Potentate backs son

Sarkar Amman, known better as Sultan Jahan, was the ruling Nawab Begum of Bhopal (the ruler of the Islamic principality of Bhopal in central India) between 1901 and 1926. Heavily veiled, with her son (on left), in whose favour she recently abdicated, arrives at Victoria Station, London to begin her return trip to India. — Otago Witness, Issue 3773, July 6 1926, Page 45

London, May 19: “I am glad now I abdicated,” said the Begum of Bhopal, who is sailing from London for India to-day. Commenting on her abdication, which was a sequel to the Government’s decision, she added: “I shall live in a palace near my son and devote my time to matters with which I was too busy to deal while I was ruler. I am very interested in infant welfare, hygiene,

cooking, sewing, and the proper training of servants. I hope to start an institute where girls will be taught household sciences.” Asked whether she would remain veiled she replied: “Yes, I shall be purdah until I die. I opposed women becoming unveiled. When that happens in India, if it ever does, I feel that lots of troubles will begin.”

The India Office announced some time ago that the Government had granted the Begum of Bhopal’s petition that her son should succeed to the throne instead of her grandson, who is a son of the late heir.

OB’s roll up; OG’s steady

The monthly meeting of the Otago High Schools’ Board of Governors was held yesterday afternoon.

The rector reported that the total number of boys now upon the school roll is 666, including 210 seniors, 432 juniors, and 24 paying pupils. The corresponding total for May, 1925 was 529.

The Lady Principal of the Girls’ High School reported that the total number on the roll for 1925 was 474. The number for the previous year was 476.

Councillors debate gallery

The future of the Exhibition Art Gallery and the Festival Hall on Logan Park was the subject of a keen discussion after the ordinary business of the City Council last evening.

It was evident that councillors had a very poor opinion of the value of the Festival Hall, at any rate, and the idea of using the Art Gallery as the permanent Art Gallery of the city did not find much favour.

Cr MacManus said that the terms of the lease provided that the park should be used for sports and recreation purposes.

The Mayor Mr H.L. Tapley said they had been strongly urged to get the Art Gallery Hall.

The Art Gallery Trustees required 1600 feet of extra wall space for new pictures. The Council would either have to acquire the building at Logan Park which was the best lighted Art Gallery in the world, or spend more money in extending and lighting the present premises.

Cr Taverner was of opinion that the present position of the Art Gallery was much more suitable than the Logan Park site.

Cr Shacklock said that in his judgment Logan Park was a most unsuitable place for an art gallery.

Cr Sincock said in no sense of the word could they say that an art gallery was for recreation purposes.

The Mayor: Surely! Surely!

— ODT, 20.5.1926