NGAL EM BANKMEN T M A NUAL

CON T A IN I N G

A N A CCOUN T

THE ACTION OF THE GoyERN M EN T IN .

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DEALING WITH EM BANKM ENTSA N D WATER- COURSES SINCE THE PERM ANENT

USSICN OF THE PRINCIPLES OF THE A CT OF 1873 ;

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WITH NOTESAND APPENDICES DESCRIB ING THE PRESENT CONDITIONé OF EM BANKM ENTS UNDER STATE CONTROL IN BEN GAL,

THE CHIEF CON TROVERSIES CON CERN IN G THEM .

HENRY LELAND HARRISON; B.A .,CS

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PRIN TED A T THE BEN GA L SECRETA RIA T PRESS .

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BEN GA L EM BA N K M EN T M A N UAL:

C ON TA I N I N G

A N A CCOUN T

OF THE ACTION OF THE GOVERNM ENT IN DEALING WITH EM BANKM ENTSAND WATER - COURSES SINCE THE PERM ANENT SETTLEM ENT ;

DISCUSSION OF THE PRINCIPLES OF THE A CT OF 1873 ;

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WITH NOTES AND APPENDICES DESCRIBING THE PRESENT CONDITIONOF EM BANKM ENTS UNDER STA TE CONTROL IN BENGAL,

A N D THE CHIEF CON TROVERSIES CON CERN IN G THEM .

HENRY LELAND HARRISON , B.A ., O.S

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PRIN TED A T THE BEN GA L SECRETA RIA T PRE SS .

PREFA CE.

THE posit ion which the State occu pies a n d ought to occupy withre gard t o t h e e m ban km e nts a n d dr a in age of l arge port ion s of Lowe rB e ngal is a su b j e ct which h a s n ever cea sed t o force itse lf u pon t h e

a tte ntion of Gove rnme nt since t h e English first b ega n t o fin d themselve sre sponsible for t h e adm in istration a n d we lfare of tha t country.

Whi ch e m ban kme nts ought t o b e ke pt up , a n d which ought t o b eab an don ed ? How far is t h e Sta te bound t o be a r t h e e xp e ns e of ke e pin gup those re ta in e d What office rs could most advantage ously b e charge dwith t h e su pe rvision of the m ? What powe r s Should b e give n them of

taking ove r, on be ha lf of t h e pu blic, e xistin g works, or of constru ctingn ew works ? La stly, so far a s t h e du ty of m a inta inin g e m ba n km e ntsor cogna te works m i ght b e foun d t o de volve on in dividua ls or on p e rsonsb e ne fite d by the m , wha t a u thor ity ought t h e e xe cutive office rs of t h eState t o e xe rcise t o com pe l the se p e rsons t o fu lfil the ir obligations, an dt o le vy from them t h e ne ce ssa ry costs, an d wha t proce dure Should b epr e scr ib e d for this pur pose , ar e que stions which have aga in a n d aga inb e e n discusse d, re porte d u pon, a n d note d upon . Th e sam e grou nd h a sbe e n ofte n r e - trod ; ofte n ill - conside re d orde rs have be e n pa sse d an d

withdr awn within a few ye ars some time s t h e Gove rnme nt wou l d seemt o have shirke d t h e di ffi cu ltie s involve d in a n y de cision of t h e proble m ,

a n d e nde avoure d t o postpone or e scape a se ttle m e nt of it . A t la st in1855 a com pr e he n sive , thou gh, a s e xpe r ie nc e prove d, insufficie nt A ct

wa s pa sse d ; a n d it wa s only in t h e B e nga l Em ba n kme n t A ct of 1873

tha t all th e difficu l tie s have b e e n grapple d with a n d a le gislative m e a

pa sse d which , thou gh n o doubt it will ne e d ame ndin g in de ta il s, a s

te ste d by e xpe rie nce , bids fa ir t o a fford a satisfa ctory solution of t h edifficu ltie s which have hithe rto b e se t th e Gove rnm e n t.

Th e n ew A ct cha rge s t h e Colle ctor s with t h e imm e diate supe rvisionof embankme nts an d dr a inage ; a n d t h e distr ict in which t h e que stiona ssume s far gre a te r prom ine nce than in a n y othe r distr ict t o whi ch theA ct applie s is Midn apor e . This is partly du e to two ou t of t h e fiv erive rs which ne e d e m ban king inte rse cting it, but still more t o its havinga large s e a - fa ce lyin g within ordi n ary tida l ra n ge , but cu l tiva te d up t ot h e ve ry s e a - line , ove r t h e whole of which e m ban km e nts ar e a ne ce ssarycondition t o t h e e xiste nce of cultivation . A bove a l l

, it is du e t o t h elam e ntable re cu rrence ove r this a re a of cyclon e s a n d the ir a tte n da n tstorm - wave s ; t h e de stru ctive e ffe ct of which ca n only b e warde d off

by a syste m of car e fu lly- de signe d a n d we ll - m a inta in e d dyke s , botha long t h e s e a - fa ce a n d up t h e channe ls le ading into it, which e nta il, inthe ir turn , a syste m of m inor works .On this a ccou nt, b e ing Colle ctor of tha t distr ict, I took advantage

of a Short le ave of abse nce t o re ad up t h e pap e rs bea r in g on t h e qu e stion,

a n d soon fou nd tha t, a s is t h e ca se with so many othe r sub j e cts of

importance , a ma ss of information e xisted in the Shape of re ports, offic e

ii

note s , correspondence , an d discussions, which, though avail able to a n yon e wh o knows of the ir e xiste nce , a r e ye t unkn own to probably ninete n ths of those wh o will b e ca lle d upon t o work t h e A ct . More ove r,with much tha t is va luable , the y conta in a lso much inform a tion whichis no longe r of an y pra ctica l u s e , a n d m uch in the late r pap e rs which isonly a r e pe t it ion of t h e conte nts of t h e e arlie r ones . It the re fore se eme dprobable that it would b e u se fu l t o colle ct in a single volume a summ ary of t h e more important e na ctm e nts, re ports , a n d discussions of t h ela st ce ntury a n d t o re produce t h e A ct itse lf, with note s a n d app e ndice scontain ing a brie f re vie w of t h e pre se nt Sta te of th e public embankm e nts t o wh ich it will apply, toge the r with a more e labor ate a ccount oft h e Midnapore embankme nts, t o which m y a tte ntion wa s na tur a llymorespe cia lly dir e cte d . To the se ar e adde d a colle ction of th e orde rs ofGove rn m e nt a n d of t h e Board tha t have thus far b e e n issu e d for t h eworking of t h e A ct . It wi ll re adilyb e conce de d tha t a knowle dge of th ea tte ndant circumstance s unde r which a n A ct is pa sse d n ot only dr awsa tte ntion to its salie nt points , but a lso e n able s t h e obj e ct of its se ve ra lprovisions to b e more re adily unde r stood, a n d m or e satisfa ctor ilycarrie d ou t . It is hoped, the re fore , that this manu a l will b e fou nduse fu l t o many who m ay have to apply t h e A ct

, a n d m ay fa cilitate itssucce ssful working .

In t h e following pages no attempt h a s be en made t o obse rvee ithe r t h e authorise d syste m of translite ration or a n y othe r de fin itesystem . Th e A ct its e lf a n d its Sche dule have n ot be e n drawn up on

a n y such system ,a n d it could only have be e n productive of confu sion

t o have obse rve d on e spe lling in on e part an d a different spelling inanother part of th e same volume .

TABLE OF CONTENTS.

HISTORICA L OUTLIN E A N D DISCUSSION OF THE M A IN PRIN CIPLES

OF THE A CT .

Con dition of e m ban km e n ts in 1771Re la tive obliga tion s a t tha t p e r iod of Gov e rn m e n t a n d z e m in dars t o m a in t a in

e m ban km e n tsEffe ct of t h e p e rm an e n t s e ttle m e n t on the se ob liga tion s

(a )—E qu itable a s tra n sfe rr in g t h e in te r e st i n im prove m e n t s(b )—L e gisla tive , viz . Re gu la tion XXXI II, 1793, an d Se ction s 72 an d 96 of

Re gu la tion VI II , 1 793(c)—By e xpr e ss con tract, i . e . t h e de ce n n ial se ttl e m e n t koob oolyu t s

No m a chin e ry provide d t o e n force a tte n tion t o the ir du tie s on t h e par t of t h ez e m in da r s

Re gu la tion VI of 1806, par tly dir e cte d t o re m e dy this de fe ctTh e Re gu la tion a lso tra n sfe r s cha rge of e m ba n km e n ts t o Em ban km e n t Com m i tte e sAu thor ity of Com m i tte e s tran sfe r r e d to office rs t o b e sp e cia lly appoin te d by

Gove rn m e n t by R e gu la tion X I of 1 829Te n de n cy of Gove rn m e n t e xp e n ditu re on e m ba n km e n ts t o in cr e ase owin g t o de fe ct

ive m a chin e ryAction of t h e Ex e cu tiv e Com m i tte e of En qu iry in 1814Raj sh ahye e m ba n km e n ts aba n don e d in 1 819J e ssor e di tto ditto in 182 6

Tipp e rah ditto ditto in 1845

I n 1835 Boa rd of Re v e n u e ca lle d u pon t o r e por t on t h e pr e cise n a tur e of th eobliga tion of Gove r n m e n t t o m a in ta in e m ba n km e n ts a t i ts own e xp e n se

Board’ s re ply in 1837I t is r e com m e n de d tha t th e cost of n e ce ssary n ew works b e bor n e by Gove rn m e n t

a n d t h e z e m in dar s in propor tion t o th e ir shar e s in t h e gross re n tNo l e gisla tion followe dCon tin u e d n e gle ct of z e m in dar e e bu n dsM r . H . V. Bayle y’ s v ie ws in 1851 as t o t h e n e ce ssity of Gov e rn m e n t a ssum in g

t h e con trol of im por tan t z e m in dare e bu n dsAct XXX II of 1855 con fe rr e d this pow e r on Em ban km e n t Su pe r in te n de n tsAct VI I of 1866 for fa cilita tin g a cqu isi t ion of la n d for e m ba n km e n tsOm ission of t h e above Ac t s t o a u thor iz e a n y summ a ry m e a su r e s in e m e rge n t ca se s

l e d t o t h e Act of 1873S e ction in t h e Bill a s drafte d in 1871 throwin g th e e n tire on u s of m a in ta in in g

e xistin g a n d fu t u r e e m ba n km e n ts on th e z e m in da rsDraft s e ction pe tition e d a ga in stA n d m odifie d by t h e addition of a Sch e du le e n um e ratin g a l l emban km e n ts which

Gove rn m e n t 13 u n de r obligation to m ain ta in

ii

Chie f provision s of th e n ewAct

(1)—Obliga tion of p e rson s be n e fite d t o pay for e m ban km e n ts an d cogn a te worksEqu i ty of this provision e xam in e d, an d possible a lte rn a tive s

l s t a lt e rn a tive —To l e t m a tte rs driftFa ta l obj e ction s t o thi s2 n d a l te rn a tive —Gove rn m e n t to ip e rform n e ce ssary works a t pu blic

e xpe n seBoard’s opin ion b n this poin t in 1837

Its in su fficie n cy3rd a lte rn a tive .

—Own e rs of lan d b e n e fit e d t o b e com p e lle d t o b e art h e e xp e n se

Shoul d th e Sta te in e qu ity m ake a n y proportion a te con tr ibu tion towa rdse xp e n ditu re on n ewworks PColon e l H a ig

’s Opin ion while t h e Bill was u n de r discu ssion

Sta te m e n ts showin g large e xp e n ditu r e in cu rr e d by Sta te on e m ba n km e n tsm a in t a in e d a t i ts e xp e n s e , from 1 858 t o 1867, as a n a rgum e n t aga in stthis obliga tionSta te will con tr ibu te in dir e ctly by losin g in te re st on advan ce s an d los in gsum s irre cov e rableA lso n a tu r e of p e rm an e n t se ttle m e n t an addition a l a rgum e n t

(2)—Pow e rs of Gov e rn m e n t office r s e n large d by t h e Ac tWa te r - cou rs e s m ay b e tak e n ove r“ H e a lth” r e cogn iz e d a s on e of t h e grou n ds j u stifyin g in te rve n tionPowe r of En gin e e r , with con se n t of L ie u te n a n t - Gove rn or

,t o ca l l on

a ra ilway which obstru cts dr a in age t o m a ke a lte ra tion s

(3) —Colle ctors aga in m ade r e spon sible for su p e rvision of e m ba n km e n ts an ddra in a g e

Re a son s for this provision a s sta te d i n Cou n ci l

(4) - Sum m ary powe rs in e m e rge n t ca se s con fe r re d by t h e Act(5 )—M isce llan e ou s

Im por tan t de fin i t ion s Em ban km e n tE sta teZ e m in darTe n u r eProprie tor

P lan s an d copy of su rve y m ap t o b e in fu tu r e a n e sse n tia l pr e lim in a ry t o proce e di n gs

Com p e n sa tion for dam age s h ow t o b e a sse ss e dObliga tion of ce r ta in z e m in dar s t o give lan d, d isp e n se d withDu e s for e m ban km e n ts t o b e n o lon ge r r e cove rable a s a rr e a r s of re v e n u eBu t as de m a n ds u n de r Act VII of 1 868

Pra ctica l difficu l ty i n r e cove r in g u n de r this Act h ow su rm ou n te d in M idn apor ePe n a l provision s of n ewActCa ttle - tr e spa ss on e m ban km e n ts m ade p e n a lD iscu ssion in Cou n cil on this qu e stionPr a ctica l obj e ction s t o i tChi e f di fficu ltie s which will b e e xp e r ie n ce d in workin g t h e Ac tDifficu lty of de cidin g sa tisfact or ily t h e e s ta te s an d vill age s be n e fite dUn lim ite d r igh t of app e a lGe n e ra l pr in cip le s

PA GEI rriga tion an d dra in age shou ld go toge the rDam s on dra in age chan n e ls t o b e de pre ca te dEm ba n kin g aga in s t a n ordin ary an d gradu a l in u n da tion of fre sh - wa te r in juriou sBan kin g ou t Of sa lt wa te r i n disp e n sableSu dde n in u n da tion of r ive r s charge d with san d ve ry de stru ctiveCon clu sionAct VI of 1873, with n ote sSchedu le ASch e du l e BSche du le 0Sche du le DSche du le E

A PPEN DIX A .

Em ba n km e n ts oth e r tha n thos e in th e old Bu rdwom Es t a t e or in

M idn ap or e Dis trict .

Raj sh ahye

J e ssoreTipp e rahP a tn a Division .

- Gu n du e k Em ban km e n tsRe por t i n 1841 on t h e e xp e die n cy of r e ta in in g themBh agu l pore Division .

—Sagr ib u n dRaj sh ahye DivisionM a ldahM oorsh e dab ad

Pre side n cy DivisionNu dde a

24-Pe rgu n n ahs e m ba n km e n tsThe ir aban don m e n t orde r e d inTh e qu e stion r e op e n e d in 1837The ir m a in te n an ce orde r e d

A PPEN DIX B.

Em b a n km e n ts in th e old Bu rdwcm Est a t e .

Spe cia l con tract wi th th e Rajah a t t h e de ce n n ial se ttlem e n tAn n u a l a l lowan ce m ade h im for re pa irs, Sa . Rs.I ts appl ica tion t o p e rgu n n ah M un dl e ghat

A lso t o p e rgu n n ah Ch e t ooaM u n dl e gh z

‘

t t adm itte d to b e in clu de d in i tDou bts re ga rdin g Ch e t ooaD e cision in favor of e xem ptin g t h e z e m in dars of Ch e tooa from an y liability

a rr ive d a t in 1 839Applicabili ty t o pe rgu n n ah Bogre eO the r p e rgu n n ahsM r . Hu ghe s’ n ote showin g cos t of th e circu i t e m ban km e n ts on th e Se lye an d

Da rkissu r

Dam oodu r e m ban km e n ts—Fun dam e n ta l difficu l ty t o b e ove rcom e

M e a su re s propose dCou r se adopte d by Gove rn m e n t .—D e m oli tion of tw e n ty m i le s of r ight ba n k

e m ban km e n t

iv

PA GEI t s e ffe ctsFin a l r e vie w of t h e r e su l ts of t his m e a su re by t h e loca l Gove rn m e n tAppre he n sion of fu tu re difficu lty owin g to t h e gradu a l ra isin g of t h e r ight ba n kQu e stion of com p e n sa tionA dj ai e m ban km e n tsTh e Sa tkon e a bu n dPr e se n t cost of e m ban km e n ts in th e old Bu rdwan e s ta teE ffe ct of t h e Em ban km e n t Act a s in te rpre tin g t h e con tra ct

A PPEN DIX C .

Em ba nkm en ts in th e r e s t of th e Dis tr ict of

H idge l e e e m ban km e n ts xvi iiEm ban km e n t te rm in ology in H idge l e e

Ga n goore a b u n de e

H u ss e a b u n de e

Kha ll b u n de eKha ll ku n de eJ ol n ika s e e

Bh e r e e b u n de e

Gram b h e r e e s

Re la tive advan tage s of Gram b h e r e e s an d AilsL iability of Gove rn m e n t t o m a in ta in e ach of t h e above class e s of worksPe rm a n e n t se ttle m e n t koob oolyu t s in H idge l e eEm ba n km e n t Com m itte e ’ s op in ion , a n d orde rs the r e onDiffe re n ce of Opin ion a s r e gards liability t o m a in ta in Bh e r e e b u n de eA rran ge m e n ts for m an agin g t h e bu n ds for which Gov e rn m e n t wa s de clar e d l iableExte r ior e m ba n km e n ts t o b e m a in ta in e d by t h e Pu blic Works D e par tm e n tIn te r ior e m ban km e n ts m ade ove r t o t h e con trol of th e z e m in dars with a su i table

al lowan ceSta te m e n t of a llowan ce s m ade for thisSu bse qu e n t m odifica tion in t h e con dition s of paym e n tE ffe ct of th e n ewAct on the se obliga tion s of Gove rn m e n t xxvu

Th e law doe s n ot r e qu ir e Gove rn m e n t t o m a in ta in th e e xcava tion of op e n khal lsProposa ls for m e e tin g th isK a l iaghye fre sh - wa te r e m ban km e n tsPe rgu n n ah Pu t t a spor eCossye e m ba n km e n tsD e scr iptive accou n t of M idn apore em ban km e n ts, an d con trove rsie s con ce rn in gthe m

Gre a t s e a dykeI t s historyStorm of 1823

Storm s of 1831 , 1832 , an d 1833Storm s of 1840, 1848, 1850, an d 1851 xxxiiiD e pu tation of Capta in Spe n s t o re por t on se a dykeStorm of 1 864

Cau se of its de stru ctive e fi’e ct s xx xvStorm of 1874 xxxviD e scr iption of th e re m a in in g e m ban km e n t in Hidge l e e

PA GE .

