MIDLAND BANK CASE.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 December 1924, Page 2

MIDLAND BANK CASE.

[Reuters Telegrams.] SIR MARI SINGH’S STATUS. LONDON, December .’5. Sir Ilari Singh, is the sun of the late General Rajah Sir Amar Singh, and is the adopted son of i’ratah Singh, who i.s 7-1 years old, and ruler of Kashmir. Sir Mari Singh has been respected and trusted as being strongly proBritish. He was only ‘2-1 when lie committed the folly which has brought him into the limelight.

The "Daily Chronicle” says: ‘‘He is a man of gentle manners. He is refined and reserved. He speaks English fluently, and i.s widely travelled, and well read. The efficiency of the Kashmir Army, of which Sir llari Singh i.s C’ommander-in-C’hief. i.s due largely to his personal care. He came to England in 1!>1!>. He was received by the King at Sandringham in May, and by the Prince of Wales at St. James’ Palace in December, just before lie went to Paris with Mrs Robinson.

EMBARGO LIFTED. LONDON, Dei ember I. The “Daily Express” states: “The Indian Office lias removed the embargo on the identity of Sir llari Singh, owing to a number of protests from the ruling Maharajah, against the secrecy. which has given rise to rumours very damaging and cruel to the ruling primes. The Maharajah urged laird Birkenhead that the ordinary procedure should he followed, and that Mr A’s name should be published. ■’

It is recalled that the Gaekwar of Baroda was named as the co-respon-dent ill a divorce suit in 1011. and his name given publicity at the time, although the Prince was not held answerable in the Courts.

Pratali Singh. Ruler of Kashmir, owing to his health, delegates most of his official duties to Sir llari Singh, who i.s acting Maharajah and he maintains a big racing stable, lie lias a private cricket ground being a first rate cricketer. When in England in ]!)!!), he travelled with a full retinue of court officials.

SECRECY A BLUNDER. LONDON. December I. Tlte disclosure of the identity of Mr A. remains the sensation of the day. All the newspapers are publishing striking photographs of him, and columns of descriptive matter. Many journals, at the conclusion of the Robinson trial, commented on the unwisdom of attempting to conceal his identity. Several return to the subject this morning. The “Daily Chronicle.” for instance, says: “Concealment i.s dangerous ill principle and impolitic in practice, bet a use secrecy is valueless unless it is permanent, and there was mi prospect whatever of maintaining it permanently in tlii- instance. The speculation as to why the secrecy was at first, insisted upon i.s increased by the India Office’s intimation that reasons of Stall' for it no longer exi-a. Apart from the “Daily Express” reference "to the protests from the Maharajahs in India, it is suggested that the internal political situation in Kashmir has rendered the concealment most desirable.

A writer in (lie “Daily Chronicle' aHi rms that the aged .Maharajah « Kashmir is a strictly orthodox Hit dii. spending much time daily in prayv and meditation. It- was hoped t

save him from pain and anxiety 1 tbe exclusion of Sir llari's name.

It is also slated that the Maharajah. a lew years ago. was obliged, fin' religious reasons, to adopt a youth belonging to his family as his son. it I;.ing necessary for a pious Hindu to have a soil to perform the last offices. ~n . | 1,, oiler the appointed sacrifices. -,t the time of his death. It is not in ivahle. therefore that il was considered undesirable to risk disturbing the relations, involving the succession, existing hitherto between the Maharajah and his nephew, in view of th hitter’s friendliness to Britain. Another reason, less complicated, is the report that Sir Mali's attendance is essential for the purpose of the lending prosecution. which might otherwise he abortive, since tin* question of what influenced him to part with his money can only he elucidated by direct evidence, which he alone is nMe to give. Altogether, it seems that Sir ilari is receiving more publicity now than he would have done il ids mime had been mentioned in the ordinary way in tlu* course of the Robinson trial. AN HONEST MAN. PAD IS. December 3. Captain Arthur's extradition cannot occur for at least a week. His counsel is hopeful to he able to prevent his extradition, lie declares that Captain Arthur is the victim of blackmail and is an holiest man. lie had already lost about half a million francs.

MOTHER WISDOM. Mother w isdom knows that the little one could not croon that baby song of happiness unless she was clean. cool and comfortable in every fibre of her little body. Look at the bonnio limbs, feel the lino flesh, touch the velvet cheeks. Can’t you guess r She's a Dcxona baby, of course. Eaeli day her mother bathes her little treasure with pure Rexona Soap, the “baby’s own’’ Soap, that kills disease germs and keeps the tender skin clear and healthy. She keeps colds, rashes, chafing, and other baby ills far iroin her. She is the be-t thing she lias, and the best of soaps 'is only just guild enough for her. That is why she is a Rexona Baby. SEE? Obtainable everywhere.