‘REPORT ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY FOR THE YEAR 1879-80’ [‎123v] (251/752)

Chap. HI- 134 BOMBAY ADMINISTRATION REPORT. [1879-80
PROTECTION.
pared with 58 in the previous year, only 19 of these remained
undetected, and of 67 persons charged 57 were convicted and
punished. Forgeries increased from 3 to 12, but only one persoi
was convicted while 15 were acquitted. The apparent increase i 1
connection with drunkenness, nuisance and disorderly behaviour
is not without its satisfactory element, as much of it, at least
is probably attributable to an increase in the activity of the
police rather than in the number of such misdemeanours
actually committed. It is satisfactory to notice that, com
pared with 1878, there is a decrease of 113 in the number of
Europeans charged with drunkenness, and also to find that
there has been so large a decrease in the number of merchant
seamen placed before the Police Courts for refusal of duty on
board ship. The actual numbers have fallen from 762 to 453
The decrease is attributed to a revival in the shipping trade by
which the seamen have benefited and have therefore worked
more willingly. There has also been a satisfactory decrease in the
number of persons summoned before the Courts by the municipal
authorities, and the Chief Magistrate commends the municipal
officers for their efficiency and consideration in this respect. The
aggregate value of property stolen was Es. 1,68,750 against Es.
1,51,475 in the previous year. Eecovery was made of Es. 79,983
worth as compared with Es. 77,822 last year.
Criminal The High Court convicted 77 persons and acquitted 29. At the
Courts. close of the year 5 persons were awaiting trial. The Presidency The name given to each of the three divisions of the territory of the East India Company, and later the British Raj, on the Indian subcontinent.
Magistrates convicted 27,094 and discharged 5,746. In many
cases the complainants, after taking out summonses, did not ap
pear, and such cases were struck off the file. Fifteen complainants
were ordered to pay compensation for having unnecessarily or
vexatiously caused persons to be placed before the Courts. The
proportion of convictions obtained, in cases brought before the
Courts by the executive police, is 94 per cent, against 88 per cent,
in 1878.
Hace of
Accused.
Juvenile
Offenders,
Inquests.
Fires,
The total of 32,980 offenders is thus distributed among the
various races : Europeans 963, Eurasians and Native Christians
1,380,^ Hindus 18,950, Mahomedans 10,130, Parsis 1,189, others
368. Three thousand three hundred and fifty-five were females and
29,625 males. The chief increase in number was among the
Hindus and Mahomedans : the only decrease among Europeans.
There was a large increase among j uvenile offenders : 877 were
dealt with as compared with 492 in the previous year. Seven
hundred and eighty-seven were convicted, Of these 62 were sent
to the David Sassoon Eeformatory, 120 were imprisoned, 181 were
flogged, 360 were fined, and 64 admonished and discharged.
The number of inquests held was 402 aganst 371. In 83
cases verdicts of suicide were returned, and in the great majority
of the rest the verdict amounted to one of casual death.
Fiffcy-five fires occurred as compared with 51 in 1878. The
value of property destroyed was Es. 64,180 against Es. 69,077,
Two lives were lost.
Strength and The strength of the city police force was 262 Government police
, Policed ° 1*130 municipal police, total 1,392, Five men were discharge
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