Qu e stion of a ffordin g com ple te prote ction to t h e ban ks of t h e Hooghly aga in s ta storm - wa ve xxxvu

E s t lm a t e d cost of t h e proj e ctProbable dan ge r t o Ca lcu ttaP roj e ct disa llowe d in con se qu e n ceEm ba n km e n t ce ss in H idge l e e in clu de d in t h e pe rm a n e n t s e ttle m e n t, a n d i ts yie ldAn ticipa te d in cr e a se of r e ve n u e in te m porar ily se ttle d e sta te s owin g t o e m ba n k

m e n t im prov e m e n t s x xxixD e scr iption of P u t t a spor e e m ban km e n tsD e scr iption of A m e r s e e e m ba n km e n tsJ ok e e cross e m ban km e n tD e scription of Cos sye e m ba n km e n tsProble m pr e se n te d by t h e Cossye e m ba n km e n ts

A PPEN DIX D.

Circu l a r s a n d Orde r s a l r e a dy issu ed u n de r th e A ct .

Board of Re ve n u e ’s ge n e ra l circu la r (3 of M ay 1875)Board ’ s le tte r r e ga rd in g a sse ssm e n t of hou se s on e m ba n km e n tsGove rn m e n t orde r s on aboveL e ga l Re m e m bra n ce r’ s opin ion re ga rdin g t h e r e cove ry of costs u n de r t h e ActBoard’s le tte r an d Gov e r n m e n t orde rs re gardin g charge s for e stablishm e n ts a n din te re st

HISTORICAL OUTLINE,A ND DISCUSSION OF THE

M A IN PRINCIPLES OF THE ACT.

MOST of t h e e m bankm e nts a t pr e se n t ma inta in e d a s pu b l ic e m ba n km e nts we r e in e xiste nce b e for e t h e Com pa n y’s

b aglifiic

hl

dizr

irif

l’f’ir

i.

a cce ssion t o t h e dewa n ny . Th e pape r s in t h e B e n ga lOffice b e ar in g on t h e su bj e ct go ba ck a s far a s t h e

ye ar 1771 . The se for th e m ost pa r t a r e re ports from t h e re side n tColle ctors a n d othe r loca l office r s of t h e p e r iod , r e pr e se ntin g t h e

dilapidate d condition Of t h e bu n ds in the ir r e sp e ctive distr icts , a n d

sol iciting author ity t o r e pa ir the m . I n m an y instance s the se re por tsa r e a ccom panie d by e stim a te s fr ame d by those office r s ; b u t b e yon d t h ere pre se n tation s of t h e n e ce ssity of re pa ir s a n d a re com m e n dation tha tt h e e stimate s m ay b e pa sse d, a n d som e time s a n e xpla n ation of t h e

charge s if the y we r e in e xce ss of those of pre viou s ye a r s, the r e is n oin form ation a s t o th e de scr iption of b u nds t o b e re pa ir e d or t o t h e

e xte nt t o which t h e Gove rn me nt wa s re sponsible for t h e e xpe nse of

such r e pair s .“ In some in sta n ce s t h e Gove rnm e nt wa s e xpe cte d t o re pa ir t h e

bu nds , a n d, by im plica tion , its obliga t ion t o m a in ta in

t iolise l

aiil

iliaib

i

i

iagridd the s e bu nds se e m s t o have be e n cle ar ly e stablishe d ;

of Gove r n m e n t an d b u t in othe r ca se s t h e e xp e nse is State d t o have be e nhigiiigii

n

ggiiaiik hithe r to re adily bor n e by t h e inhab ita n ts . Fromm e n ts , pape rs tha t follow a fe w ye ars a fte r

,t h e Gove rnm e nt

app e a r s t o have un de r take n a t its own e xpe n se t h ema inte nance of ce r ta in in t e r ior bu n ds while , aga in , in othe r in stance s , t h eGove rnm e nt only m ade adva n ce s or a ltoge the r re fuse d t o in te r fe r e e xce ptt o s e e tha t t h e bu n ds we re ke pt u p by t h e zemin dar in su ch sta te of

e ffi cie ncy a s wa s r e qu ir e d for t h e prote ction of t h e coun try ; but the r eis nothin g pr e viou sly t o 1793 t o Show h ow t h e Gove rn m e nt firstcam e unde r a n y sp e cific obligations t o m a intain t h e bunds

,or the e xte n t

O f tha tThough

,howe ve r, t h e mor a l obliga tion of Gove r n me n t t o ma inta in

embankme nts a t its own e xpe nse cannot b e satisfa ctorily prove d or disprove d by th e pap e rs pr ior t o t h e pe rm an e n t se ttle m e nt, this que stion

is on e of m in or im porta n ce , a s a se ttle m e n t of that

mfiggit

sgftffgeg?’ chara cte r m ust obviou sly change t h e whole nature of

on th e se obliga . su ch obliga tion . A s lon g a s t h e Gove rn m e nt couldtion s .(a ) Equ it ab l e ; a s p e r l odi ca l ly e nhance th e r e ve nue of e state s

.

prote cte dt ra n s fe rrm g t h e by e m ban kme nts, It would I n a m a n ne r b e Im provm g

E‘

Zifim n im pm v e ' its own prop e r ty by m a in ta in in g the se works .

It is on ly a t a n d a fte r tha t le gisla tive con tra ct be twe e nGove rnme nt a n d t h e ze m in dars , tha t it be com e s a que stion of e xtr e m e

im porta n ce whe the r t h e obliga tion wa s a cce pte d by Gove r n m e nt ou t

Be n ga l Odios n ote by M r . W. R . Ba i llie in 1850 .

2

of th e p roce e ds of t h e a ss e ssm e n t fixed upon each est ate , or whe the r itde volve d u pon t h e zemindars . This que stion aga in must b e re solved intotwo por tions : (1 ) wh o wa s charge able with ma inta ining an d re pa iringe xisting e m bankments ; (2 ) wh o woul d b e liable for t h e cost of cons t ru ct in g a n d m a inta inin g future embankme nts tha t might be de emedne ce ssary, a n d othe r works, su ch a s slu ice s , re tire d e m ban km ents, spur s ,tra inin g works , which t h e e xiste nce of embankme nts m ight ne ce ssitate .

It is e vide n t tha t on ge ne r a l principle s of e qu ity t h e obligation oft h e Sta te ou ght in a n y ca se t o have be e n lim ite d t o t h e first , viz . t h e

m a in te nance of e xisting works . Obviously those wh owou l d ga in by n ewworks ought t o pay for the m . But t o a id us in answe ring this que stion,we have t h e le gislation of t h e pe r iod a n d the e xpre ss contra cts made

with t h e zemindars . Th e le gislation be a r in on the

v i(bRLe ig

i

zl a t ive ’ subj e ct is t o b e found in Re gulation XXXI I of the

xiixflgf:

2

17

1

81

5 an d Code of 1793, an d in two se ction s of Re gu lation VIII3

50

30 118 72

,

an d 96 of that Code . The obj e cts of Re gul a tion XXXIII0 e gu l a t m nVI I I , 1793 .

ar e thus e xpl aIn e d In Its pre amble It b e m g n e ce s

sary tha t provision should b e made for t h e a n nual re pa irof ce rta in embankme nts in diffe re nt parts of t h e cou ntry, which have be e nconside re d a s public works a n d have be en ke pt in re pa ir a t t h e e xp e nseof Gove rnm e nt in conse que nce of the ir gre at e xte nt a n d t h e damaget o which th e districts a n d place s for th e prote ction of which the y havebe e n constru cte d wou ld b e liable from inundation in t h e e ve nt of the irn ot re ce iving t h e ne ce ssary annua l re pa irs ; a n d the re be ing the stronge st grounds for be lie vin g that if t h e e m ba n kme nts, re se rvoirs, a n d

wa t e r - cou r se s in t h e estate s of individuals , which ar e n ot conside r e d a s

pu blic works, we re enlarge d or put in a prop e r state of re pa ir, an d n ewworks of t h e same nature made whe n ne ce ssary a n d pra cticable ,a su fficie nt portion of t h e crops might b e pre se rve d in se a sonsof dr ought or inundation for t h e subsiste n ce of the body of t h e

p e ople , a n d conse que ntly t h e occurre nc e of t h e m ise rie s which thiscountry h a s so ofte n su ff e re d from fam ine b e pre ve nte d ; a n d th e

Gove rn or- Ge n e r a l in Cou ncil be in g the r e fore solicitou s t o e ncour ageproprie tor s , farm e rs , a n d cultivator s of land t o unde rtake the se im portant improve m e n ts in the ir e state s a n d lands, &c . , pa sse d ce rta in Re gul a t ion s , applicable t o t h e above conside rations

,on t h e 1 l th Fe bruary

a n d 2 1 st Octob e r 1791 , which ar e he re by r e - ena cte d with m odifica tions .”

It is thu s evide nt tha t a t t h e p e rm ane nt se ttle m e n t Gove r n m e ntre cognise d its Obliga tion t o re pa ir certa in embankme n ts, pre scription or

custom be ing refe rre d t o a s t h e te st of the e xte nt of this obligation ,a n d the ir gre at e xte nt a n d th e damage whi ch would re su lt from the irne gle ct

,a s its foundation . Wh il e , on the other hand, it cle arly la id

down that the re we r e othe r e xisting embankme nts, a s we ll a s re se rvoirsa n d wate r- cour se s n ot con side r e d pu blic works , a n d n ew works of th esam e n a ture , whose re pa ir or construction we re matte rs of publicinte re st a n d fit Obj e cts of le gisla tion .

Th e pr incipa l provisions of th e Re gu lation ar e a s followsTh e Distr ict Colle ctors a r e place d in ch a rge of a l l pu blic e m bank

m e nts r e pa ir e d a t Gove rnm e nt e xpe nse , a n d a lso of a ll othe r e m bankm e n ts in e sta te s which have be e n brought for an y purpose u nde r kha smanage m e nt . (Se ction

https://www.forgottenbooks.com/join

4

Thus while large public works we r e admitte d t o b e a charge on t h e

Sta te , n o sp e cification is t o b e fou n d of wha t works f e ll

mgg’

dg'

g

a

if‘

gfgceunde r this ca te gory ; a n d, on th e othe r hand

,while t h e

a t te n tion t o the ir ob liga tion of th e ze m in dars t o con struct a n d m a inta in a l lOf

othe r e m ban km e n t a n d dra in age works wa s distin ctlyre cogn ise d both by t h e Re gulation s a n d by th e par ticu lar

cove n ants, n oma chin e rywa s provide d t o e nfor ce a tte n tion t o the se du tie s .Prob ab ly it wa s ove r- sangu ine ly hope d tha t the ir own inte re sts wouldb e a sufficie n t indu ce m e n t t o t h e la n downe rs t o look a fte r the se works .If so, it soon app e ar e d that the se hop e s we r e a s de lu sive a s in de e d

the y we re obviou sly ba se d on in su fficie n t grou nds . Prop e rtie s inB e n ga l e ve n a t tha t tim e we r e far t oo inte r la ce d a n d sub divide d t omake it a lways for t h e inte r e st of e a ch z e m indar t o m a inta in suchworks a s e xiste d on his prope r ty, b u t t h e b e ne fits of which we repa r ticipate d in by othe r s ; ye t t h e ne gle ct of on e owne r , or his fa iluret o a ct in conce rt with othe rs , must in m any ca se s br ing most impor tantinte r e sts into j e opardy ; a n d we akne ss in a single poin t in a lin e of

e m b an km e nts wou l d nullify a l l t h e lab our be stowe d on othe r par ts of it ;for this n o reme dy wa s offe r e d b e yond th e norm a l suit for damage s in a.

civil cour t .This de fect soon made itse lf appare nt ; a n d on e of t h e obj e cts of

Re g u la tion VI oft h e n e xt Em b a n km e n t Re gula tion (VI of 1806) wa s

1 806z

par t ly dir e cte d t o provide a r e m e dy for it. Th e la tte r pa r t of t h e

325621

10 9“ this pr e am ble of tha t Re gulation state s that I t is

e sse ntia l tha t fu r the r provision should b e m ade for th em ore e ffe ctual re pa ir of t h e embankm e n ts which t h e ze m indars a n d

t a lookdar s ar e boun d, u nd e r th e condition s of t h e p e rm an e n t se ttle m e ntof t h e la n d re ve nue , t o m a inta in a t th e ir own e xp e ns e .

”

Th e ne xt nine se ctions of this Re gulation tr ansfe r t h e su pe r in

te nde n ce of e m ba n km e n ts ma inta in e d a t t h e e xp e nse of Gove r n me ntfrom t h e Colle ctors t o Em ba n km e n t Com m itte e s, of which t h e Colle ctorwa s e x ofii cio a m e m b e r . A nu m b e r of de ta ils a r e pr e scribe d for t h em e e tin gs of t h e com m itte e a n d t h e proce dure t o b e adopte d by it forobta in in g sanction t o t h e e stim ate s a n d a ccou n ts (S e ction s 2 t oa n d the n follows S e ct ion 1 1 , which is thu s worde d

Th e com m itte e s i n t h e se ve ra l zillahs Sha ll b e ve ste d with a

ge n e ra l control ove r t h e emba n kme n ts which a r e re pa ir e d a t t h e e xpe nseof th e ze m in dars a n d fa rm e r s a s we ll a s of thos e which a r e m a in ta in e dby Gove rnm e nt . By this ru l e it is n ot in te nde d t o in te r f e r e with t h ezemin dars a n d farm e r s in t h e re pa ir of t h e emb a n km e nts situ a te d int h e la n ds he ld by th e m SO lon g a s tha t du ty Sha ll b e e ff e ctu a lly a n d

prope r ly p e r form e d . Th e com m itte e Sha ll, howe ve r , b e a t libe rty,whe ne ve r the y m ay de e m it ne ce ssary, t o ca ll upon a n y z e m in dar or

fa rm e r t o m ake su ch re pa irs t o t h e emba n km e n ts Situ ate d in t h e la n dsof su ch ze m indar a s m ay b e re quire d . Shou ld a n y ze m indar, a fte r t h ere ce ipt of su ch p e rwa n n ah , ne gle ct t omake t h e n e ce ssary re pa ir s , t h ecom m itte e Sha ll subm it t o Gove rn me nt a n e stim a te of t h e e xp e n sere qu ir e d for that purpose , a n d t h e re pa irs Sha ll in a l l such ca se s b emade by the office r s of Gove rnm e n t , a n d t h e e xpe n se re cove re d fromt h e ze m indar or farm e r wh o wa s bound t o ke e p t h e e m ba n km e n ts in a

prope r state of re pa ir . Provide d, howe ve r , that in a l l su ch ca se s th e

z 5

a ccoun ts of t h e a ctua l e xp e nditur e shall b e forwarde d t o t h e Gove rn orGe ne ra l in Cou n cil , for his sa n ction , pr e viou sly t o t h e am ou nt be ingcharge d t o t h e z e m in dar or farm e r .

S e ction 1 2 dire cts slu ice s t o b e made in emba n kme n ts whe re me ce ssary, a n d prohibits cu ts b e ing m ade in the m withou tsa n ction of t h e a u thor ize d office r ; while S e ction 13

e xte nds the se ru le s t o e m ban km e nts m a in ta ine d byze m indar s . In t h e form e r ca se t h e e xpe n se wa spre su m ably t o b e born e by t h e Gove rnm e n t , in t h e

latte r by t h e ze m in dar, "thou gh t h e ru l e s a r e e n tir e ly sile n t on t h e

poin t . Th e Em ba n km e nt Com m itte e s , t o whose cha rge t h e tr a n sfe r of

e m ba n km e nts wa s le ga lise d by this Re gu la tion ,h ad in ge n e r a l b e e n

appointe d pre viou s t o its e n a ctm e nt . A t t h e be gin n in g of this ce n tu rylam e n tab le inu ndations occurre d in M oor sh e dab ad, t h e de stru ctivee ffe cts of which cam e un de r t h e p e r son a l obse rva tion of LordWe lle sle y, a n d th e fir st Em b a n km e nt Com m itte e wa s appoin te d inthat distr ict t o inqu ire into the ir ca u se . This wa s followe d by t h e

appoin tm e n t of com m itte e s in othe r distr icts , a n d a fte rwa rds by t h e

Re gul ation of 1806 . It will b e obs e rve d tha t t h e provision s of thisRe gu lation ar e re str icte d e xclusive ly t o e m bankme nts t h e m a in te nanceof ta n ks , re se rvoir s, a n d wa te r - cours e s , t h e im porta n ce of which th epre vious Re gu l a tions re cogn is e d, is nowhe r e provide d for (e xce pt wa te rcour se s t /zr ough e m ba n km e n ts) , a n om ission which r e m a in e d withoutre m e dy u p t o t h e date of t h e A ct just pa sse d .

The se two Re gu l ation s , with anothe r ve ry brie f on e (XI of

Au thor ity Of com .

which abolishe d t h e committe e s a n d transfe rre d t h em i t t e e s tran sfe rr e d powe rs a n d au thority

,e xe r cise d by them t o “ su ch

t o offifle l

'

s t o b f?t d

office r s a s t h e Gove r n or - Ge ne r a l in Cou n cil m ayIf), appoin t,

” form e d t h e on ly le gisla tive sa n ction forRe gu lation X I of inte rfe re nce on t h e part of Gove r n me nt in t h e1 829 '

e m bankm e nts a n d dra in age of t h e cou n try u n til t h e A ctof 1855 , a n d a s a n e ce ssary con se que n ce difficu l tie s we r e con sta n tlya ccum ula tin g a n d abu se s cre e pin g in

,which l e d t o fr e que nt in qu ir ie s

a n d m ore or le ss com ple te re por ts . Th e n atu r a l te nde n cy u n de r su chT e n de n cy of cir cum sta n ce s wa s for th e e xpe n ditu r e t o Gove rn

Gov e l‘n m e n t m e n t t o '

1n cr e a s e . The re b e i n g n o m e an s of for cinge xpe n d i tu r e one m b a n km e n t s t o propr i e tor s or othe r pe r sons i n te re ste d t o u n de r takein cr e as e owm s t o a n y n ew wor /f s , howe ve r n e c e ssary

,n o a lte r n a tive

de fe cm e m aChm e ry‘ re m a ine d b u t e ithe r t o le ave the m un don e or for t h e

Gove rnm e n t t o constru ct them ; while in m a n y ca se s ," owin g t o t h einade qu a te a n d low pa id sta ff tha t wa s m a in ta in e d by Gove r n m e nt, th eze m in dar s su cce e de d in tra n sfe r r in g t o t h e pu blic t h e du ty of m a in ta ining e ve n e xistin g e m ban km e n ts hithe r to r e pa ire d a t the ir e xpe n se .

