TRANSACTIONS OT' SECTION F. 745 



inches per bead. In the United States in 1888 the length of railways open to 

 public traffic was 156,082 miles, and the outlay on construction was calculated at 

 9,369 millions of dollars. Esstimating the population at 60 millions, these figures 

 give 13| feet at a cost of 321. 4s. jjer head, which equal 47 times the length, and 

 58i times the expenditure per head in India. At this point it is observed the 

 comparison may be permitted to cease, because it would be absurd to imagine 

 conditions in India which could cause the profitable development of railways at 

 the rate maintained during recent years in the United States. 



The question arises, however, Have the English done enough in India ? The 

 latest records show that the population has increased by 29 millions within 

 the last decade, and it might reasonably be anticipated that increase in the future 

 will be progressive. Accounts show that a reasonable return for railM^ay invest- 

 ments has been obtained, and that the older lines are securing handsome dividends. 

 Experience indicates that the development of Indian railways opens an important 

 field of demand in the iron and steel industries of England, and furnishes a supply 

 of wheat, the price of which competes with America and Russia, so that the cost of 

 bread to the English consumer may be regulated. Experience also shows that 

 railways in India have done much to awaken the people to new lights, and to a 

 sense of new responsibilities which tend to the obliteration of old superstitions and 

 the generation of loyalty towards the central governing power, and of interest in 

 the maintenance of the Empire. 



It is true that the Indian currency has depreciated in its comparative value to 

 sterling money of late years, but it is pointed out that similar risks occurred else- 

 where, as, for instance, in the Argentine Republic, where the paper dollar depends 

 for its value in relation to gold on the honesty of a nation whose interests seem to be 

 separated widely from the interests of England. Up to the present time practi- 

 cally all railways constructed in India have been obtained by English capital guaran- 

 teed to pay a certain percentage by the Secretary of State, and consequently pro- 

 gress has been slow. India is poor, and the trading classes do not accept railway 

 investments ; but now that the circumstances of India are known in England , and 

 now that the records show that reasonable returns can be obtained if the railway 

 routes are selected with intelligence, even on the depreciated value of the rupee, 

 because its relative value has only changed in regard to gold, not as regards grain 

 and labour in India, the author suggests the question whether the private enter- 

 prise of England cannot lift this burden from off the shoulders of the Government, 

 and be induced to supply capital without the trammels of a Government 

 contract. 



3. Report on the Teaching of Science in Elementary Schools. 

 See Reports, p. 383. 



4. On the Upbringing of Destitide and Pauper Children. 

 By the Rev. J. O. Bevan, M.A. 



The author touched upon the importance of the subject, having reference to 

 the number concerned and the disadvantages under which they laboured from 

 birth. 



He deprecated the massing together in workhouses and district schools. 



(a.) For physical reasons. 

 (6.) For moral reasons, 

 (c.) For economic reasons. 



H e then laid stress on — 



(a.) The evils of the system, e.specially as affecting girls. 

 (b.) Recommendation that larger powers be granted to Boards of Guardians 

 as against profligate and drunken parents. 



