PROSPECT OF FAMINE IN THE PUNJAUB.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1614, 23 April 1879, Page 3

PROSPECT OF FAMINE IN THE PUNJAUB.

The harvest prospects in the Punjaub are stated to be very unfavourable. A “ Times ” telegram from Lahore says that there was a slight rainfall on Saturday, but not enough appreciably to affect the crops and diminish the risk of famine, which is imminent if no rain falls within a fortnight. The Bombay mail of the 27th January brings little news of general interest that has not already been given in the telegrams. The “ Bombay Gazette ” says that the distress in Guzerao and Kattywar has had a similar effect to thst which attended the great famine in the Dec can, and has driven considerable numbers of destitute people to seek food and employment in Bombay. Inquiries have been instituted to ascertain the numbers and positive condition of the immigrants, with a view to relieving them temporarily and gradually drafting them back to their own districts. There is already sufficient scarcity of employment in Bombay for the regular residents ; business of every description is so bad in consequence of recent failures. Four only of the five directors of the mills managed by Nursey Kessowjee as secretary, treasurer, and agent, appeared at the Chief Presidency Magistrates’ Court on January 20lh ; the fifth—Nursey Kessowjee himself, who is a director in addition to his other offices, having thought it necessary to transfer himself from British territory to the Portuguese settlement of Damaun. The case was not gone into, the informations which had been filed merely being sworn to, and the trial adjourned. The four accused were all admitted to bail. A warrant for the apprehension of Nursey Kessowjee was issued by the magistrate, but he was powerless to extend its operations to Damaun.