A lso, it wa s n ot a n u n usu a l thin g for ze m in da r s t o make n ew bu n ds onthe ir e state s a n d t o wa it for a cha n ge in t h e office r wh o h ad charge of

t h e bun ds , a n d the n ,by t h e age n cy of t h e darogah s of e m b ankm e n ts

,

ge t the se bu nds in clude d in t h e e stim ate of embankm e nts re pa ir e d a t

t h e public e xpe n s e f

Se e Lie u te n an t Forbe s ’ r e por t in 1835 .

1“ R e por t of Capta in Be ll on Cu ttack .

i 6

A s e arly a s 1814a committe e wa s appointe d to report ou (1 ) t h e

Action of t h en e ce ssity of m a in ta inin g e m ba n km e n ts , conside r in g

Ex e cu tiv e Com . t h e que stion in t h e la rge st possible point of vie w,for

In iit

gfff E n q‘fi ry th e prote ction of t h e cou n try from inunda tion ; a n d

m

(2 ) t h e proprie ty of continu ing them (supposin g su chne ce ssity ge nera lly t o e xist) on t h e sca le on which the y a r e a t pre se ntconstitute d .

For some re a son s or othe r this comm itte e ne ve r se nt in a

Raj sh ahyere port, but on a re port by Lie u te n an t Forbe s, who

e m ba n km e n ts wa s appoin te d sur ve yor of e m bankme n ts in 1 818 ,a ban don e d i n

b

l

ail

k

a t h e e m bankm e n ts in t h e Raj shahye Division we rem e nii

s‘

g’

g

e

afig‘

on e dgn aba n done d ; a n d on a similar re port of Lie ute n ant

h b kFit zGe r a ld in 182 6 , th e same ste p wa s take n in

m agi? Je ssor e , a n d m uch la te r ( 1845) in Tipp e rah .

1845 . Nu m e rou s othe r partia l re ports e xist up t o 1 885,

3 633333533310? in which ye ar t h e Gove rn m e nt aga in ope ne d upt o re por t on t h e t h e whole qu e stion a n d ca lle d”6 upon t h e Board

gtffgl

z‘

i ififgfr e fi we

of Re ve nue t o re por t wh e the r t h e e xp e nse of

Gov e rn m e n t t om ain emba n kme nts ought t o b e de fraye d in t h e p e rm ? e m ba n km e n ts m a n e n t ly s e ttle d province s from t h e coffe rs ofa t It s own e xpe n se .

Gove rnm e nt .It appears t o t h e Gove rnor , t h e le tte r continue s , “ tha t whe re

n o spe cia l agr e e m e n t wa s m ade , or, if of a n olde r da te , wa s m a inta ine da t t h e p e riod of t h e p e rm ane nt se ttle m e nt

,by which t h e Gove rnme nt

unde r took t o ke e p u p t h e ol d, or t o e stab lish, whe n ne ce ssa ry, n ewem bankme n ts , a l l charge s on that a ccount ou ght t o b e b orn e , in rateable proportions, by t h e landholde rs whose e state s ar e prote cte d by suchworks .

“ Th e te rms of t h e p e rmane nt settlement e xpre ssly provide tha twhilst t h e pu b lic de m a n d sha ll on no a ccou n t b e incre a se d, n o remissionsha ll b e cla im e d or grante d on t h e score of loss from in u ndation . Butin fre que nt instance s t h e State is com p e lle d t o fore go its r ights a ltoge the r,or , which is in e ffe ct t h e same thing a s far a s t h e inte r e st of th e mone yis conce rne d, t o re ce ive payme n t of its re ve nu e by distant in stalme nts .It is

,the r e fore , e qu itable that t h e zemindar s b e re qu ir e d t o de fray t h e

cost of prote ction from su ch ca lamitie s in a l l ca s e s whe n it wa s n ot a

part of t h e origin a l contr a ct tha t t h e Gove rnme nt should unde rtakethat work, e spe cia lly a s the re is rea son t o conclu de , a s u rge d by Mr.Officiating Colle ctor Tru scot -t , that in pa rts of t h e country su bj e ct t oinundation t h e pu blic de m and upon t h e la n d wa s fixe d a t th e de ce nnia ls e ttleme nt with r e fe re nce t o tha t conting e ncy .

Th e Board ar e re qu e ste d t o a sce r ta in from the ir re cords, a n d, ifne ce ssary, by re fe r e nce t o t h e loca l au thoritie s in t h e se ve ra l distr ictswhere e mban kme nts ar e ma in ta ine d, how t h e custom sta n ds, a n d wha tt h e re lative obliga tion s of t h e Gove rnme nt a n d ze m indars ar e un de rstood t o b e . It will b e obse rve d from Mr. D e pu ty Colle ctor Nill ’sle tte r t o t h e Military Board tha t th e ze m in dars of Buh n a wou l d n ot

con tribute t o de fr ay th e e xp e nse of e re ctin g a ve ry n e ce ssary emba n kme nt . His Honor is n ot aware that a s t h e l aw a t pre se nt stands t he y

N o. 488, of 31s t M arch 1835 .

7

could be compelle d to pay for su ch a work ; but it would se em to de se rveconside ration whe the r it ought n ot t o b e r e nde r e d le ga l ly com pu lsory .

”

The Board issu e d a cir cu la r ca lling for ge ne r a l in forma tion on t h esubj e ct, a n d the ir re ply wa s postpone d t o M ay 1837 .

Th e first 54 paragr aphs of this r e por t a r e de vote d t o a discussionBoard’s r e ply in of t h e obliga tion s of Gove rnm e n t a n d th e zemindar s

,

1 837 . district by distr ict ; an d a s whe n t h e re port wa s s e n tin n o re plie s h ad be e n re ce ive d from t h e Com mission e r s of Pa tnaa n d Cu ttack ,

" in whose ju r isdiction th e m ost e xpe nsive a n d im portante mba n km e nts we re ke pt u p , it wa s ne ce ssarily in com ple te . Th e 55tha n d 56th par agraphs de a l with t h e ge ne ra l que stion a ske d by th eGove rn m e nt of India .

Th e Boa rd give it a s the ir opinion Fir s t ly, tha t, with e xce ptionof station e m bankm e nts , which b e long both in b e ne fit a n d e xpe n se t ot h e State a lone , n o emban kme nts shoul d in the ir opin ion b e m ade

, or ,

if made,continu e d or pr e se rve d a s pu blic works e xce pt for t h e pu rpose

of damming ou t sa lt or sa n dy wate r de stru ctive of th e produ ctive powe rsof t h e soil a n d, s e con dly, tha t e ve n for t h e above pur pos e e m b a n km e ntsshou l d n ot e n gage t h e a tte n tion of Gove rnm e nt un le ss t h e be ne fitinte n de d b e large a n d ge ne ra l . The se lim itations be ing obse rve d, th eBoard conside r s that t h e Sta te , in ca se s n ot provide d for by a ctua l

It is r ecom m en d.

con tra ct, shou ld be ar t h e e xp e n se of ne ce ssary emban ke d tha t t h e cost of m e nts jointly with t h e ze m indar, in t h e propor tion

Eit ifii’

ifi‘

éifififfits in which e a ch party be ne fits by t h e produ ce of t h e

Gove rn m e n t a n d soil ; al e . that t h e amou nt of e xpe n diture should b e“133Ziiit

r

fid

fcis

t iihr divide d a ccordin g t o th e propor tion of t h e sharegb age s i n t h e gross r e ce ive d by e a ch party of t h e gross re n ts of t h e e state sr e n t b e n e fite d .

For this purpos e it se ems ne ce ssary t o e na ct that whe ne ve r n ewembankm e n ts, su ch a s a r e ab ove con te m pla te d, or t h e re pa ir of old one s ,sha ll b e de eme d n e ce ssary by t h e Gove rnm e n t

,upon t h e su r ve y a n d

re por t of th e e xe cu tive or othe r office rs appoin te d ge n e ra lly or sp e cia llyfor that e n d

,a n d whose du ty it sha ll b e both t o ce r tify t h e n e ce ssity

of t h e work a n d t h e pe rgu n n ah, e state s , or village s b e ne fite d by it,toge the r wi th t h e proportion of b e n e fit a ccr u in g t o e a ch , t h e e xp e n sesha ll b e bor n e r a te a b ly by t h e State a n d t h e ze m in dar s conce rne d,a ccordin g t o t h e propor tion of t h e b e ne fit t o b e de r ive d by e ithe r par ty

,

t o b e ca lcu la te d both by t h e r e lative e xte n t t o which t h e lan ds or e sta te sim plicate d or a ffe cte d by t h e e m ba n km e nt

,a n d t h e sha r e of t h e gross

re nta l re ce ive d by t h e ze m in da rs a n d t h e State re sp e ctive ly, a n d tha tthis rate sha ll b e le vie d a s a n ar r e ar of r e ve n ue .

”

It ca n ha rdly b e dispu te d tha t this r e com m e ndation wa s dict ate dfa r m ore by e xtr e m e te n de r n e ss towa rds in dividu a l in te r e sts tha n by a

du e re gard t o t h e r ights of t h e pu blic . A t tha t tim e t h e Gove rnm e n tre ve nu e wa s sa fe in a lm ost a l l pa r ts of t h e cou n try

,a n d whe re this wa s

t h e ca se t h e e n tire be n e fit of t h e work wou ld a ccru e t o those holdin gun de r Gove rnm e n t but m ode ra te a s t h e re com m e n da tion wa s , it cam e

t o nothing. Th e Gove rnm e nt,in a b r ie f r e ply

,con fin e d itse lf t o

con currin g ge n e ra lly in t h e se n tim e n ts e xpr e sse d by th e Board i n

M idn apore was th e n u n de r t h e Com m ission e r of C u tta ck .

8

t h e communication un de r ackn owl e d me n t , a n d t o discussin g on e

pom t of de t a i l . Fu r t i c r a ct i on wa s de fe rr e d t il l t h er e por t s on Pa tna a n d Cut ta ck we r e r e ce ive d , wh e nt h e Board we r e a sked t o s t a t e whe the r , with re fe r e n c e

t o t h e y ve ry ra re occu rre n ce of t h e c i rcumstance s a llude d t o inpa ragr a n d 56 of the ir le t te r , a spe cia l e n a c tm e n t to

provide for

the m . in a n ticipa t ion of the ir a ris in g , will b e ne ce ssa ry .

'l o this t h e

Boa rd re plie d" tha t they do n o t con s ide r a spe cia l e na ctm e n t o f

t h e na tu r e a llude d t o n e ce ssary a t t h e pre s e nt m om e nt , a n d thu st h e ma tte r droppe d.

Th e m ism a n age m e n t , howe ve r. of t h e e mba n km e n ts ke pt up byN e g l e cu wm n in .

t h e z e m in da r s . a n d e ve n of e m b a n km en t s ge n e ra lly,ds re e

'

lm wlv co n tin u e d . M r . H . V . Bayle y , in his n o t e s on

Midn a pore spe aks . in l 85 1 , o f t ho in com pl e t e n

(m ore or le ss from firs t t o la s t ) o f t h e sys te m for t h e prope r m a in t e n a n cea n d re pa irs of bu nds , of which h e a ss ign s a s t h e r e a l cause “

t h e

wa n t of t ru s tworthy a n d re ady loca l su pe rvis ion . A n d h e e n dorse sMr . Ma le t

’ s su gge stion . m ade i n 1845, tha t a s u m e qu iva le n t t o

M r H v l,m m .s t h e z e m in da rs ’ paym e n ts for t h e la st t e n ye a rs h ev im , i n t h a t take n from adde d t o ) the ir su dde r j u m m a s , a n d

t h e whole o f t h e e m ba n km e n ts b e pla ce d u n de r t h eu n d e rta ke t h e co n t rol

l 1 f ll 7}or s u pe r im n we rk,

so e c i a i ge o t e ( ov e r n m e n t a n d i t s e xe cu ti veh ar v e s t t h e o ff i c e rs . I t ne e ds n o t m y s u ppo r t t o draw a tte ne xpe n s e of z e m in da rs . t ion t o a. plan a pprove d by Mr. Ma l e t ; but I am

qu ite confide n t it wou ld b e be t t e r thu s t o re m ove th e pr e s e n tcon n e ction be twe e n t h e z e m in da re e ag e n t a n d t h e poo l b u u dy da rogah ,which is found a s se r iou s a n e vil on t h e on e ha n d a s t h e wa n t ofpra ctica l in te re s t a n d co - ope r a tion on t h e pa rt of t h e ze m in da r s a s t o

t h e e m ba n km e n ts h a s be e n e vid e n ce d t o b e on t h e othe r . I t is true t h ea sse nt of t h e ze m in da rs h as t o b e obta in ed ; b u t tha t cou ld b e doneeithe r by pe rsu a sion or . fa ilin g tha t , by a n e n a ctm e n t ru lin g tha t ith a s be e n thou ght e xpe die n t by Gove r nm e n t t o disco n n e ct t h e z e m in da rswith a l l dire c t con ce r n in t h e paym e n ts for e x e cu tio n o f re pa irs t o t h ebunds . a n d tha t a s t h e Gove rn m e n t wa s r e spon sible ge ne r a lly for t h eprot e ction t o b e a fforde d , so it h ad eve ry right t o pr e scr ibe its ownsyste m for ca r ryin g ou t tha t re spon s ib ility . Th e powe r of p e titiona n d obj e ction t o re m a in a s n ow t o t h e z e m inda r , a n d, on its be inge xe rcis e d , t h e e xe cu tive offi c e r wou ld a lways ha ve t h e z e m inda r ’sage n t pre se n t a s in a n y othe r ca s e in a n y othe r cou r t whe re a pa rtyinte re ste d m ay have a r e pr e se n ta tion t o m ake a n d pr e ss .

Vie ws of this cha r a cte r radu a l ly ga the r e d str e n gth , a n d in 1855A ct XXXI mad e a d e cide d e ffort t o cope with t h e

difficu l ty . A s tha t A ct wa s till r e c e n tly i n force ,it ca n n ot b e ne ce ssa ry t o summ a rise its de ta ils ; suffic eit t o s ay tha t a s r e ga rds t h e con t r ol of e m ba n km e n ts,

it le ft little t o b e de sire d , b u t a s r e ga rds t h e obliga tion of ze m in dar s t o

pay for a n y n ew works , howe ve r ne ce ssary , or howe ve r b e n e ficia l,it

wa s sile nt . I t a lso gave t h e e xe cu tive offic e r s n o sum m a ry powe rs ine me rge nt cas e s, a de fe ct which wa s t h e im m e di ate cause of its re pe a l.

0 N o 647 , da ted l 9 th De ce m be r 1837.

8

t h e communication unde r a cknowle dgme n t, an d t o discussing on e

poin t of de ta il . Furthe r a ction wa s de fe rr e d till t h ere por ts on Pa tna a n d Cu tta ck we re re ce ive d

,whe n

t h e Board we re a ske d t o state whe the r , with re fe r e n c et o t h e probably ve ry ra r e occurre nce of t h e circum stance s a llude d t o inpar agraphs 55 a n d 56 of the ir le tte r

,a spe cia l e na ctme n t t o provide for

them, in a n ticipation of the ir arising, will b e ne ce ss ary . To this t h eBoard r e plie d’“ tha t the y do n ot conside r a sp e cia l e na ctm e nt of

t h e natur e a llude d to n e ce ssary a t t h e pr e se nt m om e nt, a n d thust h e m a tte r dropp e d .

Th e mism a n age m e nt, howe ve r, of t h e emba n kme n ts ke pt up byN e gle ct of “ m in . t h e ze m in dar s , a n d e ve n of e m bankm e n ts ge n e r a lly,

da r e ? bu n ds con tin ue d . Mr . H . V . Bayle y, in his note s on“ n t m u e s ‘ Midn apore , spe aks , in 1851

,of th e in com ple te n e ss

(m or e or le ss from fir st t o la st) of t h e syste m for t h e prop e r m a in te n a n cea n d re pa ir s of b u n ds, of which h e a ssigns a s t h e re a l ca u se “ t h e

want of tr u stwor thy a n d r e ady loca l su p e rvision . A n d h e e n dorse sMr . Ma le t’s su gge stion ,

m ade in 1 845, tha t a su m e qui va le nt t o

t h e ze m in dars ’ paym e n ts forO

th e la st t e n ye ars b evi ews in 185 1 tha t take n from adde d t o) the i r su dde r Ju m m a s

, a n dm u st

? 1t h e whole of t h e e m b an km e nts b e pla ce d u n de r t h e

2; sole charge of t h e Gove rnm e n t a n d its e xe cu tiveke p t u p a t t h e

,office rs . “ It ne e ds n ot m y su pport t o dr aw a tte n

e Xp e n s e “ z e m m dars ’ tion t o a plan approve d by Mr. Ma le t ; but I am

qu ite confide nt it wou ld b e be tte r thus t o remove th e pr e se n tcon ne ction b e twe e n t h e z e m in da r e e age n t a n d t h e poe lb u n dy da rogah ,which is foun d a s se r ious a n e vil on t h e on e ha n d a s t h e wa n t ofpra ctica l in te re st a n d co- ope r ation on t h e part of t h e zemin dars a s t o

t h e e m ba n km e nts h a s be e n e vide nce d t o b e on t h e othe r. It is true t h ea sse nt of th e ze m in da r s h a s t o b e ob ta in e d ; but tha t cou l d b e donee ithe r by pe r su a sion or , fa ilin g tha t, by a n e n a ctm e nt ruling that ith a s b e e n thou ght e xp e die n t by Gove r n m e n t t o disconn e ct t h e z e m in da r swith al l dire ct con ce rn in t h e paym e n ts for e xe cu tion of re pa irs t o t h ebu nds , a n d that a s t h e Gove rnm e n t wa s re sponsib le ge n e r a lly for t h eprote ction t o b e a fforde d, so it h ad e ve ry r ight t o pr e scribe its ownsyste m for ca rrying ou t tha t r e spon sibility . Th e powe r of p e titiona n d obj e ction t o r e m a in a s n ew t o t h e ze m in dar , a n d, on its b e in ge xe r cis e d , t h e e xe cu tive offi ce r wou ld a lways have t h e z e m in dar ’sage n t pr e se nt a s in a n y othe r ca se in a n y othe r cou r t whe re a pa r tyinte r e ste d m ay have a r e pr e se n tation t o m ake a n d pr e ss .Vie ws of this cha r a cte r gr adu a lly ga the r e d str e n gth, an d in 1855

A ct XXXI I m ade a de cide d e ffor t t o cope with t h edifficu lty. A s tha t A ct wa s till r e ce n tly in force ,it cann ot b e ne ce ssa ry t o su m m a r ise its de ta ils ; su ffi ceit t o say tha t a s r e ga rds t h e con t rol of e m b a n km e n ts,

it le ft little t o b e de sire d, b u t a s re ga rds t h e obligation of z e m in dar s t o

pay for a n y n ew works , howe ve r n e ce ssary, or howe ve r b e n e ficia l,it

wa s sile n t . It a lso gave t h e e xe cu tive offic e r s n o su m m a ry powe r s ine m e rge nt ca se s, a de fe ct which wa s t h e im m e diate cause of its r e pe a l .

