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Extracts from the 1888
Picture
March & April

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Local / General News May & June    July & Aug.     Sept. & Oct.     Nov. & Dec.      

Burma Gazette      B.M.D's      Shipping      Volunteer News 
​
March

Adverts / Notices
​The Carriage Building Co. 
Subscription list now Open - Carriage Building Co.  Incorporated under the Indian Companies Act 1882 …  Capital Rs. 4000.  In shares of Rs. 50 each … 
Legal Advisers:  Gillbanks & Summers, 8 Shafraz Rd.  Secretary (pro tem) and Office, W. Byrne, 59 Fytche Sq.

​Directors:-
Dr. Henderson, 7 Merchant St., Rangoon
George Rutherford Renwick
P.M. Madooray Pillay, 2 Phayre St.
Septimus Smith, Managing Director, 59 Fytche Sq.
C.H. Jones, Strand
Capt. Wyse, Phayre St.
Kim Sing, 18 China St.

​Mrs Murdoch’s
New Goods Opened Today - Corsets, Bridal Wreaths and Veils, Feathers, Ribbons, Velvets, Shoes, Fancy Needlework, Millinery, Infants Robes, dresses, hoods, and Nursery requisites.  76 Merchant St.
 
Port Trust Notice
The Commissioners of the Port of Rangoon hereby give notice that in consequence of certain alterations being necessary to the Shears on the Brooking street wharf, the apparatus will not be available for lifting boilers or other heavy weights from 13th Mar. to 15th Apr. 1888. 
E. Darlington, Vice-Chairman, Port Commissioners.
​St. Patrick’s Day
Will Irishmen desirous of attending the usual dinner in honour of the above be good enough to please communicate with the under signed?  Notice of the meeting to be called to appoint committee of management will appear in this journal on an early date.
J.F. Regan, C/o Hony. Secy., Burma Club
 
Just Opened
Ex. S.S. Dunedin.  A choice consignment of Boots and Shoes …  Oilman Stores …  Wines, Spirits and Ales …  Cakes, Bonbons, Confectionery … Millinery and Drapery in great variety …
Thomas Dawson, 25 Merchant St. and corner of 32nd St.

​Watson & Summers
The business of this Firm having now become the sole property of Ambrose Summers will in future e carried on upon the same lines which have proved so successful in the conduct of his Calcutta and Simla firms. …  Watson & Summers, 71 Merchant St.

Solomon Brothers
Owing to a change of partnership in the Firm of Solomon Brothers & Co., Toungoo, all parties having claims against the said firm are requested to kindly send the same in at once for payment and all parties owing money to the said firm are requested to kindly remit the amount due within two months from this date …  Solomon Brothers & Co., Toungoo, 2nd Feb. 1887

J.J. Judah Ezekiel
The undersigned gives notice to anyone putting boats on his land at Dunneedaw that he will not be responsible for any loss or damage to the said boats by fire, vermin, robbers or any other cause.  The charge for each boat is Rs. 11 per month, which is merely ground rent.  Owners must look after their boats themselves.   J.J. Judah Ezekiel

E.M. DeSouza & Co.
Pebble Spectacles …  Lawrence & Mayo, Ophthalmic Opticians … We have appointed as agents in Rangoon E.M. DeSouza & Co., Rangoon Dispensary, 25 Dalhousie St.

Harman & Co.  27 Merchant St. Rangoon
Civil and Military Tailors, Hosiers, Hatters and general Outfitters
 
Dover’s Medical Hall.  65 Merchant St.
Pharmaceutical and Family Dispensing Chemist.
E.T. Dover, Managing Proprietor

​To Let
Upper Chambers, Merchant St.  Apply to:- Thomas Dawson.
 
A Card
E.C. Pusey & Co.  Furniture rooms, no. 82 Merchant St., opposite Evershed’s Hotel. 
 
I.A. Danker
Chronometer, Watch and Clock Maker.  Established 1861. 
​63 Merchant St.

​Myles Standish & Co.  
Booksellers, Stationers etc.  Barr St., Rangoon.

Ice
Obtainable at The Victoria Ice Store, Suratee Musjid, Dalhousie St. corner of 28th St.  …  D. Nicolson, Clerk in Charge
 
Irish Whiskey
For samples apply to Edmund Jones & Co.
 
Notice
Peter C. McFarlane, Watch and Clock Maker, Jeweller etc, Chronometers rated.  17 Merchant St.
​
Notice
Mr F.W. Baker, Agent for N. Lazarus, Ophthalmic Optician.  By special appointment to H.E. Earl of Dufferin, Governor-General of India.  Having returned from Singapore may be personally consulted for spectacles at the new branch of N. Lazarus, London House, Merchant St.  Sight tested free of charge, repairs done at moderate charge by experienced workmen.
 
To Let
Entry 1st Mar.  The house no. (none given) York Road, at present in the occupation of Lt. Morton.  For particulars apply to:-  Mrs Benemy, Industrial Home, Rangoon.

​Jordan’s Hotel and Boarding House – Apart from each other.
Five minutes drive from Main street and Master Attendants Wharf.  First class accommodation for families and single gentlemen.  Billiards, tiffin and dining rooms.  Wines, beer and spirits first quality always on hand and at moderate rates.   J.S. Jordan, Proprietor, 51 Merchant St.
 
Evershed’s Hotel
8-10 Merchant St.  Contains 20 well lighted and ventilated bedrooms. …
The only hotel in Rangoon conducted under English Supervision.  J. Evershed.  Proprietor.

British India Hotel
Soolay Pagoda Rd.  The oldest established and most central situated in Rangoon under English management.  A few minutes walk from railway station and shipping wharves. …
T. Dawson, Proprietor.

​Notice
Lodge “Victoria” in Burma
M.M.M. No. 68
Wor. Bro. E.J. Khory, Wor. Master
Wor. Bro. T.W. Seymour, S.W. in charge
A regular meeting of above Lodge will be held this evening, Fri. 2nd Mar. 1888 at 7.30 p.m. precisely at Masonic Temple, Cantonments.
By Order, P.M. Madooray Pillay, Secretary.

​Notice
Tenders are invited for the following works. 1. Metalling Mogul St. from Fraser St. to Montgomery St.  2.  Laying laterite gravel on …  By Order, O.D. Clark, Executive Engr., Rangoon Municipality.

​Notice
Pegu Calico Dress Ball
The above will take place at the Municipal School House on Tue. 3rd Apr. 1888.  My advertisements of 19th and 21st ultimo are cancelled.  For further particulars apply to undersigned.
William G. Cole, Hony. Secretary, Pegu Ball
 
Wanted
For the Victoria Anglo-Vernacular Girls’ School, Shwegyin
A Headmaster, on a salary of Rs. 40 rising in two years to Rs. 60.  An Asst. Mistress, on a salary of Rs. 20, fixed.  Applications will be received by the undersigned up to 20th Mar. 1888.
A.G. Mackertoom, Hony. Secretary, Vic. A.V. Girls’ School, Shwegyin

​District Grand Lodge of Burma
The Regular Quarterly Communication will be holden in the Masonic Temple, Cantonments, this evening at 6.15 o’clock precisely.  Master Mason’s are invited to attend.
A.M. Buchanan, D.G. Secretary

​14th Mar.
Lodge “Star of Burma” No. 614
A Regular Meeting of the Lodge will be held this evening at Freemason’s Hall at 8.30 p.m. precisely. 
Chas. Preston, P.M., Secretary.

St. John’s College, S.P.G., Rangoon
Wanted a Headmaster (un-married) Salary Rs. 200 rising by increments of Rs. 20 per month each year to Rs. 300 with rooms.  Apply with copies of testimonials to the Hony. Secy. S.P.G. Council, 61 Mission Road, or to the Rev’d. Dr. Marks, Principal, St. John’s College.

​Adverts.
London House, 18 Merchant and Phayre Streets
New Goods … Cash Prices …
FW. Baker
 
Ladies & Children’s Outfitting Repository
Madame Le Breton
Milliner, Dressmaker & Habitmaker
78 Merchant St.  Next door to Messrs. Scott & Co.

Dental Surgeon
Mr T.H. Stephens, (from Calcutta) may be consulted at Jordan’s Hotel for a short time only.  All operations performed painlessly.  Artificial teeth fitted permanently in the mouth without either plates or wires, on the new American system.

Millinery & Dressmaking
Misses Kitching and Bengough.  90 Cheape Road. 
Having just arrived from England with the newest styles, beg to announce they have opened business at the above address.  They have a choice selection of novelties.  Ladies own materials made up at moderate prices.  Up-country orders made from measures and receive our most careful attention.  An early call is solicited from the ladies of Rangoon and its vicinity.

​Notice
The undermentioned Banks will be closed on Friday and Saturday the 30th and 31st instant, being Gazetted Holidays: 
Bank of Bengal – A.M. Lindsay, Acting Agent. 
Chartered Bank of India, Australia and China – A. Watson, Agent
Chartered Bank of India, London and China – J.O. Bridgman, Acting Agent
National Bank of India – W. Touch, Manager

For Sale
Charles Heidsieck’s Weisslack Dry Champagne …  Kaiser Beer from the Kaiser Brewery on the Rhine.
Diekmann Barckhausen & Co.
 
J. Ottewill
Pianoforte Tuner and Repairer of Musical Instruments:- London House, Merchant St., Rangoon.  J. Ottewill has been with Messrs. Harold & Co. of Calcutta for ten years as head assistant and has had extensive experience in London in tuning and pianoforte manufacture.

The New Medical Hall
Pharmaceutical & Dispensing Chemists.  No. 6 Barr St.
 
British Burma Hotel
14-16 Merchant St.  Oldest established in Rangoon. 
​S.M. Manook, Managing Proprietor.

Phil Klier. 
Photographic Artist.  Prize Medalist. 
​32 Pagoda Rd.

​For Sale
Beck’s Pilsener Beer.  In cases of 4 dozen … 
Hegt. & Co.  Sole Agents for Burma.

​Wanted
Rupees 30,000 and Rs. 40,000 on mortgage of first class house property in town. 
Apply to J.M. Stohmann, Broker.
 
To Let
With Machinery
Jerusalem Saw Mills.  No. 35 Dunneda. 
For particulars apply to:  J.J. Judah Ezekiel., 38 Latter St.

Municipal Notice
Tenders will be received until noon on the …  for the printing required by the Municipality and for the publication of Municipal Adverts. … By Order, John Short, Secretary, Rangoon Municipality.

R.P. Wilcox. 
Builder, Surveyor and Contractor – 50 Barr St.

H. Murken & Co.
26 Merchant St.  Chronometer, Watchmaker and Optician.
 
Rangoon General Post Office
G.E. Walker, Postmaster

​The Rangoon Times - Printed and published for the proprietor by S.W. Gear at the Times Press, 11 Merchant St., Rangoon

​A. Minck & Co.  (Late of Max Minck) Watch Manufacturer, Jeweller & Optician.  73 Merchant St. Rangoon.

