalay corps as with ten men gone, several wavering and likely to follow their example, the number left will be so insignificant that they will hardly make the provincial “two men and a drummer boy.” No great catch, is it? They might go over to the Reserve if Mandalay won’t take them. So much for the encouragement given to Volunteering in these parts.
The holidays are on here and with a vengeance too. The Courts have been closed and none of the prominent figures that grace them are visible. “Where is so and so?” generally meets the reply “Oh, he has gone down to Rangoon.” I feel quite lost in this strange solitude and will take care not to be left behind when the next exodus takes place. In connection with this festival, the main street in town was tastefully decorated last night. Chinese lanterns, hung at close distances and helped by the moon, produced a brilliant light, guided by which several processions composed of men and women in all the pomp of their best silks, made their way to the monastery in Cantonments, in which the venerable Burmese Bishop resides. Judging of the quantity of “refreshments” taken up, I should say the old gentleman could stand a year’s siege and live like a fighting cock all the time.
20th Oct.
Without a single item of news to start with, one finds it dreadfully hard to compose a news letter and I have actually caught myself wishing that we had a few dacoities or some kind of sensational news to fill up this sheet. The district is and has been perfectly quiet for sometime past and on all sides cultivators are busy attending to their fields. What a contrast this is to the state of affairs two years ago, when looting and murder were the order of the day and neglected fields and smouldering villages were the dismal sights that met the traveller’s eye? Ningyan as it was then called, was the most unmanageable district in the Upper Province, but now, thanks to the great tact of Mr Eales, who we trust is enjoying his well-earned holiday in Europe, and to the gallant Beloochees who made short work of the gangs of adventurers who harried the country, our district, in point of loyalty and industry, sets an example to the rest of Burma. This wholesome change from anarchy to almost absolute security to life and property is likely to remain undisturbed, if our eastern neighbours, the Red Karens and Shans, particularly the latter, who are professional highwaymen, can be induced to take themselves off elsewhere and not look upon our territory as legitimate ground for plunder. If this cannot be done by diplomacy, force will have to be used. There was a talk sometime ago of sending up a small force during the coming cold weather, to hunt up the ubiquitous Buddha Yaza. The same expedition should make it their business to come to a distinct understanding with the Hill Chiefs on matters meum and tuum.
The postal authorities have not extended the privileges of insuring parcels to Pyinmana, though the railway was permanently opened 3 weeks ago. The risk now of accepting such articles has been reduced to a minimum and it is safe to allow insurance here as in any station in Lower Burma. It is hard to see why, because we are in “Upper Burma” we should be placed on another footing. Bur perhaps the postal Department is better informed regarding the state of the district than your correspondent and holds the opinion that the removal of that arbitrary rule, which won’t accept insurance and will nevertheless send parcels at the owner’s risk, would be the signal for wrecking trains and other such horrors. Left to themselves, we know from experience, this department would not keep pace with other works of progress, so I publicly draw attention to this much felt want – the parcel insurance system.
In the early part of this year we were invited to join the Upper Burma, Mandalay, Volunteers. I think that is their designation. With a few exceptions, all the residents, big and small of Pyinmana expressed their willingness to become members of this army of citizen soldiers. Lt. H.N. Warde, Asst. Commissioner, was Gazetted Lieutenant of the local detachment and altogether we had good reason to look forward to a break in the monotony of everyday life. With Lt. Warde now on his way to Merry England and not a man enrolled, it is a wonder that many have come to the conclusion that we have been entirely forgotten and the matter has been allowed to drop sine die? I expected this “finale” from the very beginning, for we had too much tall-talk about mounts over 13 hands, elchoes, riding breeches and the life. About ten men who were then willing to join, have made up their minds to join the Railway Volunteers, since it would appear that Colonel Temple of Mandalay is not in need of further recruits. This practically closes Pyinmana as a recruiting ground for the Mandalay corps as with ten men gone, several wavering and likely to follow their example, the number left will be so insignificant that they will hardly make the provincial “two men and a drummer boy.” No great catch, is it? They might go over to the Reserve if Mandalay won’t take them. So much for the encouragement given to Volunteering in these parts.
The holidays are on here and with a vengeance too. The Courts have been closed and none of the prominent figures that grace them are visible. “Where is so and so?” generally meets the reply “Oh, he has gone down to Rangoon.” I feel quite lost in this strange solitude and will take care not to be left behind when the next exodus takes place. In connection with this festival, the main street in town was tastefully decorated last night. Chinese lanterns, hung at close distances and helped by the moon, produced a brilliant light, guided by which several processions composed of men and women in all the pomp of their best silks, made their way to the monastery in Cantonments, in which the venerable Burmese Bishop resides. Judging of the quantity of “refreshments” taken up, I should say the old gentleman could stand a year’s siege and live like a fighting cock all the time.
Talented Company
The third performance of this talented Company came off on Saturday evening. To those who have not already been, we would say there is a performance tonight and one more on Thursday, after which the Company leaves for Calcutta. It is seldom indeed that such wonderful conjuring is seen in Rangoon. Mr Norton told his audience on Saturday night that it was nine years since he was here last. ... Wash Norton himself, as the Master Banjoist, seemed, judging from the rounds of applause which greeted his songs and jokes, to be on the best terms with his audience. ... Capt. Schuyler stepped on the stage amidst great cheering and was followed by Mr B.F. Duncan of Akyab, who is here on a short visit. These two gentlemen locked, corded and strapped the box, Capt. Schuyler pocketing the key. This took them eight minutes and Wash then said his wife would be placed by him inside the box in less than it took to cord it. Mrs Norton was then introduced and surrounded by a curtain about the size of an ordinary mosquito curtain but, of course, not transparent. The two gentlemen on the stage were asked to note that there was not communication between the curtain and the back of the scene and in one minute and fifteen seconds a tap from inside the box gave notice that the work was completed. It was uncorded, unstrapped and unlocked in full presence of the audience and Mrs Norton stepped out, apparently cooler and more comfortable than the audience, from her confined position. This trick alone is worth going to the Assembly Rooms to see ...
The third performance of this talented Company came off on Saturday evening. To those who have not already been, we would say there is a performance tonight and one more on Thursday, after which the Company leaves for Calcutta. It is seldom indeed that such wonderful conjuring is seen in Rangoon. Mr Norton told his audience on Saturday night that it was nine years since he was here last. ... Wash Norton himself, as the Master Banjoist, seemed, judging from the rounds of applause which greeted his songs and jokes, to be on the best terms with his audience. ... Capt. Schuyler stepped on the stage amidst great cheering and was followed by Mr B.F. Duncan of Akyab, who is here on a short visit. These two gentlemen locked, corded and strapped the box, Capt. Schuyler pocketing the key. This took them eight minutes and Wash then said his wife would be placed by him inside the box in less than it took to cord it. Mrs Norton was then introduced and surrounded by a curtain about the size of an ordinary mosquito curtain but, of course, not transparent. The two gentlemen on the stage were asked to note that there was not communication between the curtain and the back of the scene and in one minute and fifteen seconds a tap from inside the box gave notice that the work was completed. It was uncorded, unstrapped and unlocked in full presence of the audience and Mrs Norton stepped out, apparently cooler and more comfortable than the audience, from her confined position. This trick alone is worth going to the Assembly Rooms to see ...
Sports
All of Rangoon’s “brightest and best” turned up to see what the Committee had provided for them and the second stand was full. ... Out of a field of thirty Messrs. Addis and Raven were the only ones who succeeded in getting over the crossbar ... The next event was a Donkey Race with ponies ... A field of four up for this event; Mr Rowett on Mr Heap’s Selim; Mr Harrup on Mr Rowett’s Jeremiah; Mr Fowle on Mr Harrup’s Topper and Mr Heap on Mr Fowle’s Thumb. The last named pony won. ... The Race for Ladies Hacks, to be all Burma ponies and the property of Ladies, brought out a field of five, the Jocks turning up In wonderful and varied costumes, but not sitting as squarely as might have been wished and a few of them looking as if they could have done with an extra hand or two to steady themselves. After a good race, all close up, Mr Touch landed Mrs Clarke Kennedy’s pony Robin Gray a winner by a length and a quarter, Mr Gormley on Miss Gormley’s Daka being second. ... The Hunt Steeple Chase filed well, 16 coming to the post and started long after the advertised time, ... But only four passed the judge, the others having dropped out at various fences along the course; there were one or two falls. Mr Heap eventually won easily, Mr MacDonald being second. An objection was lodged against the winner for being short of weight and he had been disqualified; the second and third didn’t weigh in, so it seems that no one is entitled to the stakes.
All of Rangoon’s “brightest and best” turned up to see what the Committee had provided for them and the second stand was full. ... Out of a field of thirty Messrs. Addis and Raven were the only ones who succeeded in getting over the crossbar ... The next event was a Donkey Race with ponies ... A field of four up for this event; Mr Rowett on Mr Heap’s Selim; Mr Harrup on Mr Rowett’s Jeremiah; Mr Fowle on Mr Harrup’s Topper and Mr Heap on Mr Fowle’s Thumb. The last named pony won. ... The Race for Ladies Hacks, to be all Burma ponies and the property of Ladies, brought out a field of five, the Jocks turning up In wonderful and varied costumes, but not sitting as squarely as might have been wished and a few of them looking as if they could have done with an extra hand or two to steady themselves. After a good race, all close up, Mr Touch landed Mrs Clarke Kennedy’s pony Robin Gray a winner by a length and a quarter, Mr Gormley on Miss Gormley’s Daka being second. ... The Hunt Steeple Chase filed well, 16 coming to the post and started long after the advertised time, ... But only four passed the judge, the others having dropped out at various fences along the course; there were one or two falls. Mr Heap eventually won easily, Mr MacDonald being second. An objection was lodged against the winner for being short of weight and he had been disqualified; the second and third didn’t weigh in, so it seems that no one is entitled to the stakes.
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Minbu News
21st Oct. After all, we have the cold weather on us; the mornings and evenings are pleasant, but the days are yet very warm, notwithstanding the easterly breeze. On the night of the 18th at Tamakso a village about 15 miles from Minbu, on the opposite bank of the river, a party of 25 Military Police were attacked by a dacoit gang supposed to have numbered 150 men; one of the Sepoys was wounded in the leg, but noting very serious; several shots were fired at the dacoits but it is not known with what effect; one prisoner was taken and this turns out to be Phonghee, who is now safely lodged in Magway quarter guard awaiting trail; let us hope his Rev’d. gentleman will get the full benefit of the law. Mr O’Grady, Superintendent of Post Offices, has been relieved of the Southern Division by Mr Bennett, Superintendent of Post Offices, Northern Division. Mr O’Grady is now Personal Asistant to the Deputy Postmaster General. The Deputy Commissioner, Commandant , Military Police and the District Superintendent of Police are all out at Pakanjee (30 miles from Minbu) in search of Ottama, now the most important dacoit leader in this district. His followers, we hear, are daily falling off; should this be true, there is every probability of his meeting the same fate as some of his brother “bohs.” We are in hopes of having a daily mail service with Rangoon, the Post Office officials having been trying very hard to induce the Manager of the Irrawaddy Flotilla to run a launch daily from here to Sunbangwa and back, but as yet without avail. Local News Appointment An Additional District, with Headquarters at Rangoon is constructed under the designation of “Headquarters District” on the Burma State Railway; Mr E.H. Clementson, Executive Engineer, 4th grade, formerly of the Fifth Division, Pyabwe, is placed in charge of it. Mr Clementson’s transfer from the Toungoo-Mandalay Extension of the Burma State Railway to the Open Line dates from the 29th Sept. last. Mr J.H.M. Smith, Assistant Engineer, 1st grade and Mr W. Wiseman, Executive Engineer, 2nd grade, are granted privilege leave. |
News from the Moo District
14th October Last week a large gang of dacoits attacked the village of Nya Yar Nai; after looting the place of cattle, clothing and provisions, they burnt a part of the village, which consisted of about sixty houses. The police and the 4th Hyderabad Cavalry, hearing of the attack, traced the dacoits to the forest of Thit Yar Lai Bin, north east of Htan Ta Bin and took them by surprise while they were making preparations for their breakfast. Four dacoits were killed and several wounded. All cattle and property taken has been recovered. A report has been given out that this gang belongs to the Indinge District but I am about certain that the rumour is a false one. The men, from the information I have gathered, are from Baw, Nga Gar Sin, Tha Boot Taw and Ko Lin. Mr Mumford, Superintendent of Police, Yeu district, is again on a visit to Indinge and Hloot Tike; the new Myook of the Indaucktha township has accompanied him. The revenue, or tax, for 1888, will soon be collected. Mr Lamb, Deputy Commissioner of Yeu, has been granted two months’ special leave and Mr Houghton is to take his place. The rain we lately had is about sufficient and the prospects of the paddy crops are good. The price of paddy has fallen. Local News Mr Anderson Mr John Anderson, the European Fitter in the employ of Messrs. Shone and Ault, Contractors for the Drainage Scheme at Rangoon, who met with a serious accident the other day in falling into an Ejector pit, is, we are glad to hear, on a fair way to recovery. This is due mainly to the care and attention he receives from a Eurasian nurse being specially appointed by Mr Edwards, the Manager, to look after him. Swans We hear that one of the white swans, recently purchased by the Municipality for the Dalhousie Park at a cost of about Rs. 150, has been missing for the past two months and that the act was only found out the other day. We wonder who is responsible for this. Mr Short, the Secretary, was on leave when this occurred. Recital Mr Frank Sherriff will give his fifth Organ Recital at the Scotch Kirk tomorrow evening, commencing at 9 o’clock. There will be a collection in aid of the Organ Fund. ABL note: Mrs P. Klier, Mr C.E. Chandler and Miss Hardinge also offered their musical talents. |
Letters to the Editor
Sir, I have just read in your issue of the 6th instant the article headed “Behind the Scenes in Burma” in which you show up the “singular use” Mr Moylan has made of his position as Times’ correspondent. I shall be glad if you will add my case to the list of cases enumerated by you in which Mr Moylan used that position as “an arrangement for paying off private scores.” Having been a sufferer from the malicious misrepresentations made regarding me by Mr Moylan, I think it is only fair that the true character of the man should be made public.
W.W. Hooper, Colonel, 4th P.W.O.M.C., Late Provost Marshal, Burma Ex. Force.
Sir, With reference to your article published on the 20th instant headed “The Late Pegu Murder,” I beg to call your attention to the fact that I have been retained as his counsel by the alleged murderer and have already filed an appeal on his behalf in the Judicial Commissioner’s Court. Your comment, therefore, that “it is some satisfaction at any rate that the murderer has not succeeded in defeating justice and will suffer the due punishment for his dastardly crime,” is somewhat premature. Yours etc., H.L. Temple. Rangoon, 23rd Oct. 1888.
Upper Burma Summary
Excepting from Kyaukse, where the police have attacked the Pertender’s gang and killed some of his followers, there are no reports of interest. There were some dacoities chiefly of an unimportant nature in Pakokku, Myingyan and Minbu; the rest of the province was free from crime.
Recorder
We hear that Mr R.S.T. McEwen (sic) Recorder, and Mrs McEwen, returned from their trip to Bhamo yesterday afternoon in the Flotilla Steamer Yoma.
Fares
One would have thought that at one anna per head from Rangoon to Yandoon, a journey which occupies from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and for which one Rupee was the charge some years ago, passenger rates could hardly have gone any lower. But we are informed on Monday some people were actually conveyed free, gratis, for nothing on the Flotilla launches. It only remains, we suppose, now to offer a bonus in cash to any passenger proceeding on this line, or a substantial meal, might in addition to the free passage, attract Burmans to particular boats.
Sir, I have just read in your issue of the 6th instant the article headed “Behind the Scenes in Burma” in which you show up the “singular use” Mr Moylan has made of his position as Times’ correspondent. I shall be glad if you will add my case to the list of cases enumerated by you in which Mr Moylan used that position as “an arrangement for paying off private scores.” Having been a sufferer from the malicious misrepresentations made regarding me by Mr Moylan, I think it is only fair that the true character of the man should be made public.
W.W. Hooper, Colonel, 4th P.W.O.M.C., Late Provost Marshal, Burma Ex. Force.
Sir, With reference to your article published on the 20th instant headed “The Late Pegu Murder,” I beg to call your attention to the fact that I have been retained as his counsel by the alleged murderer and have already filed an appeal on his behalf in the Judicial Commissioner’s Court. Your comment, therefore, that “it is some satisfaction at any rate that the murderer has not succeeded in defeating justice and will suffer the due punishment for his dastardly crime,” is somewhat premature. Yours etc., H.L. Temple. Rangoon, 23rd Oct. 1888.
Upper Burma Summary
Excepting from Kyaukse, where the police have attacked the Pertender’s gang and killed some of his followers, there are no reports of interest. There were some dacoities chiefly of an unimportant nature in Pakokku, Myingyan and Minbu; the rest of the province was free from crime.
Recorder
We hear that Mr R.S.T. McEwen (sic) Recorder, and Mrs McEwen, returned from their trip to Bhamo yesterday afternoon in the Flotilla Steamer Yoma.
Fares
One would have thought that at one anna per head from Rangoon to Yandoon, a journey which occupies from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and for which one Rupee was the charge some years ago, passenger rates could hardly have gone any lower. But we are informed on Monday some people were actually conveyed free, gratis, for nothing on the Flotilla launches. It only remains, we suppose, now to offer a bonus in cash to any passenger proceeding on this line, or a substantial meal, might in addition to the free passage, attract Burmans to particular boats.
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Railway News
Exams. Mr R.S. Strachey, Asst. Engineer, 1st grade, Toungoo-Mandalay Extension, Burma State Railway, has passed the departmental standard examination in Hindustani. The following officers of the same railway, namely: Mr H.T. Walley, Asst. Engineer, Mr W.E. Newham, Executive Engineer, Mr R. Butcher, Overseer, 1st grade and Mr P.J. McClean, Overseer, 2nd grade have passed the Colloquial test in Burmese. They will accordingly receive their respective rewards, the officers Rs. 360 each and the Sub-ordinates, Rs. 180 each. Pagoda & Shoes We have received information of people having been insulted by the Burmese for walking on the Shoay Dagon Pagoda platform without removing their shoes. These insults have been offered to people belonging to races among whom this custom does not prevail. The Burmese people should remember that for such people to bare their feet would be a mark of insult and not of respect, and that in Europe natives from the East are allowed to keep to their own customs and are not compelled to bare their heads. This should be borne in mind and the same tolerance shown towards foreigners by them in this country. |
Insein School
We have been furnished with a copy of the prospectus of the Railway school to be opened at Insein, which is to admit only European and Eurasian children of employees of the railways, the admittance of children of non-railway employees having to be referred to the Managers for decision. The standard to be taught up to is Middle school and higher if possible. The school will be inspected and examined by the Educational Department. With Mr P. Dudgeon, the Locomotive Superintendent, as its President and Mrs Buyers and Mrs Dudgeon as its Vice-presidents, we feel sure that it will be well looked after. The Sub-ordinates of the Railway are to be congratulated on the interest that is being taken for their and their off-springs welfare by some of their newest superiors; and we feel sure that if this spirit was displayed by every Railway official, there would not be a happier class of working men in Rangoon than employees of the Burma State Railway. Dacoits We thank the Secretary to the Chief Commissioner for the following important information: Mr Officiating Assistant Superintendent of Police Angelo, with Military Police under Jemadar Sewdan Singh, killed a notorious leader, Tha Do, in Pokokku, (sic) capturing 12 guns. Inspector Maung Yin Maung killed a dacoit leader from Sagaing named Nga Chok and took two guns. Both these successes were obtained in the Pokokku District. |
Shwegyeen News
24th Oct.