N o 647, date d 19 th De ce m be r 1837.

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( 10

shou ld b e modifie d . Th e Gove rnor- Ge ne ra l in Council is of opinionthat there shoul d be a spe cia l office r in e ve ry embanked district inB e nga l, not only empowe re d, b u t bou n d t o do forthwith a l l tha t t h epublic good re qui res in re spect to t h e control of t h e natura l chann e lswhich carry off t h e su rfa ce wa te r of th e country

, a n d to take a l l ne e dfu lme a sures for giving re lie f from inundations of a n in j uri ous chara cte r .Tha t recourse t o the ordinary l aw courts should b e ne cessary in suchemerge ncie s , se ems oppose d t o r e a son .

”

A dra f t A ct wa s a ccordingly pre pared, th e chi e f nove lties of which

we re t h e le ga lisa tion of summary proce dure in e m e rge nt ca se s, a n d th ee nlargeme nt of th e definition of t h e word ‘

emba n km e nts’ so a s t o givepowe r t o remove obstructions t o dra inage . Provisions were a lso introda ood for t h e bette r apportionme nt of exp e nse s among a l l pe rsonsbe ne fite d ; but the a l l - important qu e stion of payme nt for e mbankme ntswa s dispose d of in a n am biguou s se ction, which charge d t h e owne rsof lands be ne fite d the re by with “ t h e costs of t h e construction ,ma in te nance , a n d re pa irs of a l l works e xecute d unde r t h e powe rs a n dprovisions of t h e A ct .

” This made n o re fe re n ce t o works e xe cu te dunde r

.

pre vious A cts or e xisting a t t h e p e rm ane nt se ttleme nt ; b u t int h e dra ft Bill of t h e 28th A ugust, a fte r it h ad pa sse d through th ehands of t h e first Select Committe e , th e se ction app e are d in the following form

Se ct ion i n t h e Bill Th e exp e nses of the construction, altera tion ,as dr af t e d in 1 871 or e xte nsion of a l l works, othe r than those m e n

t h l ‘owi n g on 2 9m i n “ t ion e d in S e ction 12 (slu ice s, e xe cute d u nde r t h eda rs t h e on u s ofm ain t a in in g ,“ powers or prowsm n s of th1s A ct or an y of them, a n de xistin g an d fu tu r e the cost of th e m a in t e n a n ce a n d r ep a ir s of a l l workse m ban km e n ts ’ exe cute d or m a in ta in e d under t h e powe rs an d provisions of this A ct or of a nyof th e A ct s r ep e a l e d by th is A ct , or unde r a n yof such powe rs or provisions , sha ll b e pa id by th e z emindars of t h ee state s in which m ay b e situa te the lands be ne fite d or prote cte dthere by. Provide d tha t in al l ca se s when th e Gove rnm e nt haveincre a se d t h e amount of re ve nue demandable in re sp e ct of an y estatein conside ration of making provision for the embankment the re of, an da r e a t t h e tim e of this A ct comin g into operation ma in ta ining t h e sa idembankme nt, t h e increase d amount so demandable shall b e re m itte d .

”

Th e e ff e ct of this section woul d have bee n to have thrown on t h e

owne rs of la n d t h e e ntire cost of embankme nts , e xce pt whe n it couldb e prove d tha t a distinct addition h ad be en m ade t o t h e j umm a on

a ccount of Gove rn me nt unde rtakin g this duty ; an d t h e pre ce din g

Draft se ction p ew narra tive will su ffice t o show tha t this wou l d havet ion ed again st , a n d e nable d t h e Gove rnme nt to ge t rid of obligations which

gysg‘

lgdfi; it h ad a ssume d a s unquestionably incu m bent uponse ttin g for th a l l it in 1793 a n d the re a fte r. Both t h e British Indian

Em b an

rii

n

r

il

e

f

iil

t

t

ism h A ssociation a n d th e Mahara jah of Bu rdwan p e titione d

m idi; obligation to aga inst it, a n d a fte r a thorough an d e xhaustive inquirym a in tain a s to t h e le gitim ate obligation s of Gove rnme nt, it wa sfina lly conve rte d into its pr e se nt shap e , in which a sche dule is refe rre dt o which re capitula te s a l l th e e m b a n kme nts which t h e Gove rnme nt i sunde r obligation to maintain, a n d charge s a l l other works only on thep e rsons benefited.

1 1

Chie f provision s The principa l fe a ture s of the new A ct , as it fina llyof t h e n ewAct . Pa sse d, ar e

l s i . It h a s be e n de clare d l aw tha t t h e pe rsons be ne fite d a r e

re sponsible for t h e e xp e nditur e on a l l ne ce ssary e m bankm e nt a n d

dr a inage works, e xce pt so far a s Governme nt a ccepted de finite obligationsa t t h e time of t h e p e rm ane nt settleme n t .

2 n d. The powe rs of t h e e xe cutive office rs of Gove rnment t ocontrol works a ff e ctin g th e inunda tions a n d drainage of t h e countryhave be e n amplifie d a n d more cle arly de fine d .

3rd. Th e du ty of sup e rvisin g thi s de pa rtment a n d initia ting worksis transfe rred from t h e Su p e r inte nding E n gin e e r t o t h e Coll e ctor,wh o wa s the office r or igina lly charge d with t h e duty .

4ih . A mple provisions ar e made for e nablin g t h e Collector toa ct su m mar ily in case s of em erge ncy .

5 ih . B e side s t h e above,many useful emendations a r e made in

1 . Obliga tion of point Of de ta il .Firso

goi 231

15213

?t o 1 . A s re gards the first of the se points

, t h e

an d sim ilar modification agre ed t o by Government, whi ch he ldworks . it to its e xistin g obligations, wa s fa r from be inga cce pte d by t h e opposite party a s a satisfa ctory solution . A s late a s

Fe bru ary 1 873 , i . e . a fte r t h e se ction h ad a ssum e d its pre se nt form,t h e

B ou’ble De gum b e r Mitte r sa id in Council With a n utte r disre gard oft h e usage s , customs, a n d laws which have hi therto obta ine d upon thesubj e ct, t h e Bil l provide s tha t t h e cost of such works is t o b e re cove re dfrom t h e ze m i n dars, who ar e for tha t pu rpose defin e d in t h e Bill, a s al soMunicipa litie s,

"a ccording t o th e be ne fits the y will re sp e ctive ly de rive , or

in proportion t o t h e are a s of the e state s prote cte d a n d be ne fite d by suchworks .” It can hardly, the re fore, b e ou t of pla ce t o discuss th eJu stice of thi s principle s on which this provision of th e l aw m ay beprovision de fe nde d .

Three opinions m ay inte ll igibly be he ld a s t o the position whicht h e Sta te ou ght t o occupy with regard to the construction a n d

ma inte n ance of ne cessary embankme nt a n d dra in age works .(a .) It might b e held that no powe r should ve st in a n y on e to

Fir st a lte r n a com pe l owne rs of prope rty t o e xe cute ne ce ssary worksfi ve—to l e t m atte rs b e yond th e ordin ary l aw of takin g up land for publicgtii

ii

aii it iiigpa

e

fiis

pur pose s . Tha t Gove rnme n t m ight construct t h e workdra in age a t t h e pub li c e xpe nse if it thought fit, or t h e owne rsmight do it for themse lve s, b u t tha t no coe rcive powe r should b econfe rre d on a n y on e .

(b .) It m ight b e he ld that it is t h e duty of Government toconstruct a ll such works a s m ight be ne ce ssary, a n d t o pay for them .

(c.) That it is the du ty of those be ne fite d t o pay for the irconstr u ction, Governme nt be ing empowe re d to enforce compl iance withthis du ty .

Th e first of these doctr in e s m ay appe ar plausible , e spe cia lly t o

Fa tai obj e ction s advoca te s of t h e the ory tha t t h e p e rfe ction of Gove rnt ° t h iS m e nt is t o inte rfe r e a s little a s possible with individu a la ction but applie d ' t o such works a s e m bankm e nts, it is a n e m in e ntly

Th e proposa l to r e qu ire M u n icipa litie s to pay th e ir con tr ib u tion whe n b e n e fi t-cd was su bs e qu e n tlyaban don e d.

12

supe rficia l an d unsound Opinion . Lande d prope rt y cannot a n ywhe re b eso isolate d from its surroundin gs a s t o m ake it a m atte r of individua llibe rty for its owne r t o m ake what embankm e nts h e like s on it

, or le avewha t h e like s unmade , irre sp e ctive of t h e e ff e ct of his a ctions on hisne ighbours . Most emphatica lly is this t h e ca se in de a ling with thede lta ic rive rs a n d wa te r - cour s e s of B e n ga l .

Th e rive rs of We ste rn B e n ga l (a l l liable to sudde n floods) , a fte rle aving th e highe r lands a n d e nte r ing t h e a llu via l soil, ce a se t o b edra inage chan n e ls , a n d the ir banks rise m ore a n d m ore above t h e

cultiva te d pla ins t h e fur the r the y ge t from t h e hilly grou nd . In mostca se s , notably th e Cossye , t h e Dam oodu r , a n d th e Darki ssu r , the rive rhaving cease d t o b e a dra inage chann e l, diminishe s in volu m e a s itapproa che s its m outh , while its ban ks rise in e le vation ; a n d emba n king,a t a n y rate within t h e tida l are a , be com e s an absolute nece ssity for t h eprote ction, n ot so much of the imme diate banks a s of th e lan ds in t h ein te rior, which slope away fr om t h e rive r s an d form sauce r- shape d hollowsbe twe e n the m . It is absurd t o suppose that in such ca se s t h e ripar ianproprie tor can b e a llowe d to e m ba n k or n ot a s he ple a se s ; that theproductive ne ss of e n ormous tra cts , th e de te riora tion of which p e rhaps ,from t h e point of vie w of a se lf- inte re st of a low typ e , be n e fits h im ,

can

b e le gitim ate ly made de pe nde nt on his caprice . N or can it b e sa id tha tin such ca ses an e m bankm e n t will a lre ady e xist

,a n d tha t it wa s ne ve r

propose d t o e xe m pt proprie tors from e xistin g obligation s,but only to

obj e ct to n ew obliga tions be in g im pose d on them . In t h e e ve r changing circumstanc e s of t h e B e n ga l rive rs a n ew e m ban kme nt m ay ofte nb e ne ce ssary, or t h e e n large m e nt of an old emban kme nt, which is inpr inciple scar ce ly distingu ishable from t h e con stru ction of a n ew embank;me nt, b e im p e r ative ly ca lle d for . In a sudde n flood in one of t h e rive rsabove de scrib e d, mu ch of t h e wate r spills ove r t h e country in t h e highe rle ve ls, whe r e , provide d t h e in u ndation is gradu al , it ge ne r a lly doe s m oregood than harm . Still it inj ure s some p e rsons ; an d a s t h e in jury is farmor e pre cise a n d de finite in its chara cte r than t h e advantage

,a n a lm ost

un ive rsa l te nde ncy will b e obse rve d t o guard aga ins t t h e re cur re nce of

the se inu n da tions by partia l e m ba n km e nts which a n nu a lly incr e a se inhe ight an d exte nsion . The se , howe ve r, by ke e ping t h e flood wa te rin th e channe l from which it form e r ly e scape d, in te n sify the force a n d

incr e a se t h e volum e of the stre am lowe r down , a n d ne ce ssitate thee n largeme nt of t h e pr e - existing emba n kme n ts in some pla ce s, an d t h ee re ction of n ew e m bankm e nts in othe rs ; fa ilin g which the re is n o

e scap e from an inundation in t h e lowe r le ve ls be twe e n the rive r ridges,many fe e t in de pth an d most de structive in its e fie ct s .

Similarly, it is e a sy t o show tha t one owne r must have somepowe r to e nforce a tte ntion to t h e ke e ping dra inage channe ls in prope rorde r whe r e the y pa ss through t h e lands of anothe r owne r ; a n d itis di fficul t to conce ive that a n y on e could make him se lf a t a l l

a cqua inte d with t h e embanking a n d dra inage proble m s in a n y largetra ct in Weste rn B e nga l , an d a t t h e sam e time adhe re t o the opiniontha t the y cou l d prope r ly b e solve d by le aving ea ch proprie t or t om anipu la te the m a ccording to his own in te re st , e ve n a ssu m ing thath e wa s competent to understand those inte re sts correctly, which h e ofte nis n ot .

( 13

It m ay, however, be sa id tha t while no on e could conte nd for thisdoctrin e in this extreme form, t h e prope r reme dy is to le ave t h e cou rtsof l aw t o do ju stice be twee n m an a n d m a n a n d inte r e st an d in te r e st,inste ad of a ll owing Gove rnm e nt in its e xe cutive capa city t o inte rfe re .

Bu t this is in fa ct t o conce de t h e whole poin t in con te n tion ; forinte r fe re nce an d control with private prop e rty be in g on ce admitte d tob e ne ce ssary, it be come s the n a me r e que stion of e xpe die ncy a s t o

t h e be st cou rt for e xe rcisin g these powe r s,— t h e ordinary civil cour ts ora spe cia lly appoin te d tribuna l . But be twe e n the se a lte rna tive s the reca n b e b u t little doubt. In organ izin g t h e e m bankin g a n d dr a inage of

a large tra ct of country, wh at is ne e de d is un ity of de sign an d con trol ;som e gu arante e tha t a l l t h e individua l works a r e parts of a whole ,subsidiary t o on e anothe r, or a t le a st n ot m ilitating aga in st e a ch othe r .N ow t o look t o the ordinary civil cou rt t o e xe rcise such function s isabsurd . From the ve ry e sse nce of its proce dure , it only judge s a s

b e twe e n t h e partie s litigating an d on th e e vide n ce the y addu ce . Th e

court would itse lf b e the first t o adm it that t o look u pon it a s t h e un ifying inte llige n ce tha t shou ld frame its de cisions with a vie w t o a ge n e ra lde sign

,in which t h e inte r e sts of t h e unre pr e se n te d pu blic we re t o b e

con side r e d a s much a s those of t h e partie s litiga ting, was ou t of t h equ e stion .

It m ay be adde d tha t in other countrie s,whe re embankme nt

qu e stion s ar e of le ss im portance than B e n ga l,t h e inte rve n tion of

Gove rnm e nt to com pe l t h e constru ction of works of this cla ss h a s b e e nfoun d ne ce ssary. Thu s in Fr ance a l l works of irrigation , dra inage ,rive r e m bankm e nts , or public sanitation , ar e carrie d ou t by loca lsyndica te s

,which

,if volu ntarily frame d, ar e authorize d by t h e Gove rn

m e n t, a n d which, whe n n ot t h e re sul t of pr iva te e nte rprise , a r e con st it u

t e d by a spe cia l de cre e in su ch ca se s a s t h e works t o b e carrie d ou t a r ede clare d t o b e works of public utility .

’

Th e Gove rnme n t , in fa ct, h a st h e r ight t o com p e l t h e construction of a n y works which t h e publiche a lth or se cur ity m ay b e de eme d t o re quir e . Th e im proveme n ts a r eca rrie d ou t by t h e age ncy of t h e syndi ca te or loca l com m issione r , un de rt h e ge n e ra l su p e rvision of t h e pre fe ct , by me ans of fu nds advance d byt h e State a t fixe d r a te s of in te re st . Th e share s of t h e tota l cost whicha r e t o b e borne se ve r a lly by t h e State

, t h e lande d propr ie tors, a n d t h e

com m u ne , a r e de te rm in e d by a de cre e issue d u n de r t h e A ct , a n d t h e

works a r e carr ie d ou t by t h e Public Works D e partm e n t .”5

A ssuming, the n , tha t Gove rnme nt in its e xe cu tive capa city mu st

O S e con d a lte rn a e xe r cise control ove r t h e constru ction a n d main

ggv

gggfmggggggy t e n an ce of works of thi s chara cte r, it re m a ins t oworks a t pu blic conside r whe the r the State ought in B e nga l t o be are xpe n se ; t h e cost of the se works, or whe the r own e rs of t h e lan dsbe ne fited should do so . On first principle s this hardly adm its ofargume n t, a s t h e demand of t h e Sta te , be ing lim ited by t h e de ce n n ia lse ttle m e n t, t h e be n e fit 'of an y im prove m e n t pa sse s into t h e hands ofthose wh o have n ot in like manne r limite d the ir cla im s . It is hard t os e e on what pr inciple the community a t large ca n b e e xpecte d t o de fray

Colon e l Haig’

s r e m arks , da te d 13th Ju n e 1872 , paragraph 14.

( 14 )

th e charges of improveme nts of a pur e ly loca l chara cte r. It is conte n de d, howe ve r, that by t h e unwritte n l aw of t h e cou n try, a n d by t h eunde rstanding which e xiste d a t t h e time of t h e de ce n nia l se ttleme nt

,

t h e Sta te wa s bou nd to a fford imm unity from inundations a s a pr ee xisting condition to t h e collection of its re ve nue .

In Mr. Colle ctor Tre vor’s re port of 1857 , he state s that th e ze m indars h ad applie d for embankme nts to prote ct ne wly cl e are d la n ds in t h eSu n de rb u n s , though wi th in th e lim i t s of a

’e cem i ia l ly s e t t le d e s ta t e s

, a n d h e

points ou t tha t the y look upon this a s a right . The same cla im ispu t forth in t h e pe tition of the zemindars aga inst t h e A ct of 1 855

,in

which the y say that“ the Governme nt of t h e country, in conside ration

of th e ge n e ra l prote ction a fforde d t o t h e coun try an d th e re venue pa idby t h e pe ople , have a lways m a inta ine d the public embankme nts .E ve n Colon e l Stra che y, in 1 867, suppose s “ tha t t h e Gove rnme nt

,in

its position of su pe rior landlord, is, by t h e custom of India , bound toma in ta in ce rta in cla sse s of works by he lp of which t h e condition ofagriculture is se cu re d ; of such works m ay b e name d irriga tion worksa n d emba n kme n ts . Th e obliga tion of t h e cultiva tors or landlords topay t h e re ve nue m ay, in a ge nera l way, b e said to be contingent onGove rn me n t ma inta ining these works .”