​Akyab Municipality
Wanted an Additional Master for the Municipal High School, Akyab.  Salary Rs. 100 rising to Rs. 150.  The applicant must have passed at least …  Applications to be sent to the Director of Public Instruction, Rangoon …  By Order, J. Shaw Brown, Secretary & Engineer, Akyab, Municipality.

​Church Notices
The Presbyterian Church Rangoon
Services on Sunday the 4th at 7.30 a.m. and 6 p.m.
 
English Baptist Church Rangoon
Lord’s Day March 4th …
 
Rangoon Methodist Church
Junction of Fraser and Phayre Streets.  Parsonage, 33 Fraser St.
 
Methodist Seaman’s Mission
Head-quarters Coffee Rooms, 93 Fraser St. …
 
Native Baptist Church
Tamil service will be held …

Notice
Lodge “Victoria” in Burma, No. 832 E.C.
A meeting of the above will be holden in the Masonic Temple, Cantonments, this evening, 9th at 8.30 p.m. precisely.  The Permanent Committee will meet at 8 p.m.
H. Whitney, Secretary

Burma News
The Secretary of State has been asked to sanction a permanent subordinate of the Forest Department for Upper Burma.
 
The appointment of Financial Commissioner for Burma is to be created, Mr Donald Smeaton will probably be the first incumbent.

For Sale
A Dykes Park Phoeton for one or a pair Rs. 400
A Bay Arab horse 14 hands goes in saddle or harness Rs. 350
A set of English harness almost new Rs. 45
Or the whole turn out Rs. 750
Whole collection of geraniums consisting of 10 pots of various colours about one half in bloom Rs. 125
Apply to Mr W. Strange, Strand, foot of China St.

For Sale
A Phaeton by Dykes & Co. in excellent order
A pair of bay Burman ponies …
A strong set of English double harness …
An office Gharry …
Also a very fine collection of crotons and flowers in cases …
​[Apply] Otto Schwade, Poozoondaung, Messrs. Mohr. Bros. & Co.’s New Mill

For Sale
Owner Leaving The Station
An English made T. Cart in good condition Rs. 600
A fast Burman Pony, very showy, goes well in harness.  Rs. 250
Apply to M.L.N. Hegt, 21 Strand

Wanted
A House, furnished or unfurnished. 
​T.H. Stephens, Dentist, Jordan’s Hotel.

Wanted
For the Rangoon Gymkhana Club.  4 Billiard Markers and 2 waiters. 
Apply to Hony. Secy. with Testimonials. 
Clavel F. (sic) Filliter.  Hony. Secy. Halpin Road.

​“Meeane” Lodge No. 36 - (1st Cheshire Regt.)
I.O.G.T.
The members of the above Lodge will give a concert at the Young Men’s Institute on Wed. 28th instant at 8.30 p.m.  Admission 1 Re.  Tickets to be had from Mr Findlay (Messrs. Watson & Summers.) The “Seamen’s Rest” and at the door on evening of performance.

​​B. Biele & Co.
Established 1887 - Dalhousie St., corner of 35th St. and opposite the Baptist Church.  Pianoforte makers and tuners, Harmoniums repaired and tuned.  We undertake the tuning of pianos 

Wanted
Immediately at Diocesan Boys’ School, Rangoon, 2nd Master, Rs. 100, 3rd Master, Rs. 70 per month.  Apply to The Parsonage, 22 Pagoda Rd., Rangoon

Balthazar & Son
Auction Sales
​Sat. 10th Mar. 1888 at noon at 9 Dalhousie St. above the “Rangoon Pharmacy”  -  Household furniture & fittings, the property of a lady proceeding to India.
 
Sat. 17th Mar. 1888 at noon at 20 Sandwith Road, household furniture and fittings, the property of J. Drury Esq.
 
Sat. 24th Mar. commencing at noon – Halpin Road, household furniture and fittings, the property of Major Wighton.
 
Thur. 29th Mar. at noon at 158 Camp Road, household furniture and fittings, the property of E. Fishbourne Esq.
 
Sat. 31st Mar. at noon at 96 Halpin Road, household furniture and fittings, the property of Capt. C. Vince., Marine Superintendent, I.F. Coy. 

Sat. 14th April 1888 at noon at no. (none given) in Cheape Road, household furniture and fittings, the property of Major Saunders.

Tue. 20th Mar. at “The Parsonage” Pagoda Rd. at 7.30 a.m. Household furniture & fittings, the property of the Ven. W.C. Noyes, Archdeacon of Rangoon.
 
Sat. 24th Mar. at 7 30 a.m. on the spot, landed and house property in Crisp St. and at noon at Halpin Rd. household furniture & fittings, the property of Major Wighton.

Sat. 7th Apr. at no. 28 Strand Road, at noon, the household furniture and fittings, the property of Mr W.E. Strange.

Local / General News
Telegrams
From the Commissioner Central Divn. to the Chief Commissioner dated 28th  Feb. 1888.  No. 164 Lower Chindwin reports.  Telegram begins:- Just returned from Kadaw recovered Chill’s body unmutilated and buried at Kada, no trace of dacoits gang, believed to be under Bo Pe Bu about 50 strong.  Chill had too few sepoys and did not take ordinary precautions in following up dacoits hence casualty.  Police in no way to blame.  Report by post, telegram ends.

LOCAL NEWS
A Rest House has been put up by Mr Darwood for use of passengers by his tramway at the Ahlone terminus.  It will be much appreciated by those who have hitherto had no protection from sun or rain.
 
Mr H.H. Mathews, the late Engineer in Chief, is at his house named Cairo in Surbiton, Surrey, not Cairo in Egypt.  He is not “pursuing the profession to which he is so attached” as our contemporary states, but complains in the last private letter received from him in Rangoon, of having nothing to do, like so many retired Anglo-Indians, living on their pensions in the old country.
 
We have been requested to remind the friends of the Rev’d. Thomas Evans of the gathering at 7 this evening at the residence of Mr J. Gahan, 21 Phayre St.  All are invited to take the opportunity of saying farewell to one who has succeeded so well in his work during his short stay in the city.

​Rangoon Municipality
A Special Meeting of the members of the above was held at the Town Hall yesterday at which the following gentlemen were present:- 
​Col. H.R. Spearman, President, Surgeon Major Godber, Brigade Surgeon Griffith, Messrs. C.J. Brown, J. Kearney, H. Bateman, F.C. Kennedy, A. Pennycuick, Baboo Bugwandoss, Bahadoor, Aga Ahmed Ispahany, Ibrahim Ally Moolah, Sayah Oo One Ghine, Oo Yaung Oo Kha and Tan Swee.  …  Col. Spearman addressed the committee saying as he was no longer Deputy Commissioner of the town he can no longer be [a] member of this committee and that being so he could no longer be President … 

Mr Kearney then rose and asked that it be placed on record that the committee very much regret the resignation of the President …  this was seconded by Mr Lutter and carried unanimously.  Mr C.J. Brown, the Vice-President, then called upon the committee to elect a President, this was compiled by Mr Kearney proposing that Mr Norton, the newly appointed Deputy Commissioner, who was present, be elected President, this was seconded by Mr L. Kim Seng and carried unanimously. … 

Dr. Godber’s proposal that the revision of the whole of the establishments under the Municipality, which has been for so long in abeyance, be proceeded with …  Dr. Godber explained that some 16 years ago when the Municipality was formed the work was not so heavy as it is now. …
UPPER BURMA SUMMARY (Official)
During the last week the northern Division was, on the whole, quiet.  A village in the Bhamo district was attacked by 10 Shans or Shan Chinese, the villagers beat back the dacoits, wounding two, one villager was wounded.  There were some petty dacoits in the Mandalay and Migadound districts.  The village of Muwa in Sagaing district was attacked by large body of dacoits and one Woman killed.  The gang was pursued and fired into by the police, one dacoit was killed.  A party of Burman police while on duty at a Pwe in a village in Ye-u district were attacked by dacoits.  The Head Constable and one Constable were severely wounded and some arms and ammunition were carried off. 
 
Mr Chill, an Inspector of Police in the Lower Chindwin, with the Myook, 10 Hindustani and 10 Burman Police pursued a gang of dacoits into the Ye-u district.  The party fell into an ambuscade and Mr Chill was shot and his body carried off by the dacoits, some of the Burman Police are also missing.
 
In the Myingyan district, Mr Collins, Inspector of Police and one Naick of the Military Police were severely wounded in an engagement with dacoits on the 22nd.  On the same day Capt. Hastings surprised the camp of a dacoit named Bo Yon Nyun.  Four dacoits were killed and all the property of the dacoits was captured.  No loss was suffered on our side.  A body of Burma Police encountered a body of dacoits at Kanbauk and killed one dacoit.  The Eastern division is quiet.
 
Editor’s Note:-  The official summary from Upper Burma published above is evidently of earlier date as regards the Chindwin news than the Monday’s telegram from our Alon correspondent, which we published yesterday, which reports the finding of Inspector Chill’s body at the scene of the fight untouched.  Inspector Chill was killed by a bullet wound.  His body was not carried off by the dacoits, but was brought in and buried at the Kodaw Police post.

Notice
Agri-Horticultural Society of Burma
Established 1864.  Annual Subscription Rs. 20
President – C.H.T. Crosthwaite, Chief Commissioner
Vice-president – H. Krauss
Secretary – J.J.C. Harding
Treasurer – A.M. Buchanan
Curator of Museum – Dr. T.F. Pedley
Member (ex-officio) C.J. Brown
Council 
S.G. Jones
Dr. R. Romanis
D.J. Morrison
J.H. Gilbert
Moung Hpo Myhin
O.D. Clark

​Alone, Chindwin District
Inspector Chill
26th Feb.
Pakway Choung, the place where the police party were ambuscaded, is about 25 miles east of Alon.  The band of dacoits they were pursuing had been giving trouble and stealing cattle from different villages for some little time back and while following up the footprints of some cattle, the dacoits had recently carried off, the late Inspector Chill’s party of 10 Punjaubies and 10 Burmese Police were suddenly fired on from both sides of the nullah they were passing through.
 
Inspector Chill fell wounded from his pony and the men who were in the fight say he was killed, but as the dacoits, who were supposed to be over 100 strong, kept up a heavy fire the police were driven back after some half an hour’s severe fighting and retired without the Inspector’s body.  Immediately on receipt of the news a party of mounted Civil Police were despatched to the scene of the fight with instructions to endeavour to bring in the Inspector’s body and the following day the officer commanding the Military Police a Moonuwah left with a strong force to break up the band.  Mr Morrison, the Deputy Commissioner, has also gone out with the Mounted Infantry and further news is expected daily.  Inspector Chill was a promising young officer who had done good service during the recent rising in Pagyee and his death is much to be regretted.

Music
The following is the programme of music to be played this evening by the band of the B.S.R.V. Rifles in Fytche Sq. …
 
Mail
We are indebted to the courtesy of Messrs. Mackinnon Mackenzie & Co. for the telegraphic information dated 1st Mar. that the S.S. Rajpootana, with the English Mails passed Saugor at 3 p.m. on that date.
 
Rev’d. Evans
On the departure of the Rev’d. Mr Evans, Dr. Cushing takes temporary charge of the pulpit at the Baptist Church.
 