Notwithstanding that the late and present Deputy Commissioners of this district have strongly recommended the Government not to extend the income-tax to this place, on other than those receiving salary from Government, the tax is being levied with vigour. Officers, such as Mr Todd Naylor and Colonel Alexander, on the spot, and fully acquainted with the state of affairs, are not likely to be led away with idle sentiment; and when such men in the Government service deliberately advise the higher authorities against a measure, it is passing strange that no heed whatever is taken of the same. There is no station in Burma occupying the position of Shwegyeen. It has been the headquarters of a district for the last thirty-five years, during which period it has doubled in population and extended its trade. It was the centre of the whole country around for sixty miles in any direction. The hill Karens from Kolodo and the mountaineers of the Pegu Yoma sought their supplies in the Shwegyeen bazaar, bringing down exchange [for] their produce. The railway has ruthlessly altered all this; the great circle of 120 miles in diameter having this place for centre, has all of a sudden been reduced to a tract of land that all trade is deserting. Two large bazaars have been built at Pyuntaza and Ngungla Bin, respectively and tenders are now called to erect another bazaar at the latter place, which bids fair to take all the trade. Cut off from railway communication, Shwegyeen is rapidly losing all its trade and the number of houses vacated is startling. Many houses have “care takers,” but the owners are at Ngungla Bin; some houses are deserted.
Ten years ago there were no less than eleven certificated Pleaders in this town; probably none received less than Rs. 100 on an average and some obtained Rs. 500 easily, as fees. All have taken their departure but four; and I know pretty well that not one obtains more than Rs. 100 per month and one or two not one-third that sum. This may occasion some to congratulate the inhabitants, but unfortunately the pulse of trade is only too surely felt by the Civil Courts, as the world is at present constituted.
The great depression of trade and the decided inclination evinced to desert the place, were no doubt the reason the two deputy Commissioners gave for exempting the place from Income tax and if the official responsible for their advice not being taken, could only have been at the annual festival just held and had [he] been here ten years ago, he would, if not too dense, have been struck with the immense falling off. The Income tax certainly does not touch the poor, who indeed have already to bear heavy taxation; but, as a matter of fact, even of those who apparently earn Rs. 500 per annum, only two or three really can do so. The Chetties have deserted the place like rats a sinking ship, excepting one waiting to recover his monies and although there are few persons with money, they can make precious little out of it here at present. Money is a very convenient thing to possess but when you are taxed for possessing it, on he presumption that you are making use of it at certain profit and cannot do any such thing it comes nearly to being too much of a good thing. The Municipality, later established in spite of unanimous protest of all the inhabitants, has wisely refrained from touching the existing tax on property. In fact, unless the Chief Commissioner broke through the Act and forced the Municipality by a direct mandate to levy the house tax as it exists in most Municipalities, such will never be levied here, simply because the majority of the members are non-officials and know the town cannot bear the strain; and even if such a mandate issued, they would simply abstain from saying anything or giving any vote. You can lead a horse to the water but you cannot make him drink. You can, at least the Deputy Commissioner, as President, can lead a Burmese member pretty nearly anywhere, but no influence on earth can make him agree to increasing the taxes. But, so little do they understand business, that it takes very little to induce them to agree to an increase of expenditure. Thanks to the close proximity of excellent laterite in unlimited quantity, we have excellent roads at a cost which might make your Municipal Engineer green with envy. We get good hard stuff supplied wherever required at Rs. 2 per 100 c. ft.; this however is slightly under the mark and was undertaken by the jail authorities, partly with a view of employing the prisoners. Yes, we have nice roads and they are lit up at night by nice lamps; we have nice officials in every office who perform their several duties apparently to the entire satisfaction of everyone concerned. The place is kept nice and clean (excepting that in the lower parts of the town in the rains especially, the latrines are in dangerous proximity to wells providing drinking water; but that, you now, is only a trifle.) The station is, without any exception, the prettiest In Burma; but alas! There is no trade; so all the gilt is taken off the ginger bread and poor stuff only remains.
Two very bad dacoities are reported from Kyaikhtoo; in both instances the fiends in human form poured oil on women and setting fire to the same, caused most fearful agony; one victim has since died and the other can scarcely survive. A bad feature in these cases is that they are said to be committed by neighbouring villagers.
With even second quality rice selling as it is here at Rs. 4-8 per basket, which is 12 per cent less than yours in size, we may expect much crime before the harvest.
24th Oct.
Notwithstanding that the late and present Deputy Commissioners of this district have strongly recommended the Government not to extend the income-tax to this place, on other than those receiving salary from Government, the tax is being levied with vigour. Officers, such as Mr Todd Naylor and Colonel Alexander, on the spot, and fully acquainted with the state of affairs, are not likely to be led away with idle sentiment; and when such men in the Government service deliberately advise the higher authorities against a measure, it is passing strange that no heed whatever is taken of the same. There is no station in Burma occupying the position of Shwegyeen. It has been the headquarters of a district for the last thirty-five years, during which period it has doubled in population and extended its trade. It was the centre of the whole country around for sixty miles in any direction. The hill Karens from Kolodo and the mountaineers of the Pegu Yoma sought their supplies in the Shwegyeen bazaar, bringing down exchange [for] their produce. The railway has ruthlessly altered all this; the great circle of 120 miles in diameter having this place for centre, has all of a sudden been reduced to a tract of land that all trade is deserting. Two large bazaars have been built at Pyuntaza and Ngungla Bin, respectively and tenders are now called to erect another bazaar at the latter place, which bids fair to take all the trade. Cut off from railway communication, Shwegyeen is rapidly losing all its trade and the number of houses vacated is startling. Many houses have “care takers,” but the owners are at Ngungla Bin; some houses are deserted.
Ten years ago there were no less than eleven certificated Pleaders in this town; probably none received less than Rs. 100 on an average and some obtained Rs. 500 easily, as fees. All have taken their departure but four; and I know pretty well that not one obtains more than Rs. 100 per month and one or two not one-third that sum. This may occasion some to congratulate the inhabitants, but unfortunately the pulse of trade is only too surely felt by the Civil Courts, as the world is at present constituted.
The great depression of trade and the decided inclination evinced to desert the place, were no doubt the reason the two deputy Commissioners gave for exempting the place from Income tax and if the official responsible for their advice not being taken, could only have been at the annual festival just held and had [he] been here ten years ago, he would, if not too dense, have been struck with the immense falling off. The Income tax certainly does not touch the poor, who indeed have already to bear heavy taxation; but, as a matter of fact, even of those who apparently earn Rs. 500 per annum, only two or three really can do so. The Chetties have deserted the place like rats a sinking ship, excepting one waiting to recover his monies and although there are few persons with money, they can make precious little out of it here at present. Money is a very convenient thing to possess but when you are taxed for possessing it, on he presumption that you are making use of it at certain profit and cannot do any such thing it comes nearly to being too much of a good thing. The Municipality, later established in spite of unanimous protest of all the inhabitants, has wisely refrained from touching the existing tax on property. In fact, unless the Chief Commissioner broke through the Act and forced the Municipality by a direct mandate to levy the house tax as it exists in most Municipalities, such will never be levied here, simply because the majority of the members are non-officials and know the town cannot bear the strain; and even if such a mandate issued, they would simply abstain from saying anything or giving any vote. You can lead a horse to the water but you cannot make him drink. You can, at least the Deputy Commissioner, as President, can lead a Burmese member pretty nearly anywhere, but no influence on earth can make him agree to increasing the taxes. But, so little do they understand business, that it takes very little to induce them to agree to an increase of expenditure. Thanks to the close proximity of excellent laterite in unlimited quantity, we have excellent roads at a cost which might make your Municipal Engineer green with envy. We get good hard stuff supplied wherever required at Rs. 2 per 100 c. ft.; this however is slightly under the mark and was undertaken by the jail authorities, partly with a view of employing the prisoners. Yes, we have nice roads and they are lit up at night by nice lamps; we have nice officials in every office who perform their several duties apparently to the entire satisfaction of everyone concerned. The place is kept nice and clean (excepting that in the lower parts of the town in the rains especially, the latrines are in dangerous proximity to wells providing drinking water; but that, you now, is only a trifle.) The station is, without any exception, the prettiest In Burma; but alas! There is no trade; so all the gilt is taken off the ginger bread and poor stuff only remains.
Two very bad dacoities are reported from Kyaikhtoo; in both instances the fiends in human form poured oil on women and setting fire to the same, caused most fearful agony; one victim has since died and the other can scarcely survive. A bad feature in these cases is that they are said to be committed by neighbouring villagers.
With even second quality rice selling as it is here at Rs. 4-8 per basket, which is 12 per cent less than yours in size, we may expect much crime before the harvest.
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Myingyan
The “Patrick” Aground The latest news from [the] Chindwin is that the Indian Government steamer Patrick has run aground off Kendat; the water is rapidly falling, the river is almost dry and fears are entertained that the steamer will not be got off this season. Another Chin Raid From Indin another Chin raids is reported to have been committed on two neighbouring villages and that nine persons were killed under circumstances of most shocking barbarity and several women and children carried off to the Chin Hills, a punitive expedition to punish these tribes is absolutely necessary. Letters to the editor A Wail From Bassein Dear Sir, I think the Government should interfere with steamers lowering their rates and make a rate so that all steamers will get the same and cut down all this monopoly now existing on the Irrawaddy river. The most disgraceful thing I ever heard of happened in Bassein the other day; the Patanaw brought down some three hundred and fifty passengers from the Thaga river to worship [at] the Pagoda at one anna each, down, and the rate the day before was, two, up; the poor people flocked down to Bassein thinking to go back at two annas and consequently did not being any money with them; but the poor devils were told the rates had been raised to two rupees again, through Mr Dawson taking his boat off the line; those poor people had to go around pawning their little trinkets and clothes to get money to go back home up the Thaga. I think Her Majesty’s Government should look into such conduct and not allow their poor subjects to be so treated by people holding the monopolies of the rivers in Burmah; and I hope that every man in Burma will support Mr Dawson’s steamers and prevent the Flotilla from running them off as they are trying to do. Yours faithfully, A Burman. |
Robinson
Robinson, the well-known Indian rider, arrived in Rangoon on Thursday per S.S. Chindwara in charge of three ponies from India – Babyac, Thresher and Winnie. Railway Nothing definite has been arranged about the opening of the Tounghoo-Mandalay Railway or whether the ceremony will actually take place on Jan. 1st. it is probable that the opening will be a public one, with specials, speeches and brass bands. It is a pity that our new Viceroy only takes over charge in India on the 10th December; otherwise he might have been present at the ceremony. Prince The Pyinmana Prince, son of the late King Mindohu Min and half-brother of ex-King Theebaw, proceeds by S.S. Palitana to India, to be educated at Bareilly. He will eventually go on to England to finish his education. Jail The present number of prisoners in Rangoon Central Goal is 3,957. Information Received We are indebted to the Secretary to the Chief Commissioner for the following information received from the Commissioner of Central Division. On the morning of 25th October, Lt. Gastrell, Lt. Alban, Lt. Atkinson and Lt. Elliot, with Inspector McArthur and 122 rifles military police came upon the Setkya Pretender in a gorge in the hills in the Kyauski District. The position was strong and was obstinately defended. It was taken and the dacoits driven out after two hours’ fighting. Lt. Atkinson killed two dacoits with his own hand. Dacoits’ loss, as far as ascertained, three killed. Lt. Atkinson was severely wounded, also one native officer and seven sepoys. Four sepoys slightly wounded and one Haviladar killed. Lt. Gastrell destroyed the camp and searched the hills but the gang had dispersed. |
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Gyobingauk News
26th Oct. After the heave rains we have had the weather now is fair though a little hot and life does not seem so dreary after all at this little Burmese town of Gyobingauk. The place is comparatively quiet, through now and again we hear of dacoities committed around us. Two Burmese were discharged from the local dispensary this morning; they were brought to the hospital some weeks go suffering from wounds – one from wounds received from a fellow Burmese while he was making away with some sugar-cane, and was brought over here from Nattalin by the Police; he other is a dacoit from Okepo who was shot by the Deputy Commissioner there lately. A Burmese who was minding his cows in a village a few miles east of Gyobingauk was struck by lightning and died on the spot on the 25th instant at about 2 o’clock in the day. The local dispensary is crowded with patients; the number it is supposed to contain is eight but there are about thirty in it now and most of them have to stop on mats; I believe when the Pegu Commissioner was here last year he visited the hospital and spoke to the President of the Town Committee about enlarging the building but nothing has been done here yet. Two Burmans convicted for waging war against the Queen and sentenced to death are to suffer the extreme penalty of the law at Gyobingauk on the 31st instant; Mr Dennis Folger of the Military Police, and who is now in charge of the Gyobingauk Township, is ordered down to Rangoon to bring the prisoners up. This officer has been deputed to the same duty on one or two other occasions and seems to have acquitted himself creditably; he is a very energetic and hardworking young man and since his arrival at Gyobingauk the place is much quieter; he is always found on the alert whenever anything turns up. Some few weeks back a Burman robbed another of a silk cloth in broad daylight near the railway station and immediately a hue and cry was raised the robber commenced running. But Mr Folger was soon after him and brought him back to the station without giving a chance of escape. The beef in this market is wretched and we are obliged to put up with it as nothing else is procurable. If the attention of the Deputy Commissioner is drawn to this he will soon put a stop to it. The paddy crops are progressing favourably and the ryots expect a bumper harvest if everything holds good; cholera even is scarce now; only a few cases of fever. Pegu The Peguites will be glad to learn their Deputy Commissioner, Mr Irwin, has obtained a month’s leave, probably preparatory to a long furlough and that Mr Hough goes to Pegu in his stead. |
Thayetmyo News
25th Oct. The “Thadinjo” [light] feast has been commemorated by the Burmans with all enthusiasm and vigour. Mr Kingsley, Asst. Superintendent of Telegraphs paid Thayetmyo a visit and returned to his headquarters, Prome. He gave the new Telegraph building, in course of erection at Allanmyo, a “look up,” and was much gratified. He also examined the telegraph water wire which connects Thayetmyo to the opposite bank and, I believe, found its present condition good. Mr Kingsley was the first official who crossed by land the old frontier point in this direction in 1885, on his way to Theebaw’s capital, keeping up telegraph communication with the General. He opened telegraph offices at Sinboungweh and Minhla under heavy and continuous rain. The whole distance, about 70 miles, was accomplished in the marvellous short space of 10 days. He was twice under fire constructing this line. He was honourably mentioned to the Government of India by the Director General of Telegraphs and received the thanks of the former. He has not received the usual military decoration or departmental promotion, nor has a cent been added to his pay for such brilliant services, although eulogized for his energy, intelligence and zeal. Those who followed him, of the same and other departments, long months after, have received their medals and in some cases promotion besides. The Rev’d. Father Lefevre has been relieved by Fr. St. Guiley. The former, I hear, goes to Rangoon to join the Bishop’s staff. Mr Perreau, Superintendent of Police and Mr Burne, Deputy commissioner, returned from the jungles on Thursday 16th and have left the operations for the defeat of the large gang of dacoits, lately mentioned, in the hands of Mr Green, Asst. Commissioner, who has already achieved great successes. Thanks to the Municipality, Thayetmyo wore an unusual aspect of liveliness and bustle throughout the last week. The richness of our Municipal Funds allowed of Gymkhana sports being held for three successive days, causing no little excitement and amusement. Major Harvey as Starter and Mr Hogan as Judge of foot races, Lt. Radcliff and Dr. Frenchman for pony races and regatta were the leading spirits. The programmes were greatly varied from the ordinary run of events. On Monday the 15th foot races and a tug-of-war were zealously gone through. Tuesday’s programme of a few novel races was run without any accidents, but Wednesday, the most attractive of all was chosen for a “Regatta.” A few officers tried their skill in a couple of races in “Mushiboo” boats. Dr. Bourke apparently has well practiced himself in the art of steering and looks quite at home in one of these dangerous little canoes. Other gentlemen, whose fates were less fortunate, soon saw the bottom of the tanks dragging down their canoes with them by trying long and strong pulls, thus losing balance. |
Lt. Atkinson
We are glad to be able to state that Lt. Atkinson, who was wounded in the late affair with the Satkya Pretender, is doing well. His wound, though severe, is not dangerous.
Accident
A sad accident befell a Burman lad about twelve years of age on the morning of Friday last. It would appear the boy was taking a trip in a tramway car from one suburb to another and before the tram could stop at his place of destination he jumped out and leaping in an opposite direction to the tram he was knocked under the wheels which ran over his thigh, bruising the flesh and fracturing the bone considerable. On his being carried to the hospital, Dr. Johnstone performed the operation of amputating the limb, being of opinion that mortification would otherwise set in.
Gunja
On Saturday morning Messrs. Kingsley, Henderson and Rogers and Polacco of the Preventive Service, having received information that there was a large quantity of gunja (sic) in board the Scindia, went down and searched the vessel at 12 noon. They found 12 Kerosene tins, each containing 5 viss of gunja in the sail room in the forward part of the vessel. The Serang and the gunner (the latter of whom had the key to the room in his care) were arrested. The lamp-trimmer belonging to the vessel has absconded.
Letters to the Editor
Railway Gardens
Sir, In your issue of 25th instant I noticed a letter over the name of “Toungooite” in which the writer tries to make out that Toungoo Station is not maintained in a clean and tide condition. Allow me, dear Sir, to inform you that your correspondent has over-stretched his veracity. I am a constant traveller by rail and must contradict your correspondent by saying that Toungoo is one of the cleanest stations on this Railway and this has been acknowledged by all Inspecting Officers. “Toungooite” has also been untruthful in saying that “malies” are provided by the Department for the purpose of looking after gardens etc. This is not so. There is not a single gardener on this Railway who is paid by the State and all gardens etc., are maintained by Station masters from private sources, with a little assistance from the Engineering Department; a few plants occasionally from the Railway nursery. I have made enquiries about “Toungooite” and find that his letter has appeared through private spite, but since I have given the lie to his statements I trust you will favour all those in Toungoo who read your valuable journal by making enquiries before publishing such untruthful letters in future. I am, Sir, Yours respectfully, Pere De Mitchell. Toungoo, 26th Oct.