It appe ar s , there fore , tha t this vie w, or ,‘more corre ctly, the m is

take n im pre ssion which pre va ils on this su bj e ct, h a s be e n shar e d byauthoritie s e ntitle d t o we ight a n d if t h e state m e n t is re str icte d t o t h esp e cific works m a inta ine d by Gove rnme n t a t t h e tim e of t h e p e rm a n e n tse ttle m e n t, a n d re fe r r e d t o in t h e pre amble of Re gulation XXXIII,1793, it is quite corre ct, a n d th e Le gislative Council, in "modifyin g t h ese ction so a s t o re ta in this obligation inta ct, re cogn ise d fu lly its ju stice .

But if it re fe r s t o n ewworks t o b e exe cu te d he re a fte r, n ot only doe sth e Re gu la tion look t h e othe r way, from its provisions t o e ncour aget h e ze m inda r s a n d othe r s t o e xe cute the se works, but S e ct ion 72 of

Re gu lation VIII e xpre ssly e nume r a te s pool b u n dy among t h e charge swhich it is “ inte nde d ” sha ll b e de fraye d by th e proprie tor s from t h e

produ ce of the ir lands ; while t h e wording of t h e n orm a l form of

de ce nnia l se ttle m e nt koob oolyu t distinctly pledges t h e zemindars t o bere sponsible for poolb u n dy.

To this t h e only answer tha t can b e a lle ge d is that made inthe spe e ch of t h e Hon

’

b l e Digu m b e r Mitte r, re por te d in t h e suppleme nt t o t h e Ca lcu t t a Ga z e t t e of th e 1 7th Fe bruary 1 878 . In this h ere fe rs t o t h e Board’s re port of 1837 , in which the y discuss thisque stion in controve rsy with t h e Com m issione r of Chittagon g (who h adinsist e d on th e obligation a s arising from the koob oolyu t ) a n d arguethus

Th e koob oolyu t by no means warrants t h e exte nsive liability0

which Mr. Ha rve y wou ld throw u pon t h e z e m i n da r s,

though it ce rta inly re le a se s th e State from t h e

ne ce ssity of be arin g t h e e xpe nse s of e m bankm e nts .Th e koob oolyu t me r e ly says ,

‘I will ke e p up embankm e n ts re gu larlyin my e state a ccordi n g t o custom . Shou ld I fa il t o do so

, wha te ve rloss m ay follow is mine only.

’A n d if the re can b e an y doubt of th e

me aning of the se words , it is cleared up by what succe e ds, in which

( 15

t h e zemindar binds him se lf n ot t o withhold his re venue on plea of

drought, inun da tion , or othe r ca lamitie s of a like n a ture .

Th e me aning of t h e e ngage m e n t is me re ly this, tha t th e zemindarmight make bu nds or n ot a s h e chose , b u t that if h e fa ile d h e wa s n ot tocla im from t h e State compe nsation for conse que nt loss .”

The Board add tha t the y have dwe lt u pon t h e que stion a t gr e ate rlength be cause t h e koob oolyu t s of B e nga l ge ne ra lly a r e very simila rin words, an d, a s the y think, quite similar in spirit to that justu ot e d.

”(1If the question is how far th e zemin dars could be coerced, without

a n y further le gislative e na ctme nt, to ke ep up or

construct embankm e nt works un de r the te rms of the irkoob oolyu t s , this argume nt m ay b e pe rfectly va lid ; but if it is urge da s a r e ason aga inst throwing the burde n on him by l egis la t ib n , it se e m st o miss t h e point a t issue , or rathe r to te l l aga in st the conclu sionarrive d a t . A s h a s be e n argue d above, it must first b e de te rm ine dwhe the r it is just a n d e xp e die nt that a ny a u thor i tyshould b e ve ste d withpowe r to com p e l on e owne r of land to p e rform his share in constr u ctin gor ma inta ining works which a r e ne ce ssary for the prote ction of tra ctsof country partly be longin g t o anothe r ; but this once answe re d in t h ea ffirmative , for t h e r e a sons a lr e ady give n , t h e koob oolyu t s ar e de cisivee vide nce , a s b e twe e n th e Sta t e a n d th e z em in da r , tha t it wa s on t h e

la tte r, an d not t h e form er, tha t th e obligation shou l d b e pla ce d a ccordingt o th e de ce nnia l se ttle m ent. Indee d, t h e Board admit distinctly tha tt h e koob oolyu t is de cisive a s t o t h e n on - incide nce of t h e obliga tion

Th,

d Iton t h e State . He nce it m ay b e conclude d tha t if a n y

t ive i gwfie fggfiian d powe r of compulsion i s t o e xist for e nforcing t h ebe n e fite d to be ar t h e construction a n d ma inte nance of n e ce ssary works , n o

obligation of de fr aying the cost lie s on t h e State ,exce pt so far a s t h e work can b e shown t o b e a work which Gove rnme ntple dge d itse lf t o ma inta in a t t h e p e rmane nt se ttlement

, an d this is t h eprinciple e ndorse d by t h e A ct a s it fina lly pa sse d .

Thus Sche dule D e nume r ate s a l l t h e embankme nts which a ft e rcare ful inqu i ry cou l d b e shown to fa ll u nde r this ca te gory. S e ction35 e xcepts a l l t h e e m ban kme nts thus e num e ra te d from be ing inclu de din th e provisions which follow a s re gards t h e de te rm ination of th e

apportionm ent of cost . Moreove r, if n ew embankm e nts ar e ne e dedfor the prote ction of t h e lands a lre ady prote cte d by the se embankme nts,Gove rnme nt wi l l

'

b e ar t h e charge so fa r a s the y prote ct the se lands .Furt hermore , th e sche du le m ayb e adde d t o by t h e Lie ute nant - Gove rnorshou l d h e he re a fte r find it j u st or e xp e di e nt to do so ; a n d by S e ction36 Governme nt is boun d t o continue t h e contr ibution which it h adhithe rt o made to certa in embankm e nts in M oor sh e dab ad. Th e costof a l l othe r works constructed or ma inta ined under th e A ct is not tofa ll on the Sta te. (Section

A s re gards the persons t o whom it should b e cha rge d, t h e A ct

le ave s it op e n t o cha rge it e ithe r a ccording t o t h e re spe ctive be ne fitsde rive d by the zemindars or a ccordin g t o t h e a r e a of the ir e state s ,or , with the sanction of Gove rnme nt, in proportion t o t h e re ve nu epayable by each estate where this custom is a lre ady in force , an d in

Its in su fficie n cy .

( 16 3

the case of the Gundue k right bank e mbankme nts the adhe re nce t othis custom is made obliga tory by t h e Le gislature .

It must n ot b e t oo ha stily conclu de d that on e of t h e two forme rme thods would b e th e most e qu itable in a l l ca se s . Th e remarks of theB ou’ble Digu m b e r Mitte r on this point in Council on t h e 12 th Fe bruary1873 ar e we ll worth obse rving . A s h e the n pointe d ou t , t h e de ce nnia la sse ssme nt wa s in many ca se s fixe d with re fe re nce to t h e am ount whichea ch zemindar might have t o pay a s emban kme nt e xpe nse s . He nce ,in t h e ca se of very ol d works, t h e condition of which h a s little a lte r e d,to re adjust t h e onus of ma in ta in ing e mbankme nts is to re adjustthe e xpe nse s on the ba sis of which th e re ve n u e of t h e e state s a ffe cte dwa s fixe d . Th e force of this argume nt diminishes of course much inr e gard to more recent works .

It m ay, howe ve r, be contende d tha t while th e pe rsons benefitedm ay equitably be charge d with t h e cost of n ew

m fgggd

y

t

gztitgfif works , sound policy n o le ss than ge ne ra l customtion towa rds e x would indicate tha t the State ought t o contribute a

gag?“ 0“ n ew

p or t ion of t h e cost on t h e same pr incipl e on whichit give s grants - in - a id t o schools a n d othe r loca l in st it u

tions , an d the French l aw a lre ady described m ight be urge d in favourof this principle .

This wa s in substance what the Board recomme nded a s the ba sisof le gislation in 1837 , though the re is n ot much to b e sa id in favourof their ratio of apportionme nt, viz . t h e gross share of t h e re ntre ce ived by Gove rnme nt a n d t h e ze m indar re spe ctive ly ; a n d Colone l

ii

fiig’ in his remarks on the Bill whe n unde r discussion , writes a s

o ows

I m ay here remark that the Bill in its pre se nt form appare ntlyColon e l Ha ig’s contemplate s t h e whole cost of a l l works of dra inage

°Pin i°n ° a n d e mbankme nt in th e di str icts in which it willapply be ing borne by the proprie tors of t h e lands be n e fite d . A l thoughin the ca se of sm a ll scheme s this wou ld n o doubt b e t h e ca se , instance sm ay arise , e spe cia lly in the ca se of large r schemes, in which the Statemight re a sonably b e e xpe cte d t o be ar a share of the e xpense , a n d

othe rs, aga in , in which t h e proprie tors , or pe rhaps t h e whole populati onof land n ot directly be ne fite d, might justly b e held liable for a part

.

ofit . On this a ccount I have sugge ste d that the Bill should au thori zet h e Gove rnm e n t to de cide in what proportion the tota l cost shal l be borneby the re spe ctive partie s .”

It might b e adde d that if it wa s th e custom for Gove rnme ntt o de fray a portion of th e e xpe nditure of a l l n ew works, it wou ldope ra te a s a ve ry sa lu tary che ck on Gove rnme nt office rs, an d de te rthe m from orde r ing the ir con struction on in su fii ci e n t grou n ds ; b u tt h e l aw is sile nt a s re gards a n y Gove rnme n t contribu tion, a n d it m ay

with much force b e a rgue d that t h e ob liga t ion of Gove rnme n t be ingonce disprove d

, t h e Sta te cannot re a sonably b e ca lle d u pon t o b e ara n y part of t h e e xpe nditure on n ew works a s lon g a s t h e cost of t h eworks which it stipulates t o ma inta in form so large a portion of t h e

entire e xpenditur e .

https://www.forgottenbooks.com/join

1 18

Moreover, without making an y dire ct contribution, th e State willpe rforce con tribute indirectly, since it will have t o

b ufgfdggtfflt

y'

advance a l l t h e sums ne ce ssary for t h e works tha tlosin g i n te r e st on m ay b e carrie d ou t , paym e nt of which ca n only b e

2333353533933? re cove re d by insta lm e n ts (Se ction 47) a n d a fte r longdelays . It is probable , looking t o t h e proce du re la id

down, tha t more ra the r tha n le ss than a ye ar wil l ordinarily e lapsebe twe e n t h e advance a n d th e first re cove ry, t h e inte re st of which willb e a charge on Gove rnme nt . It will ine vitably b e found a lso that someadvan ce s will prove irre cove rable , while in othe r ca se s pardonable e rrorsof judgme nt will e nta il e xp e nse on t h e State .

Moreover,in we ighin g t h e obligations of the State in such ma tte rsin B e nga l, t h e sa cr ifice of re ve nue which th e pe r

mane nt se ttle m e nt inadve rte ntly e nta ile d cann ot beprope rly lost sight of. Such loss of re ve nue a s arise sfrom t h e e xte nsion of cu ltiva tion an d t h e re nt

increme nts du e to the de ve lopm e nt of th e country, wa s n o doubtde sign e dl y sa crifice d ; but t h e still large r loss du e to t h e de te riora tionin t h e va lue of t h e cu rre ncy wa s e vide ntly lost sight of. Th e de sign of

t h e p e rmane nt se ttle m e nt wa s tha t e sta te s shoul d pay for e ve r th e sameam ount of re ve n ue , re ta ining t h e be ne fit of a l l im prove m e nts ; b u t a n

e sta te paying Rs . n ow pays , owing to ~ the de pr e ciation in t h e

va lue of silve r, only t h e e qu iva le n t t o, say, Rs . 500, a t th e be ginn in g of

t h e ce ntury, an d th e State will a ctu a lly n ot b e able t o purcha se morese rvice now with t h e large r than it coul d the n have don e with t h e le sse ramoun t . The re is n o e vide nc e tha t t h e Gove rnme n t of that day e ve rcon template d this loss ; a n d a lthou gh it m ay b e n o a rgume nt for a

br e a ch of fa ith,it is sure ly a ve ry coge nt argume nt aga in st incre a sing

t h e sa crifice by admitting an y e xpe nditure conne cte d with land whichca n not b e clearly shown t o have be e n a ssume d a t t h e time of t h e

se ttleme nt.2 . The second important fe atur e in the n ew A ct is t h e e nlarge

2 , p ow e r s of me nt of t h e powe r s of Gove rnm e nt office r s in de a lingGove rn m e n t office rs with e m ba n km e n t a n d dr a in age qu e stion s . The seen l a rged by t h e A ct ‘

e nlarge d powe r s a r e t o b e foun d m a inly in Se ction 4a n d Se ctions 18 t o 24 of t h e n ew A ct a s compare d with S e ction 4a n d

som e othe r se ction s of th e pr e viou s A ct .The first a n d m ost im porta n t cha n ge is th e e xte nsion of th e powe r

a lr e ady confe rre d of taking charge of e m b a n km e n ts

mggge

zm‘

f ife n ne ce ssary for t h e prote ction of th e ne ighbour in gcountry, to similarly taking charge of wa t e r - cou r se s

necessary for its dra inage . Th e ne ce ssity of e xte nding t h e powe rs ofGovernment office rs to works a ffe cting t h e dra inage of t h e cou n try wasre cognis e d a t t h e outse t ; b u t in t h e e ar lie r dra ft of t h e Bill it wa ssought t o atta in this by am plifying t h e de finition of th e word e m bankme n t . In introdu cin g t h e Bill on t h e 7th Janu ary 1 87 1

, t h e

H on’

b l e M r . Sch a l ch sa id Hithe rto t h e e ngin e e r h ad on ly powe rove r e xisting e m b ankm e n ts

,but it h ad be e n thought advisable t o give

him sim il ar powe r s ove r t h e dr a in age of th e cou ntry. I n t h e dr a ft Billof

'

A u gu st 1872 t h e word wate r cou r se is first brou ght into t h e de fin itions

, a n d powe r be stowed on t h e e ngineer to take ove r water - cour ses .

( 19

It m ay b e remembe re d tha t wate r - cour se s a r e expre ssly e nume rate d inRe gu l a tion XXXIII of 1793 a s am on g th e works of public im por tancet h e du e construction a n d ma inte na n ce of which by t h e ze m inda r sre quir e d e n courage m e n t, a n d t h e public importance of such worksca n not b e ga insa id.

Clau se 3 sta te s th e powe r of th e office rs of Government t o maken ew e mbankme nts in much more sp e cific a n d pla in te rms ; but whe nt h e H on

’

b l e Digu m b e r Mitte r m ove d th e om ission of t h e gre a te r partof t h e se ction , Mr . Sch a lch de fe nde d it on t h e e xpre ss ground that itwa s only an am plification of t h e A ct of 1855 .

E 1th a dIn Clause 4 it will b e obse rve d tha t th e 1m prove

a g onia

of t hfg’

s‘

flzgs m e nt of he a lth is on e of t h e grounds specified a s

j u stifyin g Gove r n j ustifyin g inte rfe re nce with dra inage .

m e n t in te rve n t ion .

Clause 5 , which authorize s t h e Colle ctor t o call upon a pe rson incharge of a road tha t inte rfe re s with dra inage t o a lte r such road or

con str u ct a wa te r - cou rse unde r it, is a new provision , the propriety of

which spe aks for itse lf.Clause 7 give s a powe r t o pr iva te pe r sons t o initia te procee dings

for t h e construction of n ew emban km e nts or wa ter - course s, whichpr e viou sly wa s re stricte d t o slu ice s .

S e ction 19 confe rs upon t h e Engine e r a n a ltoge the r new power t o

P ”Ere qu ire a lte rations in ra ilways if the y inte rfe re with

n e e rfv

zfir

tf dra inage , which gave rise t o a corre sponde nce withof Lie u te n a n t -Grov th e Board of A ge ncy of t h e E a st Indian Ra ilway .

mar

gagfijhfil fe r ,Th e se ction a s it first app e are d in t h e dra ft Bill of

f e r e s with dra in age A ugust 1871 , a fter am e ndm ent by t h e first S e le ctt ° m ake a l t e ra twn s ‘ Comm itte e , did n ot conta in a proviso stipul a tin g fort h e pre vious sanction of t h e Lie ute nant - Gove rnor. On t h e 1 st S e ptemb e r 1871 t h e Boa rd of A ge ncy prote ste d aga inst t h e Engine e r (the nt h e Supe rinte ndin g E n gine e r, but h e cou l d transfe r his powe r s t o a n

Exe cutive Engine e r,) b e in g e ntruste d with such authority, a n d cla ime dt o b e liable only t o an in dictm e nt for obstructing dra inage if the irra ilr oad wa s suppose d to do so.

Gove rnm e nt in its re ply" e xpre sse d a n Opinion that some be tte rreme dy tha n a n indi ctm e nt wa s re quire d, a n d invite d t h e Board ofA gency t o su gge st a n y b e tte r m ode of providing tha t an author ity ofdu e we ight shoul d arrange with sufficie nt de lib e r a tion th e ve ry difficu lta n d im portant qu e stion whe the r a railway a ff ords suffi cie nt way for t h epa ssag e of t h e wa te r or in a n y de gr e e in juriously a ffe cts t h e dr a inageof t h e country. It wa s adde d tha t t h e re cent floods have give n thisqu e stion p e culiar im portance , an d it is ce rta inly on e on which a

conclusion shou l d n ot b e ra shly a rrive d a t .

Th e Board of A ge ncy, in re ply, sugge ste d tha t in eme rge nt ca se st h e loca l Gove rnment shoul d have powe r t o ca ll upon t h e Ra ilwayCompany to e xe cute such work or m ake su ch a lte ra tions a s m ay b e

spe cifie d , t h e Com pany be ing give n a right t o su e for com p e n sationin th e High Cour t if the y cou l d prove e ithe r tha t th e orde r wa s

3? N o. 31, date d 2 n d Octobe r .

unne ce ssary or de signe d t o re m e dy a n injury not cau se d by t h e faultof t h e ra ilway, or a n in ju ry of th e na ture of a pr iva te wron g .