Archdeacon Noyce
We hear that the Venerable Archdeacon Noyce (sic) is so poorly in health that his medical advisers, on being consulted, have ordered his immediate departure to Europe, it being supposed that a change of air will have the most beneficial effect on is constitution.

​Mr Hodgkinson
Mr G.S. Hodgkinson, late Personal Assistant to the Chief Commissioner, Rangoon, but now Commissioner of Bassein, is among the passengers by the Calcutta Mail en route to England on 3 months’ leave, we trust that he will thoroughly enjoy himself while on this short leave and return to us full of health and vigour.

​​Oppenheimer & Co.
Messrs. Oppenheimer & Co., the local agents of the Waterbury Watch Company, have received a telegram to the effect that none of the Rangoon competitors who sent in papers for the Waterbury watch word competition have won any prizes.

​News from Mandalay - 2nd Mar.  
The Rev’d. James A. Colebeck died this afternoon at 3 p.m. of malarial fever, the funeral took place on Saturday, the event was quite unexpected and great sympathy is felt.  
​Mr Hodgkinson
A careless reader allowed a careless report of Mr Hodgkinson’s departure by last mail steamer to appear in Saturday’s issue.  He was described as late Personal Assistant to the Chief Commissioner, an appointment he never filled.  Mr Hodgkinson when Sir C. Bernard went to Mandalay was appointed as Commissioner on special duty in his absence.

​Gazette Entries
The following notifications appear in the latest Gazette of India to hand:-
Mr H. Thirkell White, Secretary to the Chief Commissioner, Burma, to officiate as Commissioner of the Northern Division, Upper Burma, during the absence on furlough of Mr G.D. Burgess, or until further orders.
 
Mr W. Jessop, Officiating Extra Assistant Superintendent, 1st class, Port Blair and the Nicobars, is granted privilege leave of absence for a period of three months and fifteen days with effect from 24th Mar. 1888 or any subsequent date on which he may avail himself of it.
 
Mr R.G. Hodson, Inspector of schools, to officiate as Director of Public Instruction in Burma, during the absence on furlough of Mr P. Hordern or until further orders.

​Mr Stark
We understand Mr James Stark, the Superintending Engineer at Dalla Dockyard, goes home on short leave today in the Chittagong.  Mr Stark’s connection with the Flotilla has been a lengthy one and in him they lose, temporarily, an able, zealous and conscientious servant whom it will not be easy to replace.  Mr MacDonald, we hear, officiates during Mr Stark’s absence.

​Rangoon Spring Meeting
The Stewards will measure and age ponies at the Race Stand on Sat. 10th Mar. at 7.30 a.m. 
A. Graham Schuyler, Capt.
Hony. Secy. Rangoon Races.

Mandalay News
From our own correspondent - Mar. 1st 1888
The fire in Merchant street, just above the Herald abode; it started next door to Mr Calthrop’s, the Deputy Commissioner of Forests, and burnt out a dozen houses; being eventually checked by a brick house. …
 
I hear that Capt. Temple may shortly join the Commission; but what truth is in the rumour, deponent knoweth not.  It will be a bad day for the U.B.R.V. when its founder leaves it.  However, the best of friends must part … 
 
I was very much surprised to see Campbell of the Flotilla Company, now on the River Police, turn up full and flourishing the other day.  The last time I saw him was in Prome hospital trying to fit on the golden slippers: where is his room-mate Mr Crabtree to wit?  There’s a hearty welcome for him in Mandalay for the sake of auld lang syne. 
 
Carey has gone off to Meiktila, very sick with fever.  He ought to have put in for leave but would not.
 
I am informed that Major General Sir George White, V.C., K.C.B., has been asked to stop on another year; the truth is that the Field Service is no more over now than it was a year ago.  This Burma campaign forcibly recalls the Prayer Book “as it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be,” in saecula saeculorum.

Pagan News
From our own correspondent - Feb. 28th 1888
…  The Deputy Commissioner is still out in the Yaw country finishing his negotiations with the Chins.  On his return to Pagan, Mr Coxe, the Asst. Commissioner goes to Rangoon. …

Alone, Chindwin Dist.
From an occasional correspondent.  1st Mar. 1888
The 2nd Hydrabad Infantry have been collected at Alon (sic) for some days, they leave shortly marching from Alon to Meinmoo in two parties.  …  They have distinguished themselves in very disagreeable work in the Chindwin and their departure is generally regretted … The Deputy Commissioner has been out investigating into the circumstances of poor Chill’s death some 35 miles east of this.  His body has been found, he had been shot and afterwards cut across the head with a dah but not otherwise mutilated.  It seems he had got ahead of his party who had remained to drink.  He had only one Burman with him, a Thoogee, who was also killed.  It is to be hoped this band will be brought to book soon as there is a strong party out after them.  The weather during the day is getting very hot but the nights and mornings are still cool and pleasant.
 
Mr Gillbanks
Mr Gillbanks, Barrister-at-Law, applied yesterday on behalf of Mr H.M. Lutter, a first grade Advocate of the Judicial Commissioner’s Court, for permission for Mr Lutter to practice in the Recorder’s Court.  Mr Gillbanks said Mr Lutter laboured under this difficulty, that he did not fulfil all the requirements of the rules framed by the Educational Syndicate, inasmuch as he had never regularly served articles in a first grade Advocate’s office.  He had however served in the offices of Messrs. Thompson and Moyle in Maulmain (sic) for over seven years and had had a legal training there for a longer period than the rules required.  He had moreover passed an exam. in almost every subject required by the rules and would be prepared, if necessary, to pass a further exam. if required in the subjects in which he had not already been examined.  His Honour said he did not see the use of rules if they were not acted up to and he understood those framed by the Syndicate had the approbation at the time of the local bar.  Mr Gillbanks said he thought that every Judge should have the power to admit fit and proper persons to plead who might not be able to fulfil all the requirements of the rules, but who like Mr Lutter, had had sufficient legal training.  His Honour said that he remembered an exception, in the matter of an examination, had been made on the case of Mr Bidoulac.  He would refer to the rules and take time to consider the order he should pass on the present application.

​Mandalay
From our own correspondent – 5th Mar. 1888
Funeral of Rev’d. James A. Colbeck
Even the most thoughtless life is tinged from time to time with sadness and it is in no jesting mood I now take up my pen.  I, in common with all Mandalay, am mourning poor Colbeck’s untimely loss, with which I have already acquainted you by telegraph. 
 
It appears that he had lately gone to Madeya on missionary duty; while there, a place notorious for a peculiarly bad form of malarial fever, he was seized with his last illness.  He came back and stuck to his work however and sent me a letter on business only as late as Wednesday.  We knew he was ill; but never imagined for a moment that it was anything more than a touch of ague, to which we are all more or less subject.  While working at the fire on Friday about half past three, we heard that Colbeck was dead.  No one believed it; but a hurried visit to the Clergy House told us that all was over.  You would hardly believe how universal and how deep is the sorrow in Mandalay; the Burmans seem to feel his loss most acutely.  The church was visited by hundreds of natives, many of them the poorest of the poor, and the scenes were touching in the extreme.
We buried him of Saturday at 5 o’ clock, a choral service in English and Burmese was held, the church being crowded with Europeans and Burmans. 
 
The coffin lid was raised and all filed with bowed heads to take a last look at we him we loved so well.  His brother read a portion of the service, painful though the duty must have been.  A guard of the M.R.V. with side-arms, marched slowly in advance of the procession, followed by the Cross and choir; then came the coffin borne, in accordance with his last wishes, by Burmans and the mourners, followed by nearly the whole congregation, the clergy of all dominations and the leading officers, civil and military, of the station.  In the centre of the little cemetery, under a spreading tree, we laid him to his rest in the land among the people that he loved so well.
 
I am glad to inform you that means will be taken to commemorate his life and works; an immediate meeting will be called to ascertain public feelings on the matter and heavy subscriptions are already offered.  The National bank will receive any sums forwarded; but I will send you full particulars as soon as the meeting is held.  In all probability, the memorial will be connected, in the form of scholarships or otherwise, with the Royal School in which he took so keen an interest.

​Weather/Work
The weather is getting hotter and the dust worse.  There are a few complaints of fever and the Europeans don’t look so “fit” as they did a month ago.  The truth is that we are undermanned and overworked up here.  The amount of grinding that some of the officials, especially Mr Bridges, have to ensure would be enough to wear down a cast iron man. …
 
Road to May-myo
I hear the road to May-myo is progressing steadily; but it will be sometime before it will be available for wheeled traffic.  The Railway is getting on apace; but the Municipal Committee are making rude remarks about the level crossings and the way in which Mr Dibble has cut up the roads.

​LOCAL NEWS
A telegram received from Toungdwingyee states that one John Owen, interpreter with the sepoys was shot through the neck and killed whilst out with them in action.  No particulars of this action seem to have been received in Rangoon.
 
The Burma Railway Volunteer Band will play this afternoon in the Fytche Square Gardens at the usual hour.
 
Madam Cora and Company will arrive tomorrow morning from Calcutta.  Reserved seats for her entertainments can be secured at Messrs. Howie & Co., Chemists, Merchant St.

The following letter dated Rangoon, 9th Mar. 1888, from the Chief Secretary to the Chief Commissioner has been forwarded to all Commissioners, Deputy Commissioners and Heads of Departments:- Sir, I am directed to inform you that, with effect from 1st April 1888, all Government servants in Upper and Lower Burma should be required to pay the tax under Act II of 1886.

Bhamo News
From our own correspondent – 26th Feb.
The public of Bhamo suffer by the removal of Mr Fraser the Treasury officer.  He was liked by all in consequence of gentle and kind treatment to all, we are happy to hear that he is transferred on promotion, we cannot form yet any opinion of his successor, our present treasury officer, as he has been on a sickbed since his arrival on Monday last.
​Church Notices
Cathedral Church of the Holy Trinity
11th Mar. 4th Sunday in Lent …
 
St. Johns College Chapel, S.P.G.
Services for 4th Sunday in Lent …
Rangoon Methodist Church – Junction of Fraser and Phayre Streets.  Parsonage, 33 Fraser St.
Services for Sun. Mar. 11th …
 
Methodist Seamens Mission
Head-quarters Coffee Rooms, 93 Fraser St.
Divine Services …
 
The Presbyterian Church, Rangoon
Services on Sunday …

​Fire
The fire on Friday morning in Brooking Street, though not so destructive as Rangoon fires usually are, burnt out Dr. Friedlander, a well-known Rangoon citizen, for the second time in the space of about 18 months.  He has a large family of young children whose lives were fortunately saved, but every stitch of clothing they possess were burnt.  We believe kind friends assisted them as far as they could with wearing apparel and house room, but such an unprecedented instance of a family, being burnt out of house and home twice in so short a period, should awaken our Municipal Commissioners from the apathy they have so long displayed in the matter of prevention of fires and rouse them to a sense of their duty in this respect, which repeated fires seem unable to do.

​Fire
A fire broke out on Saturday afternoon in the godown behind Messrs. Edmund Jones & Company’s store in the Strand Road.  Help was quickly at hand and the boys from the Brother’s School were the first to have their hose at work, that of the Fire Brigade not being more than a few minutes behind.