Ed: Thanks for the correction; but we have something else to do than go rushing round the Mofussil swearing in those who use our open columns. Ed. R.T.
We are glad to be able to state that Lt. Atkinson, who was wounded in the late affair with the Satkya Pretender, is doing well. His wound, though severe, is not dangerous.
Accident
A sad accident befell a Burman lad about twelve years of age on the morning of Friday last. It would appear the boy was taking a trip in a tramway car from one suburb to another and before the tram could stop at his place of destination he jumped out and leaping in an opposite direction to the tram he was knocked under the wheels which ran over his thigh, bruising the flesh and fracturing the bone considerable. On his being carried to the hospital, Dr. Johnstone performed the operation of amputating the limb, being of opinion that mortification would otherwise set in.
Gunja
On Saturday morning Messrs. Kingsley, Henderson and Rogers and Polacco of the Preventive Service, having received information that there was a large quantity of gunja (sic) in board the Scindia, went down and searched the vessel at 12 noon. They found 12 Kerosene tins, each containing 5 viss of gunja in the sail room in the forward part of the vessel. The Serang and the gunner (the latter of whom had the key to the room in his care) were arrested. The lamp-trimmer belonging to the vessel has absconded.
Letters to the Editor
Railway Gardens
Sir, In your issue of 25th instant I noticed a letter over the name of “Toungooite” in which the writer tries to make out that Toungoo Station is not maintained in a clean and tide condition. Allow me, dear Sir, to inform you that your correspondent has over-stretched his veracity. I am a constant traveller by rail and must contradict your correspondent by saying that Toungoo is one of the cleanest stations on this Railway and this has been acknowledged by all Inspecting Officers. “Toungooite” has also been untruthful in saying that “malies” are provided by the Department for the purpose of looking after gardens etc. This is not so. There is not a single gardener on this Railway who is paid by the State and all gardens etc., are maintained by Station masters from private sources, with a little assistance from the Engineering Department; a few plants occasionally from the Railway nursery. I have made enquiries about “Toungooite” and find that his letter has appeared through private spite, but since I have given the lie to his statements I trust you will favour all those in Toungoo who read your valuable journal by making enquiries before publishing such untruthful letters in future. I am, Sir, Yours respectfully, Pere De Mitchell. Toungoo, 26th Oct.
Ed: Thanks for the correction; but we have something else to do than go rushing round the Mofussil swearing in those who use our open columns. Ed. R.T.
Zeegong News
27th Oct.
The advent of a strong force of detective police in the midst of a gang of coiners, busy in their criminal avocation, would probably cause less horror and sensation than has been created among those nocturnal depredators from Railway carriages, by the rigorous action of Mr Strickland, our new Asst. Commissioner. One of these rascals, Hponyin, with his two sisters Mah Mai and Mah Myaing, has been apprehended and tried; the former for theft from a Railway train and the two latter for receiving the stolen property. For want of sufficient criminating evidence the man was acquitted of the charge against him, thus narrowly escaping his deserts. He did not however entirely succeed in eluding the long arm of justice, for a further charge of leading a vagabond life was framed and he was required to furnish two securities to the value of Rs. 400 each for his good behaviour during the next three years or in default to undergo imprisonment for a like period. The necessary securities were furnished. With regard to the women, a satisfactory conviction being arrived at, they each were sent to rigorous imprisonment for a term of three years and to a fine of Rs. 1000; and in the event of the fines not forthcoming, to further imprisonment for nine months. The woman Mah Mai was also charged with being in possession of a revolver without a licence and was condemned to another three months’ forfeiture of liberty.
Besides the destruction of Boh Nga Mai, planned and accomplished by Mr Todd Naylor as already reported, other captures have also been effected by that uniting officer. An ambuscade was arranged for the capture of certain dacoits who were reported to have taken refuge in a village east of Okepo called Magyibin. The venture was rewarded with success; for some of the dacoits walked unsuspiciously into the Lion’s Den; and their leader only recognised in Mr Naylor’s Sola topee, the precursor of danger when he was almost within reach of that gentleman’s arm; of course, he fell by the Deputy Commissioner’s hand and two other associates were wounded; the rest managed to gain the shelter of the jungle. A dacoity is also reported from Thamayagon village, where a house was looted, the inmates beaten and property worth Rs. 100 carried away. The Yeagin police have managed to capture three out of the five men said to be concerned in this outrage.
Two of the participators in the recent rebellion are to suffer the extreme penalty of the law at Gyobingouk on the last day of the current month.
An old Railway ticket, dated 20th August, was collected the other day from a first class passenger travelling from Prome. It is not yet known whether the gentleman’s peon, who was said to have purchased the ticket and had it in his keeping throughout the journey had been guilty of mal-practice or whether the issuing clerk at Prome is to blame. The matter is under investigation.
Visitors to this station, on lighting from their carriages are greeted with strains of music. These proceed from the unique instruments of two blind musicians who are wont to seat themselves in the Station premises, dividing the fruit of their labour at the day’s end. Between the toes of either foot, each has an instrument, in unison with which their fingers glide with unerring precision over the keys of another instrument. These blind chickens acknowledge the sway of the Station Master, who extends over them the shelter of his protecting wings; and who, in the face of much grumbling on the part of a certain individual for whose ear music hath no charms, has stood forward indignantly and exhibited much solicitude for his afflicted children.
I observe, from your Thayetmyo correspondent’s letter, that Miss Kate Rogers has determined on venturing her frail barque on the water of matrimony. The late Inspector, Mr Rogers, was personally known to all here, by whom his untimely end was much regretted. If, therefore, our sincere wishes for a happy and prosperous future can afford the slightest gratification to the sister of that dead friend, those united wishes are heartily given.
27th Oct.
The advent of a strong force of detective police in the midst of a gang of coiners, busy in their criminal avocation, would probably cause less horror and sensation than has been created among those nocturnal depredators from Railway carriages, by the rigorous action of Mr Strickland, our new Asst. Commissioner. One of these rascals, Hponyin, with his two sisters Mah Mai and Mah Myaing, has been apprehended and tried; the former for theft from a Railway train and the two latter for receiving the stolen property. For want of sufficient criminating evidence the man was acquitted of the charge against him, thus narrowly escaping his deserts. He did not however entirely succeed in eluding the long arm of justice, for a further charge of leading a vagabond life was framed and he was required to furnish two securities to the value of Rs. 400 each for his good behaviour during the next three years or in default to undergo imprisonment for a like period. The necessary securities were furnished. With regard to the women, a satisfactory conviction being arrived at, they each were sent to rigorous imprisonment for a term of three years and to a fine of Rs. 1000; and in the event of the fines not forthcoming, to further imprisonment for nine months. The woman Mah Mai was also charged with being in possession of a revolver without a licence and was condemned to another three months’ forfeiture of liberty.
Besides the destruction of Boh Nga Mai, planned and accomplished by Mr Todd Naylor as already reported, other captures have also been effected by that uniting officer. An ambuscade was arranged for the capture of certain dacoits who were reported to have taken refuge in a village east of Okepo called Magyibin. The venture was rewarded with success; for some of the dacoits walked unsuspiciously into the Lion’s Den; and their leader only recognised in Mr Naylor’s Sola topee, the precursor of danger when he was almost within reach of that gentleman’s arm; of course, he fell by the Deputy Commissioner’s hand and two other associates were wounded; the rest managed to gain the shelter of the jungle. A dacoity is also reported from Thamayagon village, where a house was looted, the inmates beaten and property worth Rs. 100 carried away. The Yeagin police have managed to capture three out of the five men said to be concerned in this outrage.
Two of the participators in the recent rebellion are to suffer the extreme penalty of the law at Gyobingouk on the last day of the current month.
An old Railway ticket, dated 20th August, was collected the other day from a first class passenger travelling from Prome. It is not yet known whether the gentleman’s peon, who was said to have purchased the ticket and had it in his keeping throughout the journey had been guilty of mal-practice or whether the issuing clerk at Prome is to blame. The matter is under investigation.
Visitors to this station, on lighting from their carriages are greeted with strains of music. These proceed from the unique instruments of two blind musicians who are wont to seat themselves in the Station premises, dividing the fruit of their labour at the day’s end. Between the toes of either foot, each has an instrument, in unison with which their fingers glide with unerring precision over the keys of another instrument. These blind chickens acknowledge the sway of the Station Master, who extends over them the shelter of his protecting wings; and who, in the face of much grumbling on the part of a certain individual for whose ear music hath no charms, has stood forward indignantly and exhibited much solicitude for his afflicted children.
I observe, from your Thayetmyo correspondent’s letter, that Miss Kate Rogers has determined on venturing her frail barque on the water of matrimony. The late Inspector, Mr Rogers, was personally known to all here, by whom his untimely end was much regretted. If, therefore, our sincere wishes for a happy and prosperous future can afford the slightest gratification to the sister of that dead friend, those united wishes are heartily given.
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Local News
Posting The services of Mr J. Hewetson, Asst. Commissioner in Burma, are replaced at the disposal of the Government of Madras. Convicts Three hundred Burmese convicts have not been sent to Port Blair in charge of Mr McCaffery as stated by the Rangoon Gazette of the 26th instant; but two hundred will be transferred to Port Blair today and four hundred to India in the first week of November. Tramway The frequent derailments that take place on the Tram line, which cause much inconvenience and annoyance to the public who travel along the line, should be looked to by the Management, as it is to their interest to cause as little inconvenience and annoyance to the public as possible. Mr Leonard The Bangalore Spectator in noticing that Mr W.A. Leonard, a brother of our respected townsmen, Messrs. T.T.A and C.M. Leonard and an old student of the Central College in the time of Mr Chas. Waters, M.A., has been appointed to an Assistant Teacher-ship in the Rangoon College, says that his success is only one of similar successes scored by Bangalore boys who have gone to Burma and are working their way there in all departments of the province. Bangalore boys are to be found in the educational, in the police, in the judicial, in the forest departments and in Merchant offices and one and all seems to be doing well. What is strange also is that these Bangalore boys, though strangers to one another in Bangalore, seem to be drawn to one another in Burma; the magic word “Bangalore” makes their faces beam with smiles and they address each other as old friends. We would advice all to go and do as these have done. There is plenty of room for other Bangalore boys to follow the lead of Mr Leonard. There is no doubt plenty of room for hard workers here, but unless they have friends here or money to support themselves for at least six months whilst learning the language and qualifying for employment in Burma, we hardly think that Europeans or Eurasians would be wise in coming here entirely on speculation. Many have done so and returned to India poorer, sadder but wiser men. Pyapong News 28th Oct. While I was at Maubin the other day, there was some considerable excitement over the escape of six prisoners from the jail. It seems that owing to the rotten unseasoned timber of which the new jail is made, one man succeeded in rasping away one of the bars, through the aperture thus made, the men made their way and then cleverly scaled the walls; the sentries on the walls inside were apparently fast asleep all the while. The six prisoners were all recaptured with a few days owing to the energetic steps taken by the Dist. officers; a lucky Karen caught two, while out pig-sticking and got a reward of Rs. 100 – that was a valuable pig he stuck – Mr Editor, was it not? About the new jail. I am told it was built by the Public Works Department, if so, this is not their only rotten work. The steamer that brought me ever so gently alongside the Maubin wharf nearly carried away the whole frame work. I have undertaken a few contracts myself in my life and could see that the whole wharf had been very badly constructed; the Pyapong wharf has at last been repaired, after a fashion, the old piles have not been removed and silt is fast accumulating and very soon the wharf will be left high and dry. two new bazaars have been built recently at Kyeiklat and Daidayen and the ground round them filled up; I would be ashamed to own such work, the truth is that the contractor and the lower P.W.D. officials have apparently had it all their own way; there has been no high officer to come and supervise these gentlemen. The public money is squandered and public interests have thus suffered considerably; these bazaars and wharves are the only direct returns we jungle wallas get for our heavy taxes and it is a great shame that even these should be neglected. There is not even a Engineer now for this district as there used to be. The Engineer at Henzada comes down about once in six months, but he does nothing and knows nothing. The Thongwa distict is like a milch cow, when milked it gets a kick and is let out to feed on grass, so much for the Public Works (Public Waste) Department. Let the Government look to it. There is another word I have to say about these young gentlemen of the Public Works and that is their ill-treatment of Natives and Burmans. One poor devil rushed up to Major Cooke one day bleeding and bruised from head to foot, he got no justice; another fellow was so beaten, he was ill for days; on one occasion I myself saw a tremendous fight on the wharf at Pyapong caused by one of these officials interfering in a matter he had nothing to do with. He got what he deserved, a black eye. It is these sort of acts that brings upon officials the hatred of the Burmans, where is the boasted British justice, when a poor coolie is beaten and bruised and can get no recompense. Let Government look to this also. Local News Leave We hear that Mr Swann, the General Manager of the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company, is expected in Rangoon on Monday the 12th Nov. and that Mr Kennedy, the Manager, proceeds on leave to England next month. Mr Johannes We have to thank Mr J.N. Johannes, Photographer of Mandalay, for some photographic views of Upper Burma, got up with a special view of affording people an opportunity to send Christmas cards to friends at home. They seem very appropriate for the purpose and Mr Johannes will be glad to send a list of subjects to anyone favouring him with an application for the same. Inspector Hawkins We learn from the Singapore Free Press that Inspector Hawkins of the Rangoon Police arrive at Singapore on Friday the 19th October, on his way to Bangkok, to take charge of some dacoits arrested there by the Siamese Government. He left for Bangkok by the S.S. Medus on Wednesday the 24th October. We presume these dacoits must be some of the men concerned in the recent Tavoy rising, who were arrested by the Siamese Frontier Officials. |
Maymyo News
20th Oct. Old Father Time has brought my term of service at Maymyo to a close and I now sit down to pen you the last “News Letter” that I shall probably be able to send from here and in doing do I will briefly review this place as a Sanitary depot. This can scarcely be better done, than looking at the health statistics and average of sick, for the respective months throughout the year. During the months of July, August, September and October, the percentage of sick is very high, while the other 8 months are decidedly healthy. Now the cause of this is somewhat ill defined and various theories have been advanced with the view of accounting for the same. The opinion which seems to carry most weight is that the surroundings of the camps – on account of defective drainage – is the cause of the “miasm.” Brigadier General Wolseley, who has been here these last ten days on inspection duty, entertains quite a different view. He considers that wretched housing , want of and variety of food and scarcity of vegetable rations is the cause of the high percentage of sickness. If this view is correct, it seems a great pity that such a cold and pleasant station as this should be abandoned. The Detachment of the Royal Munster Fusiliers, who have been here during those last 12 months have been the subject of this experimental enquiry. Is Maymyo Healthy? Judging from the appearance of the men, there can only be one opinion which proves the negative. The Detachment march, on Monday the 22nd, en route to Mandalay. The men all seems delighted at the prospect of a chance and were dancing “high jigs” last night. The beer department of Radcliffe’s Commissariat has apparently broken down, as nothing in the shape of that beverage has been seen up here for these two months. There are few things that T.A. misses like his beer; it has made many a long night short and many a sad heart – happy. A cup of cold tea and a crust of glutinous bread has anything but a soporific effect; there is no begammon about that. The only individual in the shape of a Boh is the Pretender. Loot, however, seems a higher aim and loftier ambition of his than human heads. The paraphernalia of headmen in the village allege, that the district will become disturbed after the withdrawal of the “Goya;” this has invariably been the experience of most places in Upper Burma. The cavalry will remain until about the beginning of February, when it is probable the place will have a European Detachment during the hot decade. Our special artist, Lt. Congdon, R.M.F., returns to India with his Regiment – in whom the Graphic and Illustrated London – will lose an able exponent of the sketching art. I hear that he has volunteered to stay behind in any capacity. I trust the “Director of Movements” may see to this and allow our popular friend a chance of visiting some of the picturesque scenery in the Shan Hills. Mr Beato, Photographer, from Mandalay, was up here the other day, he took several views of Maymyo, not the least important of which was “The beauties of Maymyo.” We give the old man credit for being a good judge, as he made a very good selection of the 12 chosen disciples. No offence to “Mrs Snooks,” who was rejected on the ground of chewing betel-nut. Our Commanding Officer, Major Butler Kearney – who passed lately for the staff college, returns to India with his Regiment, there bring no vacancy for his place on the list. This seems rather hard luck, as the gallant and popular Major has made two successful passes without being able to get a place; he will now be rejected on the plea of age. Mr Robertson, P.W.D., is very reticent about the Magnetic hock, I am beginning to think that it is rather a good thing – there is nothing truer than, the more one sees of Upper Burma, the more one has reason to conclude that the undeveloped resources of the country are enormous. Minbu Dist. News 26th Oct. Since last writing to you, active operations against the dacoit gangs of this district have been continued. The senior officers are still quartered at Pyelongyaw, midway between Minbu and Salin, with the object of breaking up the organisation under Oktama. A special column under Mr Whiting, Asst. Superintendent of Police, has been chasing Byangyee, who is one of the most troublesome dacoit chiefs in the district. A short time back, some of the 10th M.I. from Salin under Lt. Caulfield and accompanied by Lt. Green Wilkinson of the Rifle Brigade, were led on to Byangyee;s and Bo To’s gangs at a village called Sigyum, near the junction of the Mon and Irrawaddy rivers; the dacoits saw the troops advancing and as usual “took to their heels” turning round, however, to fire some shots. Three of the dacoits were killed, while one of the sub-ordinate chiefs, known as Bo Hangyee, was shot in the leg ad captured; the main body, however, having longer legs than Lt. Wilkinson, made good their escape. Bo To comes from the other side of the river and he, with Bo Hangyee are well known as having committed many crimes, including attacks on Police Posts. St. John’s College We are glad to hear that out of many candidates for the post of Headmaster of St. john’s College, S.P.G., Mr John Henry Merrifield (B.A. of St. John’s College, Cambridge) has been appointed and has already commenced work. Mr Merrifield has been for a short time connected with this press and whilst we regret to lose so able a companion, we congratulate him and St. John’s on his appointment. We cannot forget that the College once gave this press an Editor and Manager (Mr Wootton.) We feel sure that Mr Merrifield will do his best to prove himself a worthy successor of Messrs. Wootton, J.G. Scott (Shway Yoe) Burnell and Tydd, who have worked with Dr. Marks in that popular school. |
Judicial
Calcutta High Court Vacation Bench
Appeal on behalf of Edward Kyran Moylan, Barrister-at-Law and Advocate of the Recorder’s Court at Rangoon. Mr Dunne moved on behalf of the appellant for admission of appeal against the order of Mr MacEwen the officiating Recorder, suspending the appellant and withdrawing his license. Mr Dunne, in making the motion, asked the Court to fix an early date as the matter was of great importance, the suspension being intended to be perpetual. The appeal was admitted. Evening News, Thur. 27th Sept.
