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acotton mill in Calcutta. an object he had in view for some little time. In the same year he accordingly started the “ Empress of India ' Cotton Mills. so named to corn- memnmtetheassum tion of the title of Empress of In in by Her late Majesty Queen Victoria in that year. Under his able supervision and careful management these Mills succeeded in reducing yams within twelve mont oi their establish- ment. and cleared cent per cent within three years of their existence.

As a public man Mr. R. D. Mehta is connected with the lmdi poli- tical. literary, scientific. an com- mercial societies of the land. and there are but few public movements in which he does not take a pro- minent part. He is alwan ardent worker and a disinterested advo- cate in the cause of Indian progress and there has hardly been a pub- lic meeting held sincc :88 3 at which he has not spoken. Mr. Melita is a Life Member of the Asiatic So- ciet .ot the Society of Arts. London, of he Albert Victor Hospital. at the India Club. a Governor of the Ma Hospital. and several other ins itutions. He was one of the

rincipal founders of the Bengal l atioual Chamber of Commerce. and was its Vice-President from its very commencement. He is one of the Vice-Presidents of the Indian Association. and a tower of strength to the Frost community oi Calcutta. who recognise in him their leader and the exponent of their views. Mr. Mebtn is an Honorarv Magis. trate and justice of the Peace tor the town of Calcutta. a Visitor oi the Presidency and Central Jails and has also been a Port Commie. sinner. in January 1893 Mr. R. D. Mehta was up eluted in the high office of Sheri of Calcutta. an ap- pointment which was welcomed una~ nimounly by the entire press of Calcutta, both Angloolndian and Vernacular. as a fitting recognition of his public services. Curiously enough on the day of his assuming officc. he was called upon to open the proceedings of the large and important meeting! of citizens held at the van all. to protest against thejury Notiﬁcation of the Be Government. which duty he harged with great eloquence. nnd his declaration that the move- ment had his full sympathy was

THE CYCLOPEDIA OF INDIA.

received with acclamation. Mr. R. D. Mehta is the second Par- see who has held this high and responsible appointment- In Local Sell-Government, Mr. Mehta has also made a big reputation, as for fifteen years. in fact since a Local Board wascreated forAliporc. he has been the Chairman of that body. whilst as Chairman oi the im ant Manicktollah Monica-

'ty from 190: to 1904 he has

n able to raise the revenue re- ceipts by some Rs. 20,000. and un- dcr his careful and bmiwhke guidance the percentage of collec~ tious rose from 64 to 97 per cent. The spiritual Welfare of the com. munity to which he belongs, has

always been a matter of great con siderntion to him. and to his vener- able latluer. and at considerable personal expense they brought over. from Bombay. Farsi priests tor the benefit of their co-religionists. The blasonic Fraternity of Calcutta have in him a strong sup. and he is one at the Vice-Premdents of the Bengal Hmnic Association and has subscribed liberally to its funds. n the oocttrrt-nce of the Diamond jubilee of Her late Majesty

ueen Victoria. Mr. Mehta was e ected a Member of the deputation (as Vice-President of the lndian Association) which Went to Simla to convey to His Excellency the Earl of E in. the then Viceroy of [edit the oval congratulations of the

Princes and the people of Bengal on that auspicious occasion, and he also performed the same agreeable duty on behali of the District and Local Boards oiAlipore. in 1897. the dignity of “Companion of the Indian Em ire " was conterred on hlr. R. D. ehta. and great was the satistaction throughout all classes in Calcutta at this honour being awarded to one ol its most promi- nent public men. and this feeling of public approval found a fitting manifestation in a congratulatory banqm-t that was given in his honour on the 14111 March 1808 b 'the lead- ing representatives of ail sections of the community.

Hr. R. D. Nehta was let some {cars Persian Consul in Calcutta rom earl in I until December 1903. an but or the unlortunatv incident that hap in Bushire when H. E. be Curron visited that Part in the Persian (Bull. in 1903. would ban: probably still continued in the appointment. Mr. Hebta however. considered that a grave breach of international courtesy had been committed by the Shah ‘9 Government. and havin the courage of his opinions, and finding it inconsistent with his princi cs. be promptly resigned the onsulship.

The English mercantile commu- nity will feel indebted to Hr. Melitta tor halderl able advocacy in reg to t xity of exchange. Mr. Mehta was invited bv both the Vicerov and the Ueut.-Cmvernor to go to England as a witness for em amination by the Currency Com~ mittec- but he was [Ire-water! from accepting that kind invitation by the serious illness of his aged lather. Hr. Mehta was asked then to put his ideas on paper. which he did by

contribnti a series of letters in the Columm o the " Englishman." which were presented from time to time before the Currency Coni- IRISH)“.

MOLL. SCHUTTE 8: C0.. 1. Lall Banr Street. Calcutta, was founded in l894 by Peter Arnold Moll and Otto Albrecht Schutte. the latter retirin irom the firm in 1902. The has branches in Delhi and Cawnpore and principally does business in piece-goods and pa r. besides a small business in p nee and iute fabrics. They are also