Church News
It is rumoured that the Rev’d. Mr Latham Browne late of the Eastern Church, Rangoon, but now of Thayetmyo, has come down to Rangoon to act as Archdeacon till the Venerable Archdeacon Noyse (sic) returns from leave.

​Appointments
Mr C.L. Toussaint, Sub-Asst. Conservator of Forests, whose services have been placed by the Government of Madras, in Notification no. 58 dated 20th Feb., at the disposal of the Government of India, is posted to Upper Burma as an Assistant Conservator of Forests of the 3rd grade, with effect from the date on which he reports himself for duty to the Conservator of Forests, Upper Burma.
 
W.H. Egerton, Asst. Accountant-General, Punjab, having been posted as Asst. Comptroller, Burma, made over charge of the former appointment on the afternoon of 2nd Feb. 1888 and assumed charge of the latter appointment on the forenoon of 20th Feb. 1888.
 
The services of Surgeon A.O. Evans of the Madras Medical Service are placed temporarily at the disposal of the Chief Commissioner of Burma.

Leave
On the recommendation of a Medical Board, Surgeon W.B. Bennett, M.S., is permitted to proceed to England in anticipation of the leave which will be hereafter granted him by Government.

​General Hospital
We are glad to observe that the additional extension of the two wings of the General Hospital are now nearly completed, this will enable our popular Dr. Griffiths, the Senior Medical Officer, who has been in charge of this useful institution for over a period of twenty years, to increase the number of his in-door patients and to add to the comforts of the sick.  We would appeal to the charitably disposed people of this city to come forward with their mite.  We would specially appeal to our Burmese elders and friends who are proverbially noted for their works of charity and merit, for this institution largely benefits their class of people and we hope that our appeal to their generosity will not be in vain.
 
Lost
The Manager of the Irrawaddy Flotilla Company has lost two notes of Rs. 1000 each, Capt. E.T. Taylor of the Cheshire Regt. one of Rs. 100 and the Agent of the Bank of Bengal, Rangoon, ten notes of Rs. 50 each.  All these notes are of the Rangoon circle and any person having them in possession or claiming a right to them is warned to communicate with the Assistant Comptroller of the Paper Currency Department at Rangoon. 

​Our readers would do well, when receiving notes in payment, to put on the backs of them the initials of the person from whom they receive them, with the date.  By such means it is easier to trace stolen notes and to bring the thieves to justice.  But any one honestly receiving a note in payment is entitled to have it paid on presentation at the currency office.  So that no one need fear to receive these useful adjuncts to public convenience as readily as they would hard cash.  But by taking the precaution we suggest, the work of thieves and dishonest holders of notes would be made somewhat more difficult than it is at present.
St. Paul’s Fire Brigade
Brother Valens, Director of St. Paul’s Institution, thankfully acknowledges receipt of Rs. 90, the result of a collection made by the residents of Brooking Street in favour of St. Paul’s Fire Brigade, as an encouragement for the services rendered at the fire that occurred on last Friday morning. 
Donations of Rs. 10 each from:-  N. Paxton, A.W. Murray, H. Murray, P. Sim, D. Smith, E.C. Pusey, G. Miller, W.W. Jacks, Maneck D. Mugaseth.  Also from Mr Donaldson three gold sovereigns.
 
Foreigners Burial Ground
In the chapter on Archaeology on the last Administration Report, it is interesting to note that Dr. Forchhammer came across in the north-west corner of old Ava, beyond the moat, the burial grounds of foreigners with many inscribed monuments of interest.  The inscription in English and Burmese over the grave of Nannaw, the consort of the present Mr Price (A.D. 1825) is still well preserved.  We hope Dr. Forchhammer’s researches in Upper Burma will be separately printed by the end of the year as they will no doubt be of the highest interest and importance to scholars.

​Rangoon Port Trust
Excerpts from the proceedings of the Two Hundred and Twelfth Meeting of the Commissioners held at their offices on Wed.7th Mar. 1888 -  … 72185 P.L. dated 28th Feb. 1888 forwarding the proceedings of a Committee convened to examine Mr S.F. Case, Commander of the S.S. Sestos, as to his qualifications for a special Pilot’s license for the Rangoon river Resolved that a license be granted to Mr Case. 

​Rangoon Gymkhana Polo Sports
At the Race Course on Sat. Mar. 17th.  1st Race – 4 p.m.  Polo Stakes …
Committee:  Col. Butlin, Cheshire Regt.  W. Innes and W.Q. Rowett

​Local News
Rangoon Charitable Society
Minutes of a meeting of the Committee of the Rangoon Charitable Society …
Present:  The Bishop of Rangoon, President, Rev’d. S.P. Long, Rev’d. W. Sisam, E.A. Lutter, John E.G. Villa, F.D. Phinney …  The following cases were considered and dealt with:-
Edwd. Brown – a passage given to Calcutta
E. Ferreira – a passage given to Bombay
Steavens – a passage for self and family given to Bombay
P. Sayer – a passage for self and family to Calcutta
J.L. Dunnett, assistance given
F. Paskell, assistance given
Jas. McGrath, assistance given
Mrs Wilkinson, assistance given

​​Beville Memorial Fund
A few brother officers and friends intend erecting a memorial tablet in the Karachi Church to the late Capt. H.M. Bevlle, Bombay Staff Corps, who was killed in Burma in 1887. ….

​Noyce & Co 
We hear from Mandalay that the firm of Noyce & Co. have obtained the contract for building the first trial Municipal bazaar in that town.

Posting
Mr J. Mackenzie, Hony. Asst. Engineer, 2nd grade, Burma, is retransferred to the Punjab.

We believe that Mr Phillips, the Asst. Locomotive Superintendent of the Insein Workshops, shortly leaves for Yamethen to superintend the erection of the workshop that is to be built at that place.
 
Mr Jordan, Head Asst. of the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, Rangoon, who has been away on leave, has taken over charge of his office from Mr Ward who had been acting for him during his absence.
 
Mr Cox, Superintendent of Stamps has called upon the local magistrates for statements showing the number of cases each had under the Stamp Act and the results thereof severally (sic) during the year 1886-87. 
​Dacoits
In Tharrawaddy Po Moung’s band, which killed the late Mr Rogers, are still hiding in the thick jungle on the banks of the Myatmaka?  Po Moung, it seems, has many relations in the sub-division by whom he is harboured, but the police can hardly be fit for their duties if this can for on for months undetected.
 
Mr Thompson
We hear a private letter has been received in Rangoon that Mr John Thompson, Advocate of Moulmein and his family were to leave London on the 8th March in the B.I.S.N. Coy’s steamer Dacca.  Mr Thompson had been very ill in the autumn of last year and was confined to his bed with rheumatism for some weeks.  He was however completely recovered in January last.
 
The Burman policemen who accompanied and deserted Mr Inspector Rogers in Tharrawaddy towards the end of last year when he was killed by dacoits, have been tried for cowardice and were convicted.  The state of this district is not creditable to the authorities, next to Thayetmyo it was the most disorderly district in Lower Burma in the last quarter of 1887.

​Mandalay Sky Races
The following is the result of the Mandalay Sky Races run today [21st Mar.]
Burman Hurdles – Capt. Spragg’s “B” – Cawood
Speculation Stakes – Mr Cox’s “Belinda” – O’Farrell
Chow Chow Cup – Moung Knin’s “Miss A1” – owner
Arrakan Stakes – Mr Donvan’s (sic) “Sheneychike” – Cawood
Palace Stakes- Mr Jones’ “Bulletin” – O’Farrell
Charger Stakes – Mr Trevor’s “Turko” – Campbell?
 
The racing was good throughout and the attendance fair, although it was frightfully hot, there were no accidents, barring one spill.

​Hospital Visit
Mrs Crosthwaite paid a visit to the Rangoon General Hospital yesterday afternoon and was shown through the several wards by Mrs Symons, the Matron, and Hospital Sergeant Brown.  Mrs Crosthwaite had a kind word for each European patient and before leaving presented each of them with a very pretty miniature nosegay.  Would that other ladies in Rangoon would take a page from Mrs Crosthwaite’s book.

​St. Patrick’s Day
The Irishmen in Rangoon gave their annual dinner in honour of St. Patrick on Saturday evening, the 17th instant, in the splendid dining hall of the Burma Club, kindly lent by the committee for the purpose.  At 8.30 about 25 Irishmen and their friends sat down to an excellent dinner, which was served accompanied by excellent wines and other fluids.  The following is the menu:-  … 
 
After the dinner, the Chairman Mr [J.] Regan, rose and proposed the health of Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen Empress.  Then followed the Prince of Wales ; both toasts were accompanied by suitable remarks and were received with the usual enthusiasm. 
 
Mr Ellis, the Vice Chairman, then rose and said:  I am called upon to propose the next toast “the Earl of Dufferin and Viceroy of India” … The Earl of Dufferin is our fellow countryman and we are proud of it. …
 
Mr Hayes proposed the toast of the Army Navy and Volunteers which, after a hearty reception, was appropriately responded to by Captains Filliter and Schuyler. 
 
Mr Wells dealt tenderly with the next toast “The Real Home Rulers – The Ladies” which among Irishmen and their friends was, of course, hugely honoured.
 
Mr Samuels did justice to the next toast on the list “Our Guests” which was responded to in feeling terms by Mr Hannay. 
 
Mr Mooney then proposed the health of the Chief Commissioner and called attention to the great improvement in provincial matters under Mr Crosthwaite’s able administration.  The toast was most heartily received, Mr Kynoch responded on behalf of the Chief Commissioner …
 
By this time the wines etc …  It having become known that Mrs Regan had interested herself considerably in the getting up of the successful gathering Capt. Schuyler proposed that ladies health and as the cheers thus called forth were subsiding a voice at the other end of the table was heard to call “and one more for Daisy.”  What this young lady had to do with it, is perhaps now not clear, but it was clear enough then … 
 
…  In returning thanks the Chairman disclaimed most of the credit that had been given him and said that it should be shared by others, particularly Mr J.P. Johnson, who on this, as on previous occasions, had done a very great deal of the work that was required to get up a gathering such as they then saw. …

Yesterday’s Fire
We must apologise to our readers for the scanty and late appearance we make today, owing to yesterday’s fire.  We were not, as it happens, burnt out ourselves, but had a very close shave, and our foreman and six of our establishment have been not only rendered homeless but have lost everything they had in the world and we therefore go to press today under considerable difficulties.
 
The fire seems to have commenced about 3 a.m. on Wednesday in no. 8 Phayre St., a house occupied by a Mahomedan we learn.  It soon caught the shop of Mr Evans the tailor and Mr Strentz next door.  Under the latter was a godown occupied by the Arracan Company filled with piece goods which is still burning.  The wind blew the flames easterly towards Sparks St. and in the block bounded by Phayre St. Dalhousie St, Sparks St. and Merchant St. fully one half of the houses have been burnt down.  No house in Merchant St. was touched, but the Rangoon Times premises and Evershed’s Hotel had a very narrow escape. 
​
The block of wooden stabling immediately behind us, was deserted by its inmates, caught fire at 4 a.m. and is burning still.  Fortunately there was a pucka wall between us and these stables, which saved is just as it did a few years ago.  Our establishment and a few friends had mustered to our assistance by this time and helped in removing several bales of paper, forms of type etc. etc., into the road, so threatening had the aspect become.  The pucka wall however, as we have said, saved our premises from catching fire, though we are not the less thankful for the arduous exertions which, had our premises caught fire would have prevented our suffering a total loss. 
 