Appeal on behalf of Edward Kyran Moylan, Barrister-at-Law and Advocate of the Recorder’s Court at Rangoon. Mr Dunne moved on behalf of the appellant for admission of appeal against the order of Mr MacEwen the officiating Recorder, suspending the appellant and withdrawing his license. Mr Dunne, in making the motion, asked the Court to fix an early date as the matter was of great importance, the suspension being intended to be perpetual. The appeal was admitted. Evening News, Thur. 27th Sept.
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Inspector Shade
On Monday night, the 1st instant, on Mr Inspector Shade going his rounds, he observed a large crowd of natives had assembled in Brooking Street and on proceeding to the spot, found an Artilleryman in the centre if it. He at once told the soldier to go away and endeavoured to disperse the crowd; but the soldier, instead of moving off, commenced to shower volleys of abuse upon the Inspector, who blew his whistle for aid to arrest him and upon attempting to do so, was met with a severe blow over the eye which left it pretty blue. The soldier had to succumb to numbers, but not before he had received a pair of black eyes from some of the arresting party. The soldier was subsequently handed over to the Military authorities and it appears that the Major commanding his Battery simply ignored the evidence of the Inspector and his witnesses and dismissed the case. Comment upon such a proceeding is scarcely necessary; at the same time it appears to us it is only offering a premium to the soldier to generally resist the police and refuse either to go home when told to do so, or in case of being arrested, to assault, if possible, the arresters. One thing may be said, that is that the Artillery are, as a rule, a well behaved set of men. Inspector Shade Chas. Wm. Mollet, a Gunner, Royal Artillery, presented a petition yesterday to the Asst. Magistrate requesting that a summons might be issued against Inspector Shade for assault committed on the 18th instant. The Asst. Magistrate informed the applicant that the case would be forwarded to the Dist. Superintendent of Police for report before he could issue summons and that he would let him know the result. |
Arrest
Mr R.J. Harrison, Preventive Officer, arrested a Coringhi passenger by the S.S. Secundra on the 4th instant with eight and a half tolas of opium; the drug was in the bottom of a beer bottle stooped (sic) up with straw. The case is to be tried in the Dist. Magistrate’s Court. Theft Nga Choe, the Burman, who stole a spoon from Evershed’s refreshment tent on the last day of the Races, was brought up yesterday before the Asst. Magistrate and upon the evidence was sentenced to receive ten stripes. Drunk Poliah, a Madrassee was brought before the Asst. Magistrate yesterday morning and fined Rs. 2 for being drunk and incapable in the Cantonments. Theft Nga Po Kin was charged before the Asst. Magistrate with having stolen from the house of Mrs Fuller, 46th Street, a gold ring set with a ruby. The theft took place between the hours of 12 and 3 on the morning of the 24th ultimo. The evidence of Mrs Fuller and another went to prove that the ring was found in the prisoner’s box on top of some clothes and was not concealed, but Mr Cook’s evidence was to the effect that the ring was found under some papers at the bottom of the box, concealed there and that there was no clothing in it. The Asst. Magistrate strongly animadverted upon bringing a witness who had been some six months out of employment, as was elicited from Mr Cook in his examination; case adjourned. |
Customs
Messrs. Harrison and Polacco, Customs Preventive Officers, arrested a Private named Ameer Khan, of the 8th M.N.I,. a passenger on board the S.S. Secundra, for being in possession of eighteen pounds of saltpetre and six packets [of] chemicals, each weighing a pound. The accused was charged under the Arms’ Act before the Asst. Magistrate yesterday and his plea was that these articles were given to him by the Depot Jemadar of the same Regiment at Madras, to be conveyed to the men here. A Jemadar of the same Regiment appeared on behalf of the accused and stated that they collected money amongst themselves and sent for these articles for the manufacture of fire-works for the approaching Dussara feast. His Worship, after carefully summing up the case, discharged the accused, as he did not think that he knew what the packets contained, as they were given to him by one officer to be conveyed to another here.
Messrs. Harrison and Polacco, Customs Preventive Officers, arrested a Private named Ameer Khan, of the 8th M.N.I,. a passenger on board the S.S. Secundra, for being in possession of eighteen pounds of saltpetre and six packets [of] chemicals, each weighing a pound. The accused was charged under the Arms’ Act before the Asst. Magistrate yesterday and his plea was that these articles were given to him by the Depot Jemadar of the same Regiment at Madras, to be conveyed to the men here. A Jemadar of the same Regiment appeared on behalf of the accused and stated that they collected money amongst themselves and sent for these articles for the manufacture of fire-works for the approaching Dussara feast. His Worship, after carefully summing up the case, discharged the accused, as he did not think that he knew what the packets contained, as they were given to him by one officer to be conveyed to another here.
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Thefts
Nga Tin Sin, a Burman charged with stealing two plates the value of Rs. ¾ and who had been sentenced to be flogged in October 1887 and to 3 month’s rigorous imprisonment in March 1888, was sentenced to 2 years rigorous imprisonment and to receive 20 stripes. In connect with a recent report made in respect of the theft of drift timber under mark of [Burmese script] we hear that the following accused viz Moung Tha Oung, Moung Pho Min and Moung Thoung Nyo have been sent up before the Deputy Commissioner charged under sections 414 and 379 of the I.P.C. and that Mr William D, Attaides (sic) has been also sent up for aiding and abetting in such offences. All the accused have been released on substantial bail. We are glad to hear that the Forest office authorities have pushed this case with vigour, as it must have a good effect hereafter. – Mandalay Herald. |
Thefts
Mr A. Rozario prosecuted his boy and waterman yesterday before the Junior Asst. Magistrate for theft of a flask of gin last Thursday. Mr Rozario also stated that this was not the first time that he missed his liquor and that eight bottles of whisky were stolen altogether. They were found guilty and sentenced to receive twenty stripes each. Goorays, a servant of Mrs Williams of 39th Street, was sentenced by the Asst. Magistrate to 7 days’ rigorous imprisonment for the theft of a bottle of claret, a tea-pot and some other articles from a Mr Lecramp. Court Mr W. Bigge, the Small Cause Court Judge, who has also been on a trip to Mandalay and Bhamo returns to Rangoon this week. The Small Cause Court opens on Wed. 24th instant. |
Mr Moylan’s Case
The Hon’ble the Advocate General applied in the matter of Mr Moylan, in which an appeal was filed the other day, for the order removing him from the Rolls of the Recorder’s Court at Rangoon to be suspended till the hearing of the case. The learned Advocate General thought he was perfectly justified in saying that in the whole of his professional career he had never heard of such a proceeding as this nor the removal of an Advocate on such materials as has been acted on by the Recorder. If an Advocate conducted himself in a flagrantly improper manner, he should be reprimanded at the time; if he was guilty of contempt of Court, he was liable to fine or imprisonment; but he had never heard of a case in which a person in the course of an argument, having lost his temper, had been removed from the list of Advocates as totally corrupt, inordinately fierce and of a character rendering him altogether unfit for the conduct of his professional business. He would show how very wrong Mr MacEwen had been in this matter. The case was one of the most extraordinary which could ever be conceived. People vested with such great power as the Recorder should be very careful how they used it. He could not say where Mr MacEwen earnt his law, but he did not think that either his reading or his knowledge of the traditions of the bar was very extensive. The only charge against his client was that he had said Mr Lowis was more favoured by the Judge than any other Advocate and presumed on his personal intimacy with the Judge. Three days after the occurrence Mr MacEwen addressed Mr Moylan on the subject. He first denied the charges but on the Judge referring to his notes and ruling that it was a record of absolute verity and could not be questioned, Mr Moylan apologised. The apology was however not considered satisfactory or sincere and he was struck off the Rolls. But even if the offences with which he was charged constituted contempt of Court, the punishment was fine or imprisonment and Mr MacEwen was not empowered to virtually cause Mr Moylan’s moral death. The Grenada incident was also brought in. Mr Moylan was admitted to practise in Rangoon in 1885 but subsequently it transpired that he had been removed from the Rolls at Grenada. An explanation was demanded and given and was regarded as quite satisfactory. Yet, in spite of this, it was dragged in. The learned Advocate General, after reading the orders by Mr MacEwen, which have already bee published in the local papers, concluded his remarks by stating that the whole case might well fit in as a chapter to Gilbert’s Comic History of England and that while there was no doubt as to the final reversal of the Recorder’s order, he would ask that these orders be suspended pending the hearing of the appeal which, he urged, should be brought on at an early date. The Court looking into the peculiar circumstances of the case, suspended the orders passed on Mr Moylan, pending the result of the appeal as it would be impossible just now to issue a rule, before the appeal came on for hearing. Indian Daily News.
The Hon’ble the Advocate General applied in the matter of Mr Moylan, in which an appeal was filed the other day, for the order removing him from the Rolls of the Recorder’s Court at Rangoon to be suspended till the hearing of the case. The learned Advocate General thought he was perfectly justified in saying that in the whole of his professional career he had never heard of such a proceeding as this nor the removal of an Advocate on such materials as has been acted on by the Recorder. If an Advocate conducted himself in a flagrantly improper manner, he should be reprimanded at the time; if he was guilty of contempt of Court, he was liable to fine or imprisonment; but he had never heard of a case in which a person in the course of an argument, having lost his temper, had been removed from the list of Advocates as totally corrupt, inordinately fierce and of a character rendering him altogether unfit for the conduct of his professional business. He would show how very wrong Mr MacEwen had been in this matter. The case was one of the most extraordinary which could ever be conceived. People vested with such great power as the Recorder should be very careful how they used it. He could not say where Mr MacEwen earnt his law, but he did not think that either his reading or his knowledge of the traditions of the bar was very extensive. The only charge against his client was that he had said Mr Lowis was more favoured by the Judge than any other Advocate and presumed on his personal intimacy with the Judge. Three days after the occurrence Mr MacEwen addressed Mr Moylan on the subject. He first denied the charges but on the Judge referring to his notes and ruling that it was a record of absolute verity and could not be questioned, Mr Moylan apologised. The apology was however not considered satisfactory or sincere and he was struck off the Rolls. But even if the offences with which he was charged constituted contempt of Court, the punishment was fine or imprisonment and Mr MacEwen was not empowered to virtually cause Mr Moylan’s moral death. The Grenada incident was also brought in. Mr Moylan was admitted to practise in Rangoon in 1885 but subsequently it transpired that he had been removed from the Rolls at Grenada. An explanation was demanded and given and was regarded as quite satisfactory. Yet, in spite of this, it was dragged in. The learned Advocate General, after reading the orders by Mr MacEwen, which have already bee published in the local papers, concluded his remarks by stating that the whole case might well fit in as a chapter to Gilbert’s Comic History of England and that while there was no doubt as to the final reversal of the Recorder’s order, he would ask that these orders be suspended pending the hearing of the appeal which, he urged, should be brought on at an early date. The Court looking into the peculiar circumstances of the case, suspended the orders passed on Mr Moylan, pending the result of the appeal as it would be impossible just now to issue a rule, before the appeal came on for hearing. Indian Daily News.
Smuggling
The case of the Police Sergt. Moung Tsan Dwa, charged with attempting to rescue a prisoner and with aiding and abetting the smuggling of illicit liquor into Rangoon, has been postponed to the 26th. The prisoner as called Mr Olive, Dist. Superintendent of Police and Baboo Khan, as witnesses for the defence.
Opium Charge
A Burmese woman, named Mee Hnit, was arrested and bailed on a charge of being in possession of 7 ½ tolahs of opium, alleged to have been found in her house at Payagyi village. She was tried on the 25th instant for breach of the Opium Act. Mr Lutter, the Excise Inspector, stated that she has a husband and he was present at the time of the search was being made in the house but he left and was not arrested after the opium was found. So the wife was arrested, brought up and somehow tried. The Myook of Pegu, who tried the case after hearing the evidence for the prosecution, discharged the woman on the ground that her husband was the proper person who should have been arrested and prosecuted instead of the wife.
The case of the Police Sergt. Moung Tsan Dwa, charged with attempting to rescue a prisoner and with aiding and abetting the smuggling of illicit liquor into Rangoon, has been postponed to the 26th. The prisoner as called Mr Olive, Dist. Superintendent of Police and Baboo Khan, as witnesses for the defence.
Opium Charge
A Burmese woman, named Mee Hnit, was arrested and bailed on a charge of being in possession of 7 ½ tolahs of opium, alleged to have been found in her house at Payagyi village. She was tried on the 25th instant for breach of the Opium Act. Mr Lutter, the Excise Inspector, stated that she has a husband and he was present at the time of the search was being made in the house but he left and was not arrested after the opium was found. So the wife was arrested, brought up and somehow tried. The Myook of Pegu, who tried the case after hearing the evidence for the prosecution, discharged the woman on the ground that her husband was the proper person who should have been arrested and prosecuted instead of the wife.
Editorials
The Thayetmyo Municipality
The report on the working of the Thayetmyo Municipality for the year 1887-88 has just been forwarded to us. It only came into existence on the 6th Feb. 1888, the affairs of Thayetmyo previous to that date having been managed by a Town Committee. The elective system was introduced on an application by the residents, but only the Mahomedans and Hindoos elected their members. The Burmese who had petitioned to have the system introduced, failed to elect anyone and the President thinks they either did not understand the system they had asked for, or their own minds. Nine Burmans were, however, nominated by the Local Government, and one Chinaman. Except three, the rest did not appear to take any lively interest in the affairs of the town. As regards Education the amount spent represents 4½ per cent of the annual income. The President thinks the Municipality is acting wisely in encouraging good lay schools and that they should only establish a Municipal School where circumstances demand it. The Managers of the S.P.G. School, the only institution where English education is given, have recently appointed a headmaster with a good reputation and the Committee will watch the result of the change before starting a school of their own.
About 12½ per cent of the Municipal income was spent on medical aid and 6350 people received medical relief as against 5879 in 1886. Vaccination progressed but slowly. The President acknowledges the indebtedness of the town to Dr. Frenchman, who is very popular with the Burmese and whose knowledge of them and his skill in his profession pointed him out as the best selection for the post of Vice-president. Numerous sanitary improvements are needed in Thayetmyo, but the members, especially the native portion, are reluctant to increase taxation and hence improvement on a large scale if impossible. As it is, nearly one-fifth of the Municipal income is spent on sanitation and conservancy and judging from the amount of work done and the amount of money spent, we think the inhabitants have no reason to complain of the way their interests are looked after by Mr K.G. Burne, Dr. Frenchman and the few others of the Committee who attend Municipal meetings.
The report on the working of the Thayetmyo Municipality for the year 1887-88 has just been forwarded to us. It only came into existence on the 6th Feb. 1888, the affairs of Thayetmyo previous to that date having been managed by a Town Committee. The elective system was introduced on an application by the residents, but only the Mahomedans and Hindoos elected their members. The Burmese who had petitioned to have the system introduced, failed to elect anyone and the President thinks they either did not understand the system they had asked for, or their own minds. Nine Burmans were, however, nominated by the Local Government, and one Chinaman. Except three, the rest did not appear to take any lively interest in the affairs of the town. As regards Education the amount spent represents 4½ per cent of the annual income. The President thinks the Municipality is acting wisely in encouraging good lay schools and that they should only establish a Municipal School where circumstances demand it. The Managers of the S.P.G. School, the only institution where English education is given, have recently appointed a headmaster with a good reputation and the Committee will watch the result of the change before starting a school of their own.
About 12½ per cent of the Municipal income was spent on medical aid and 6350 people received medical relief as against 5879 in 1886. Vaccination progressed but slowly. The President acknowledges the indebtedness of the town to Dr. Frenchman, who is very popular with the Burmese and whose knowledge of them and his skill in his profession pointed him out as the best selection for the post of Vice-president. Numerous sanitary improvements are needed in Thayetmyo, but the members, especially the native portion, are reluctant to increase taxation and hence improvement on a large scale if impossible. As it is, nearly one-fifth of the Municipal income is spent on sanitation and conservancy and judging from the amount of work done and the amount of money spent, we think the inhabitants have no reason to complain of the way their interests are looked after by Mr K.G. Burne, Dr. Frenchman and the few others of the Committee who attend Municipal meetings.