Th e re su lt wa s t h e se ction a s it n ow sta n ds . It doe s n ot appe a rtha t t h e Ra ilway Com pany can cla im com pe nsation , e xce pt unde r Se ction30

,be for e t h e ordin ary tribun als .

3 . The third im porta n t change in t h e l aw is t h e re tr ansfe r of t h edire ct con trol ove r e m ba n km e nt a n d dra in age works

3 . Coll e ctors aga i nmade r es pon s ib l e for from t h e Supe r i nte ndi n g Engi n e e r t o t h e Colle ctor.s u pe rvision of It wa s only a t a late stage that this cha n ge wa s in tro

gfim‘

é‘

fe n t s a n d du ce d into t h e Bill, a n d t h e re a son s that l e d t o it a r e

thus state d by t h e H on’

b l e Mr . Sch a l ch

The re a son for this proposal wa s two- fold : first it h ad be e n

Reason s for th i s su gge ste d in som e qu arte rs , a n d,am ongst othe rs

,by

provision a s sta te d t h e Br 1t 1sh In di an A ssociation,wh o re pre se nte d in

in Cou n c il gre a t me a sure t h e ze m indars,that t h e Bill pla ce d

t oo gre at powe r in t h e ha n ds of th e E n gine e r . Mr . Sch a l ch could n ots ay tha t h e fu lly concu rr e d in that ob j e ction , be cau se it would b efou n d that n o powe r cou l d b e confe r r e d on t h e E n gin e e r u n til com ple tepu blication h ad be e n give n t o t h e m e a su re propose d t o b e u n de r take n

,

until a l l partie s inte re ste d h adbe e n a llowe d a n oppor tu n ity of app e arin ga n d statin g the ir ob j e ction s, a n d un til those obj e ction s h ad be e n dispose dof upon a ju dicia l inquiry, an d whe n e ve n tha t Wa s done th e whole of

the se orde rs we re ope n n ot only t o app e a l , b u t a lso t o re vision , r ight upt o t h e Gove r n m e n t of B e nga l . H e thou ght, the re fore , t h e Bill mightwe ll sta n d a s it wa s .

Bu t it wa s su ppose d tha t if t h e Colle ctor wa s su bstitu te d for t h eE n gin e e r, the re wou ld b e gre ate r re spon sibility thrown upon h im ; h e

wou ld b e m ore care fu l h ow h e condu cte d his proce e din gs , a n d wou ld n otb e l e d away by profe ssiona l fe e ling , a s h e wa s like ly t o b e if t h eE n gin e e r h ad t h e i n itiatin g powe r . It h ad the re for e b e e n su gge ste dtha t it wa s b e tte r t o give t h e Colle ctor t h e in itiative , a n d t o ve st t h epowe rs in h im ; a n d the n , a s far a s t h e pu r e ly profe ssion a l work wa sconce rn e d, it wou ld b e e xe rcise d by t h e office rs unde r h im

,but unde r

his re spon sibility .

A nothe r re a son wa s that t h e position of th e Exe cutive Engine e r ,a s h e form e rly e xiste d, h ad be e n cha n ge d ; h e wa s n ow t h e Distr ictEngine e r , a n d wa s m or e dire ctly subordin ate t o t h e Colle ctor than t h eExe cu tive E n gin e e r wa s .

It mu st b e re m e m b e re d tha t un de r t h e forme r l aw a n d unde r t h ee arlie r dra ft Bills , t h e Colle ctor e xe rcise d a qu a si- ju dicia l fu nction inde cidin g on t h e utility of works , though t h e in itiatory powe r re ste dwith t h e Engine e r ; a n d t h e Hon

’

b l e Ra j ah J ot e n drom oh u n Tagore ,a lluding to this, argu e d tha t n ot on ly wou l d t h e change b e a pra ctica llynomina l on e , a s th e Colle ctor

’s hands we re t oo full t o e nable him t o dom ore than de le ga te his power s t o a n d follow t h e adv ice of t h e

E n gin e e r , but , so far a s th e chan ge would ope r a te,it wou ld do mor e

ha rm than good . For un de r t h e Bill a s it stood, th e Colle ctor he ld theposition of a disin te r e ste d judge ; but a s it wa s propose d t o a lte r itu n de r th e ame n dm e nt, if t h e Colle ctor wa s t o have a n omin a l powe r,a n d to have the discre tion of de le ga tin g a fte rwards that powe r t o th e

[ 2 1

E n gin e e r,h e wou ld natu r a lly fe e l a sort of bia s t o uphold a n a u thority

which h e h ad him se lf de le ga te d .

”

His Hon or t h e Pr e side n t r e plie d t o this, that“ it wa s pe r fe ctly

tru e,a s t h e h on

’

b l e m e m b e r sa id , tha t t h e Colle ctor h ad his ha n ds pr e ttyfu ll, a n d that h e m ight n ot b e m a ste r of e n gin e e r ing de ta ils . Bu t

, on

t h e othe r ha n d, i t se e m e d t o h im tha t t h e m ost e sse n tia l a n d pr a ctica ladvantage Of t h e am e ndm e n t wa s this , tha t a s th e Bill stood t h eE n gine e r wa s e ntitle d t o take t h e in itia tive ; a n d if th e Colle ctor wa sOppose d t o t h e proposa l of t h e E n gin e e r , h e h ad t o fin d t h e m e ans ora rgum e n ts t o con trove r t t h e opin ion of t h e E n gin e e r . Th e Colle ctorin that ca se wa s b ou nd t o take u p th e whole ca se a n d de cide upon it .A s t h e Bill stood t h e Colle ctor wa s n ot bou nd t o m ove a t a l l ; h e wa s

n ot boun d t o give a n y re a son s . H e might pooh pooh t h e Engin e e r ; h emight s ay I am n ot going t o take it u p .

’ It wa s for t h e Colle ctor t o b esa tisfie d tha t the r e wa s n e c e ssity b e for e h e wou ld m ove . H e wa s t h ep e rson wh o, u nde r t h e l aw,

if t h e am e n dm e n t wa s a cce pte d, wou ld b ere quire d t o take t h e in itiative ; t h e E n gin e e r wou ld n ot b e in t h e fie ldtill t h e Colle ctor h ad take n t h e in itia tive . That wa s e ntir e ly diffe re n tt o t h e ca se a s it n ow stood, whe r e t h e E n gin e e r wa s e ntitle d t o taket h e in itiative a n d force t h e m atte r t o a de cision .

”

N O doubt in som e ca se s t h e change will b e pra ctica lly a n omin a lon e ; thi s will de pe nd ve ry m u ch on t h e individu a lity of t h e Office r scon ce rn e d, b u t t h e transfe r se e m s t o b e a ne ce ssary con se qu e n ce of

t h e policy which is n ow avowe dly adopte d of m akin g e a ch distr ict am icrocosm for adm in istr ative purpose s

,a n d pla cing t h e Colle ctor

Magistr a te a t t h e he ad of it . A s t h e A ct n ow stands h e is m ade t ou n de r sta n d de fin ite ly tha t t h e e ffe ctive dr a in age of his distr ict a n d itsprote ction from in u ndation ar e m atte rs for which h e is imm e diate lyre spon sible , ju st a s h e is for its pe a ce , its im m unity from he in ous crim e ,

a n d t h e colle ction Of its r e ve n u e . It m ay have b e e n Obse rve d tha tin Fr a n ce sim ilar works a r e pla ce d u n de r t h e P r efe ct , an officia l Of n o

e n gine e r ing e xpe r ie n ce , whose position corre spon ds more close ly pe rhapst o tha t Of a Col le ctor- Magistra te tha n a n y othe r fu n ctionary in E urope .

Bu t while t h e Gove r n me n t adopts t h e syste m of chargin g t h e

Colle ctor -Magistr a te with t h e supe rvision of a l l de partme nts , con siste ncyde m ands tha t it shou ld prote ct h im from th e te nde ncy

,which is tra ce

ab le in many de partme n ts, Of im posin g work e xpr e ssly on him: a n dre quir in g him t o pe r form c e rta in sp e cifie d de ta ils of it him se lf .Those wh o have n ot the e xp e rie nce force d upon the m have little

idea of t h e wa ste of tim e an d dissipa tion of e ne rgy in volve d in t h em u ltitu dinous de ta il s which

,owin g t o t h e j e a lou sy or in con side r a te

ne ss of de pa rtm e nta l chie fs , t h e distr ict Office r is for ce d t o pe rformpe rsona lly. Su pe rvision , t o b e e ff e ctive , re qu ire s t o b e give n with ve rydiffe r e n t de gre e s of close ne ss , a ccordin g t o t h e char a cte r Of t h e worka n d of t h e su b ordinate t o whom it is e ntruste d ; a n d if t h e su p e rvisin gOffice r ’s tim e is take n u p by t h e com pulsory p e rform ance of c e r ta inde ta ils which h e kn ows that in a n y par ticula r in sta n ce h e cou ld sa fe lyle ave t o anothe r Offi ce r, h e ca n n ot e qu itably be h e ld re sponsible for hisfa ilu re t o su pe rvise othe r de partm e n ts .

From this Obj e ction , howe ve r, t h e Embankme nt A ct is e n tire lyfre e . By S e ctions 10 a n d 14th e Colle ctor can de pute t o t h e E n gine e r

( 22

such of his powe rs a s can suitably b e so de pute d ; while by S e ction 64h e ca n de pu te a n y of h is powe rs t o a D e puty Colle ctor

,su bj e ct t o a n

app e al to him .

4. Sum m a ry 4. A s re gar ds t h e summary powe r s with which t h epowe rs con fe rr e d. by e xe cutive . Office rs Of Gove rnme nt a r e n ow in ve ste d,t h e A W Par t III of t h e A ct sufficie ntly sp e aks for itse lf.It will b e se e n that a powe r is give n for sum mary a cquisition of

land a s we ll a s for summ ary proce e dings a n d orde r s ; b u t t h e on e m ayb e e xe rcise d without th e othe r. Th e ru le conta ine d in S e ction 9 a s

re gards lan d in diffe rent districts or diffe r e n t division s applie s t o t h esumm ary proce dure , an d in ma n y ca se s will cause in e vitable de lay.

A lso th e pa ssing a n unne ce ssary orde r will e n ta il n ot on ly compe nsation , but r e storation a n d re stitu tion ; a n d Mr. Sch a l ch

’s remarks in

Janu ary 1871 on this point de se rve t o b e transcribe d . This provisionwould compe l e m bankme nt Offi ce r s t o e xe rcise gr e at car e in pu ttin gthe se powe r s into force , for Gove rnme n t

“ wou ld hold the m re spon sibleif the ir powe rs we re exe rcis e d without sufficie n t cau se .

” The re willunque stion ably b e gre at te m ptation t o re sort t o sum m a ry proce e dings

,

a n d the r e by obviate t h e de lays which t h e re gula r proce du r e will e nta il ;a n d it is we ll that Gove rnme nt office rs shoul d b e on the ir guard aga instthis .

5 . For le ss im por ta n t change s in th e A ct , t h e note s appe nde dt o th e se ction s m ay be re fe rre d t o, b u t t h e following a r e de s e rvin g of

se parate notice .

Th e de finition of embankm e nts is made t o inclu de a l l t h e subs idiary works ne ce ssary for its m a in te nance , in clu d

e mggfimfrft sfi ing inspe ction bu n ga lows . Still it r e m a ins doubtfu l

whe the r t h e side la n ds from which th e e n gine e r use dt o take e arth whe n the y ne e de d it, but which th e own e r s use d a lso t o sowwith rice or othe r crops, ar e or a r e n ot include d in t h e e m ba n kme nt . It isa n importan t que stion , a s oth e rwise much land will have to b e take n upto e nable re pa irs to b e carrie d ou t .

Th e word ze m inda r ’ means a n y holde r or holde rs

daESt at e an d z e mm '

of a n e state , which te rm inclu de s lands on t h e

l akh iraj re giste r a n d lands a cquire d unde r t h e wa steland rule s .

Thus l akh irajdar s , wh o have hithe rto e scap e d , will have t o bearthe ir fa ir share in t h e works by which the ir prop e r tie s be n e fit .

Proprie tors, that is, owne rs of t e n u e r s , ar e by S e ction 45 made t ocontribu te the ir fa ir share of th e cost ; b u t it will b e

prgggpw an d PW obse rve d that t h e de finition of ‘te n ure ’ lim its it t o

inte rest s held p e rm a n e n t ly a t a fixe d re n ta l, or he ldl akhir aj . Thus a liability t o have his re nt e nhance d prote cts a p e rsonposse ssin g a n y inte re st in land from be ing a sse sse d, a n obviously justprovision . Owne r s of l akh iraj plots of land will, unde r a l l cir cumstance s , hav e t o contr ibute if be ne fite d, Se ction 46 giving th e Colle ctort h e fu l le st powe rs t o a sse ss them . On t h e othe r ha n d, un le ss th ede finition of te nure s will include public prope r ty—su ch a s cana ls ,roads, railroads— such prop e rty will not be liable to contribute .

( 23

S e ction 5 conta ins a ve ry im portant innovation in proce dure inre qu irin g plans , spe cification s, a n d e stim ate s of t h e

works t o b e pre par e d, toge the r with a copy of t h e

surve y m ap showing th e bou n da r ie s of t h e village sof t h e var iou s e state s like ly t o b e a ff e cte d , be for ea n y orde r sanctionin g t h e work is pa sse d . This will

Ofte n give n mu ch trou ble , but a t a n y r a te it is a s e curity tha t t h epropos e d works sha ll b e well conside r e d be for e in itia te d . A t on e tim e

it wa s propose d t o se rve a copy of a l l the se pla n s , &c . , with t h e procl am ation , b u t this wa s aba n don e d, a s it wa s rightly e n ough poin te d ou t

that it wou l d e norm ously in cr e a se t h e costline ss of t h e pr e lim inar ie s .S e ction 30

,a n d t h e se ctions tha t follow, sim plify ve ry mu ch th e

com pe n sa tion for award of com p e n sa tion , a n d abandon t h e old syste mdam age s of arbitra tion , which ne ve r worke d we ll . It will b ese e n tha t t h e proce dure pre scrib e d by th e Land A cquisition A ct isa dopte d in pr e fe re n ce , so that t h e Ju dge will b e come t h e arbite r onlyif t h e Collector ’s summary award is n ot sa tisfa ctory . In on e im portantde ta il th e n ew A c t is sile nt, a s r e gards a sse ssin g compe nsa t ion . A ct

XXXII of 1855" pre scribe d tha t in fixing the ir awa rd t h e a rb itratorswe re t o a llow for a n y be ne fit which t h e cla im a n t de rive d from t h e worka s a s e t - off aga in st t h e inj u ry for which h e cla im e d compe nsation . It isn ot e qua lly cle ar whe the r t h e Ju dge a n d A sse ssors should a llow for thisunde r S e ction 33 . If t h e cla im ant prove s a ce rta in dam age in on e

way, a n d conse qu e nt diminution in va lu e , it se e m s op e n t o que stionwhe the r t h e court is bound t o a llow,

a s a s e t - off, advantage s de r ive d byhim in anothe r way. Pe rhaps it m ay b e in te n de d tha t su ch advantage sor be ne fits should b e conside re d by t h e Colle ctor whe n apportioning t h ecost

,a n d if provable , b e the n a sse ss e d , le aving it t o t h e comp e nsation

court t o look t o t h e injury only. Still this wou l d ofte n b e ve ry in adequate , a n d in a ll ca se s inconve nie n t, a s a claim for com p e nsation is t h eve ry time whe n the se advantage s wou l d most probab ly come t o light

,

a n d the n it would b e t oo late . A z emin dar wil l b e able t o ke e p sile ncewh il e t h e apportionm e nt is going on, a n d the n whe n it is con clude dgo in a n d Ob ta in Rs . com p e nsation for Rs . wor th damageca u se d t o his e state in on e way, while h e m ay have be ne fite d t o t h ee xte nt of Rs . in othe r ways .

A s re ga rds la n d re qu ir e d for e m ba n km e nts , t h e A ct introdu ce s a

cha n ge of syste m . Form e r ly itwa s ge n e r a l ly, t h e custom0 9223533333; for t h e own e r of land re qu ir e d for e m ba n km e n ts t ogive la n d for give it gr atuitou sly ; p e rhaps it wa s a sor t of rou gh

gfiggfie‘

fie

fifh .

a n d- re ady m ode of contr ibu tion . In t h e Midnaporedistr ict a t le a st, a n d prob ably e l s ewh e r e , it wa s th e custom

for him t o do so. S e ction 9 , A ct VII of 1 866,distinctly re cog

n ise d thi s tr aditiona l ob liga tion , a n d de barre d p e rson s bound by itfrom cla im in g comp e nsation . Unde r Part 5 , howe ve r, of A ct VI

of 1 873 , a l l p e rson s inte re ste d in land will b e e ntitle d t o com pe n

sation . A s t h e form e r rule pre sse d Ofte n ve ry une qua lly _On sm a llpropr ie tor s an d l akh irajdars, t h e j ustice of t h e a lteration will n ot b econte ste d .

Se ct ion 7, C lau s e‘2

24

D f b kTh e system Of le vying t h e am ount a ssess e d

“16 039

5, bf ffioi'

ée ; from t h e p e r son'

s liable t o pay is t h e sam e inr e cove rabl e a s prin ciple a s tha t in t h e Road C e ss A ct , t h e Gove rna r re ar s”revenu e me nt lookin g t o t h e ze m in dars a n d the y t o t h esu bordina te propr ie tors . Th e zemindars have t h e sam e powe r Ofe n force m e n t a s z e m indars have aga inst pu t n e e da rs , e xce pt that n orights u n de r that of t h e propr ie tor a r e a ffe cte d by t h e sa le (Se ction 51 )Bu t u n de r Act VII b u t t h e Colle ctor ca n n o lon ge r have re cour se t o(B

f

’C

lL

8

1

6

8

88 ’ t h e sa le l aw, b u t must recove r unde r A ct VII

O

In re cove r ie s unde r this A ct some difficu l ty h a s Ofte n be e ne xpe r in ce d owin g t o t h e Colle ctor ’s e nfor ce d ignorance of t h e n am e s of a l lhis de btor s . A r e m e dy, howe ve r, is off e re d by t h e de finition of zemindar ,

’ whe re by e ach partn e r is se ve r a lly liable . It will thus b e optiona lwith t h e Colle ctor t o se le ct a sin gle pa r tne r a n d se ll his r ight

,title ,

a n d inte r e st in t h e e state , a n d if h e h a s a sufficie ntly ce rta in titlet h e a rre ars will b e re a lize d .

