§ 2. Sir J. HEWETTasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether his attention has been called to the murder in the Purnea district of Mr. Sydney M. Smith, an English planter of over 60 years, by a gang of robbers, who killed him in his sleep under most revolting circumstances; whether any persons have been placed on trial for the crime; and whether any steps have been taken to render the position of Europeans in outlying districts less insecure than this crime shows them to be?
§ Earl WINTERTONI have at present seen only a Press report of this brutal murder, which appears to have been committed by a gang of dacoits and not to be connected with any racial or political movement. I understand that the police are searching for the murderers. Apart from this tragic occurrence, recent reports do not indicate any general feeling of insecurity among Europeans in outlying districts.