We have heard some complaints of the want of order and system in the working of the fire engines. 
When the Municipal one first came along Phayre St. it was advised to go behind and try and save property to which the wind was driving the flames.  The Superintendent we suppose thought he was doing his best in acting as he did, but the public think had he gone behind and tried to prevent the spread of the fire, it would have been of more use.  The want of an organised body of men to pull down house in the way of a fire is much felt on occasions like this.  All the school fire brigades were soon out and did good service.  One especially (from the Rangoon College) that worked close to our office, no doubt assisted in saving it by preventing the flames reaching the wooden house occupied by Mr Hudson.  Had this house caught fire, nothing humanly speaking could have saved Evershed’s Hotel or the Times office.

Yesterday’s Fire
Early yesterday morning a fearful fire raged in town, destroying two whole blocks of buildings and only narrowly escaped firing another most important section of valuable property.  Both Hotels had a narrow escape and Evershed’s may be said to have been “saved by fire,” but it was owing to the efforts of Mr Evershed, Mr Rayson and Mr Bridgewater and several outsiders that Evershed’s Hotel was not completely destroyed.  There was one house which became the go between of safety or destruction and the fire brigade nobly settled the question in favour of safety. 
 
Thousands of tons of water were poured on the tenements adjoining this house and it was by sheer perseverance and determination that the whole of Evershed’s buildings were not utterly wrecked.  Our own premises were also severely threatened at one time but luckily no harm occurred beyond the displacement of type and furniture.  The Deputy Commissioner held an enquiry soon after the fire was got under, but could glean but unsatisfactory information and it was only subsequently that it was widely rumoured that the fire broke out in a house in Phayre St. occupied by Mr Strentz, although the latter houseowner denies this fact, stating that flames first proceeded from his next door neighbour’s house, no. 8, at any rate both Mr Jordan and Mr Balthazar say they first saw fire in Mr Strentz’s house.  The Insurance Companies are heavily hit by the fire and we believe a strict enquiry will be demanded as to the origin of the fire.

Yesterday’s Fire
During the fire yesterday Mr J.T. Christopher of Lewis St. lost five houses estimated at over Rs. 25,000 none of these houses were insured.

​Fire at Kemindine
As we are going to press we are informed a fire broke out yesterday afternoon at Kemindine and burnt nearly a mile of houses.  The loss most be enormous and thousands of people have been rendered homeless.  There was no water available and the two engines which came to the spot, a Municipal one and St. Paul’s school, were unable to do any service.  The police and military were out and broke down some houses but the strong wind blowing made it impossible under the circumstances to contend with the fire whilst there was anything in the way.

​The Kemindine Fire
Dr. Marks, whose letter we published yesterday, may rest quite assured that we had not the slightest wish to hurt anyone’s feelings by omitting the mention of the St. John’s Fire Brigade in our notice of the two fires last Wednesday.  At the first one we said all the school brigades were out and did their best.  We happened to personally note the Rangoon College lads as they were working within a few feet of our premises, in which we were naturally most interested.  At the Kemindine fire, extending over such an enormous area of ground, we were present from about 3 p.m. to 5 p.m. near Cohen’s bazaar and only noticed the municipal fire engine and St. Paul’s school engine.  Both were useless as there was no water available. 
 
The willingness and alacrity displayed by all the school fire brigades is highly praise worthy.  If as much public spirit was displayed by our Municipal Commissioners in the matter of prevention of fires, as is displayed by the school boys, in trying to put them out when they occur, we should have fewer of these disasters in Rangoon and they would not be so destructive as they now are.
 
We have seen a drawing by Mr D.D. Coath of his fire screen.  He informs us the design was for over a year with the late Municipal President, that he offered at his own expense to construct and test such apparatus stipulating that if it was successful the Committee should repay him the cost which would not exceed Rs. 100.  He tells us that the President returned him his design, saying the Committee declined it, without thanks. 
 
That he has since seen several of the Committee who say the design was never shown to them by the President.  We repeatedly called attention to this Municipal apathy last rains and again when the rains were over.  We do so once again now that one of our suburbs has been almost wiped away and one of the principal streets? in the town has suffered considerably.  We ask Municipal Commissioner to say why they rejected Mr Coath’s offers to experiment at his own cost?  What discussion was there of the merits or de-merits of his design?  The townspeople have bitter experience of the result of their representatives’ apathy i.e. if they really rejected the offer made them, which however, many now say they have never seen, or heard of.

​Railway Refreshment Rooms
The new Railway Station refreshment rooms at Pegu is nearly completed and will be ready for work on the 1st proximo.  Mr Theobald, who retires on pension from the military service, is the successful tenderer for its management.
 
J.H. Gilbert
The gentleman who is to succeed Mr J. H. Gilbert, retiring next month on an invalid pension, is we learn, a Mr Rose, a graduate of Cambridge University, who has entered into a three year engagement with the Burma Education Syndicate.  We hope he may be as popular and successful with the scholars as the retiring Principal undoubtedly has been.

​Donald Havock
Last Friday evening while playing on the street with some other boys Donald Havock, a lad of about fourteen years of age, had an awkward fall.  He seemingly felt none the worse at the time but last Monday complained of severe pains about his body and was confined to bed.  As he was growing worse his father brought him into the General Hospital yesterday morning.  It is apprehended that his spine has received some injury.
​Pagan
24th Mar.
Cholera is still raging at this station.  Some fresh cases are reported amongst the Military Police which was singularly free from infection up to this, all the European troops are sent into camp at old Pagan, likewise the Jail prisoners who are located in a Hypoongy Kyoung.  Amongst the deaths by cholera here was one of the five condemned prisoners in the case of the Jail Bricklayer’s murders. Mr Thos. Kelly of the Government Telegraph department, a fine promising young man, died last week and was interred on Thursday morning.  The Deputy Commissioner’s lady also had a slight touch but I am glad to say has quite got over it and is doing well.  Capt. Eyre, the Deputy Commissioner, is back from the Yaw country, looking worn, weary and sunburnt.  …  The Head Quarter of the Rifle Brigade have been removed to Myingyan where, I am informed, that a destructive fire has played havoc with about two-thirds of the town including the fine market place, the property of a Chinaman.  Another destructive fire at Salin has destroyed the Barracks of the detachment of European troops there and left some 60 men without any shelter also depriving them of their entire kits.


​Pyinmana
From our own correspondent, 21st Mar.
If we are not having a revival of dacoity here all to ourselves it is something very like it, news of dacoities on elaborate scales are pouring in from all sides and what strikes the stranger as most strange is this:  The police who are scattered all over the district are always behind hand in reporting.  A policeman is the last person to go to if one requires any information.  Button hole the smallest boy in the street and you will find that he is better posted in the news of the day than a whole battalion of “peelers.”  As an illustration.  The village of Magyeegene, about six miles from Shwemyo on the railway where there is a strong police guard, was almost burnt to the ground by a band of fifty armed dacoits on the night of the 16th March.  Renny of the Bombay Burma, who was camped not far off came up with his Karen guard and dispersed the gang, who, however, did not retire without an exchange of several shots, none of which took effect.  Had it not been for his timely aid the villagers would undoubtedly have lost their cattle.  Well now, this news was flying about the bazaar early next morning and anyone who kept his ears open must have heard it.  Yet the news has not reached the Police Office!  They have a hazy idea that something went wrong in the direction of Shwemyo a few nights ago but what actually happened they don’t know and what is worse – they don’t care.  Dacoity no. 2 occurred at a place called Poungyoungyee towards Myohla but on this side of the border, three nights ago.  One of the Bombay Burma people, who luckily was in here at the time had his camp rushed.  Result – Karin (sic) guard skipped leaving one dead behind: cook also killed.  A double-barrelled breech loader, a revolver and three muskets, besides provisions, were carried off.  Camp completely sacked.  Rumour has it that a second attack was made the following morning, when several people were shot.  The gang is headed by the notorious San Pe, a bitter foe to everything English.  Mr Shaw, the Deputy Commissioner, (initials A.T.A. not G.W. as appeared in one of the Mandalay letters) has gone down to  - to what?  to catch him is out of the question – so we had better say to try and catch him and all that kind of thing, you know …

Posting
Surgeon R.E. Kelly, M.D., on arrival from England is to do general duty Burma Division.

​Report
We are glad to notice from the Agri-Horticultural Society’s report that they have been in correspondence with a Mr Morton, a gentleman who has obtained a large grant of land in the Ava District, who intends to grow coffee, wheat, tobacco, maize etc.  We trust Mr Morton the pioneer planter of Upper Burma may meet with easy success which his enterprise deserves.

​Dacoits
There would seem to be a likelihood of the dacoit lairs in the Tharawaddy (sic) district being thoroughly rooted out before many weeks are over.  We notice that more preventive police have been established in some villages of noted bad reputation and three more European Inspectors of Police have been added to the number already there, Messrs. Sherman, Rae and Wilson, whilst Mr Wakely’s transfer to Hanthawaddy is cancelled.

​News from Moo – Shwe Boo Dist.
16th Mar.  …  The Bombay Burmah’s Foresters, it seems, will be unable to work the forests in the Indinge and Indoucktha districts owing to scarcity of food – Mr S. Calogreedy, the Agent of the B.B.T.C. has been compelled to ask the Tsabwah of Woontho to assist him with paddy in order to enable him to work the forests during the rains.

​Prome
23rd Mar.  …  That dreadful scourge cholera has broken out and is making great devastation in the place.  The wife of the Superintendent of Police succumbed to the disease last week and was interred in the Protestant Cemetery on Monday morning, the 19th instant.  The deceased was much beloved by her family, who mourn her loss most deeply.

Myingyan
Mar. 25th  …  Surgeon Cadell, M.D. has been kept busy with the cholera epidemic.  …  Mr Collins of the police who was wounded some time ago in a skirmish with dacoits is progressing favourably.  The civil surgeon augurs well for his effective recovery.
​Posting
Subject to the confirmation of Her Majesty’s Government, the Governor-General in Council is pleased to recognise the appointment of Mr C.C. Ellis as Acting Consular Agent for the United States of America at Rangoon, during the absence of Mr W.G. Reddie.

Mr Hall
We are sorry to learn that Head Constable Hall had the bridge of his nose fractured on Sunday night by a drunken sailor whom he arrested in Fraser Street.  Mr Hall went into the hospital the same night.
 
T. Collie
There is a rumour widely current in town that Mr T. Coolie, a well-known resident of this city was found drowned in the river at Prome last week, but none of his friends here appear as yet to have received any written communication of the fact.