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Income Tax in Pegu
We are very sorry to see from an advertisement over the name of Mr Irwin, Deputy Commissioner and Collector of Pegu, that the income tax has been extended to that town and that a list of persons who have been assessed at incomes of from Rs. 500 to Rs. 2000 is open for inspection at the Collector’s Office. The few thousands of rupees that will be collected from such a source in Pegu, will hardly be worth incurring the dissatisfaction of many hundreds of families. One of the greatest drawbacks to this tax is that anyone unjustly assessed at Rs. 500 income, will pay more to appeal against the assessment or to petition to have it cancelled, than he would have to pay in the way of tax. And if he eventually succeeds in proving that he is not liable to be assessed, that his income is not what the collector puts it down at, there is no provision under which he can recover the costs he has been put to by the arbitrary action of the Revenue authorities, against them or anyone else. Under the old Income Tax Act this was not so and he could recover the stamps he had been obliged to use in petitioning, if he could prove that his contention regarding his income was correct. If the Income Tax is to be continued after the present year – and we fear it will be, unless some altogether unexpected changes for the better take place in the next few months in Indian financial prospects – it would be as well for the people in Burma, viewing the general dissatisfaction and discontent the tax creates, for the Local Government to try and compound for the sum which Burma pays under this head and allow us to collect it by some other means. We believe double the sum could be collected without difficulty at the Custom House, but if free trade England will not allow us to collect import duties, we might start Octroi on the Moulmain Municipality plan at every place in Burma where there is a Municipality. This would bring in a large revenue; and would, we believe, create not a tenth part of the sense of personal wrong and injustice which the Income Tax does. Thousands would pay these dues where perhaps only hundreds pay the Income Tax; but the thousands would hardly be aware they were paying anything, whereas the hundreds all cry out bitterly against a direct, and, as collected in Burma, often an unfair tax like the one under discussion. The Late Tharrawaddy Rising In the case of five out of the eighteen men who appealed to the Judicial Commissioner against the finding and sentence of transportation for life passed by the sessions Judge of Tharrawaddy, the appeals were heard and dismissed on Tuesday last. One man who had been sentenced to be hanged, had his sentence commuted to transportation for life. It was argued by the Counsel for the accused, Moung Bah Ohn, Barrister and Mr Burn, Advocate, that the witnesses for the prosecution were, most of them at least, as much concerned in the attempted rebellion as the appellants; that their statements were therefore unworthy of credence; also that the usual course of offering a pardon to such men as the Crown intended to make witnesses, was not adopted in the present case. As the appellants, however, had admitted they were with the Phoongee leader on the night the rails were removed, we have no doubt, apart from all technicalities, justice has been done. It is, however greatly to be regretted that though our jails are to be encumbered with the keeping of a host of these misguided youth, the scoundrel of a Phoongyee has as yet managed to escape apprehension. We think it would be as well if the relatives of those who are now in Jail through following him, could be informed that in addition to the money reward offered for the Phoongyee’sapprehension, a free pardon for at least one dozen of his deluded victims would be given, if he were apprehended and brought to justice. If greater inducement were offered for the capture of this leader, who has been the cause of so many more ignorant and foolish people suffering and some of whom are under 18 years of age, he would not long reman at liberty. |
The London Times Rangoon Telegrams
There appears in the London Mail of 3rd Sept. a Rangoon telegram dated 1st Sept. in which there are some remarkable inaccuracies. The telegram says:- “One of the local newspapers estimates the number of convicted prisoners transported from Burmah to India since the annexation of Upper Burmah at nearly 50,000.” Now we stated the number of convictions at 50,000 persons, but never stated any such absurd number as transported. The actual number of prisoners deported to India and the Andamans to date from Jan. 1886 is under 2,700. New Steamers for Burma Some interesting particulars appear in September’s number of the Nautical Magazine in connection with some new steamers now building at Belfast at Messrs. Harland and Wolff’s yard. The two steamers at present under construction are 360 feet length on the water line and 52 feet beam. In the mid-ship part of the vessel channel-iron is used for frames in place of ordinary angle-iron frame and reverse bar. The vessels are to be propelled by twin-screws, which will give them great speed in shallow water. This looks like business for Burma, though there are no particulars as yet where the vessels are to trade. We saw pans of a steamer of this description drawn by an old commander of the Flotilla Company some time ago and shall probably be in a position to give further particulars before very long. We are glad to find that the public are beginning to recognise the fact that competition amongst steamers on the rivers in Burma is desirable Everywhere that the small steam launches of the Irrawaddy Steam Navigation Company have been plying during the last month, they have succeeded in reducing fares and freights and have secured a large and paying patronage. We believe there will, in a few weeks more, be at least a dozen of these handy boats at work on our rivers and creeks. Between Rangoon and Yandoon, where they were first run, fares are now one half what they were, having been at one time reduced to one eight of what was considered the proper rate before the Irrawaddy Steam Navigation Company boats commenced on the run. They have since been doing equally good work on the Pyapong run and on the Bassein side. They are now running regularly to Pyindayai on the seaside, where there is an immense traffic, formerly carried on entirely by boats. The steam launch business in Burma is, as yet, in its infancy and there is but little doubt that ten times the number now playing could be profitably employed in Lower and Upper Burma, to the great convenience of the people and with profit to their owners. It is not in the public interest that there should not be competition on the river lines in Burma, just as there is elsewhere, and with sea-going lines. With rival owners competing for public patronage, the public are invariably better served than where all steamers plying are owned by one Company. Freights tend to lower and this encourages and stimulates trade, whilst reduced passenger fares mean an immense increase in the number of passengers carried, in educating and giving the people new ideas and new wants. We therefore welcome the advert of the Irrawaddy Steam Navigation Company and the probable arrival of the two Belfast steamers next year to ply between Rangoon and Mandalay, as likely to be of immense importance to the trade of the province. The public are beginning to see that their interests are best served by competition and not by monopoly, as we have always pointed out. There is plenty of room for more steamers and steam launches on our rivers in Burma and it will not be long before we shall have them, not all belonging to one Company. |
Good News From The Irrawaddy District
We are glad to hear that on Thursday, 18th instant, the body of the noted dacoit leader, Nga Mai, was brought in to the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Todd Naylor. There have been very many attempts made to catch this notorious scoundrel for a long time past and large rewards have been offered at various times unsuccessfully. The latest rumour was that he had fled to Upper Burma and many people of the district believed it; but Mr Todd Naylor was not “built that way.” He and his brave follower Moung Poh Kah laid their plans to catch him and succeeded. Mga Mai had arranged to meet a spy on Wednesday night who was to have taken him rice. Nga Mai said he had a twitching of his eyelids, which tells a superstitious Burma that danger is awaiting him and it was, sure enough. He did not go on the Wednesday night but met the spies the following night and threatened to kill them, as he said he had heard they had visited Poh Kah. They prostrated themselves in Burman fashion and apparently made their peace. But as Nga Mai bent down to light his last cheroot, the spies fell upon him and killed him with their daggers. They brought the body to Moung Poh Kah who was waiting not far off and on Thursday morning Mr Todd Naylor had the pleasure of witnessing the success of his plans. Yesterday there were some joyous demonstrations in the Thongzai and Tharrawaddy villages. The ease with which Mga Mai got food showed there were grounds for the Chief Commissioner’s remarks on the Tharrawaddy custom of sheltering and feeding dacoits. The body of Nagi Mai was exposed for the people to see how justice, though often deferred, has at last overtaken one of the most notorious ruffians who have so long kept the district unsettled; and it is to be hoped the men and women who have so long harboured this outlaw will also receive some punishment for the trouble they have been the means of bringing upon the peaceably disposed people of Tharrawaddy district. The spies who have rendered such good services to the State receive a large money reward from Mr Todd Naylor today.
We are glad to hear that on Thursday, 18th instant, the body of the noted dacoit leader, Nga Mai, was brought in to the Deputy Commissioner, Mr Todd Naylor. There have been very many attempts made to catch this notorious scoundrel for a long time past and large rewards have been offered at various times unsuccessfully. The latest rumour was that he had fled to Upper Burma and many people of the district believed it; but Mr Todd Naylor was not “built that way.” He and his brave follower Moung Poh Kah laid their plans to catch him and succeeded. Mga Mai had arranged to meet a spy on Wednesday night who was to have taken him rice. Nga Mai said he had a twitching of his eyelids, which tells a superstitious Burma that danger is awaiting him and it was, sure enough. He did not go on the Wednesday night but met the spies the following night and threatened to kill them, as he said he had heard they had visited Poh Kah. They prostrated themselves in Burman fashion and apparently made their peace. But as Nga Mai bent down to light his last cheroot, the spies fell upon him and killed him with their daggers. They brought the body to Moung Poh Kah who was waiting not far off and on Thursday morning Mr Todd Naylor had the pleasure of witnessing the success of his plans. Yesterday there were some joyous demonstrations in the Thongzai and Tharrawaddy villages. The ease with which Mga Mai got food showed there were grounds for the Chief Commissioner’s remarks on the Tharrawaddy custom of sheltering and feeding dacoits. The body of Nagi Mai was exposed for the people to see how justice, though often deferred, has at last overtaken one of the most notorious ruffians who have so long kept the district unsettled; and it is to be hoped the men and women who have so long harboured this outlaw will also receive some punishment for the trouble they have been the means of bringing upon the peaceably disposed people of Tharrawaddy district. The spies who have rendered such good services to the State receive a large money reward from Mr Todd Naylor today.
Editorial
The Ex-King Theebaw
A correspondent of the Bombay Gazette, in noticing our recent article on the treatment of ex-King Theebaw says that he can neither read or write. This is a mistake, as though no great scholar, the ex-King can read his own language sufficiently fluently and the Queen can read well. It is to be regretted, for his own sake, that he does not read and study, for his time would then pass very much more pleasantly than it now does. But, although a Buddhist, the ex-King seems to have been unable to appreciate the most reasonable of the doctrines of that philosophy and is inclined uselessly to repine against fate, instead of trying to make the best of things as they are. At Rutnagherry there can be the very smallest chance of his escaping, with the most ordinary precautions, and we therefore think that the stringency of the provisions which the Government of India wisely mad at first night very well be relaxed now. The visitors who would go and see him would be a very limited number and they could not do any harm, provided care was exercised by the officers in charge of the State prisoner. That Theebaw will not partake of the carriage exercise provided for him by the Government, is also an arrangement of his own, by which he is the greatest sufferer; but the Government cannot force him to go out; and his wives, though they might be glad of the opportunity of enjoying such relaxation are of course, debarred from partaking in exercise of the kind, when their husband obstinately refuses to leave his own apartments.
The Ex-King Theebaw
A correspondent of the Bombay Gazette, in noticing our recent article on the treatment of ex-King Theebaw says that he can neither read or write. This is a mistake, as though no great scholar, the ex-King can read his own language sufficiently fluently and the Queen can read well. It is to be regretted, for his own sake, that he does not read and study, for his time would then pass very much more pleasantly than it now does. But, although a Buddhist, the ex-King seems to have been unable to appreciate the most reasonable of the doctrines of that philosophy and is inclined uselessly to repine against fate, instead of trying to make the best of things as they are. At Rutnagherry there can be the very smallest chance of his escaping, with the most ordinary precautions, and we therefore think that the stringency of the provisions which the Government of India wisely mad at first night very well be relaxed now. The visitors who would go and see him would be a very limited number and they could not do any harm, provided care was exercised by the officers in charge of the State prisoner. That Theebaw will not partake of the carriage exercise provided for him by the Government, is also an arrangement of his own, by which he is the greatest sufferer; but the Government cannot force him to go out; and his wives, though they might be glad of the opportunity of enjoying such relaxation are of course, debarred from partaking in exercise of the kind, when their husband obstinately refuses to leave his own apartments.
Personal Government
The success which Mr Todd Naylor has achieved in Pyuntaza and Tharrawaddy shows, we think, that as of yore, the successful administration of a sub-division or a district depends a great deal on its head. We may strive as much as possible to reduce everything to a dead level of uniformity, but where in addition to possessing knowledge of the language and people, a district officer can go for hours in sun or rain without tiring or being knocked up by the exposure, codes and circulars are shown not to be all in all, and the best man soon gets to the front. We believe Tharrawaddy will lose its active district officer next year, when Mr Todd Naylor intends applying for the furlough to which his great services have well entitled him. We hope, before he goes, Tharrawaddy will have been completely pacified and that history there may repeat itself and dacoities and violent crime be as banished as they appear to have been in Pyuntaza since Mr Todd Naylor’s restoration of quiet in that turbulent sub-division. Bo Nga Mai’s destruction, which we chronicled last week, is, we trust, an augury for future rapid pacification of this part of the country. He was the last and most important of the out-laws who have so long made this unfortunate district their headquarters, relying on the sympathy and support of friends and relatives in some of the outlying district. Would-be disturbers of the peace see in his death and the successful strategy which brought it about, that the arm of the Government is far reaching and that, though they may harass, torture and murder their fellow-countrymen for weeks and months, retribution will come at last. We may see in Mr Todd Naylor’s success a fact which should be of value in future administration. Where a really good man is in charge of a district, he should be interfered with as little as possible, allowed to select his own men and to work with them in his own way. We believe a good deal of the pacification of Pyuntaza and Tharrawaddy may be attributed to this fact. It takes nothing from Mr Todd Naylor’s credit but rather adds to it, that he has been allowed to select his own men and that his choice has been so good. Two of his principal Police Officers, Messrs. Miller and Hill, worked with him at Pyuntaza and they will fortunately be spared for his successor when Mr Todd Naylor goes on leave. The Local Government is certainly to be congratulated on its choice of instruments in Tharrawaddy and on its allowing them to work on without interference from headquarters. The good result of the Chief’s speech at the recent Tharrawaddy Durbar are also apparent in the increased assistance afforded Government officials where so recently all was suspicion and distrust.
The success which Mr Todd Naylor has achieved in Pyuntaza and Tharrawaddy shows, we think, that as of yore, the successful administration of a sub-division or a district depends a great deal on its head. We may strive as much as possible to reduce everything to a dead level of uniformity, but where in addition to possessing knowledge of the language and people, a district officer can go for hours in sun or rain without tiring or being knocked up by the exposure, codes and circulars are shown not to be all in all, and the best man soon gets to the front. We believe Tharrawaddy will lose its active district officer next year, when Mr Todd Naylor intends applying for the furlough to which his great services have well entitled him. We hope, before he goes, Tharrawaddy will have been completely pacified and that history there may repeat itself and dacoities and violent crime be as banished as they appear to have been in Pyuntaza since Mr Todd Naylor’s restoration of quiet in that turbulent sub-division. Bo Nga Mai’s destruction, which we chronicled last week, is, we trust, an augury for future rapid pacification of this part of the country. He was the last and most important of the out-laws who have so long made this unfortunate district their headquarters, relying on the sympathy and support of friends and relatives in some of the outlying district. Would-be disturbers of the peace see in his death and the successful strategy which brought it about, that the arm of the Government is far reaching and that, though they may harass, torture and murder their fellow-countrymen for weeks and months, retribution will come at last. We may see in Mr Todd Naylor’s success a fact which should be of value in future administration. Where a really good man is in charge of a district, he should be interfered with as little as possible, allowed to select his own men and to work with them in his own way. We believe a good deal of the pacification of Pyuntaza and Tharrawaddy may be attributed to this fact. It takes nothing from Mr Todd Naylor’s credit but rather adds to it, that he has been allowed to select his own men and that his choice has been so good. Two of his principal Police Officers, Messrs. Miller and Hill, worked with him at Pyuntaza and they will fortunately be spared for his successor when Mr Todd Naylor goes on leave. The Local Government is certainly to be congratulated on its choice of instruments in Tharrawaddy and on its allowing them to work on without interference from headquarters. The good result of the Chief’s speech at the recent Tharrawaddy Durbar are also apparent in the increased assistance afforded Government officials where so recently all was suspicion and distrust.
Articles
Note on Tharrawaddy District
The following note prepared from the public records appears in the Official Gazette of the 29th September and is of such importance that we cannot do better what publish it in extenso:-
“The name of Tharrawaddy has from time to time had an unenviable notoriety for disturbance and crime. At the time of the annexation of Pegu in 1852 a district was formed called Tharawa including the present district of Tharrawaddy and most of Henzada. The reduction of this tract to order was a lengthy task. The whole of Tharrawaddy was controlled by a notorious dacoit chief named Gaung Gyi and it was not till the beginning of 1855 that his power was finally broken and he was compelled to flee to Upper Burma. Even after the final dispersion of Gaung Gy’s forces, Tharrawaddy continued unsafe. The name of the district and the headquarters were subsequently changed to Myanaung. After the break up Gaung Gyi’s power, the Tharawaddy subdivision was gradually reduced to order, while gangs on the western border of Myanaung continued to give trouble. Between the years of 1860 and 1864 these gangs were broken up and the number of dacoities decreased steadily from forty-nine to five. In the year 1862 the Inspector-General of Police remarks as follows on the change in tone of the villagers. “In 1860 the “people could scarcely be got even to tell of the dacoits and information was hardly procurable. The villagers are now coming forward willingly and volunteer to crush the gangs entirely.” In 1865 matters changed for the worse in Tharrawaddy. Violent crime recommenced and increased steadily till the total of cases reached 32 in 1867. The Inspector-General of Police remarks that the people are a rough, violent class and had the character, even under Burman rule, of being troublesome and that serious increase of crime amongst them requires attention as it may quickly develop itself. The gangs were gradually disposed of and by 1872 the yearly total of the district was reduced to six and in 1873 to one solitary case. Tharrawaddy was entirely free from dacoity. The Inspector-General of Police remarks: “In Tharrawaddy once the most turbulent district in Burma, a gang would find no sympathy amongst the people and would be soon disposed of by them alone.” I 1870 the headquarters of the district had been transferred to Henzada and in 1878 the opening of the railway and consequent opening up of the interior of Tharrawaddy, necessitated its formation as a separate district. An increase of serious crime and dacoity immediately followed. The reasons assigned are the influx of strangers brought in by the railway, over whom it was difficult to establish efficient supervision; and the fact that the reins of authority were rather loosened at the time the district was formed. The Inspector-General of Police remarks in 1878: “This used to be one of the turbulent and troublesome parts of the province. That it can be kept in order is apparent from the quiet that reigned from 1873-77, but it is a part that requires to be kept well in hand and the people must be certain that a tight hold is kept on them.” Dacoities gradually decreased but crimes of robbery and violence continued frequently especially in the vicinity of the railway line. In 1882 the Inspector-General of Police remarks that violent crime was rife in the neighbourhood of Gyobingauk; and goes on to day “When Tharrawaddy was in a disturbed state some years back it was only by a liberal yet careful use of the Bad Livelihood Law and by heavy sentences for offences committed that the people were brought to their senses and became for a time some of the best conduced in the province. It is noticeable that the bulk of the crime is in the vicinity of the railway line, where bad characters from other parts mostly congregate. In these railway towns the habits of the people seem to be deteriorating; altogether the district is a source of anxiety.” The class of crime her referred to was principally of the nature of petty robberies or crimes of violence against the person. Dacoity was rare and the gangs usually only five or six strong, were armed with dahs and sticks. In 1882 there were only five dacoities, in 1883, six and in 1884 only four; still it was felt that the criminal classes were not sufficiently held in check and the Inspector-General of Police attributes this to the non-finality of judicial decisions. He remarks that so many sentences have been reversed and so many men acquitted at sessions, or subsequently by the Judicial Commissioner, that little fear has been instilled into the criminal classes. Since 1883 Tharrawaddy has regained the reputation for violent crime which distinguished it in the early days of the annexation, in 1867 and 1878. In the twenty quarterly statement showing the number of violent crimes committed in each district in the province during each quarter, from July 1883 to June 1888, Tharrawaddy has nine times been first on the list and six times second. The previous out-breaks in Tharrawaddy were on a much smaller scale than the out-breaks of recent years. In 1885 there were 81, in 1886, 749, in 1887, 483 and in 1888, up to date, there have been 230 violent crimes. In 1867 the dacoities were committed principally by a gang from Paungde and by up-country men and foreigners. A large floating population has been introduced by the embankment and road works. In 1878 an escaped convict from the Toungoo jail, named Paw Din, raised a gang in Tharrawaddy and committed six dacoities. Two other gangs started in the district but were disposed of before doing much damage. The frequency of violent crime previous to the annexation of Upper Burma was attributed to the large surplus of strangers caused by the new country being opened by the railway. The annexation was the signal for a general rise of the ill-conditioned classes. Several risings of a political character, led by pretenders to Royal attributes, met with astounding success. A man named Nga Aung left his hut in a small village within 5 miles of Tharrawaddy and raised a golden umbrella. He collected guns from surrounding villagers and within a week had a following of several hundred men. Other risings of a political character were headed by Landa and he Hpongyi Bo. Gangs of dacoits also formed and took to the jungle, while less daring spirits stayed in their villages and dacoited under cover of the notorious gangs. This out-break may be attributed to the large unsettled and scattered population with no strong personal interests in the preservation of order, without sufficient supervision and in intimate sympathy with Upper Burma; these were easily worked upon by the constant wild stories of the impending arrival of a national hero to re-establish their Kingdom, which was invariably connected in their minds with unlimited loot and personal advancement. The large risings were suppressed without much trouble but the smaller gangs into which the more desperate characters split up have continued to harass the district in spite of the extinction of their members in large numbers. The fate of the former risings failed to deter the followers of the Mayingaing Hpongyi from listening to the folly of his counsels, and the same fate has now overtaken them. The extermination of the dacoit gangs has been delayed by the sympathy of their numerous friends. In the times of Tharrawaddy’s quietude, the dacoit was looked upon as a public pest and the combined action of his fellow-villagers rendered his continued existence impossible. In this late outbreak the outlaws became so numerous that their relatives and friends formed a considerable proportion of the population. Information and supplies were carried to the dacoits and withheld from the authorities by the friends of dacoits through sympathy with them and by the remainder of the population through fear. Gradually the gangs have been hunted down – villages have been grouped for greater security and the better supervision of bad characters and harbourers of dacoits – and it remains now with the people of Tharrawaddy to regain the reputation they earned in 1873.
