'ANNUAL REPORT OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY, FOR THE YEAR 1908-1909' [‎78r] (17/132)

SUMMARY.
XI
J908-1909.]
21. The increase of nearly a lakh One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees in the aggregate income of the Local Lo cal Boards
Boards was not evenly distributed among the several divisions. The receipts
from Provincial rates were diminished by remissions of Land Revenue both in
gind and in the Southern Division, and still further in the former by a local
contraction of rabi cultivation which resulted from insufficiency of water in
the canals. The decrease, however, in the income from both these quarters
was largely nominal and was more than counterbalanced by a large increase in
the realizations of the Northern and Central Divisions which was due in great
measure to the recovery of suspended arrears. The expenditure of the Boards
exhibited an advance of over 4 lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees . There was an increase of 1-| Ukhs in
the amount devoted to Education, which claimed 32 per cent, of the total
expenditure. The outlay upon Civil Works, with an increase of 3J lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees ,
represented 56 per cent, of the total. While communications and water-
supply are the most important items under this head, it also includes a consider
able expenditure upon school-houses. The closing balances of all Boards
exceeded the prescribed minimum, in many cases by unnecessarily large
amounts. There was no appreciable alteration in the average number of meet
ings held by District or Taluka Local Boards, but the average attendance showed
a decided improvement everywhere except in the Southern Division.
22. Although the revenue realized during the year once more showed an Bombay
advance of nearly 4 lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees , the financial position of the Municipality was less Muniei P alit y-
satisfactory. An increase of 4J lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees in the expenditure, which in the previous
year had exceeded the income by 3 lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees , resulted in a further deficit of
3J lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees . Moreover, while the permanent expansion of revenues during the
year was estimated at 3J lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees , the great advance in the normal expenditure
of the Municipality indicated a permanent increase of 5 lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees on the other side.
In view, therefore, of the inadvisability of allowing further deficits to fall on
the surplus cash balance, reduced as it has been by those of two succeeding years,
it is now realized that increased taxation is the only alternative to a curtailment
of expenditure. The raising of a further loan of 13J lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees during the year
increased the liabilities of the Corporation to crores, but the assets
still show an excess of 2 crores over this figure. The usual activity was
noticeable under the head of Public Works, and a large number of new
works were completed or in progress. An increased area of roads was
treated with crude petroleum as a remedy for dust. The number of fires
was undiminished, but the resultant loss of property was less by 9| lakhs One lakh is equal to one hundred thousand rupees ,
and the complete absence of casualties speaks for the efficiency of the fire
brigade. Although the city was affected by the universal epidemic of malaria,
the vital statistics improved on both the records of the previous year when the
total mortality was already the lowest since 1897 and that from plague the
lowest since the disease first appeared in Bombay. At the same time births
were more numerous. The special staff appointed in the previous year was
successful in seizing a large amount of contraband meat, while ordinary
supervision of the markets necessitated the destruction of a considerably
diminished quantity of unwholesome food. The education figures exhibited some
progress, and there was an increase of nearly 9 per cent. ;in the number of
pupils attending schools.
23. During the year a new stage was reached in the history of municipal District
administration by the withdrawal of much of the official control with which p
had formerly been associated. Government conceded to City Municipalities
the privilege of electing two-thirds of the number of their councillors, while all
uiunicipalities not excepted for special reasons were empowered to select non-
°fiicial presidents. The former concession was subject to the condition of