​Upper Burma Summary
With the except of the Shwebo district the Northern division was quiet. … In the Pyinmana district the camp of Mr Thurston a European employee of the Bombay Burma Trading Corporation was attacked by dacoits in his absence and two of his attendants were killed. …

​Local News
Mr Collie who was travelling with a free pass to Mandalay per Yunan got out at Minhla after that vessel tying up there for the night and to all appearance intended taking a stroll. 

​This was at 6.30 p.m. on the 15th instant, about two hours afterwards and about 300 yards distant from the Yunan some Burmans hauled his body out of the river the depth of the water where the body was found being about 18 inches.  Lt. King the officer commanding the Fort at Minhla then very humanely did the needful and had a coffin knocked up and the corpse buried at the back of the Pagoda. 

Mr Collie had been drinking heavily all the way up and seemed in a very desponding mood, owing, it is said, to domestic troubles.

Judicial
​2nd Criminal Sessions of 1888
Queen Empress vs Nga Ba U, Nga Bo Ba
The accused were charged with having committed theft …  the following jurors were selected:-
Messrs. Morrison (Foreman) Mould, Richards, Brown and Chandler.  Mr Sen, Govt. Advocate, conducted the case for the prosecution; Mr Grant appearing for the accused; evidence was called for …  the case adjourned till today.
In the Court of the Recorder of Rangoon
In the matter of the Estate of William Murphy, deceased
Whereas William Murphy of no. 43 in 19th Street, in the Town of Rangoon, Inspector of Day Conservancy, Rangoon Municipality, claiming to be the son of William Murphy, late of Rangoon, deceased, has applied to the above mentioned Court for a grant of Letters of Administration of the property and credits of the said William Murphy, deceased; Notice in pursuant of the 250th Section of the Indian Succession Act. 1865 is hereby given to all persons claiming to have any interest in the property and credits of the said William Murphy, deceased, to appear in the said matter if they think fit so to do either personally or by a duly authorised agent on the 16th day of March 1888 when the Court will proceed upon the application of the said William Murphy and pronounce judgement in the said matter.  Dated this 22nd day of February 1888.  By order, J.E.G. Villa, Registrar.

​Opium
On information given by Mr Fritchly, Station Master of Latter St., Mr E. Lewis, Excise Officer, made a seizure of 20 balls of opium concealed in two cases of beer brought to the station to be booked for Lepadan.  Johnny, as usual having foreseen what was going to take place kept out of the way so unfortunately there is no owner to the opium.
 
Assault
A Mr and Mrs Dodds were charged before the Assistant Magistrate yesterday with assault on a native, it would appear that the complainant is a relative of accused’s servant and that he went there one day when a row ensued between him and his relative on accused’s premises and that the accused came out and assaulted him, the first, giving him several blows and the second beating him with a slipper as well as giving him several slaps, his Worship found that Mr Dodd was not guilty and acquitted him sentencing Mrs Dodd to pay a fine of Rs. 10 out of which Rs. 4 was ordered to be given to complainant.

​2nd Criminal Sessions of 1888
Queen Empress Vs H. Brown and T. Hastings
The two accused were charged under Sec. 379 and 411 I.P.C., Mr Sen, Govt. Advocate for the prosecution, the prisoners being undefended.  Mr Sen now applied for a commission to examine the Treasury Officer at Yemethen, as it has been discovered subsequent to the conviction of the accused, that one of the notes referred to in the evidence of the witness Macart, was issued to him by the Yemethen Treasury officer on the 13th January, and this formed a necessary link in the chain of evidence.  The Magistrate in the Lower Court having sent up the case without the evidence being complete.  Both prisoners objected to the case being postponed till next Sessions while the 2nd prisoner said that neither the Druggist nor the bill collector could recognise the note and consequently the proposed evidence would be immaterial.  His Honour held that in the interests of justice the Crown should have an opportunity of proving this evidence and the proposed questions for the examination of the witness …  17th March, to which date the case would be postponed.

​2nd Criminal Sessions of 1888
Queen Empress Vs Nga Po Lon and Nga Po Sin
The charge against the 1st accused was that he snatched a goungboung from one Mg Po Myin …  the following were the Jurors:-  Messrs. Whitehead (Foreman) Paxton, Moung Shwe Gyo, Jaffer Mahomed and Hardinge.  Mr Sen, Govt. Advocate appeared for the Crown …
​Mr Murray
We hear that erroneous reports are flying about in regard to an Inspector of Police who flogged two women in Meiktila.  The real facts are as follows: Mr Murray, Inspector, was hunting dacoits in a well-known hot bed of blackguards and he heard that thirty guns were in the village, although the dacoits had fled.  When he reached the village he could not get any information about the guns.  Two women were seen with guns seeking to hide them, Mr Murray administered several cuts with a cane to the two women.  Rumours of this conduct of Mr Murray’s reached the Chief Commissioner, when at Meiktila in the middle of February, he at once ordered an enquiry and meanwhile ordered Mr Murray down to Rangoon to make his explanation.  Mr Murray came to Rangoon, submitted his explanation, acknowledged having flogged the two women.  The Chief Commissioner thereupon ordered him at once to give in his resignation, which he has done, and his resignation has been accepted.

​In the Court of the Recorder of Rangoon
Estate of Anthony Thomas Mouin, deceased                                                         
Whereas Emanuel Peters residing in Cantonment, in the Town of Rangoon, claiming to be duly constituted Attorney of Maxumilian (sic) Mouin the eldest son of Anthony Thomas Mouin, late of Rangoon, deceased, has applied to the above mentioned Court for a grant of Letters of Administration of the property and credits of the said Anthony Thomas Mouin, deceased;
​Notice in pursuant of the 250th Section of the Indian Succession Act. 1865 is hereby given to all persons claiming to have any interest in the property and credits of the said Anthony Thomas Mouin, deceased, to appear in the said matter if they think fit so to do either personally or by a duly authorised agent on the 16th day of March 1888 when the Court will proceed upon the application of the said Emanuel Peters and pronounce judgement in the said matter. 
Dated this 2nd day of March 1888. 
By order, Jno. E.G. Villa, Registrar.

​Jury List
According to the Jury List we have the following curious races in Rangoon liable to serve as Jurors:- 
Armenian, European, Eurasian, Hindu, Chinese, East-Indian, Parsee, Mahomedan, Mogul, Jew, Native Ch’tian, Burmese, Native Christian of Ceylon, Musulman, Karen, Bengalee, Arakanese, Vellula Christian, Mexican and Malay.

2nd Criminal Sessions of 1888
Queen Empress Vs Moulla Ramzan.
The charge against the prisoner was that he, on or about the month of November 1887, at Rangoon, instigated one Nazir Ali to murder S. Hardy, the offence of murder being punishable with death and that the said Nazir Ali in consequence of such instigation attempted to murder the said Hardy and caused him grievous hurt by stabbing him with a knife and the prisoner had thereby committed an offence punishable under the Indian Penal Code.  The Govt. Advocate appeared for the Crown; Messrs. Gillbanks & Summers conducting the case for the accused, while Mr Van Someren appeared for Hardy.  The prisoner pleaded not guilty to the charge, the following were the Jurors:  Messrs. Orm, (Foreman) Paul, Cumming, Halliday and DeSouza.  25 witnesses have been called …  the case being adjourned till today.

​Recorder’s Court
E. Branson, Petitioner Vs S. Hare, Respondent
It will be remembered that petitioner had applied originally to have the respondent’s bill of costs taxed and the respondent had been ordered to pay into Court the sum of Rs. 3367-8.  The original bill of costs submitted was 3788-8 the amount allowed by the taxing officer being 1886, the respondent had made objections to this amount which had been heard before the Court.  His Honour now gave judgement:  He said, the original suit was for Rs. 10000 and the Advocate had performed the double duties of Attorney and Counsel, …  Rs. 1433-8 should be paid into Court by the respondent within one week from this date.

​Recorder’s Court
In the case of Joseph Isaac Vs. Queen Empress, which is set down for hearing today, 22 witnesses have been summoned on behalf of the appellant.  Messrs. Moylan and VanSomeren appear for the appellant.

Assault
The case in which Gladstein charged four foreigners with assault and assault and causing grievous hurt was called on in the Asst. Magistrate’s Court yesterday and after the evidence of Gladstein and another witness had been taken was adjourned till tomorrow.
 
Arrest
Mr Lewis yesterday arrested a Chinaman at Dallah with 100 gallons of Shamshoo (sic) in his possession.

​Recorder’s Court
Joseph Isaac Appellant Vs Queen Empress
The facts of this case have been previously reported in our columns, it will be remembered that when the appeal was last heard His Honour deferred the matter to enable appellant to produce witnesses; 22 witnesses had been summoned on behalf of the appellant but only 11 were heard.  They gave evidence as to the sale of shot publicly in the bazaars and that the appellant was a respectable and responsible man.  It was moreover pointed out that there had been no attempt on the part of the appellant to conceal the shot which was found in an open place in his shop and if there had been any idea or notion on his part, that he was infringing the act, this would not have been so.  His Honour after hearing the evidence held that the conviction must be maintained but under the circumstances of the case the sentence of 3 months imprisonment and fine of Rs. 500 would be reduced to a simple fine of Rs. 5.  Messrs. Van Someren and Moylan for Appellant.  Mr Lowis for Crown.

​Fined
Moung Chewn an ex-police Sergeant, was fined Rs. 25 by the Junior Asst. Magistrate for insulting Mr Hewit, the Superintendent of the Municipal Bazaar.

​2nd Criminal Sessions of 1888 - Before the Additional Recorder
Queen Empress vs Brown and Hastings
The 1st accused was charged with having on or about 14th February stolen a pocket-book from one MacCart containing about Rs. 360, an offence punishable under section 376 of the Indian Penal Code:  the 2nd accused being charged with receiving part of the stolen property knowing it to have been stolen and thereby committed an offence punishable under section 411 of the Code.  The prisoners pleaded not guilty to the charge.  The following gentlemen were chosen jurors.  Messrs. Dawson (Foreman) A. Lyons, W.H. Rozario, MacFarlane and Sterling.  Mr Sen, Government Advocate, appeared for the Crown; the prisoners were undefended.  The case for the prosecution did not close till past 4 o’clock and the accused made a statement to the jury.  The 1st accused said that there was no direct evidence against him of having stolen the pocket-book and the only man who had accused him of stealing it had gone no one knew where.  Accused hinted that probably that man had known something about the stolen property and had made the charge against him (the accused) to screen himself and then having got him arrested he had gone away.  Accused denied being guilty of the charge and said he had accounted for all the money found upon him.  ​The 2nd accused denied he had bought any medicine at Dr. DeSouza’s shop and drew attention to the fact that the people at that shop could not recognise him as the man who had changed the 50 note.  He could produce witnesses to prove that at the time when the medicine was bought he was elsewhere and could not possibly have been at the dispensary.  The accused then called three witnesses who gave their evidence.  His Honour having charged the jury, they, without retiring, unanimously found the prisoners “not guilty” and they were ordered to be acquitted and discharged as regarded this case.  

