"تقرير عن إدارة رئاسة بومباي لسنة ١٨٨١-١٨٨٢" [و‎‎٥‎١] (٥٨٩/١٠٦)

1381-82.] TRIBUTARY STATES. 35
The strength of the police is 85 foot maintained at a cost of
gs. 8,112. They are a smart well-set-up body of men, and their
uniform is neat and appropriate. The “ dhoti ” has been very
sensibly retained for the clothing of their lower limbs in place of
the trowsers worn by our police in which a native seldom looks
well or at his ease.
204 offences were reported to the police, who arrested 471 per
sons and sent 279 for trial. 142 of these were convicted and 137
discharged, that is, 30 per cent, of those arrested were convicted.
There are four chief police officers in Habsan. Of these one is the
State faujd&r and three others are mahalkaris with police powers.
The work done by the State faujdar shows to best advantage ;
the percentage of convictions obtained by him on those sent for
trial is nearly 70 per cent. It should be mentioned on behalf of the
mahalkaris, that they have heavy revenue and magisterial busi
ness to attend to, besides their police duties. A similar system
was in force in this Presidency about forty years ago, but was
abolished on the ground of the conflicting nature of police and
magisterial duties, and a new police system formed.
The property stolen was valued at Rs. 9,358, of which
Rs. 8,023 were recovered or 86 per cent, against 28 of last year.
A heavy dacoity was committed in November 1881 in Wadoli, and
as nearly all the property carried off was recovered; it has helped
to raise the percentage materially.
In all 329 offences against 519 came before the criminal courts
and 9 cases remained in arrears. 688 persons were tried, of
whom 176 were convicted and 492 released. This satisfactory
result is not improbably connected with the low price of food-
grains. There were only 2 important cases: one was a dacoity
in a Bania’s house at Wadoli and the other a case of forgery.
Both cases were tried by the Political Agent, and resulted in
the conviction of 19 out of 23 accused in the former case and of
all the offenders in the latter.
72 persons were sentenced to imprisonment for less than six
months and 80 were fiued. The fines imposed amounted in all to
Rs. 1,694, out of which Rs. 891 have been recovered. The ba
lance is due to the offenders being unable to pay the fines.
Of the 2 appeals one was rejected and in the other the decision
was reversed.
There is only one jail in the State situated on the main
to the north of the town of Murud. 95 prisoners were admitted
during the year, and the daily average was 27 against 29. The
cost was Rs. 1,719.
710 suits were filed during the year, 405 were disposed of
and 347 left in arrears; 54 appeals were presented to the Karb an
and Assistant Political Agent, who disposed of 40 and left 48 in
arrears.
Two material changes have been made in the administration
pf this branch: the introduction of limitation rules more or less
in imitation of the Indian Limitation Act and the levy of court-
fees on appeals presented to the Appellate Court of the Assistan
Chap. I.
POLITICAL.
Janjira.
Police.
Stolen
Property.
Civil Justice.