The following note prepared from the public records appears in the Official Gazette of the 29th September and is of such importance that we cannot do better what publish it in extenso:-
“The name of Tharrawaddy has from time to time had an unenviable notoriety for disturbance and crime. At the time of the annexation of Pegu in 1852 a district was formed called Tharawa including the present district of Tharrawaddy and most of Henzada. The reduction of this tract to order was a lengthy task. The whole of Tharrawaddy was controlled by a notorious dacoit chief named Gaung Gyi and it was not till the beginning of 1855 that his power was finally broken and he was compelled to flee to Upper Burma. Even after the final dispersion of Gaung Gy’s forces, Tharrawaddy continued unsafe. The name of the district and the headquarters were subsequently changed to Myanaung. After the break up Gaung Gyi’s power, the Tharawaddy subdivision was gradually reduced to order, while gangs on the western border of Myanaung continued to give trouble. Between the years of 1860 and 1864 these gangs were broken up and the number of dacoities decreased steadily from forty-nine to five. In the year 1862 the Inspector-General of Police remarks as follows on the change in tone of the villagers. “In 1860 the “people could scarcely be got even to tell of the dacoits and information was hardly procurable. The villagers are now coming forward willingly and volunteer to crush the gangs entirely.” In 1865 matters changed for the worse in Tharrawaddy. Violent crime recommenced and increased steadily till the total of cases reached 32 in 1867. The Inspector-General of Police remarks that the people are a rough, violent class and had the character, even under Burman rule, of being troublesome and that serious increase of crime amongst them requires attention as it may quickly develop itself. The gangs were gradually disposed of and by 1872 the yearly total of the district was reduced to six and in 1873 to one solitary case. Tharrawaddy was entirely free from dacoity. The Inspector-General of Police remarks: “In Tharrawaddy once the most turbulent district in Burma, a gang would find no sympathy amongst the people and would be soon disposed of by them alone.” I 1870 the headquarters of the district had been transferred to Henzada and in 1878 the opening of the railway and consequent opening up of the interior of Tharrawaddy, necessitated its formation as a separate district. An increase of serious crime and dacoity immediately followed. The reasons assigned are the influx of strangers brought in by the railway, over whom it was difficult to establish efficient supervision; and the fact that the reins of authority were rather loosened at the time the district was formed. The Inspector-General of Police remarks in 1878: “This used to be one of the turbulent and troublesome parts of the province. That it can be kept in order is apparent from the quiet that reigned from 1873-77, but it is a part that requires to be kept well in hand and the people must be certain that a tight hold is kept on them.” Dacoities gradually decreased but crimes of robbery and violence continued frequently especially in the vicinity of the railway line. In 1882 the Inspector-General of Police remarks that violent crime was rife in the neighbourhood of Gyobingauk; and goes on to day “When Tharrawaddy was in a disturbed state some years back it was only by a liberal yet careful use of the Bad Livelihood Law and by heavy sentences for offences committed that the people were brought to their senses and became for a time some of the best conduced in the province. It is noticeable that the bulk of the crime is in the vicinity of the railway line, where bad characters from other parts mostly congregate. In these railway towns the habits of the people seem to be deteriorating; altogether the district is a source of anxiety.” The class of crime her referred to was principally of the nature of petty robberies or crimes of violence against the person. Dacoity was rare and the gangs usually only five or six strong, were armed with dahs and sticks. In 1882 there were only five dacoities, in 1883, six and in 1884 only four; still it was felt that the criminal classes were not sufficiently held in check and the Inspector-General of Police attributes this to the non-finality of judicial decisions. He remarks that so many sentences have been reversed and so many men acquitted at sessions, or subsequently by the Judicial Commissioner, that little fear has been instilled into the criminal classes. Since 1883 Tharrawaddy has regained the reputation for violent crime which distinguished it in the early days of the annexation, in 1867 and 1878. In the twenty quarterly statement showing the number of violent crimes committed in each district in the province during each quarter, from July 1883 to June 1888, Tharrawaddy has nine times been first on the list and six times second. The previous out-breaks in Tharrawaddy were on a much smaller scale than the out-breaks of recent years. In 1885 there were 81, in 1886, 749, in 1887, 483 and in 1888, up to date, there have been 230 violent crimes. In 1867 the dacoities were committed principally by a gang from Paungde and by up-country men and foreigners. A large floating population has been introduced by the embankment and road works. In 1878 an escaped convict from the Toungoo jail, named Paw Din, raised a gang in Tharrawaddy and committed six dacoities. Two other gangs started in the district but were disposed of before doing much damage. The frequency of violent crime previous to the annexation of Upper Burma was attributed to the large surplus of strangers caused by the new country being opened by the railway. The annexation was the signal for a general rise of the ill-conditioned classes. Several risings of a political character, led by pretenders to Royal attributes, met with astounding success. A man named Nga Aung left his hut in a small village within 5 miles of Tharrawaddy and raised a golden umbrella. He collected guns from surrounding villagers and within a week had a following of several hundred men. Other risings of a political character were headed by Landa and he Hpongyi Bo. Gangs of dacoits also formed and took to the jungle, while less daring spirits stayed in their villages and dacoited under cover of the notorious gangs. This out-break may be attributed to the large unsettled and scattered population with no strong personal interests in the preservation of order, without sufficient supervision and in intimate sympathy with Upper Burma; these were easily worked upon by the constant wild stories of the impending arrival of a national hero to re-establish their Kingdom, which was invariably connected in their minds with unlimited loot and personal advancement. The large risings were suppressed without much trouble but the smaller gangs into which the more desperate characters split up have continued to harass the district in spite of the extinction of their members in large numbers. The fate of the former risings failed to deter the followers of the Mayingaing Hpongyi from listening to the folly of his counsels, and the same fate has now overtaken them. The extermination of the dacoit gangs has been delayed by the sympathy of their numerous friends. In the times of Tharrawaddy’s quietude, the dacoit was looked upon as a public pest and the combined action of his fellow-villagers rendered his continued existence impossible. In this late outbreak the outlaws became so numerous that their relatives and friends formed a considerable proportion of the population. Information and supplies were carried to the dacoits and withheld from the authorities by the friends of dacoits through sympathy with them and by the remainder of the population through fear. Gradually the gangs have been hunted down – villages have been grouped for greater security and the better supervision of bad characters and harbourers of dacoits – and it remains now with the people of Tharrawaddy to regain the reputation they earned in 1873.
Yandoon
Although Yandoon is, excluding Prome and the seaports, the most populous place in Lower Burma and has probably a larger trade than any other inland town, the arrangements made for the convenience of visitors, whether official or other, are somewhat primitive. There is, we understand, a Public Works Department bungalow made of jungle wood, with wattled sides, very different from the fine teak buildings which every few miles along from Rangoon and Prome road have been built by the D.P.W. officers and other travellers. These latter contain a small amount of furniture and crockery, a great convenience to travellers, who pay a trifle, one rupee, we believe, for using the bungalow and its contents for 24 hours. The furniture in the Yandoon Rest-house consists, we are told, of one broken chair, one broken bed and one broken table. There are also two chatties and a broken tin-pot in a portion of the house partitioned off for a bath-room. We think the D.P.W. might, for the credit of the Department, improve this particular bungalow and have a little furniture there for the benefit of those passing through the place.
A new Court House and lock-up will shortly be built at this important station. The site chosen is a good one, open on all sides for 100 or 150 feet, so that any sudden attempt rescue prisoners, such as was successfully made the other day in the Akyab district, would have little prospect of succeeding. Yandoon is a place where there is always a large floating population of some thousands from Upper Burma and Rangoon. It nearly always contains a large proportion of bad characters and requires, therefore, the most careful handling. The present Asst. Commissioner, Lt. Cronin, has succeeded wonderfully in bringing this subdivision well under control. The third quarter of the year, which ended on the 30th Sept. showed a maiden violent crime report, a most creditable result of police and judicial arrangements. The villagers are now, except in certain places, disarmed, and have besides to keep their houses or villages stockade. They are thus made more difficult of access to any dacoits attacking them and time is given to the defenders to muster their forces. The stockading of villages also prevents bad characters in villages hiding or absconding by slipping into the adjoining jungle when searches are made by the police. River dacoity and robbery has pretty well ceased throughout the subdivision by traders being warned, when passing in their boats, not to leave a large village after 3 or 4p.m. unless they could get to another one before darkness sets in. Formerly going back with money from Rangoon they would go on anyhow or at any time, fastening up at night at the bank in the most solitary places where they were often attacked by a few men who would come alongside in a canoe and to whom they became an easy prey. These latter would only take money and were seldom caught unless they split on each other. Traders have also been warned, whenever steamers are available, to send their money by them instead of in their own boats.
Although Yandoon is, excluding Prome and the seaports, the most populous place in Lower Burma and has probably a larger trade than any other inland town, the arrangements made for the convenience of visitors, whether official or other, are somewhat primitive. There is, we understand, a Public Works Department bungalow made of jungle wood, with wattled sides, very different from the fine teak buildings which every few miles along from Rangoon and Prome road have been built by the D.P.W. officers and other travellers. These latter contain a small amount of furniture and crockery, a great convenience to travellers, who pay a trifle, one rupee, we believe, for using the bungalow and its contents for 24 hours. The furniture in the Yandoon Rest-house consists, we are told, of one broken chair, one broken bed and one broken table. There are also two chatties and a broken tin-pot in a portion of the house partitioned off for a bath-room. We think the D.P.W. might, for the credit of the Department, improve this particular bungalow and have a little furniture there for the benefit of those passing through the place.
A new Court House and lock-up will shortly be built at this important station. The site chosen is a good one, open on all sides for 100 or 150 feet, so that any sudden attempt rescue prisoners, such as was successfully made the other day in the Akyab district, would have little prospect of succeeding. Yandoon is a place where there is always a large floating population of some thousands from Upper Burma and Rangoon. It nearly always contains a large proportion of bad characters and requires, therefore, the most careful handling. The present Asst. Commissioner, Lt. Cronin, has succeeded wonderfully in bringing this subdivision well under control. The third quarter of the year, which ended on the 30th Sept. showed a maiden violent crime report, a most creditable result of police and judicial arrangements. The villagers are now, except in certain places, disarmed, and have besides to keep their houses or villages stockade. They are thus made more difficult of access to any dacoits attacking them and time is given to the defenders to muster their forces. The stockading of villages also prevents bad characters in villages hiding or absconding by slipping into the adjoining jungle when searches are made by the police. River dacoity and robbery has pretty well ceased throughout the subdivision by traders being warned, when passing in their boats, not to leave a large village after 3 or 4p.m. unless they could get to another one before darkness sets in. Formerly going back with money from Rangoon they would go on anyhow or at any time, fastening up at night at the bank in the most solitary places where they were often attacked by a few men who would come alongside in a canoe and to whom they became an easy prey. These latter would only take money and were seldom caught unless they split on each other. Traders have also been warned, whenever steamers are available, to send their money by them instead of in their own boats.
Railway Connection Between China and Burma
We received yesterday from Messrs. W. Blackwood and Sons a neat brochure by one who writes under the nom-de-plume of “Old Arakan” entitled “Indo-Burma-China Railway Connections – A Passage Necessity.” At first blush it might be imagined that this was another effort of those indefatigable gentlemen, Messrs. Colquhoun and Hallett, to stir up public interest in their scheme for bringing the immense Chinese province of Szechuen into direct trade relations with Great Britain through the port of Moulmein. The opening passages show none of that hostility to their proposals, or that personal animus, which has been exhibited by some of their critics, but the reader will not have proceeded far in the book before he discovers that the writer does not favour their solution of the problem, which all admit to be one of pressing necessity, if the high hopes which British merchants were encouraged to cherish, that by the annexation of Upper Burma a valuable market for their manufactures would be laid open to the south of China, are to be realised. The vindication of the policy of annexation may be said to depend very largely on the realisation of these hopes. We see that the Government of India is taking steps to encourage an immigration of the Indian population into Burma by offering to grant land to capitalists on favourable terms, provided that the lessees will undertake to import Indian coolie labour for its development. We are not sure that this policy had not been too hastily adopted. People who are familiar with the character of the people of Burmah and with the social and psychological conditions of the Burman, have a very strong opinion about the incompatibility which exists between the Burman character and that of the Hindoo. They seem to think that oil and water would mix more readily and the opinion is rather borne out by the experience of the Indian police who have been imported into the new province to assist in its pacification. The differences are not merely those of race and religion but of temperament and ideas. It would seem that the same objections are not so marked between the Chinese and the Burmans and that the natural solution of the future peopling of the immense uninhabited districts in Burma would be found in a Chinese immigration and the development of trade between China and our new territory. These remarks, however, are by the way. The main purpose of this pamphlet is to show that the quickest and most practical opening for the desired trade will be found in pressing forward by Bhamo and creating a route thence to Chinese territory, from which it is only thirty-five miles distant. As Sir Charles Bernard pointed out, in a speech which followed the paper he read to the Scottish Geographical Society, Bhamo, must before long be brought into direct connection with Rangoon by the extension of the Tounghoo-Mandalay Railway and once get a footing on the Chinese frontier, its terminus would be no further away than the populous parts of Szechuen than that of the railway proposed by Messrs. Colquhoun and Hallett. To their scheme, moreover, the Local and Imperial Governments have, it is affirmed, insuperable objections. They will never give the required guaranteed, says “Old Arakan.” Probably the Chambers of Commerce and Messrs. Colquhoun and Hallett are not prepared xxx xxx any determination as unchangable which can be altered by a resolute agitation among the people who elect the Parliament and dictate the policy of Government. But the writer of this pamphlet suggests to them instead of continuing to expend their energies on a difficult and in all probability a barren agitation, they should all turn and give their undivided air to press forward the extension of the line via Bhamo. He fairly recognises the immense good which has been done by the active propaganda of Messrs. Colquhoun and Hallett and desires that its results should be utilised and diverted to the realisation of the same object in another way. There is nothing in the tone of the pamphlet to which the authors of the Moulmein (sic) scheme can object. The considerations are stated with fairness and lucidity and they are undoubtedly well worth the serious attention of all concerned. We can write this with all the more freedom that we have not a shadow of an idea who “Old Arakan” is or what particular interests, if any, he represents. The brochure ought to have an extensive circulation. Possibly if Mr Colquhoun, as we have seen it suggested in the Press, goes up with the Delimitation Commission, he may acquire a conviction from a more enlarge study of the physical feature of the country, that, after all, the route which seems to be most favourably viewed by Sir C. Bernard and other advisers of the Government, is feasible. It would certainly be an advantage could the agitation which he and Mr Hallett have carried on in England by brought into line with the evident desires and efforts of the Government to find a practical solution. – Overland Mail.
We received yesterday from Messrs. W. Blackwood and Sons a neat brochure by one who writes under the nom-de-plume of “Old Arakan” entitled “Indo-Burma-China Railway Connections – A Passage Necessity.” At first blush it might be imagined that this was another effort of those indefatigable gentlemen, Messrs. Colquhoun and Hallett, to stir up public interest in their scheme for bringing the immense Chinese province of Szechuen into direct trade relations with Great Britain through the port of Moulmein. The opening passages show none of that hostility to their proposals, or that personal animus, which has been exhibited by some of their critics, but the reader will not have proceeded far in the book before he discovers that the writer does not favour their solution of the problem, which all admit to be one of pressing necessity, if the high hopes which British merchants were encouraged to cherish, that by the annexation of Upper Burma a valuable market for their manufactures would be laid open to the south of China, are to be realised. The vindication of the policy of annexation may be said to depend very largely on the realisation of these hopes. We see that the Government of India is taking steps to encourage an immigration of the Indian population into Burma by offering to grant land to capitalists on favourable terms, provided that the lessees will undertake to import Indian coolie labour for its development. We are not sure that this policy had not been too hastily adopted. People who are familiar with the character of the people of Burmah and with the social and psychological conditions of the Burman, have a very strong opinion about the incompatibility which exists between the Burman character and that of the Hindoo. They seem to think that oil and water would mix more readily and the opinion is rather borne out by the experience of the Indian police who have been imported into the new province to assist in its pacification. The differences are not merely those of race and religion but of temperament and ideas. It would seem that the same objections are not so marked between the Chinese and the Burmans and that the natural solution of the future peopling of the immense uninhabited districts in Burma would be found in a Chinese immigration and the development of trade between China and our new territory. These remarks, however, are by the way. The main purpose of this pamphlet is to show that the quickest and most practical opening for the desired trade will be found in pressing forward by Bhamo and creating a route thence to Chinese territory, from which it is only thirty-five miles distant. As Sir Charles Bernard pointed out, in a speech which followed the paper he read to the Scottish Geographical Society, Bhamo, must before long be brought into direct connection with Rangoon by the extension of the Tounghoo-Mandalay Railway and once get a footing on the Chinese frontier, its terminus would be no further away than the populous parts of Szechuen than that of the railway proposed by Messrs. Colquhoun and Hallett. To their scheme, moreover, the Local and Imperial Governments have, it is affirmed, insuperable objections. They will never give the required guaranteed, says “Old Arakan.” Probably the Chambers of Commerce and Messrs. Colquhoun and Hallett are not prepared xxx xxx any determination as unchangable which can be altered by a resolute agitation among the people who elect the Parliament and dictate the policy of Government. But the writer of this pamphlet suggests to them instead of continuing to expend their energies on a difficult and in all probability a barren agitation, they should all turn and give their undivided air to press forward the extension of the line via Bhamo. He fairly recognises the immense good which has been done by the active propaganda of Messrs. Colquhoun and Hallett and desires that its results should be utilised and diverted to the realisation of the same object in another way. There is nothing in the tone of the pamphlet to which the authors of the Moulmein (sic) scheme can object. The considerations are stated with fairness and lucidity and they are undoubtedly well worth the serious attention of all concerned. We can write this with all the more freedom that we have not a shadow of an idea who “Old Arakan” is or what particular interests, if any, he represents. The brochure ought to have an extensive circulation. Possibly if Mr Colquhoun, as we have seen it suggested in the Press, goes up with the Delimitation Commission, he may acquire a conviction from a more enlarge study of the physical feature of the country, that, after all, the route which seems to be most favourably viewed by Sir C. Bernard and other advisers of the Government, is feasible. It would certainly be an advantage could the agitation which he and Mr Hallett have carried on in England by brought into line with the evident desires and efforts of the Government to find a practical solution. – Overland Mail.