​Assault
On Monday morning Fireman Conolly of the S.S. Mount Qieet? was brought into the hospital severely injured about the head by some sampan wallahs who assaulted him.  For reasons which we fail to understand four Police Constables were placed as a guard over Conolly at the hospital all that day.  In the evening however the District Magistrate visited Conolly at the hospital and drove the Constables out.  So much for our Police!!!

​Recorder’s Court
Mr Porter presented a petition on behalf of Mr H.A. Rose applying for the benefit of the Insolvency Act.  Under an execution decree of the Small Cause Court Mr rose had been allowed bail on condition of filing his schedule within a month; that time expired today:  application was made now for protection order which was granted.

​Court of Additional Recorder
Rose Hallday Vs Mah Yee and another
For plaintiff – Mr Lowis     For 1st defendant – Mr Hare
In this suit plaintiff claimed Rs. 3305 as money due to her on a settlement of accounts.  She stated that by an agreement made between herself and defendants it was agreed that they should manage her business which was the Rangoon Distillery for a certain period:  this agreement was dissolved at the end of Jan. 1888 when a settlement of accounts was taken and a sum of 2928 was found due to her:  that defendants had admitted this amount as being due:  subsequently plaintiff had to pay Rs. 377, debts incurred by defendants in the business.  The first defendant while admitting the agreement denied that any settlement of accounts has been taken, or that any money was paid by plaintiff on account of debts incurred by them as stated by plaintiff.  Evidence having been produced and counsel having been heard his Honour said that the plaintiff had established her case and a decree was given for amount of claim.

Additional Recorder’s Court
H. Brown and T. Hasting Vs Queen Empress
In this case it will be remembered that appellants, while under trail, were charged with having committed a breach of the Prisons Act. under section 45 … by taking tobacco into the jail and were each sentenced to 2 months rigorous imprisonment.  They now appealed against this sentence as being excessive, no denial was made as to the facts, but appellants stated that they had simply taken the tobacco for their own use and submitted that a nominal fine would, under the circumstances, have been sufficient.  His Honour, after perusing the record, said that the sentence was severe but it was clear that appellants knew they were committing a breach of the jail rules and in the interests of the discipline of the jail sentences in such cases must be severe.  Under the circumstances he did not feel justified in interfering with the sentence and the appeal would be dismissed.

Articles / Letters to the Editor
​The Tonghoo-Mandalay Railway
Of the 230 miles of rail to be laid on this route, more than one half have been laid and with the work going on vigorously at three sections at the rate of about a mile a day, it is hoped that by July the line will be completed.  All the rails and material required for the Mandalay section will be sent up in future by rail, to save freight.  Some 45 miles are said to have been completed from Mandalay, whilst on the Tonghoo side the rails are laid close to Yemethen.  Although the whole 230 miles will thus, in all probability, be laid by July, it is not likely that the line along its whole length will be opened to public traffic until the next cold season. 
 
There will, it is thought, be nothing to prevent the first section from Tonghoo to Pyinmana being opened next month, if the Consulting Engineer’s Survey and inspection of it results in the favourable report which the railway officials think is certain.  It is likely then that the public will get a night train to Tonghoo from Rangoon, which the railway authorities have been so curiously reluctant to start for some reasons of their own.  There will, it is said, be two day trains each way between Pyinmana and Tonghoo so that the former station will be brought within about 15 hours journey from Rangoon. 
 
There is no doubt the opening of this section of the line will have a very beneficial effect on the trade and government of the district.  Dacoits will have to take to some other livelihood when trains run twice daily to Pyinmana and all fears of great distress from scarcity of food will be at an end when the district is brought by rail within easy communication with Rangoon.  The speed with which the railway officers in Upper Burma have worked at laying the line, through great difficulties and often through feverish jungle, reflects credit on them just as the delay in giving us a night train between Rangoon and Tonghoo and the want of trucks for conveyance of timber and other goods on the lines in Lower Burma, which we wrote about recently, reflects discredit on the management here.  If there was a little more energy evinced on Burma State Railway lines in supplying public requirements there is no doubt our lines might earn a very much larger revenue than they do now and assist the public and the trade to a very much greater extent.

​Mr Merrifield
Mr Merrifield, the present Editor of the Mandalay Herald is a brilliant writer deserving we think of a more successful career than we fear he is likely to obtain in the editorial chair of our contemporary.  He is, we hear, a Cambridge graduate and a good linguist, having travelled over the greater portion of the world.  We think more of his article on the Herald’s birthday than our Mandalay correspondent and extract it for the benefit of our readers.  Mr Merrifield, for many years, has been leading an adventurous and Bohemian existence in the colonies and the East, trying all things, but apparently cursed like the wandering Jew with a propensity for traveling to remote regions on most mysterious missions.  Misfortunes in business caused him to turn his attention to Burmah, then a new country, and he came up as a volunteer on the field force, with which he put in some good service, but was forced to retire into private life on account of his health breaking down.
The Ahlone Ice Works
We recently visited the works of the Burma Ice Company at Ahlone and are glad that we availed ourselves of the courteous invitation of the Manager, Moung Hpo Myhin, to go over the premises.  The ice Company belongs to a wealthy Burman gentleman in Mandalay for whom Moung Hpo Myhin is acting as Attorney and Manager in Rangoon.  We do not think the proprietor could have chosen a better man out of his countrymen for the work.  Everything at the ice works seems to be carried on with an order, regularity, cleanliness and despatch not usually visible where Burmese are at the head of anything. 
 
Moung Hpo Myhin is perhaps an exception to Burmans in general for he is as neat and natty in his arrangements at the ice works as any European could be.  He informed us that there is no possibility of Rangoon being again visited with an ice famine, as was the case in one or two successive hot seasons when the Ice Company first started.  He has sunk an additional large well on the premises and besides has a supply of lake water from the Municipality at his command if the water in his wells should by any possibility fail him. 
 
Moung Hpo Myhin informs us that he endeavours always to keep well ahead of the Rangoon demand for ice, which is increasing daily, with the increasing heat.  He manufactures now about a ton a day which is found ample for Rangoon’s requirements but occasionally large demands come in from outstations or for passenger steamers and hence it is always endeavoured to keep at least a ton in hand.  We suggested that the opening of the Tramway from Ahlone to Poozoodoung might be utilised by the Ice Company to open a branch store at the latter place.  We were told that many Poozoodoung residents send their servants by Tramway to Ahlone to purchase their requirements at the manufactory. 
 
The ice is well frozen and comes out in large clear blocks five feet in length and nearly a foot in thickness.  We told Moung Hpo Myhin that from our own experience we thought he gave a more liberal weight of ice than his predecessors.  He assured us this was not the case and that the weight supplied was always strictly correct but added that the ice, being better frozen than it used to be, lasted much longer and hence people might be disposed to think they get better weight than formerly, though they, in reality, got only better quality. 
 
Aerated waters are also manufactured on the Ice Company’s premises and are made with water cooled with ice, which has been found to give more, lasting qualities to the soda water …  These aerated waters go all over the province, Bhamo, Bassein, Prome etc. … The business carried on at the Ice Works at Ahlone is a much larger and more important nature than we had any idea of before we paid the premises a visit and that there is, at any rate, one systematic and painstaking Burman gentleman in the place we have now had ocular demonstration.  We hope, before many years are over, to see many more Burmans in business of various kinds in Rangoon.  They could not have a better example of good business qualities than their fellow countryman’s in the Ahlone Ice and Aerated Water works.

​Trade
A great deal of disgust is felt among the traders at the action of the authorities concerning the liquor traffic.  There were formerly two retailers, Truda & Edmund Jones, besides certain other dealers holding wholesale permits.  Moses and Friends, Oppenheimer’s and others.  The government has resolved to quash these licences and to create another monopoly, putting up the wholesale and retain license to public auction and refusing the hotel keepers the right of selling “off.”   Naturally the Chinamen will purchase the monopoly, and, as there is no Adulteration Act in force in Upper Burma, nor no one anxious to work it if there were, the consequences will be this; that the European traders will be most unjustly and unfairly deprived of a considerable portion of legitimate business to which they have a quasi-prescriptive right, a direct premium on drunkenness and adulteration will be given to the Chinese and those persons who now and then, like Timothy, take a little wine for their stomach’s sake, and because of their infirmity, will be driven to poison themselves with Chinese drinks, to waste their time and substance in hotels, or to import in wholesale quantities. 
 
The whole system is thoroughly vicious; but the authorities do not see this in their insane attempt to play with the finances of the country.  The truth is that the Bahadoor clique forgets that the Government is a machine paid to perform certain work and that it is not a Heaven born caste, specially selected to annoy others.  When officials first become aware that they are servants, not masters, then, and then only, will the Philistine, the tax-payer, the real master, have his rights.  This may be radical and revolutionary, but it is right.  There are a large number, I am glad to say, a growing one, of leading politicians who recognise this fact and the Chief Commissioner seems to see, for one, that the spirit of the age is against Bahadoorism.  If certain of his subordinates were to look upon their duties in the same light, they would not be so un-popular.  It is idle for the government to snub and sit upon the outside Europeans; they are gradually growing in influence and numbers; someday the man in the street may knock at the Palace gate and demand to be heard.

​Railways
The following paragraph appears in Indian Engineering:
Exonerated!  The recent extravagant expenditure at the Insein Workshops, Burma State Railways, thus explained:-  As intimated in this journal, orders were issued some fourteen months ago by the Department of Public Works to all Executive Engineers to the effect that whenever in future teak should be required, it must be ordered from the Bombay-Burma Trading Company and from no where else.  It was in accordance with this order that the Locomotive Superintendent purchased 500 tons of teak timbre in the log from the Company at a cost of Rs. 47,000 or Rs. 9½ per ton to make up a couple of hundred goods wagons.  As we have already explained, this timber, when cut up at the Insein Workshop cost Rs. 137 per ton; while first quality teak scantling cut to dimensions requisite for wagon building could be delivered at the workshop from Rangoon Saw Mills at Rs. 97 per ton, exclusive of saving in time and labour.  In this case clearly there is a loss to Government of Rs. 20,000.  We understand no orders were issued by the Local Government that timber was only to be purchased from the B.B.T.C. Ltd.

​Letters to the Editor
Dear Sir, You[r] paragraph “hunters” in describing incidents should endeavour to glean for you the truth and only that a notable instance of their mendacity occurred in your issue this morning.  In describing the fire which occurred yesterday morning it says “The promptness with which the boys got to work did away with the necessity of the Municipal Fire Engine which up to the time of the fire being got under, was not ready.”  The fact of the matter is this, that when Brother Valens came up with his little champions and asked where he was to go, the Municipal Engine had all the gear out and was working from the corner of 43rd  Street.  This I was eye and car witness to and I am sure Brother Valens will, if asked, bear me out in it.  Fair criticism is always advisable and in this instance the Municipal Brigade was, as it always should be, first on the scene, and the first to put a jet on the fire, but being at the back of 43rd Street where the most danger of the fire spreading was to be expected, their efforts were not brought so prominently before the gaze of the frightened householders in Brooking Street while at the same time they were striking at the root of the fire.  It is possible that the Volunteer Engine which with the men stood in Brooking Street waiting orders may have been mistaken for the Municipal one.  I am, Sir, Yours faithfully, One who was There.