Th e p e n a l provision s ar e in some re spe cts a lte re d from those of t h eform e r A ct

, b u t only on e of the se a lte ra tion s cla ims

033

222}pm v’swn s spe cia l a tte ntion . Form e rly ca ttle tr e spa ss cou ld

on ly b e pu nishe d a s a sp e cifica lly crim in a l Offe nceif mischie f or cr im ina l tr e spass coul d b e prove d, othe rwise it wa s

usua l t o p roce e d unde r t h e Pounds’ A ct, a n d im

Ca t t'e t r e spass 0 11 pound cattl e found tre spa ssing . Unde r S e ction 55e m ba n km e n ts m adep e n al , a n y p e rson who sha ll cau se , or kn ow mgly a n d

wilfu lly p e rmit, an y ca ttle to graze on a n y pu blice m bankm e nt , or sha ll te the r or cau se or wilfu l ly p e rm it a n y ca ttlet o b e te the r e d u pon such e m bankm e nt

,

” is liab le t o a m aximu mpu n ishm e n t Of six m onths ’ im prisonm e n t or Rs . 2 00 fin e . On this pointt h e following discu ssion in Cou ncil on t h e 1 7th S e pte m be r 1873 isinstructive Th e Hon

’b l e Mr . Rob inson sa id it se e m e d t o h im tha t

Discu ssion in t h e provisions of the se se ctions applie d t h e sam e

s e ve re p e n a ltie s t o a gr e a t var ie ty of ofl’

e n ce s . H e

shou ld like t o know,for instance

,if it wa s in te n de d that a n y pe rsonwh o

ca u se d or p e rm itte d a n y cattle t o graze u pon a n y e mba n kme n t wa s t o b eliab le t o a fin e of Rs . 2 00 or im pr ison m e n t for six mon ths ; that se e m e da ve ry se ve re punishm e nt t o in flict upon e ve ry Ol dwom a n wh o pe rm itte da goat t o gra ze u pon a n e m bankm e n t . Th e Hon

’

b l e M r . Sch a l ch sa idit m ust b e re m e m be re d tha t we h ad t o provide n ot only for t h e old

wom an with t h e goa t , b u t for t h e ve ry com m on offe n ce of t h e village rstyin g the ir ca ttle t o gr aze upon e m b ankm e n ts by hu ndre ds . A n ye n gin e e r wou l d te ll you that nothing wa s m ore in ju r iou s t o a n e m ba n kme n t than t o have cattle grazin g u pon it ; the y m ade hole s in it, whichl e d t o ra ts an d othe r ve rm in un de rm in in g a n d de stroyin g t h e e m ba n kme nt. I n providing a n am ou n t of pu n ishm e n t for a n yOffe n ce , we m u stsu ppose that t h e Offi c e r t o whom t h e powe r wa s e ntru ste d wou ld e xe r cisea prope r discr e tion . We m u st n ot su ppos e tha t h e wou ld im pose a fin e

Of Rs . 2 00 on e ve ry Old wom an wh o pe rm itte d h e r goa t t o gr aze u pona n emban km e n t . Th e fin e of Rs . 2 00 wa s pu t a s a m axim u m .

”

His Honor t h e Pre side n t Obse rve d that the r e wa s n o cla ss of H e r

Ma j e sty’s subj e cts with whom h e h ad gre ate r sympathy than t h e old

https://www.forgottenbooks.com/join

( 2 s

graze ; an d, if grazing e lse whe re , it is most difficu lt t o pre vent the irstraying on t o t h e emb ankme n ts . It m ay b e state d with con fide ncetha t in ca se s whe re th e ze m inda r s pay for t h e emb ankm e nts , the ywou ld, if th e option we re put t o them, unanimou sly in cur t h e r isk of

inundation , with a l l t h e incr e a se d e xpe n ditur e for re pa irs , in re tu rn forge n e ra l pe rmission t o the ir ryots t o te the r the ir ca ttle on th e emb an kme nts . Th e emba n km e nt - tr e spa ss grie vance is on e of t h e firstgrie vance s on which the y dila te most spontane ou sly ; a n d the y argu etha t whe n the y ar e th e pe rsons wh o su ffe r by inu n dations, a n d a r e a lsothe pe rsons wh o pay for re pa irs, it is hard that the ir wishe s a r e n ot

con su l te d a s re gards the cattle grazing on t h e emba n kme nts .It is the r e fore a n im portant que stion for t h e e ngin e e rs, looking

to the e xtreme difli cu l ty which will a tte nd a rigorous e nfor ce m e nt of

t h e l aw,whe the r a conce ssion might n ot b e made which woul d e n list

t h e sympa thie s Of t h e village rs m ore on the ir side , a n d dim in ish the irdifficu ltie s . If a l l ne wly constructe d an d ne wly tur fe d se ctions we remarke d Off , a n d a lso a l l portions of e ve n we ll con solidate d embankm e n ts

,

whe re t h e dange r of a brea ch is gre ate st , it might b e possib le t o e nforcet h e l aw r igorously for the se se ctions , a n d a t first, a t a n y ra te , a llowgrazin g on t h e remainde r. Most of t h e Hu ss e a , a n d large se ctionsof t h e Ga n gorre a bu nds, might sure ly thus b e le a se d ou t withou t a n ytangible risk be ing incurre d. For the se ction pa ssing through it e a chvill age shou ld b e re quir e d t o take ou t a grazing lice nse , t h e am ount t ovary a ccording to t h e le ngth of em bankme nt in it , a n d to b e fixe ds o a s t o cove r a n y injury tha t might re su lt, a n d a m aximum numbe rof cattle might be sta ted in it a s authorized to graze so a s t o pre ve ntwhole sale abu se s .Unde r this system the villagers would, it is belie ve d, pay re adi ly,

a s the y n ow do t o th e ch u pr a sse e s , t o b e se cure d from mole station , whil ese lf- inte re st would make them j e a lou s in se e ing that the ir own m e m

be rs got t h e fu l l b e ne fit of t h e privile ge the y pa id for . This is be tte rthan le a sing ou t t h e gra ss , for n o pe r son would tak e t h e le a se e xce ptwith t h e Obj e ct of e ithe r ope nly or se cr e tly a llowin g gra zin g an d takin gpayme nt for it ; a n d if grazin g is t o b e pe rmitte d, it is be tt e r t o de a lwith th e village chie f- m e n dir e ct . If some harm r e su lte d

,it m u st n ot

b e lost sight of tha t t h e com ple te prote ction from tr e spa ss of t h e moreexpose d a n d dange rous s e ctions woul d b e gr e a tly fa cilitate d , a n d

tre spa sse rs on the se portions, a s the y would n ot have pa id for t h e

privile ge , would b e wrong - doe rs i n t h e e ye s Of public opin ion n o le sstha n in t h e judgm e nt of t h e magiste ria l office rs . Thus t h e e n forceme ntof th e l aw wou ld b e in a ccorda n ce with, a n d not in Opposition t o,public Opinion— a poin t of n o slight adva n tage .

Be fore closing the se re m arks, a fewwords will n ot b e out of pla cea s to tha t which is t h e weak poin t in t h e A ct—a point re spe ctingwhich gre a t care will b e ne ce ssary t o pre ve nt proce e din gs un de r itfrom provin g abortive . This dange r is , tha t t h e multiplicity of que stions which m ay b e raise d in ea ch in qui ry a n d t h e e labora te ne ss of

0 0

t h e proce dur e will so com plicate it, tha t the se ca se s

i nwill a ssume th e proportions of a large b a twar a or

partition ca se , a n d be com e so we arisome a n d intricatebe fore final orders a re pa sse d unde r Section 8, a n d appea ls de cided unde r

( 27

S e ction 59 , tha t Officers will shrin k from initia ting procee dings . A

similar dan ger will a ttend apportionme nts of cost under Sections 44a n d 45 .

It wil l be see n that be fore a procl am a t ion can b e issued, th e villages

Difficu lty Of de cid.

like ly t o b e a ffe cte d must be de te rmine d . Th e partie sin g sa tisfactor ily t h e who will thus be inte re ste d will often b e ve ry“

ga t

fs

d

an d Village s nume rous , a n d if the y choose the y m ay a l l ra isea e c e

obj e ctions an d adduce e vide nce in support of them .

A fte r th e importance of t h e scheme is establishe d, t h e in quiry a s towhich vi llage s can b e shown t o b e afle ct e d by it , a n d the e xte nt of t h ebe ne fit the y will de rive, will ge ne rally thre aten to be com e ve rycom plicate d an d prolonge d . A lso, it is far from t h e rul e t o find e state sa n d vill age s inclu de d in a sin gle ring - fe nce , an d the ir dislocation willgre a tly complica te the inquir y . A ga in , in appe a ls, unle ss m uchforbe ar ance is shown by th e app e llate authority, t h e proce e dings will be

shipwre cke d by be ing aga in a n d aga in re turne d for

“Egg? "“ 8h“ furthe r inquiry . Ordinary ca se s will enta il some

twe nty or thirty distinct issue s, a n d it is quite im poss ible tha t th e ju dgme nt of t h e lowe r authority ca n ente r so ful l yinto e a ch on e of these a s t o answer by a n ticipa tion a ll t h e points that m ayb e m ade in app e a l . Unle ss, the re fore , this office r is truste d, an d a n orde ruphe ld if it appe ars t o b e on th e whole we ll conside re d a n d im partia l ,re m a n ds wil l ine vitably b e freque nt, a n d proce e din gs most undulyprotr a cte d . This wa s pointe d out by Mr . Sch a l ch in a de bate inFe bruary 1873 , whe n h e sa id tha t we have thrown over t h e conse ntof t h e Colle ctor a power of appe a l, which might b e thought by manye xtremely injudicious, an d a gr e a t hamp e ring of t h e executive power .It m ay be fe are d tha t this wil l prove t o be t h e case unle ss grea tjudgm e nt an d discrimination is shown in the u s e of it.

In some ca se s it m ay be found possible to induce th e persons benefit e d t o se ttle among themse lve s t h e share s in which the y should ea chcon tribute , a n d if so, a lthou gh the ir apportionme nt will re quire to b eforma lly adopte d by t h e Colle ctor t o be made binding, it wil l b eadvisable t o follow it. Even whe n the y disagre e their riva l e stimate sof be ne fit will be a use ful gui de to a fa ir apportionme nt.

On the other hand, it must b e Obse rved tha t the se remarks a r einte nde d to apply e xclus ively to t h e de cision a s t o which vill age s ar ebe ne fite d, a n d in wha t de gre e ; an d a s to the apportionme n t amon gthem Of the charge s an d t h e costs . A s re gards t h e ge ne ra l issue ,whe the r th e work will b e bene ficia l or n ot , it is a lmost impossible tha tt oo gre a t car e ca n b e take n in de ciding it. If it is certa in , on t h e on e

hand , tha t much ca n b e done by scie nce to improve t h e dra inage a n d

he a lth of large tr a cts of coun try in B e nga l, it is e qua lly ce rta in tha tcr u de a n d ill- conside re d me a sure s ofte n secure a sse nt for a se a son,e spe cia lly a fte r t h e coun try h a s be e n re ce ntly suff e ring e ithe r fromca lam itie s of flood or we athe r , or from unusu a l wave s of sickne ss

,

whil e the y ultima te ly do more harm than good . In such time s,me n ’s minds ar e conce ntra te d with far more inte nsity on re cognisingt h e fa ct that pre ve ntible e vils e xist than in scrutinising ca r e fullywhe the r t h e su gge ste d reme die s a r e the corre ct ones . A n d the re

is a lways a dange r le ‘st sciolists , who thr ow far more colour intothe ir hope s an d promise s than the y do close re a soning into the ir data ,or office rs with hobbie s of the ir own which clothe true ide a s infa lla ciou s surrou ndings, shou ld Obta in prematur e a n d ill- con side re da sse nt t o the ir sche m e s, a n d the re by bring discre dit on a n A ct which ,if worke d with discre tion a n d judgme nt

,is one of t h e be st that h as

pa sse d the Le gislature in re ce nt ye ars ."

Conse nsus a n d durability of a n y Opinion ar e the sure st guarante e sof its va lue . I f a l l scie n tific au thoritie s have concurred in re comme nding a n y scheme, an d if the ir opin ion h a s stood t h e te st Of time an d

criticism, an d ye t rema ins una lte re d, it m ay inde e d b e possibly wrong,

b u t it h a s t h e best a ssurance for its corr ectne ss that on e can ordinarilyhope to obta in .

A dopting this test, th e following ve ry ge nera l propositions m ay

General pr in ci. b e sa fe ly spe cifie d a s among those which have alwayspi e s . commande d a sse nt

(a .) Irriga tion a n d dra inage should a lways go han d - in - hand .

IUnle ss irriga tion ,

or a supply of wa te r, whe n re allyrriga t ion an d

dra in age sh ou ld go nee de d i s ava i lable , dra i nage works m ay Ofte n se ri ouslytoge th e r . im pe ril th e f e rtility of t h e soil ope ra te d on , an d b e

productive Of more in j ury than be ne fit . On t h e othe r hand,an artificia l supply of wate r, unle ss care is taken tha t prope routle ts e xist for carryin g it Off whe n its work is done ,must ine vitably lead to pa rtia l inundations , wa te r - loggin gof t h e soil, a n d in jury t o he a lth . Th e wate r- course s, or

veins Of th e coun try, a r e a t fir st charge d wi th a he avie rta sk than the y a r e pre pare d t o pe rform , though in timethey m ay partia lly adapt themse lves to the ir work .

S in ce this was in type , Colle ctors have be e n prohibite d by t h e Board of Re ve n u e from takin ga n y action u n de r Se ction 5 Withou t t h e Boards’ pr ior sa n ction . This in dica te s t h e e xt re m e im por t an ce

a ttache d t o t h e care fu l con side ration of m e asu re s be for e in itia tion . A t t h e sam e tim e , i t se e m sop e n t o som e obj e ction s . (1 ) I t ca n n ot r e ach t h e ca se s of t h e gr e a te st im por ta n ce , viz . those inwhich su m m a ry a ction h as to b e ta ke n ; i n ca se s in stitu te d u n de r t h e n orm a l proce du re , t h ei n te rv e n tion of t h e highe r au thori tie s cou ld so e asily b e obta in e d be fore an y m ischie f wou ld r e su lt,tha t it i s hardly wor th While in sis t in g on pr ior sa n ction i n the se ca se s . (2 ) By m akin g t h e n or m a l proc e du r e e v e n m or e circu m l ocu tory than t h e L e gisla tu re in te n de d , i t in cr e a se s n ot m e r e ly t h e t e m pta tion ,b u t e ve n t h e le gitim a te n e ce s s i ty, for r e sor tin g t o t h e sum m a ry proce du re in ce r ta in case s . I t. se e m sprobable , a con j e ctu r e t h e corr e ctn e s s of wh ich e xpe r ie n ce will prove , tha t t o obta in this pr e l im in ary sa n ction , will b e a work of som e tim e , e xce e din g , ra the r than fa llin g shor t of a m on th . Thu s itwi l l Ofte n happe n , whe n a slu ice or a n e m ba n km e n t i s u rge n tly n e e d e d be for e t h e n e xt r a i n s s e t i n ,tha t t h e Col le ctor will fin d tha t h e h as ju st tim e t o sa n ction t h e work, i f h e ca n take a ction a t on ce ,u n de r S e ction 5

,b u t n ot s ufli cre n t tim e t o do so t o e n able t h e work t o b e com ple te d , i f h e h a s t o

r e fe r for prior sa n ction . He will thu s b e dr ive n t o r e sor t t o t h e su m m ary proce du re . (3) I n

m an y ca se s , pe rhaps i n m os t ca se s, t h e sch e m e is on e which h as a lr e ady be e n sa n ction e d by Gov e rnm e n t in t h e Pu blic Works D e par tm e n t b e for e i t r e a ch e s t h e Col le ctor . This doe s n ot , of cou r se ,de pr ive t h e pu blic of the ir r igh t. of Obj e ction , or of a n im par tia l adju dica tion on the ir obje c t ion s ; b u ti t ce r ta in ly se e m s a n a n om a ly tha t prior t o su ch obj e ction s be in g ra ise d , t h e Colle ctor shou ld havet o Obta in t h e Board of Re ve n u e ’s p e rm ission t o tak e a ction u n de r t h e orde rs of Gove rn m e n t .(4) Th e stron ge st Obj e ction , pe rhaps , i s tha t it gre a tly i n cre ase s t h e da n ge r poin te d ou t by RajahJot e n dro M ohu n Tagore , of con v e r tin g t h e Col le ctor in to a pa r t i sa n . A s t h e Act sta n ds, h e h a sm e re ly t o issu e t h e n otice u n de r S e ction 5 , wi t hou t pr e j udgin g t h e qu e stion t o a n y appr e ciablee n te n t. U n d e r this r u le

,howe v e r , the re is da n ge r le s t h e b e force d in to be com in g a n advoca te , an d

his re port b e r e garde d a s de fe ctive , u n le ss it sta te s a n d a n swe r s by a n ticipa tion t h e m or e pla u sibleobj e ction s tha t will b e ra ise d . Thu s whe n t h e n otice doe s issu e a n d t h e se v e ry Obj e ction s a re

ra ise d, i t m ay b e m or e e ff e ctive ly, t h e cre dit of th e Colle ctor is m or e or le ss ple dge d t o the irin ade qu acy . Th e sam e obj e ction appli e s t o t h e a ction of t h e Com m ission e r in appe a l . H e a lsom ay have a lre ady tak e n a side , a n d in a n y ca se wrl l fi n d i t e m barrassin g t o b e ca lle d u pon t o

a dm it t h e va l idity of obj e ction s which t h e Board of Re ve n u e have a lre ady virtually disa llowe d .

Th e Circu lar orde r is N o. 2 of M ay 1875 .

29

(b .) A rtificia l obstructions for purposes of irriga tion , such a s dams

Dam on dwin on wate r - course s tha t ar e dra in age channe ls, can rare lyage chan n e ls to b e fa il t o b e pe rniciou s . N ot only do the y pre ve nt t h ede pr e ca te d. ove rplus of wa te r on lands above t h e dam from be in g

ca rrie d off, but a lso, by de pr ivi n g t h e channe l be low t h edam of its prope r volu m e of wa te r, le ad t o its siltin g upa n d fu tu re incapa city t o p e rform its in te nde d fu n ction .

(c.) Emba n km e nts t o rive rs which rise gradually a n d ove rflowEm ban kin g the ir banks by a ge ntle proce ss have be e n inva riably

fifli n

igffafigtiifi found t o do more harm than good, an d nowhe re ist ion

gof fr e sh wa te r , it m ore ne ce ssary for t h e wi se t o prote ct t h e foolish

in j u r iou s . a ga inst themse lve s than in prohibitin g the se works .The Egyptian agricu l tur ists could hardl y have made a

gre a te r mis take h ad the y dam med ou t th e inun da tion of t h eNil e than wa s made by t h e p e ople of Raj shahye a n d Je ssorein constructing a n d ke e pin g u p th e embankme nts whichform e r ly existe d in those di stricts.