Behind the Scene in Burma
Although the case which is bringing Mr Moylan of Rangoon and Grenada so prominently before the eyes of the world has no connection whatever with that gentleman’s discharge of his duties as Burma correspondent of the Times, the public interest xxx one set of circumstances is undeniably derived from the other. It is not Mr Moylan’s personality, nor even the larger questions that cluster round the case, such as what conduct would be deemed unsatisfactory by the Dunlin? benchers, that give the matter its celebrity; but the position that he has occupied since the annexation, of correspondent of the Times and the singular use that he has made of it. We have seen the doings of the Burma Government and its officers criticised week after week in the same spirit in which the Freeman’s Journal reports the acts of the executive in a proclaimed country and this in a paper which is for the great mass of the English public the sole source of information on the subject. It is a matter of no little importance whether the avowed supplier of this intelligence is to be known before the world as a person of credit or the reverse. And, in view of the celebrity which we hope that the case is destined to attain, it will not be out of place to put forward certain circumstances which have a bearing on the question.
Long before anything was generally known about Mr Moylan’s antecedents in the West Indies, people in Burma were easily able to see a manifest connection between the views put forward in the telegrams of the Times and the interests of Mr Moylan or his clients in the local courts. It is unnecessary to search too closely into the methods and motives of the Advocate-correspondent. A few notorious instances will suffice. Sometime last year a charge of extensive land-jobbing was brought against the Burman administration by the Times’ correspondent and quickly taken up of course all over the country. Tis accusation was duly inquired into and was proved to be a gross misstatement. The sole foundation on which it was made was that in the early part of 1887 the then Chief Commissioner allowed the Deputy Commissioner and the Dist. Superintendent of Police to buy two plots of waste land outside the wall of the city of Mandalay and away from the business quarter of the town, as sites on which to build houses for themselves. This ground in fact was public property and here was never at any time any secret in the transaction. There was also nothing peculiar in the arrangement, as the Government is doing exactly the same thing for every officer in the cantonment of Mandalay. It cannot or will not build the houses itself and in Burma there are no capitalists who will come forward. The correspondent is welcome to his opinion as to whether the plan was wrong or right, but what we desire to notice is that his indignation was not aroused at the time of the occurrence. His sense of right, indeed, was not outraged until nearly half a year afterwards! And this is what had happened in this interval. The Times’ correspondent was legal adviser to the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company which had applied for a large piece of the foreshore at Mandalay, at the point where steamers are in the habit of mooring. The land in question was offered to it on lease by Sir Charles Bernard along with other valuable foreshore plots at the principal stations along the river Irrawaddy. The Company was at first pleased to accept the leases, but afterwards it pressed the Government to sell the land outright. The Government, however, did not apparently think it expedient to allow it to purchase riverine sites and would not do more than lease the Mandalay land for 21 years. This the Company did not consider to be generous treatment and urged the fact that land had been sold outright to others, very much in the words of the telegram which was sent to the “Times.” This telegram, it may be added, was not sent to the Times until after the decision of the Government not to sell the land had been finally announced.
Again, the Times’ correspondent was notoriously employed by some Chetty bankers to prosecute a claim against the Government for the possession of a quantity of teak timber, which the Chertties professed to have purchased from a forest lessee whose term had expired. The value of the claim was considerable and when the correspondent began to be clearly aware that the opinion of the Chief Commissioner was against his client’s claim, there appeared in the Times, like a thunderbolt out of the blue, a violent attack on the Conservator of Forests, Mr H.C. Hill, who was the adviser of the Local Government in forest matters and to whom the failure of the claim was therefore, in part at least, to be attributed. Mr Hill’s character was also assailed by Mr Moylan in various petitions to the Government connected with the case. Mr Hill was not permitted to take the matter into Court but he was furnished with a letter from the Government of India completely exonerating him and expressing entire un-belief in the accusation brought against him!
It is curious that from that date the tone of the accounts in the Times on Burman affairs began to alter for the worse. The change occurred about a year ago; it was remarked by all who were following the course of affairs at the time; and it can be easily traced now by anyone who would take the trouble for such an object.
To descent to more recent times, the action of the Local Government in imposing a punitive police tax on the people of Tavoy has been the subject of an attack which might be called ferocious, were it not known and perfectly understood in Rangoon to be the somewhat meaningless bluster of an advocate with a bad case, who resorts to the traditional course of his professional brethren in similar straits. We have alluded to this case before and it need only be said that Mr Moylan was retained by some half-dozen persons who were attacking the character of the Extra Assistant Commissioner, a Burman Officer whose value to Government made him proportionately obnoxious to the disloyal. The petition which Mr Moylan drew up in their behalf was rejected through all the grades of authority up to the Government of India; and the consequences were as usual promptly reflected in the Times. The ingenuity with which the Tavoy business has been obscured and misrepresented and placed side by side with irrelevant facts is admirable. The Tavoy people were never fined or taxed until they rose, absolutely without provocation, at the instance of an adventurer who promised them plenty of gold umbrellas and a share in a live Prince. They were guilty of gross treachery and brutal murder and are as well entitled to pay for the cost of police sent to restore order as ever rebels or rioters were. Yet anyone reading Mr Moylan’s telegrams without a previous knowledge of the facts could not but suppose that they had risen in consequence of the taxation which was imposed as a punishment for their insurrection! Such is the skill of a really competent advocate.
The policy adopted by the Chief Commissioner in the matter of disarmament has also been made the object of continued attack. In which the Chief Commissioner’s orders have been misrepresented and his action mis-stated, has been exposed by the Pioneer. As the correspondent had the printed papers before him and took the trouble to make such quotations from them as suited his purpose, it is not unjust to say that the misrepresentation on his part was designed. His telegrams against disarmament began in March 1888 and in June, finding that the prophecies of disaster he had uttered were not likely to be fulfilled, he began to hedge and announced that the Chief Commissioner had mollified his policy and had done away with the more objectionable features “so frequently referred to in my recent telegrams.” This last assertion was as true as its predecessors. The real fact is that, except fin one or two unimportant details which were modified to suit the prejudices of the Karens, no alteration has so far been made in the Chief Commissioner’s policy, which has been steadily and vigorously worked. Twenty-two thousand of firearms, of which half were held without license and against the law, have been withdrawn for the people since the 1st January 1888 and the process is still being steadily carried on. The best results have followed from the course which is strongly supported by every officer, military or civil, who is able to give a valuable opinion on the subject. Its wisdom, though condemned by the Times correspondent, was proved beyond the possibility of cavil by the recent émente in Tharrawaddy, which again has been falsely represented as having been caused by the infliction of an oppressive police tax.
Last year the people of Tharrawaddy district, which, in spite of a large number of arms distributed by the late Commissioner of Pegu, Colonel Street, has been in continual disorder, paid a punitive police tax averaging about a rupee and a half per house. This tax, which amounts to about two pence per house per month, is represented by the correspondent in his telegram to the Times on 7th July last, as “amounting practically to a confiscation of the property of the poorer classes.” So far from the émente being connected with this tax, at the time of the late attack on the line in the Tharrawaddy district between Rangoon and Prome, no tax had been collected for the previous nine months and of the 80 persons concerned in the attack, only 20 had paid any tax at all and these 20, being householders, had paid between them a sum of Rs. 25. Lastly, the evidence taken at the trial has shown conclusively that the émente was purely political in its origin and in the proclamation issued by the leader no attempt was made to put forward even the shadow of a grievance against the Government in order to incite the people to revolt.
Whether, as a result of the Recorder’s decree and the appeal from it, Mr Moylan may be reinstated in the Rangoon bar or ousted from the Irish, is we repeat, a matter of the smallest importance. But we are glad to see the case attracting attention; for the more notoriety it achieves, the more generally will it be understood in England that the news which the Times published from Burma is little more than an arrangement for paying off the private scores of its fortunate representative. -Pioneer.
Although the case which is bringing Mr Moylan of Rangoon and Grenada so prominently before the eyes of the world has no connection whatever with that gentleman’s discharge of his duties as Burma correspondent of the Times, the public interest xxx one set of circumstances is undeniably derived from the other. It is not Mr Moylan’s personality, nor even the larger questions that cluster round the case, such as what conduct would be deemed unsatisfactory by the Dunlin? benchers, that give the matter its celebrity; but the position that he has occupied since the annexation, of correspondent of the Times and the singular use that he has made of it. We have seen the doings of the Burma Government and its officers criticised week after week in the same spirit in which the Freeman’s Journal reports the acts of the executive in a proclaimed country and this in a paper which is for the great mass of the English public the sole source of information on the subject. It is a matter of no little importance whether the avowed supplier of this intelligence is to be known before the world as a person of credit or the reverse. And, in view of the celebrity which we hope that the case is destined to attain, it will not be out of place to put forward certain circumstances which have a bearing on the question.
Long before anything was generally known about Mr Moylan’s antecedents in the West Indies, people in Burma were easily able to see a manifest connection between the views put forward in the telegrams of the Times and the interests of Mr Moylan or his clients in the local courts. It is unnecessary to search too closely into the methods and motives of the Advocate-correspondent. A few notorious instances will suffice. Sometime last year a charge of extensive land-jobbing was brought against the Burman administration by the Times’ correspondent and quickly taken up of course all over the country. Tis accusation was duly inquired into and was proved to be a gross misstatement. The sole foundation on which it was made was that in the early part of 1887 the then Chief Commissioner allowed the Deputy Commissioner and the Dist. Superintendent of Police to buy two plots of waste land outside the wall of the city of Mandalay and away from the business quarter of the town, as sites on which to build houses for themselves. This ground in fact was public property and here was never at any time any secret in the transaction. There was also nothing peculiar in the arrangement, as the Government is doing exactly the same thing for every officer in the cantonment of Mandalay. It cannot or will not build the houses itself and in Burma there are no capitalists who will come forward. The correspondent is welcome to his opinion as to whether the plan was wrong or right, but what we desire to notice is that his indignation was not aroused at the time of the occurrence. His sense of right, indeed, was not outraged until nearly half a year afterwards! And this is what had happened in this interval. The Times’ correspondent was legal adviser to the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company which had applied for a large piece of the foreshore at Mandalay, at the point where steamers are in the habit of mooring. The land in question was offered to it on lease by Sir Charles Bernard along with other valuable foreshore plots at the principal stations along the river Irrawaddy. The Company was at first pleased to accept the leases, but afterwards it pressed the Government to sell the land outright. The Government, however, did not apparently think it expedient to allow it to purchase riverine sites and would not do more than lease the Mandalay land for 21 years. This the Company did not consider to be generous treatment and urged the fact that land had been sold outright to others, very much in the words of the telegram which was sent to the “Times.” This telegram, it may be added, was not sent to the Times until after the decision of the Government not to sell the land had been finally announced.
Again, the Times’ correspondent was notoriously employed by some Chetty bankers to prosecute a claim against the Government for the possession of a quantity of teak timber, which the Chertties professed to have purchased from a forest lessee whose term had expired. The value of the claim was considerable and when the correspondent began to be clearly aware that the opinion of the Chief Commissioner was against his client’s claim, there appeared in the Times, like a thunderbolt out of the blue, a violent attack on the Conservator of Forests, Mr H.C. Hill, who was the adviser of the Local Government in forest matters and to whom the failure of the claim was therefore, in part at least, to be attributed. Mr Hill’s character was also assailed by Mr Moylan in various petitions to the Government connected with the case. Mr Hill was not permitted to take the matter into Court but he was furnished with a letter from the Government of India completely exonerating him and expressing entire un-belief in the accusation brought against him!
It is curious that from that date the tone of the accounts in the Times on Burman affairs began to alter for the worse. The change occurred about a year ago; it was remarked by all who were following the course of affairs at the time; and it can be easily traced now by anyone who would take the trouble for such an object.
To descent to more recent times, the action of the Local Government in imposing a punitive police tax on the people of Tavoy has been the subject of an attack which might be called ferocious, were it not known and perfectly understood in Rangoon to be the somewhat meaningless bluster of an advocate with a bad case, who resorts to the traditional course of his professional brethren in similar straits. We have alluded to this case before and it need only be said that Mr Moylan was retained by some half-dozen persons who were attacking the character of the Extra Assistant Commissioner, a Burman Officer whose value to Government made him proportionately obnoxious to the disloyal. The petition which Mr Moylan drew up in their behalf was rejected through all the grades of authority up to the Government of India; and the consequences were as usual promptly reflected in the Times. The ingenuity with which the Tavoy business has been obscured and misrepresented and placed side by side with irrelevant facts is admirable. The Tavoy people were never fined or taxed until they rose, absolutely without provocation, at the instance of an adventurer who promised them plenty of gold umbrellas and a share in a live Prince. They were guilty of gross treachery and brutal murder and are as well entitled to pay for the cost of police sent to restore order as ever rebels or rioters were. Yet anyone reading Mr Moylan’s telegrams without a previous knowledge of the facts could not but suppose that they had risen in consequence of the taxation which was imposed as a punishment for their insurrection! Such is the skill of a really competent advocate.
The policy adopted by the Chief Commissioner in the matter of disarmament has also been made the object of continued attack. In which the Chief Commissioner’s orders have been misrepresented and his action mis-stated, has been exposed by the Pioneer. As the correspondent had the printed papers before him and took the trouble to make such quotations from them as suited his purpose, it is not unjust to say that the misrepresentation on his part was designed. His telegrams against disarmament began in March 1888 and in June, finding that the prophecies of disaster he had uttered were not likely to be fulfilled, he began to hedge and announced that the Chief Commissioner had mollified his policy and had done away with the more objectionable features “so frequently referred to in my recent telegrams.” This last assertion was as true as its predecessors. The real fact is that, except fin one or two unimportant details which were modified to suit the prejudices of the Karens, no alteration has so far been made in the Chief Commissioner’s policy, which has been steadily and vigorously worked. Twenty-two thousand of firearms, of which half were held without license and against the law, have been withdrawn for the people since the 1st January 1888 and the process is still being steadily carried on. The best results have followed from the course which is strongly supported by every officer, military or civil, who is able to give a valuable opinion on the subject. Its wisdom, though condemned by the Times correspondent, was proved beyond the possibility of cavil by the recent émente in Tharrawaddy, which again has been falsely represented as having been caused by the infliction of an oppressive police tax.
Last year the people of Tharrawaddy district, which, in spite of a large number of arms distributed by the late Commissioner of Pegu, Colonel Street, has been in continual disorder, paid a punitive police tax averaging about a rupee and a half per house. This tax, which amounts to about two pence per house per month, is represented by the correspondent in his telegram to the Times on 7th July last, as “amounting practically to a confiscation of the property of the poorer classes.” So far from the émente being connected with this tax, at the time of the late attack on the line in the Tharrawaddy district between Rangoon and Prome, no tax had been collected for the previous nine months and of the 80 persons concerned in the attack, only 20 had paid any tax at all and these 20, being householders, had paid between them a sum of Rs. 25. Lastly, the evidence taken at the trial has shown conclusively that the émente was purely political in its origin and in the proclamation issued by the leader no attempt was made to put forward even the shadow of a grievance against the Government in order to incite the people to revolt.
Whether, as a result of the Recorder’s decree and the appeal from it, Mr Moylan may be reinstated in the Rangoon bar or ousted from the Irish, is we repeat, a matter of the smallest importance. But we are glad to see the case attracting attention; for the more notoriety it achieves, the more generally will it be understood in England that the news which the Times published from Burma is little more than an arrangement for paying off the private scores of its fortunate representative. -Pioneer.
Income Tax in Burma
We imagine the extension of the income tax to a place of such fallen fortunes as Shwegyeen, in spite of the suggestions by two District Officers that it should not be raised on other than Government Officers, is a sign that there is no likelihood of the tax being soon removed. When originally introduced by Mr Pitt in England, the income tax was intended to be a war tax; but it has been found too useful there, as a means of raising revenue, to be altogether discontinue even in time of peace. It does not affect the very poor; and if it was honestly levied and honestly paid, there is no great hardship in the tax itself. But the difficulty is, in Burma, to ascertain true incomes and to get people to tell the truth. As a way out of their difficulties, income tax collectors are too ready to assess people, who are honestly not bound to pay the tax, at sums bringing them within the fold of those drawing Rs. 500 per annum. And to get out of payments, which they are not entitled to make, people are harassed un-necessarily and put to trouble and expense which naturally makes them discontented and often, we are afraid, disloyal. The raising of import duties has no such effect. On the necessities of life they should be raised at lowest rates but on superfluities or luxuries they might be introduced and made to being in a large annual revenue. If India were really governed in the interests of its people, it is, we believe, to the Custom House that we should look for the largest revenue. But Free Trade, to a certain extent and so far as it is good for England and other manufacturing countries, has been forced on us by the English manufacturers who are such a power in the House of Commons and we therefore are flooded with cheap manufactures and forced to raise the necessary revenue by means of an income tax and a tax on such a necessity of life as salt. If the revenue we raise by these unpopular means from our own subjects, could be done without, we could well understand the policy of free imports. It is not so much protection of industries that is required out here, as the revenue which the import duties would bring. And for revenue purposes, even free traders, many ears ago, acknowledged it was not against their principals to raise customs duties. We raise these from our own subjects now in the form of export duties on rice and import duties on salt. But we leave the rest of the imports free to compete with the industry of people out here, and, in many cases, to completely extinguish manufactures. We are thus generous to the rest of the world at the cost of our own heavily taxed Eastern fellow subjects. Such a policy it is difficult for them to appreciate. It is not wholly Free Trade, or we should abolish the rice and salt duties, though it is hard to see where we should get substitutes for these taxes. And in England, “the mother of Free Trade” raises enormous duties on our tea, tobacco and silver manufactures, whilst forcing us to take her goods, and the manufactures of the rest of the world, absolutely duty free. We cannot think that such a system will last, and its injustice to or subjects out here is palpable and plain.
