‘REPORT ON THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY, FOR THE YEAR 1919-20’ [‎231v] (10/192)

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BOMBAY ADMINISTRATION REPORT.
D 919 . 1920 ,
of 19*2 per cent, in the total outturn as compared with the statistics of 1017
Excepting tur, gram, gul and tobacco which were even dearer tha
previous year, the prices of all articles of food and fodder generally rule! m
though they were still considerably higher than in 1917-18 which itself ^
year of high prices. This was due to short stocks of food stuffs in W i Sa
the world generally. Qla and *
(b) The year opened with high expectations of prosperity on the f
the public as a result of the return to peace. As was natural, these expect t'
were not fully realized owing to causes arising out of the after-effects of?
war. Prices rose while supplies shrunk, and owing to the expansio f
demand during recent years without a corresponding provision of additi 1 °
accommodation the shortage of houses became acute in Bombay and ?!
advanced cities, which led to gross profiteering. Consequently it was?]
necessary to continue some of the restrictions imposed during the war %
period of the two Rent Acts passed last year was extended by two years and
during the year various questions relating to the improvement of Bombay Ch
were discussed, viz,, the development of “ Greater Bombay,” including certain
areas immediately adjoining Bombay Harbour, reclamation and development
schemes in the city, the housing of the industrial population of Bombay and the
appointment of a Development Board for the control of these schemes. Since
the close of the year the requisite legislation has been taken in hand and the
Bombay Loan has been raised. The question of housing in Karachi also received
the special attention of Government, and they obtained from the military
authorities the area of land known as the artillery maidan which will be
utilized partly for Government buildings and partly for dwelling houses,
Further developments in the suburbs were also taken in hand.
(c) Shortage of labour and high prices continued. There was a substantial
decrease in the death rate, 32*53 against 88*05 in 1918.
3. Legislation. —During the year under review twelve Bills were
introduced in the Legislative Council and five Acts were passed.
4. Agriculture. — (a) The Agricultural Department was able to devote
its main activities once more to its normal work, though a considerable after-
math of work connected with the special famine operations of the previous year
remained to be settled up.
(b) The work of distributing improved types of cotton seed was continued
on the lines indicated last year, and the most notable developments were the
distribution of seed of a superior strain of cotton in Southern Gujarat sufficient
for at least 60,000 acres. In view of the increase of the difference in the prices
which has recently occurred between long-stapled and short-stapled cotton, this
seed which produces a cotton of superior staple was in keen demand and has
been sown. It will be known early in 1921 how far the cotton comes on to the
market in a pure state and how far the market is sensible of its superiority to
the local cotton. It is upon these factors that its success depends, fiadag
No. 1 cotton seed has now been sown on an area of about 10,000 acres, and
its success appears to be assured. In Sind Punjab F-4 was again in demand
and was distributed on a considerable scale.
(c) With regard to other matters, previous lines of work were resumed.
Improved implements were once more in demand, and sulphate of ammonia
which again became available showed signs of being popular. Its sale during
the past year amounted to only about 500 tons, but the demand for it amongs
the sugarcane cultivators is likely to increase very fast. The work 011
selection was approaching a definite result, and groundnuts were spreading
fast as a rotation crop for cotton. It is only the ravages of wild pg
that prevent this very valuable crop from obtaining the widespread success a
it deserves.
(d) The Agricultural Engineer made 127 successful bores for irrigab®'
and amongst his other activities the only novelty was the trial of a
motor tractors for ploughing purposes to test their suitability to ^ eG
conditions.