‘REPORT ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY FOR THE YEAR 1879-80’ [‎58v] (121/752)

BOMBAY ADMINISTRATION REPORT.
[1879-80.
Chap. I.
POLITICAL.
4
CUTOH.
Waste Lands.
Protection.
(1) Legisla
tion»
(2) Police.
(3) Criminal
Justice.
(4) Prisons.
One hundred and sixteen thousand and twenty-eight acres of
waste land have been brought under cultivation during the year
and two new villages established in the Lakhpat Taluka. The hor»e
of the river Indus water again flowing toLakhput and fertilizing
a portion of the Bnnn near there, mentioned last year, does not
seem likely to be realized.
The only legislative measure carried out by the Council during
the year relates to the subject of the manufacture, sale, and
exportation of salt.
The strength of the police has remained exactly as was reported
last year, i.e. 201 mounted men and 401 foot. The cost was
Rs. 91,741. The revival of the “Horse fund” is said to he
working well, and affords relief to the mounted portion of the
police. The subject of providing thanas is engaging attention
The water and preventive police have worked well.
The number of offences reported has fallen from 1,704 last year
to 1,548, a favourable circumstance attributed to the prevalence of
comparatively low prices. However, a larger number of persons
2,512 as against 2,135, were arrested, and of these 2,488 were
sent for trial. The recorded value of property stolen was
Rs. 38,228 as compared with Rs. 39,353 last year, whilst the per
centage of recoveries was 62*2 instead of 52 , 6. Nine persons
were reported to have died by violence. One dacoity occurred.
Robberies fell from 10 to 7, and in 4 of these cases the offenders
were arrested and dealt with according to law. There were 65
cases of accidental death and 35 of suicide. Twelve fires occurred
causing damage to the extent of Rs. 6,805.
The administration of justice has been on the whole satisfactory.
Two thousand eight hundred and twenty-six offences were report
ed to the various Courts and 5,468 persons dealt with : of these
2,368, or 43 per cent., were convicted. Only 9 cases remained over
for trial at the close of the year. The bulk of the offences commit
ted had reference to assaults and petty thefts. Only 61 persons, as
compared with 84 last year, were sentenced to over 6 months’
imprisonment. One man was sentenced to the extreme penalty of
the law. Fines were recovered to the amount of Rs.l 7,844, being
Rs.5,944 in excess of the previous year’s. There were 328 appellants
in all : of these 47 had their appeals summarily rejected, and in
the cases of the 281 remaining 159 sentences were confirmed, 66
modified, and 33 reversed : whilst in 20 cases further enquiry was
ordered and 3 cases remained pending at the close of the year.
There are in all 11 prisons. The number of admissions during
the year was 2,240, and 266 prisoners remained over from last
year, total 2,506. This is 22 less than in the previous year. The
daily average was 222 as against 226 in 1878-79. Two hundred
and twenty-three persons remained in jail at the close of the year.
I he total cost amounted to Rs. 19,033. Only 5 deaths occur
red among the convicts during the year. The manufactory
m Bhuj Jail has worked satisfactorily, but Chinese prisoners are
wanted to train the others in cane-work, and these the Council of
Regency have applied to Government for the loan of. A conspiracy