We imagine the extension of the income tax to a place of such fallen fortunes as Shwegyeen, in spite of the suggestions by two District Officers that it should not be raised on other than Government Officers, is a sign that there is no likelihood of the tax being soon removed. When originally introduced by Mr Pitt in England, the income tax was intended to be a war tax; but it has been found too useful there, as a means of raising revenue, to be altogether discontinue even in time of peace. It does not affect the very poor; and if it was honestly levied and honestly paid, there is no great hardship in the tax itself. But the difficulty is, in Burma, to ascertain true incomes and to get people to tell the truth. As a way out of their difficulties, income tax collectors are too ready to assess people, who are honestly not bound to pay the tax, at sums bringing them within the fold of those drawing Rs. 500 per annum. And to get out of payments, which they are not entitled to make, people are harassed un-necessarily and put to trouble and expense which naturally makes them discontented and often, we are afraid, disloyal. The raising of import duties has no such effect. On the necessities of life they should be raised at lowest rates but on superfluities or luxuries they might be introduced and made to being in a large annual revenue. If India were really governed in the interests of its people, it is, we believe, to the Custom House that we should look for the largest revenue. But Free Trade, to a certain extent and so far as it is good for England and other manufacturing countries, has been forced on us by the English manufacturers who are such a power in the House of Commons and we therefore are flooded with cheap manufactures and forced to raise the necessary revenue by means of an income tax and a tax on such a necessity of life as salt. If the revenue we raise by these unpopular means from our own subjects, could be done without, we could well understand the policy of free imports. It is not so much protection of industries that is required out here, as the revenue which the import duties would bring. And for revenue purposes, even free traders, many ears ago, acknowledged it was not against their principals to raise customs duties. We raise these from our own subjects now in the form of export duties on rice and import duties on salt. But we leave the rest of the imports free to compete with the industry of people out here, and, in many cases, to completely extinguish manufactures. We are thus generous to the rest of the world at the cost of our own heavily taxed Eastern fellow subjects. Such a policy it is difficult for them to appreciate. It is not wholly Free Trade, or we should abolish the rice and salt duties, though it is hard to see where we should get substitutes for these taxes. And in England, “the mother of Free Trade” raises enormous duties on our tea, tobacco and silver manufactures, whilst forcing us to take her goods, and the manufactures of the rest of the world, absolutely duty free. We cannot think that such a system will last, and its injustice to or subjects out here is palpable and plain.
Public Instruction, Lower Burma
In continuing our remarks on the report of the Director of Public Instruction for the last official year, together with the resolution of the Chief Commissioner on it, we are glad to find there is an increase in the number of schools and pupils during the year, attributed to the restoration of tranquillity throughout the greater part of the country in 1887. There were 147 more schools and 1,879 more pupils. The year under report witnessed the establishment of three medical scholarships for female students in Calcutta and the transfer of the Rangoon Municipal Schools to the charge of the Syndicate. The total expenditure on education was a little over 9 lakhs, of which over 6 and a half was contributed by Government and a little over 1 lakh only by fees. The Chief Commissioner notices that the condition of the Rangoon College, the only institution in Burma which imparts a university education, was “satisfactory.” The number of pupils increased from 14 to 30 and five passes were obtained at the university examinations. The retirement of Mr J.H. Gilbert, a teacher of wide experience, whose name will long remain associated with the Rangoon College, which was established under his superintendence as a High School in 1874, is noticed as an important event connected with the history of the institution. The condition of some of the middle class Anglo-Vernacular Schools in the district is commented on as unsatisfactory. In some the teaching is said to be so bad that the Chief Commissioner, is his tours, has occasionally inspected schools which profess to be Middle Class Schools, where the pupils are unable to pronounce English intelligibly. It is pointed out that no useful purpose is served by the maintenance of schools of this kind which turn out boys with no knowledge of English beyond an unintelligible jargon. The Inspectors of Schools are told to satisfy themselves that the teachers are capable of teaching English with a fairly correct accent and if they find a master employed who is clearly incompetent, they should advise the Municipal Committee to dismiss him; and if their advice is not taken, the matter should be referred to the Chief Commissioner. The matter of one of vital importance is the interest of sound education and is commended to the careful consideration of the Education Syndicate and of the Director. The large increase in Karen schools more than counterbalances the slight falling off in the number of Burmese indigenous schools under private management. We noticed, some months ago, the zeal of the Karens to educate their children and we hope their example will be copied by the Burmese; for in the education of their families rests to a great extent their future prospect of competing successfully in the struggle for life in their own country. The retirement of Mr P. Hordern, who for 20 years was Director of Public Instruction in Burma, through ill-health, is noticed with regret by the Chief Commissioner. In him the cause of Education in Burma loses an old and experienced friend, and the Local Government a trusted adviser.
In continuing our remarks on the report of the Director of Public Instruction for the last official year, together with the resolution of the Chief Commissioner on it, we are glad to find there is an increase in the number of schools and pupils during the year, attributed to the restoration of tranquillity throughout the greater part of the country in 1887. There were 147 more schools and 1,879 more pupils. The year under report witnessed the establishment of three medical scholarships for female students in Calcutta and the transfer of the Rangoon Municipal Schools to the charge of the Syndicate. The total expenditure on education was a little over 9 lakhs, of which over 6 and a half was contributed by Government and a little over 1 lakh only by fees. The Chief Commissioner notices that the condition of the Rangoon College, the only institution in Burma which imparts a university education, was “satisfactory.” The number of pupils increased from 14 to 30 and five passes were obtained at the university examinations. The retirement of Mr J.H. Gilbert, a teacher of wide experience, whose name will long remain associated with the Rangoon College, which was established under his superintendence as a High School in 1874, is noticed as an important event connected with the history of the institution. The condition of some of the middle class Anglo-Vernacular Schools in the district is commented on as unsatisfactory. In some the teaching is said to be so bad that the Chief Commissioner, is his tours, has occasionally inspected schools which profess to be Middle Class Schools, where the pupils are unable to pronounce English intelligibly. It is pointed out that no useful purpose is served by the maintenance of schools of this kind which turn out boys with no knowledge of English beyond an unintelligible jargon. The Inspectors of Schools are told to satisfy themselves that the teachers are capable of teaching English with a fairly correct accent and if they find a master employed who is clearly incompetent, they should advise the Municipal Committee to dismiss him; and if their advice is not taken, the matter should be referred to the Chief Commissioner. The matter of one of vital importance is the interest of sound education and is commended to the careful consideration of the Education Syndicate and of the Director. The large increase in Karen schools more than counterbalances the slight falling off in the number of Burmese indigenous schools under private management. We noticed, some months ago, the zeal of the Karens to educate their children and we hope their example will be copied by the Burmese; for in the education of their families rests to a great extent their future prospect of competing successfully in the struggle for life in their own country. The retirement of Mr P. Hordern, who for 20 years was Director of Public Instruction in Burma, through ill-health, is noticed with regret by the Chief Commissioner. In him the cause of Education in Burma loses an old and experienced friend, and the Local Government a trusted adviser.
Prospects in Upper Burma in the Future
The latest news from Upper Burma appears to indicate that the protracted troubles of that much vexed country are at last subsiding. It is true that we must accept the good news with a certain amount of caution. Although the rainy season is now over, the waters are still out all over the land. The Irrawaddy is rolling to the sea in a majestic flood and the numberless rivers and streams which feed its waters are rushing like swollen cataracts down the steep mountain sides. At such a time and in a country without roads or bridges, it is almost as impossible for the roving bands of dacoits to carry on their raids as it would be for our soldiers and police to pursue and overtake them. A month or six weeks hence, when the country is again passable, we must expect a recrudescence of the old disorders. Nevertheless, it is reasonable to conclude that so far as Upper Burma (strictly so called) is concerned, the worst is over.
The coming cold weather will see the beginning of orderly government and the systematic collection of revenue. What, then, are likely to be the prospects of the Province in the future? Of course, the official “experts” who originally persuaded the Government to undertake the conquest of the country are loud and confident in their assertions that it will rapidly become the most remunerative portion of our Indian Empire. But events have proved these confident gentlemen to be so egregiously mistaken in their predictions hitherto, that it would be simply folly for reasonable people to attach any importance to their forecasts of the future. Those forecasts, in truth, were grounded upon a number of assumptions which, as the event has shown, existed in imagination alone. The conquest of the country, to begin with, was to consist of nothing more than a pleasant boat expedition to Mandalay with almost no expenditure of either money or life. With the deposition of King Theebaw, an immense burden was to be removed and an industrious and lively population was immediately to devote themselves with all their energy to the purchase of large quantities of Manchester piece-goods.
Then there was the trade with China. According to the Indian experts the officials and population of Yunnan, so far from regarding the British people as “foreign devils” repudiated such ungracious sentiments with vehemence. They had all become disciples of Richard Cobden and the principles of Free trade and merely awaited the setting up of a strong and equitable Government in place of the anarchy patronised by King Theebaw to give practical proof of their enlightened ways of thinking. Instead of realising these golden prospects, the Indian Government has, in the course of three years, so largely exterminated the lively and industrious population which was to expend its substance for the benefit of Manchester, that it is endeavouring to re-people the land by means of State emigration from India. As to trade with China, the thing was, from the first, and must remain for years, physically impossible except on a very limited scale. For Upper Burmah is cut off from the Chinese Empire by ranges of precipitous hills clothed with dense forests and it remains to be seen how long it will take to overcome the engineering and other difficulties in the way of constructing and protecting the railway needed for the development of a large carrying trade.
The chief argument, however, from which the official experts inferred the remunerative character of Upper Burmah was that Lower Burmah paid a large surplus annually into the Indian Exchequer. But in all matters connected with State profits and loss, the Indian Government has a method of reckoning peculiar to itself. It consists in ignoring, as a thing of no account, the capital expended in the acquisition of any property and representing as pure and absolute profit whatever, minus the working expenses, is annually obtained from the property. Thus British Burmah was always described as a highly profitable possession, because for the last ten or twelve years there had been a surplus in the receipts over the expenditure, no account being taken of the fact that close upon twenty millions of money had been expended in effecting the conquest, the interest on which had been paid for more thirty years not by Burmah, but by the Indian tax-payers. Of this surplus (so called) a considerable portion was obtained by the levy of custom dues on goods passing to and fro between British and independent Burmah and this, of course, disappeared when Independent Burmah became a British Province. The residue and a great deal more have been swallowed up in the conquest and pacification of Upper Burmah. Nor can we for many years to come expect any reduction in the cost of maintaining our authority. In a country possessed of several large centres of population, the seizure of these places by an invading force in command of all the districts from which they derive their subsistence, and which depend upon them as their chief market would soon reduce the people to a state of submission. But in Upper Burma, with the exception of Mandalay, there are no centres of population at all. It is a country as large as France with a population of little more than two million. The villages, few and far between, are in consequence, self-supporting and the British authorities have been unable to get a grip upon the country except in those localities where our troops or military police have been actually quartered. For the same reason, until the rivers have been bridged and free intercourse established throughout the interior of the country, by a system of military roads – a very costly, difficult and protracted process – it will be found impossible largely to diminish the number of the troops on duty in the province.
The pacification of British Burmah was not completed for some seven or eight years after its annexation by Lord Dalhousie and to this day dacoity flourishes in it to a degree unknown in any other part of our Empire. The pacification of Upper Burmah is a far more arduous undertaking because the country is surrounded on all sides by predatory hill tribes accustomed, from time immemorial, to raid upon the agricultural dwellers in the lower lands. As upon its trans-Indus Frontier, the Indian Government will be compelled to organise a Frontier Force to protect its subjects against the forays of Shans, Kachyens and others.
Whether or not Burmah is destined in a distant future to become a remunerative property, there is no doubt at all that for many long years it will prove a heavy burden upon the population of India. And this fact opens up the further question whether it is right or wise to impose such a burden upon them. It would indubitably be a great and immediate relief to the strained finances of the Indian Government, which must, for many years to come, starve its own people in order to provide Upper Burman with the necessities of life, if Burmah could be erected into separate Government. Such a measure would also add greatly to the future security of both Burmah and India by limiting the area which each Government has to defend against external attack and for this and other reasons separate administration is not without its advocates. On the other hand it is not to be denied that if Burmah were separated from India, the annual deficit which the latter country has now to make good would have to be supplied from some other source. The suggestion, merely, of such an appalling alternative is sufficient to make the British householder “distorted and pale.” There is, however, no present prospect of such a terrible and heartrending calamity. Nevertheless, unless he discards his indolent belief in the infallibility of the Indian expert and resolves to look into matters for himself, it is to this pass that the experts may bring him in the long run. In India and the surrounding lands, we have carried on the process of annexation to the furthest limit of profitable acquisition – and in truth, a good deal beyond it. It is because we have done so that the Indian Government is forever struggling with its pecuniary difficulties and its recurrent famines. Nevertheless, in the Services the spirit of acquisition is as powerful now as it ever has been and unless firmly resisted by the nation at home, will assuredly compel the British taxpayers to accept the dismal alternative suggested by the financial prospects of Upper Burmah. Scotsman, 22nd Sept. 1888.
The latest news from Upper Burma appears to indicate that the protracted troubles of that much vexed country are at last subsiding. It is true that we must accept the good news with a certain amount of caution. Although the rainy season is now over, the waters are still out all over the land. The Irrawaddy is rolling to the sea in a majestic flood and the numberless rivers and streams which feed its waters are rushing like swollen cataracts down the steep mountain sides. At such a time and in a country without roads or bridges, it is almost as impossible for the roving bands of dacoits to carry on their raids as it would be for our soldiers and police to pursue and overtake them. A month or six weeks hence, when the country is again passable, we must expect a recrudescence of the old disorders. Nevertheless, it is reasonable to conclude that so far as Upper Burma (strictly so called) is concerned, the worst is over.
The coming cold weather will see the beginning of orderly government and the systematic collection of revenue. What, then, are likely to be the prospects of the Province in the future? Of course, the official “experts” who originally persuaded the Government to undertake the conquest of the country are loud and confident in their assertions that it will rapidly become the most remunerative portion of our Indian Empire. But events have proved these confident gentlemen to be so egregiously mistaken in their predictions hitherto, that it would be simply folly for reasonable people to attach any importance to their forecasts of the future. Those forecasts, in truth, were grounded upon a number of assumptions which, as the event has shown, existed in imagination alone. The conquest of the country, to begin with, was to consist of nothing more than a pleasant boat expedition to Mandalay with almost no expenditure of either money or life. With the deposition of King Theebaw, an immense burden was to be removed and an industrious and lively population was immediately to devote themselves with all their energy to the purchase of large quantities of Manchester piece-goods.
Then there was the trade with China. According to the Indian experts the officials and population of Yunnan, so far from regarding the British people as “foreign devils” repudiated such ungracious sentiments with vehemence. They had all become disciples of Richard Cobden and the principles of Free trade and merely awaited the setting up of a strong and equitable Government in place of the anarchy patronised by King Theebaw to give practical proof of their enlightened ways of thinking. Instead of realising these golden prospects, the Indian Government has, in the course of three years, so largely exterminated the lively and industrious population which was to expend its substance for the benefit of Manchester, that it is endeavouring to re-people the land by means of State emigration from India. As to trade with China, the thing was, from the first, and must remain for years, physically impossible except on a very limited scale. For Upper Burmah is cut off from the Chinese Empire by ranges of precipitous hills clothed with dense forests and it remains to be seen how long it will take to overcome the engineering and other difficulties in the way of constructing and protecting the railway needed for the development of a large carrying trade.
The chief argument, however, from which the official experts inferred the remunerative character of Upper Burmah was that Lower Burmah paid a large surplus annually into the Indian Exchequer. But in all matters connected with State profits and loss, the Indian Government has a method of reckoning peculiar to itself. It consists in ignoring, as a thing of no account, the capital expended in the acquisition of any property and representing as pure and absolute profit whatever, minus the working expenses, is annually obtained from the property. Thus British Burmah was always described as a highly profitable possession, because for the last ten or twelve years there had been a surplus in the receipts over the expenditure, no account being taken of the fact that close upon twenty millions of money had been expended in effecting the conquest, the interest on which had been paid for more thirty years not by Burmah, but by the Indian tax-payers. Of this surplus (so called) a considerable portion was obtained by the levy of custom dues on goods passing to and fro between British and independent Burmah and this, of course, disappeared when Independent Burmah became a British Province. The residue and a great deal more have been swallowed up in the conquest and pacification of Upper Burmah. Nor can we for many years to come expect any reduction in the cost of maintaining our authority. In a country possessed of several large centres of population, the seizure of these places by an invading force in command of all the districts from which they derive their subsistence, and which depend upon them as their chief market would soon reduce the people to a state of submission. But in Upper Burma, with the exception of Mandalay, there are no centres of population at all. It is a country as large as France with a population of little more than two million. The villages, few and far between, are in consequence, self-supporting and the British authorities have been unable to get a grip upon the country except in those localities where our troops or military police have been actually quartered. For the same reason, until the rivers have been bridged and free intercourse established throughout the interior of the country, by a system of military roads – a very costly, difficult and protracted process – it will be found impossible largely to diminish the number of the troops on duty in the province.
The pacification of British Burmah was not completed for some seven or eight years after its annexation by Lord Dalhousie and to this day dacoity flourishes in it to a degree unknown in any other part of our Empire. The pacification of Upper Burmah is a far more arduous undertaking because the country is surrounded on all sides by predatory hill tribes accustomed, from time immemorial, to raid upon the agricultural dwellers in the lower lands. As upon its trans-Indus Frontier, the Indian Government will be compelled to organise a Frontier Force to protect its subjects against the forays of Shans, Kachyens and others.
Whether or not Burmah is destined in a distant future to become a remunerative property, there is no doubt at all that for many long years it will prove a heavy burden upon the population of India. And this fact opens up the further question whether it is right or wise to impose such a burden upon them. It would indubitably be a great and immediate relief to the strained finances of the Indian Government, which must, for many years to come, starve its own people in order to provide Upper Burman with the necessities of life, if Burmah could be erected into separate Government. Such a measure would also add greatly to the future security of both Burmah and India by limiting the area which each Government has to defend against external attack and for this and other reasons separate administration is not without its advocates. On the other hand it is not to be denied that if Burmah were separated from India, the annual deficit which the latter country has now to make good would have to be supplied from some other source. The suggestion, merely, of such an appalling alternative is sufficient to make the British householder “distorted and pale.” There is, however, no present prospect of such a terrible and heartrending calamity. Nevertheless, unless he discards his indolent belief in the infallibility of the Indian expert and resolves to look into matters for himself, it is to this pass that the experts may bring him in the long run. In India and the surrounding lands, we have carried on the process of annexation to the furthest limit of profitable acquisition – and in truth, a good deal beyond it. It is because we have done so that the Indian Government is forever struggling with its pecuniary difficulties and its recurrent famines. Nevertheless, in the Services the spirit of acquisition is as powerful now as it ever has been and unless firmly resisted by the nation at home, will assuredly compel the British taxpayers to accept the dismal alternative suggested by the financial prospects of Upper Burmah. Scotsman, 22nd Sept. 1888.
Rangoon, Printed and published for the proprietor by S.W. Gear at the Times press, 11 Merchant St.