​Tonghoo Railway Extension
We hear that the Government of India has been asked to depute an officer to report on the condition of the Tonghoo-Pyinmana section of the Mandalay Railway extension, as the authorities wish to open it to public traffic on Tuesday 1st May.  A night train will, it is said, be started on the Rangoon-Tonghoo line from Sunday 1st April, for which a timetable will be issued in a few days. 
We understand the train leaves Phayre Street about 5 p.m. reaching Pegu for dinner between 7 and 8 p.m. 
 
There can be no doubt this train will be extensively patronised by the public and prove as popular as the night train on the Prome line.  When the whole line to Mandalay is opened next year, the train leaving Phayre Street at 5 p.m. will reach Mandalay about 8 p.m. on the next day or, in about 27 hours.  The first-class fare will be about 28 rupees and we shall be much surprised if cabin passages by steamers from Prome to Mandalay do not come down next year a long way below the Rs. 75, which our contemporary thinks so excessively moderate at the present time.  The line has been nearly laid to Yemethen 55 miles farther and it is thought that section will be completely laid by July.  The distance from Tonghoo to Pyinmana is about 59 miles.

​Petroleum in Arracan
Willoughby Savage & Mah Cho
A matter of some importance in connection with some of the oil wells in the Borongos has recently been decided by the Chief Commissioner. 
 
Mr Willoughby Savage of Akyab obtained in 1879 a lease from Government of a tract of land in the Eastern Borongos intending to bore for oil.  A year or so afterwards this leasehold property was attached and sold by a Chetty in execution of a decree held by him against Mr Willoughby Savage. 
 
The purchaser of this property was another Chetty, who sold it again to a Burmese woman Mah Cho.  This woman was Mr Savage’s wife; she, assisted by her husband, threw herself with considerable energy and ardour into the working of the oil wells.  But little return met her efforts till about the end of 1886 when signs of a copious flow of oil became apparent.  This promise of success was not illusory.  For up to the present time the out-turn of oil has so rapidly increased that the wells are perhaps the most remunerative of all those hitherto sunk in the Borongo’s. 
 
But by this time Mr Savage had himself become involved in litigation with the Arakan Petroleum Oil Company and a decree had been passed against him for Rs. 28,000 or more.  Though the deed assigning his property to Mah Cho had been registered, the necessary assent of the Local Government to such assignment had not been obtained and the Arracan revenue authorities would not recognise Mah Cho. 
She dreading that this defect in her title might lead to the loss by her of this valuable property, applied to the Deputy Commissioner of Akyab for the sanction of the Local Government and for the transfer of the property to her name on the revenue rolls. 
 
The matter was not settled before a memorial was presented to the Chief Commissioner by Mr VanSomeren on behalf of Mah Cho, the oil Company opposed the granting by the Chief Commissioner of Mah Cho’s prayer.  Notwithstanding this opposition the Chief Commissioner has said “that he is pleased to recognise and sanction the transfer.”  Mah Cho is to be congratulated upon the successful issue of this business.  We hope she may long live to reap and enjoy the fruits and reward of her industry.
The Methodist Episcopal Home for Anglo-Indian and Eurasian Children
We have received from the Rev’d. S.P. Long a copy of the first annual report of this institution of which he is Secretary.  It is a very pleasing instance of remarkable energy in its founders and development of a place very much needed in Rangoon.  A year ago the Home had 26 destitute and orphan children on its hands and paying boarders had become so numerous that the accommodation had become too small for both.  A house was rented at Rs. 50 per month and through the assistance of kind friends in money, clothing and furniture these poor children have been provided for and the house has been since purchased with money lent without interest.  Mr Hodson testified some months ago in the Rangoon Gazette to the excellent system adopted in this Home, the youngest in Rangoon, and the Secretary acknowledges the services of Miss F.H. Stacey, the Lady Superintendent, who, in connection with her duties as teacher in the girls’ school, willingly consented to take charge of the Home with no increase of salary and who during the year made every possible effort to make it a real home to the children there.  The work of the Secretary would have been tenfold greater, but for her hearty unselfish co-operation.  The Eurasian Home seems to us to be fulfilling a good work in Rangoon, one that is much required.  It could hardly be more efficiently managed than by Mr Long, Miss J.E. Wisner and Miss F.H. Stacey and we hope they may long be spared to carry on the Institution as efficiently as they have done in the past year.  They will be glad of contributions either by monthly subscription or donations, which will be thankfully and promptly acknowledged, and could not, we think, be bestowed on a more worthy object.

​Trade
Last week our contemporary had a paragraph to the effect that it was difficult to fill one steamer a week at Mandalay with downward cargo.  As if to show the absolute incorrectness of his information, Capt. Terndrup has arrived this week in Rangoon with probably the largest cargo ever brought down from up country …  The trade has never been known to be as brisk as it is at present and there is no doubt work for double the present fleet just now.  We are sorry to hear that some Rs. 3000 was stolen from Capt. Terndrup when he was at lying at Mandalay; Rs. 2000 being in the thousand rupee notes which were advertised as lost in the last official Gazette by the manager of the Flotilla Company.

Letters to the Editor
Burma Railways Refreshment Rooms
Sir,
Tenders were recently invited for taking of the management of the two refreshment rooms at Pegu and Tonghoo in connection with the new Tonghoo-Mandalay extension.  Sergt. Major Theobald of the Burma State Railway Volunteer Rifles turns out to be the successful tendered.  Successful, not by reason of any previous and mature experience he may possess in that particular line of business; nor yet by reason of any particular laudable quality in himself.  Which may have been wanting in other tenderers.  But merely in virtue of the interest exercised in his behalf by his many Volunteer friends. 
 
The Manager of the Railway, in whose gift were the refreshment rooms in question, is a Volunteer.  Mr Innis, the Traffic Superintendent is a Volunteer; and Capt. Schuyler the Adjutant, is a Volunteer.  Now I do not find fault with Mr Theobald for being a Volunteer or for possessing friends; not yet with those friends for using their influence in his behalf.  What I protest against is this:  Mr Theobald was, at the time he submitted his tender, and is to the present day, a Government servant.  He is one of Her Majesty’s regularly paid soldiers of the line; nor is there any likelihood of his being anything else for the next six months at least; even if he determines to retire on pension, as I believe he does. 
 
Has not then the Manager’s enthusiasm, in regard to Volunteering matters, led him to act in direct antagonism with well-known Government rulings?  And where was the necessity for going through the mummery of calling for tenders when the sequence had already been pre-arranged?  I do not see why the bread should thus be pulled out of the mouths of other hungry folks in order to appease the appetite of one who is already in Government service, but if it is correct to give him the job why go to the expense of advertising?  It is to be hoped that the above may catch the eye of Colonel Cumming or of the General commanding the Division, or others in authority, having no particular antipathy to “fair play.”   I am, Sir, Your obdt. Servant, ALPHA.

Rangoon Charitable Society
Dear Sir,
Will you kindly give publicity to the following:  “A special meeting of the committee of the Rangoon Charitable Society was held this morning for the purpose of adopting means by which assistance might be given to sufferers by the recent fires.  A sub-committee was appointed to consider and investigate any cases of distress arising from this cause and to give assistance where found deserving.”
I shall be prepared to receive such applications. 
Yours faithfully, Alex D. Warren, Secretary.

​Dear Sir,
I feel sure that you would not consciously hurt the feelings of our youngsters of the St. John’s fire brigade.  Yet they do feel hurt at the omission in your report today of any mention of their presence at the Kemindine fire.  Our masters and boys were very tired with their four hours hard work at the town fire in the morning and were enjoying the well deserved holiday which the Chief Commissioner had most kindly given us.  But as soon as they heard of the fire at Kemindine, Messrs. Rutledge, Barrett and Thomas, with about 60 boys went off with their engine to the conflagration and did “ their possible”(sic) returning very weary and hungry at 8 o’clock.  Do not think that we grudge other schools one jot of the kudos to which their energy and alacrity entitle them.  But we do not like it to be thought that St. Paul’s brigade from Poozoodaung worked alone at a fire in Kemmendine (sic) from which St. John’s brigade, it would appear, from your report, have been absent.  I feel sure that you will judge matters right in your longer and fuller account of the Kemmendine disaster.  Yours faithfully, John E. Marks

​​Dear Mr Editor,
Perhaps Mr Darwood is not aware that of late many of the residents in the Sudder bazar and its neighbourhood have had to prefer walking to town in consequence of there being no room in the tram car.  This may be noticed between the hours of nine and eleven a.m. when the traffic apparently is at its height.  At times there is hardly any standing room and one car is therefore obviously inadequate to cope with the traffic.  The people who complain are those who regularly patronise the tram proceeding to and from office and I think that the matter has only to be made known to Mr Darwood, who will no doubt remedy the inconvenience. 
I remain, yours faithfully, A Voice from Sudder Bazar.  23rd Mar.
Sir,
Tenders were recently invited for taking over the management of the two refreshment rooms at Pegu and Tonghoo, a highly honourable old soldier turns out to be the successful tenderer and a correspondent says, not by reason of any previous and mature experience, (how does he know, there are such things as caterers for an officers’ Mess) he may possess in that particular line of business not yet by reason of any particularly laudable quality in himself (only that he is a tee totaller and generally an amiable sort of man) which may be wanting in other tenderers (only they hadn’t got a good conduct medal for long and tried good service) but merely in virtue of the interest in this behalf, exercised by his many volunteer friends, more power to them.  The Manager of the railway, in whose gift were the rooms in question, is a volunteer (a fine old Colonel he is too) Mr Innes, the Traffic Superintendent, is another and Capt. Schuyler, the Adjutant, is a rare specimen than whom a better volunteer does not flourish anywhere.  Now fair play does not find fault with Mr T. for being a volunteer (glad to hear it) or for having friends (you would be a demon if you did) what he protests against is that the tenderer was a government servant at the time (an awful crime one of Her Majesty’s regular paid soldiers of the line, Sir. F. Robert says it’s a noble profession) nor is there any likelihood of his being anything else for the next six months (how will the refreshment rooms get on.)  The refreshment rooms could not have been given to a better man and if the Railway always acted as judiciously there would be little cause for grumbling.  Yours faithfully, BETA

​Mandalay Licenses
Dear Sir, I have never seen in any town in Lower Burma such a large gathering of celestials under a roof as there were in the Deputy Commissioner’s Office, Mandalay, on Thur. 15th instant, the place was literally crammed, …  under these trying circumstances the business of the day commenced.  First the four pieces or parcels of land were sold by auction …  the last piece of about 3 acres and decimals were knocked down to Mr Hill, Conservator of Forests at Rs. 2300 an acre, this is a piece not far from Messrs. Bridges and Ffordes, who got their lots at Rs. 50 an acre sometime back.  The next item was the retail vend of European Liquor …  The next item of importance is the sale of Wholesale Liquor License of European Manufacture:-  Ah Shaing, Moses & Friends, Moses Ezra & Co, Law Leik, E. Solomon, J. Truda & Co., Choy Goon Chun and Z.M. D’Silva. 


April
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