'REPORT ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY FOR THE YEAR 1902-1903' [‎10r] (13/106)

1902-1903.]
SUMMARY.
Yll
28. The disappearance of famine conditions during the year under report District Mnnl-
placed the District Municipalities generally in a more favourable financial posi- cipallties ‘
tion than in the previous year, but urgent works and sanitary improvements
were still considerably retarded by the steady drain on the Municipal resources
caused by a most virulent type of plague. There was an increase of over 3 lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees ,
however, in the aggregate net revenues of the Municipalities and of over one
lakh One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees in the closing balances. The increase was spread over the whole 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. ?
including Sind, with the exception of the Central Division, w r here there was an
unimportant falling off. Expenditure, on the other hand, showed an increase
of over 2 lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees , distributed over the whole of 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. proper, but not
shared by the Sind Municipalities. The aggregate liabilities of the various
Municipalities rose by lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees owing to a loan of 2 lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees having been raised by
the Ahmedabad Municipality for its drainage scheme.
29. During the year the Bombay Improvement Trust completed the Bombay
Ndgpada Improvement Scheme and made considerable progress in Schemes II ^P g r t 0 J eTnent
and III with the object of opening out congested areas and in Scheme IY w r ith
the object of providing additional building areas to relieve overcrowding.
Schemes for reclaiming part of Colaba and improving the Mandvi-Kolivada
quarter were sanctioned by Government. A new loan of 30 lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees at I per cent,
was raised. The revenue account of the Board increased its credit balance by
16 per cent., while the capital expenditure was more than doubled.
30. The usual camps of exercise were held by the majority of the Volunteer Volunteering.
Corps in 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. and Sind. Electrical Engineer Companies were added
to the Volunteer Artillery in Karachi and Bombay.
31. There was a slight increase in the number of European sailors shipped Marine,
at the port of Bombay, but the number at Aden fell from 61 to 16. The very
large increase of deserters in Bombay is partly attributed to the readiness with
which such men are received into the shelter of the Strangers Home. The
increase in the number of native seamen shipped both at the Bombay and
Aden offices was due to the growing popularity of these seamen with owners
and masters.
32. Coincident with the general improvement in trade the Port Trusts of Port Trusts:
Bombay, Karachi and Aden showed financial results excelling those of all
previous years. The gross receipts of the Bombay Board surpassed the record Aden,
figures of the preceding year by 3J- lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees , while there were substantial increases
in the revenues of the Karachi and Aden Port Trusts. The Bombay Port Trust
reserve fund was augmented by 4 lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees . The successful results in Karachi,
due to an extraordinary export trade in wheat, was particularly a matter for
congratulation in view of the disastrous cyclone in June, which necessitated
extensive works of restoration. The most important works undertaken by the
various Boards were the improvement of the dock channels and shed accommo
dation in Bombay, the dredging operations at Aden and the building of the new
village of Kiamari at Karachi.
33. The snagging operations of the Indus Conservancy Department were Indus Conser-
continued during the year. The receipts of the Department fell off very Depart ’
considerably, mainly owing to severe storms in May and June, which caused
heavy damage among the shipping.
34. In addition to their ordinary work, the LandBecord Staff continued to Rand Record
train the village accountants in surveying and in some districts of the Central Staff -
Division were employed on work connected with plague and famine.
35. A general increase in the net area cropped throughout 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. Crop Areas,
proper, with the exception of Kanara, brought the total area under cultivation