'REPORT ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY, FOR THE YEAR 1907-1908' [‎12r] (22/137)

1907-3903.]
SUMMARY.
XI
frequently. In the majority of cases it was inflicted for theft, and in lien of
other punishment. In jury trials the verdict was not approved in 30 cases, or
over 10 per cent.; and in cases tried with assessors the Judge differed from all
the assessors in 182 cases, or 14 per cent.
15. The total jail population decreased by over per cent., but in spite
t)f this some of the jails were still considerably overcrowded. This was especially
the case in Sind,—chiefly owing to the free use made of Chapter VIII 0 f the
Criminal Procedure Code—and it was necessary to transfer a large number of
prisoners to 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. The number of juvenile offenders showed
a very large decrease of 60 per cent. Prison offences decreased in proportion
to the reduction in jail population, hut there was an increase in the number
of corporal punishments indicted, mainly owing to the unruly conduct of
the Sindi prisoners at Ahmedabad. Pull use continued to be made of the
remission mark system, and even better results are expected from the simplified
rules lately issued by the Government of India. There was a small decrease in
the average cost of maintenance, due to easier rates for food-grains, but it is still
far in excess of the figures for 1905 and previous years. The heavy decline in
the profits of convict labour is more apparent than real, for large stocks of
manufactured goods and raw materials remained on hand at the end of the year.
The health of the prisoners was on the whole satisfactory.
16. The Civil Court returns once more illustrate the effect of the Deccan
Agriculturists’ Delief Act in restricting the number of original suits, while adding
to the number of appeals. Money-lenders show a tendency to avoid application
to the Courts, and the investigation into the history of transactions which it
entails. On the other hand, there is a disposition to question the rulings of
Subordinate Judges on the provisions of a new Act. In spite of a 5 per cent,
decrease in the number of suits instituted, the aggregate value shows an
increase of nearly Rs. 50 lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees , the average value having risen from Rs. 267 to
Rs. 321. The lengthy procedure involved by the Deccan Agriculturists’ Relief
Act led to a further decrease in the number of cases decided. There was,
however, a marked fall in the average duration of both contested and uncontested
suits. The number of applications for execution of decrees has diminished by
over 16 per cent, in the last two years, but the proportion of futile applications
is as large as ever. This year again, in 63 per cent, of the cases, the creditor
obtained no satisfaction at all.
17. In spite of the decline in the total number of applications for
oxeeution of decrees, there was a small increase in the number of decrees
transferred to Collectors for disposal. The rate of disposal shows only a very
slight improvement and can hardly be called satisfactory, though much of the
delay has been caused by famine and scarcity. Creditors and debtors were
everywhere, except in Sind, more ready to come to terms this year than last.
The value of decrees settled by mutual agreement rose by 11 per cent, and the
remissions given by creditors by 14 per cent. The prices realised by the sale
are higher than those of last year in proportion to the assessment, in ah parts
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. except the Central Division.
18. The total number of registrations shows an increase of nearly five
per cent., and is the highest figure reached so far. The increase is largely due
to the extension to 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 of Act VI of: 1904, making mortgage-
deeds affecting property valued at less than Rs. 100 compulsorily registrable
since the number o£ optional registrations is still on the decrease. Sale-deeds
continue to increase at the expense of mortgages, a fact attributed to the
impression prevalent among money-lenders, that the Deccan Agriculturists
belief Act renders it unsafe to lend money on mortgages. The working
Prisons, civil
and criminal.
Civil Justice.
Execution of
the decrees of
Civil Courts by
the Revenue
Department.
Registration
under Act III
of 1877.