Page:A General Biography of Bengal Celebrities Vol 1.djvu/95

8(5 LITE OF HTJRISH CHTJNUEE HUKITERJEE*- . Governor Mr. Halliday, now Sir Frederick. Aa a Member of th# British Indian Association, do yon wish to say anything J — Mr» Larmour's statement is not strictly correct The Association i* composed of Members of Taxied politics. Some of them are friendly towards the Planters, others are hostile towards them. The Associa- tion did address the Lieutenant-Governor on . the inexpediency of tiie appointments at the time they were made, and I beg to file A copy of the Association's address on the subject dated 29th August, 1357. President.] Daring the late discussions on Indigo, have yotf thought it your duty to form and to express a clear opinion on thd several questions at issue, affecting the welfare of a large portion of the native population 1 — I have studied the question with care, and have no doubt in stating that the present system of Indigo cultiva- tion is injurious to the ryots in every way ; On all points arising oat of these questions, I have formed definite . opinions which I have taken every opportunity to express. On one point only I have not been able to form an opinion, via., what are to be the future rela- tions between ryot and planter, (vide p. 45, 46, 47. L C. Report) We have not space enough left to comment upon and criticize the evidence of Hurish Chunder. That his demeanour as a witness was bold, straightforward, and respectful will be apparent to all who take the trouble of reading the above extract But the only point in his evidence which seems mysterious to us is his quibbling statement about his identity as the editor of the Hindoo Patriot For what reasons, he veiled his* editorship from the public we do not know, but that was perhaps more owing to his official posi- tion and to the threatening attitude the planters assumed towards hira than to any want of candour on his part