'REPORT ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY FOR THE YEAR 1903-1904' [‎62v] (12/112)

Yi
BOMBAY ADMINISTRATION REPORT.
[1903-1904,
1903-1 934 '
Civil Justice.
Execution of
Decrees of Civil
Courts by the
Revenue
Department.
Dekkhan
Agriculturists’
Relief Act.
Registration
under Act III of
1877.
Registration
under Act XVII
of 1879.
Registration of
Joint Stock
Companies.
District Boards.
deaths were fewer and the daily percentage of sick smaller. In spite 0 f
precautions there was an outbreak of pneumonia in the Sind Gang, but there were
no other serious epidemics.
20. The small decrease in the number of suits disposed of by the civil courts
is explained by the disorganization caused by plague combined with a decrease
in suits for money and moveable property caused by the debtor being in a better
position to meet his liabilities owing to the more favourable season. Another
cause which reduced the number of suits was the increase in conciliation agree
ments. There was a small but satisfactory decrease in the average duration of
both contested and uncontested suits, as well as in that of appeals. Though
the number of suits decreased, their aggregate value rose by Us. 17 lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees , and
this partly accounts for the small improvement in the receipts of the Courts.
This was accompanied by a satisfactory decrease in expenditure. The figures
show a considerable improvement in the amount realised in execution of
decrees.
21. The work of execution of civil courts’ decrees by Collectors showed
an improvement, both in the number of decrees disposed of and in the prices
realised for the land sold. The land fetched an average of over Us. 38 per acre,
and, in spite of the fact that this figure includes houses and alienated land, it is
certain that debtors did not lose their land so cheaply as in .the previous year.
Another satisfactory feature of the year’s work is the fact that the number of
decrees settled by private agreement again showed a marked increase in propor
tion to the total number and that there was a considerable rise in the amount
remitted by creditors.
22. Work of all kinds, except that of Conciliators, under Act XVII of
1879 showed a tendency to decrease. Plague disorganised business and caused
a rise in the average duration of both contested and uncontested suits. The
sum recovered in execution of decrees, as well as the amount of voluntary
payments, was, in spite of a large decrease in the number of writs for execution,
larger than in the previous year.
23. There was a further decline in the number of registrations under
Act III of 1877 due in part to the effects of plague and in part to the recovery
of the ryots from past bad seasons. The most noticeable feature is the large
decrease both in number and value of mortgages of Es. 100 and upwards. The
increase in the number of sale-deeds was noticeable only in the IChandesli
District, where it was due to special causes.
24. There was a further fall in the number of registrations under i ct XVII
of 1879. The decrease appears under all heads and is due to the same causes
as the decrease under the principal Eegistration Act.
25. The number of Joint Stock Companies decreased but more new Com
panies were registered than in the previous year. The decrease in the number
of Companies does not indicate any deterioration in the manufacturing industry.
26.. Incieased activity on the part of the Local Boards is indicated by a
general increase in the number of meetings. Their financial position showed a
slight improvement and they were able to increase their expenditure on
education, medical relief, and civil works and yet to show an increased closing
balance. A large number of new Boards were constituted during the yean
1 o judge by the number of voters who exercised their right to vote, the people
of the Northern Division would seem to take least interest in the work of
the Boards.
21
inoreas
street 1
year, it
practice
28,
in tlie 1
income
book k
decreasf
penditu
contim
year w
v
made a
oilier sc
affected
opiartei
a satisf
liighra
The ca
were sj
proport
• 30,
camps (
high 8
31
sMppe
There
the m
posifcio
3$
oi 5oi;
on tin
lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees
increa<
constn
The fi r
n'heat
Were n
c 9ntim