Students'' Hostels and Messes.

THE action taken by the Madras University in respect of students' hostels and messes deserves to be watched by other provinces. In October last year it appointed a Committee to enquire into the condition of students' hostels and messes and suggest measures for improving them. The enquiry so far made has disclosed important details. Out of a total of 3347 students studying in the various colleges at Madras, 1574 or a little less than half live with their parents or guardians, and of the rest about 25 per cent. live in good hostels. But over 1000 students are in an extremely miserable conditions living in wretched lodging houses which are insanitary and they eat food liable to bring on disease.