(at ) This doe s n ot apply t o rive r s within tida l influ e n ce whe ret h e wate r is saline . The re it must b e ke pt ou t if

b e ifgkv

ggt

gffu“ cu ltivation is t o b e su cce ssfu l . Th e only que stion tha t

ca n arise in the s e tr a cts is whe the r t h e country t o b eprote cte d is worth t h e cost of t h e prote ctive works . A s inHolland, a gre a t portion of t h e Midnapore di strict is onlymade habitable by t h e s e a dyke a n d t h e subordina tee m ba n km e nts which run a lon g t h e tida l kh a l l s ; a n d gre a ta s t h e cost of the se works h a s be e n, a n d a s the ir ma inte n anceis

,it b e ars no proportion t o t h e agr icu l tur a l we a lth or t o

th e quantity of human a n d anima l life which the y prote ctfrom con stantly re cu r rin g ruin . A com parison be twe e n t h edam age inflicte d in t h e Midn apore district by t h e storm of

1 874,a n d tha t inflicte d by pr e vious di sa ste rs of a similar

char a cte r, e ve n infe rior in in te n sity, will show th e e normousbe n e fits which have re sul te d . Eve n t h e losse s a ctua llysu sta in e d were du e t o pr e ve n tible cau se s which m ay he rea fte r b e obvia te d . I t shou l d b e adde d that, so far a s ca n

b e a t pr e se n t judge d, t h e im prove m e nt t o t h e he alth of

H idge l e e is a s marke d a s is t h e incre ase d se curity of it s

cultivators . Such wa s t h e char a cte r of this tr a ct 2 5 ye arsago tha t Mr. Bayle y, in proposin g t h e location of office r sa t Con ta i an d Tum look, wrote Both the se Depu tyColle ctors shou ld b e a llowe d t o come into t h e station on t h e

15th Ju ly of e ve ry ye ar til l t h e 1 5t h Novembe r. Va lu ablelive s will othe rwise b e ne e dl e ssly riske d .

” Hardl y a n y on e

wou ld u r ge that this is a n y lon ge r ne ce ssary.

It is b e twe e n t h e banking ou t of sa lt wa te r on th e on e hand,

g dde da n d the n on - bankin g ou t of th e gradu al rise of fre sh

t ign‘

; of3 "

wate r on t h e othe r, tha t t h e de batable groun d a s t ocha rge d wi t h fia n d, t h e e xpe die ncy of embankm e nts lie s, an d difli cu l ty isve ry de sm cm e ’ fou nd in de te rmin ing t h e point a t which a n e m bank

me n t ce a se s t o b e pe rniciou s a n d be come s be ne ficia l . InWe ste rn B e nga l, in pa rticu lar, th e rive rs ar e liable t o sudde n

[ 30

inu n dati ons owin g to the ir cou rse withi n th e hills be inggen e rally para l l e l t o th e e qu a tor . I n th e se cases a floodm e ans much more than in pla ce s whe re th e rive rs ove rflowgra du a lly. I t m e a n s vi ole nt in vas ions of t h e flood wate rs ,d e s tr uct i on of al l st a ndin g crops , large are a s de solate d wi thde posi t s of sand (with which t h charge d incon s e qu e nce of t h e soil in whi ch th e y ris e ) an d t h e lowe r

ground in t h e int e rior conve rt e d into lagoon s . Em ban km e n t s in su ch ca s e s cannot b e di spe nse d wi t h , t hou g h t h ene ce s s ity for t h em ought n ot t o be t oo re a dily adm i tt e d.

Em ban km e nt s to prote c t large cit ie s , val u able publ ic works,or pu b li c bu ildin gs , m ay obvi ous ly b e n e ce s sary .

(9 ) h re ga rds in t e r ior e m bankm e nt s , m uch dive rs it y of judgm e n t wi l l b e fou n d t o pre vai l . Th e cu l t i va tors ge n e ra llyb e li e ve in the ir e ffi ca cy, an d profe s s iona l office rs ge n e ra ll ylook on t he m with di s favou r . Th e opin i on of th e Em b an km e n t Com m i t t e e in Midnapore , a n d t h e vi e ws of t h e

Gove rnm e n t an d t h e Board of Re ve nu e on t h e su bj e ct, wil lb e fou n d in t h e spe cia l appe ndix de vot e d t o t ha t dis t rict .

In m a t t e rs of de t a il it is ce rta in t o appe ar on tr ial that t he r e ar e

Jde fec t s in th e A ct pas s e d which s ubse qu e n t le gis lati on

cm d u ’ l on '

will b e ne e d ed t o re m e dy ; such de f e ct s ar e t o b e foundin a n yA ct , e spe cia lly on e whi ch is from t h e n e ce ss ity of t h e ca se te nta ti ve .

Som e such de fe ct s se e m trac e a ble al re a dy,e spe c ially t h e al m ost inte r

mina b l e prolix it y of t h e pr oce e di ngs ; b u t t h e broad prin ciple s on which iti s bas e d se e m t o b e we ll - con side r ed an d f ull y jus tifiable , an d he nce forthdis t r ict office rs an d e ngin e e rs have a m a chin e ry for im proving t h e

dra in age an d hea lt h of t he ir distr ict s wh ich the ir pred e ce ssors in va in

A CT N o. TI or 1 873 .

Pas se r) Br ra n Lm u m ax r - Govn a x oa or BE N GA L Ix Cor x crL .

(Re ce t'

re d th e a ss e n t of the Li e u t e n a n t Gor e y-

n or on 2728 2 n d De cem b e r 1873 ,

a n d of M e Gc r e m c r Ge n e r a l on fire 2 0m ide m .)

A n A ct to am e n d l ire la wr e la t ing to E m b a n km e n t ? a n d Wa fe r - cou r se s .

Wm s n a s it is e xpe di e nt th at provisi on shou l d b e ma d e for t h e

an d wate r- course s in t h e te rr itorie s s ubj e ct t o t h e l i eu t e n ant- Gove rn orof B e n ga l ; i t is e n acted as follows

PA RT I.

P r e l im in a ry.

1 . This A ct may be ca l l ed Th e Be ngal Emb an km e nt A ct ,

It e xte n ds t o t h e whole of th e te rrit ori e s s u b j e ct t o t h e Lie u t e n an tGove rnor of B e ngal , e xce pt th e province of Or is sa an d t h e Sce nde rbuns as d e fin e d un de r th e provis i ons of Clau se 2 , S e ct i on 1 3, Re gul ati on [ 11 of 1 828

A n d it shall com e into force on th e day of t h e pag in g the re of .Su b s ta n t i a ll y, thi s de fin i ti on i s ‘

t h e tr act which ,go in g by t h e n am e of Soc n ds rhu n s , was n ot

in c lu ded i n th e p e rm a n e n t se t t l a n e n t .

’

2 . From such day A ct N o . XXXI I of 1855 (r e la t in g to e m ce e /1:

m e a t s) an d B e nga l A ct N o . VI I of 1 86 6 (to m akeOf form e r b e t t e r p roc laim : f or t h e a cqu is it ion of [ a n d f or em i g rat

CLS'

m e s fa m ad ot h e r m a tt e r s r e la t i n g flze r e z‘o) shal l , e xce pt so far

as re la te s t o t h e provi n ce of Or issa an d th e sai d Soon de rb u n s b e re pe a l ed3 . Th e foll owi n g words shall , for th e purpos e s of this A ct

,ha ve

th e m e anin gs he r e b y d e clared, sa ve whe re , from t h e

conte xt , a con t ra ry int e n ti on appe arsEst a te me ans (1)— A n y land or sh are in lan d subj e ct t o th e

paym e n t t o Gove rn m e nt of a n annu a l s um in re s pe ctof whi ch t h e nam e of a propri e tor is e n te re d on th e

re gist e r , kn own as th e ge n e ral regist e r of a ll re ve nue - payin g e st a te s, or

in re spe c t of which a se par a te a ccount m ay, in purs u an ce of S e c ti on 1 0or Se cti on 1 1 of A ct XI of 1 859 , have be e n ope n e d ;

(2 )— A n y lan d e nte re d in th e re giste r of re ve nue - fr e e te nure s ;(3)—A n y la n d acqu ire d unde r an y ru l e s is sue d by or unde r

authority of Gove rnm e nt for t h e sa le , gr a nt, or cle a rance of wast elands .

This de fin i ti on cor re spon ds ge n e r a ll y wi th t h e defin i ti on of ‘e s t a te in t h e Road Ce s s A c t ,

e xce pt t ha t th e words‘sh are in lan d '

are om i t t ed af te r ‘ ln n fi’

in C la us e 2 , proba b ly as be i n g

I n t e rpr e ta t ion .

Es t a t e .

”

( 32

su rpl u sage , a n d tha t C la u se 3 of tha t de fin ition,which in clu de s lan ds t h e r e ve n u e or r e n t of

wh ich is paya ble dir e ctly t o t h e C olle ctor or his a ppoin te d age n t (in othe r words, Gove r n m e n t e s ta te s) ,

i s om itte d . Th e e ff e ct of this a ppa r e n tly wou ld b e to e n able a n y Gove rn m e n t e sta te be n e fite d incom m on with othe r e sta te s t o e scape paym e n t of i ts sha r e , a s su ch e sta te

,n ot be in g he ld a t

a fix e d r e n t, i s cle ar ly n ot a te n u re—Se e page 2 2 .

Th e word propr ie tor be in g su bse qu e n tly de fin e d a s t h e holde r of a ‘t e n u r e ,

’ its e m ploym e n ti n this se ction a s t h e holde r of an e s t a t e se e m s an e rror .

Embankment includes eve ry bank? dam ,wa ll

,a n d dyke made

or used for excluding wa ter from,or for re ta ining

wa te r upon a n y land, a n d e ve ry slui ce , spur, groyne ,tra ining wa ll , or othe r work anne xe d t o or portion of a n y such embankme nt, an d e ve ry ba n k, dam , dyke , wa ll, groyne , or spur m ade or e re cte dfor t h e pr ote ction of an y such e m bankm ent or of a n y land from e rosionor ove rflow by or of rive rs, tide s, wave s, or wate rs a n d a lso a l l

bu ildings intende d for purposes of inspe ction an d sup e rvision .

Em ba n km e n t .”

This is a con side rable e xte n sion of t h e word ‘e m ban km e n t

,

’ which form e rly on ly in clu de dworks for ‘

e xclu din g or r e ta in in g wa te r .

’ Th e works n ow spe cifie d ar e so e sse n tia l a pa r t ofe m ba n km e n ts

,tha t it is n e ce ssary tha t t h e office rs of Gove rn m e n t shou l d hav e t h e sam e con trol

ove r the m as ove r th e m a in works .

Water- course in clu de sa line of dra inage, we ir, culve rt, pipe, orother channel for the pa ssage of wate r, whe ther natu ra lWate r - cou rse .

or artific i a l.

It will b e obse rve d tha t n e ithe r ‘e m ban km e n t ’ n or

‘wa te r - cou r se ’ is de fin e d e xhau stive ly .

Th e Act sta te s th a t ce rta in wor ks are cove re d by the se te rm s, b u t doe s n ot e xclu de oth e r workswhich m ay prope r ly fa ll u n de r th e m . Appa r e n tly, ac cordin g t o t h e de fin i tio n , a r ive r, howe ve rla rge , a. ca n a l or a tida l cre e k , su ch a s t h e n u m e rou s kh a l ls on ce ke pt u p for t h e tra n spor t of sa lt, i s awa te r - cou rse . It will b e se e n , how e ve r, tha t t h e Colle ctor c a n on ly in te rfe r e with wa te r- cou rs e sfor t h e im prove m e n t of he a l th or t h e prote ction of vi llage s or a rable la n ds he n ce , cle aran ce s , orim prov e m e n ts for t h e be n e fit of n a v iga t ion , cou ld n ot; b e m ade a charge on la n d . Ca n a ls wil l b ewa te r - cou r se s u n le ss, a s appe ars probable , th e y are e x e m pte d in th e n ewCan al Irriga tion Act fromt h e Op e ra tion of this Act.

me ans a l l or a n y of th e holde rs of an estate ; a n dwhe re two or more zemindars ar e jointly holde rsthe re of, the y sha ll be j ointly a n d severa lly liable under

this A ct .

This will gre a tly facilita te t h e colle ction of e m ban km e n t du e s ; i t will e n ab le t h e r igh t,title

,

a n d in te r e st of an y on e ze m in dar in a n e sta te t o b e sold for a d e m an d du e by t h e e s t-a t e a s a whol e .

This m ay b e con v e n ie n t wh e n t h e n am e s of a l l t h e z e m in da rs ca n n ot b e e asily a sce rta in e d,a n d

t h e r ight, title , an d in te re s t of t h e on e se le cte d is su fficie n tly large t o se cu re t h e am ou n t of t h ede m an d .

Te nure inclu de s al l in te re sts in land othe r than e sta te s a s above

T Mde fin e d, he ld p e rmane ntly

‘

a t a fixe d re nta l or he ldl akhira j .

This d e fin ition diffe rs e n tir e ly from t h e de fin i tion s of th e sam e word in t h e Ce r tifica te A ct a n dt h e Roa d Ce ss Act . It is obviou sly e qu i table tha t on ly those whose r e n t can n ot b e e n han ce d ou ghtt o b e m ade liable for th e ir sha r e of im prove m e n ts . Th e g re a t qu e st ion con n e ct e d with this de fin it ion is whe the r i t will in clu de Gove rn m e n t p rop e r t y, su ch a s roads, Sta te ra ilways , a n d can a l s .The y ar e a lm ost in va r iably h e ld fre e of r e n t, b u t . t h e word i n t h e Act is ‘l akh iraj , ’ a n d it. is Ope n t oqu e stion whe th e r t h e word l akhiraj can b e fa ir ly h e ld to e xte n d t o e sta te s or te n u r e s i n which t h eGove r n m e n t r e ve n u e h a s be e n r e de e m e d, or t h e n on - paym e n t of re n t t o t h e ze m i n da r b e du e t ohis havi n g b e e n fu lly com pe n sa te d . Aga in . t h e om is sion of Clau se 3 of t h e de fin i tion of e sta te in

t h e Road Ce ss Act from th e de fi n ition of t h e sam e word in this Act will su pport t h e con stru ctiontha t t h e om ission of Gove rn m e n t prope r t y was in te n tion a l .

Propr ie tor . Proprie tor mean s the holder of a tenur e .

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The Colle ctor m ay cause to b e remove d or alte r e d an y

p owe r t o remove e m bankme nt which e ndange r s t h e stability of a publice m ba n km e n ts an d embankme nt, or an y obstruction of an y kind which°b 8 tm cm°n s ' interfe re s with th e ge ne ra l dra inage of an ytra ct of land .

This clau se is ge n e ra lly ide n tica l wi th Clau s e 2 , Se ction 4of Act XXXII . Th e powe r of cau si n gt o b e a l t e r e d a s w e ll a s r e n e we d is n ew,

a n d t h e words obstru ction of a n y kin d’

a re su bstitu te d forpriva te e m ban km e n ts .’ It wou ld se e m tha t t h e Col l e ctor h as n o pow e r t o r e m ove a n e m ba n km e n tb e cau se i t e n da n ge rs a city or village , or thr e a te n s de s tru ction of crOps by in u n da tion , u n le ss it ca nb e sa id t o in te rfe re with ge n e ra l dra in age . I n su ch ca se s t h e M agistrate shou ld a ct whe r e h e h a st h e powe r , oth e rwise t h e own e r of t h e prope rt y thre a te n e d shou ld have r e cou rse t o t h e Civi l Cou r t .

The Collector m ay, whe n ne ce ssary, change t h e line of or

p owe ; t o change le ngthe n a n y public e m bankme nt ; or make a n ew e m

lin e of e m ba n km e n t b an km e n t in t h e place of, or re ne w a n ypublic embank‘me nt or make a n emban kme n t in a n ypla ce in which he m ayde em suche mbankment re qu ire d for t h e prote ction of a n ylands, or for t h e improvement of an ywate r - course ; or m ake a sluice in an ypublic embankme nt .

Th e words or le n gth e n ’

ar e a n addition t o Clau se 3 , Se ction 4 of t h e form e r A c t . Th e la s tpar t of t h e se ction i s a ltoge the r n ew, b u t se e m s t o b e on ly a n am plifica tion of th e powe r of m ak in ga n ewe m ba n km e n t .’By le tte r N o . 38A of 19 th J a n u ary 1875, t h e Board have dir e cte d tha t n o Coll e ctor sh a l l

take a ction u n de r Se ction 5 for t h e pu rpose of m akin g a n e w e m ban km e n t withou t th e Board’spr ior sa n ction .

Th e powe r of e n largin g a n e m ba n km e n t, as distin ct from l e n gthe n in g it , or m akin g a n ewe m ban km e n t, i s n ot con fe r re d i n this se ction on t h e Colle ctor . S e ction 1 8, howe v e r , is t h e cou n te rpartt o C lau s e 4of Se ction 4of th e old Act, an d e n largin g m ay b e pre su m e d t o b e in clude d in acts n e ce ssa ry or prop e r for t h e m a in te n a n ce of a n e m ba n km e n t . ’

The Colle ctor m ay con struct a n y sluice or wate r- course , or

p owe r t o im prove e ff e ct an y a lte ra tion in a n y public wate r- course , whe ndrain age . such construction or a lte ration m ay b e re qu ire d for t h eimprovement of the health or for the protection of a n y village orcu ltivable land .

San ita tion i s distin ctly m ade on e of t h e grou n ds which con fe r t h e right of in te r fe re n ce withwa te r - cou r se s . It s e e m s dou btfu l, how e ve r , whe the r t h e e x t e n s ion of cu ltiva tion wou ld b e a va lidgrou n d for in te rfe re n ce . Th e wa te r - cou rse wou ld in tha t ca se prot e ct la n d tha t wou ld h e cu ltivabl ep e rhaps afte r , b u t n ot a t t h e tim e of t h e Colle ctor ’s action . Th e p e rson s wishin g t h e slu ice or wa te rcou rs e cou ld, howe ve r, proce e d u n de r C lau se s 6 or 7 .

The Colle ctor m ay ca ll upon the person in charge of a n y

p ow e r t o al t er road whi ch inte rfe res with t h e dra inage of a n y tra ctroads an d con stru ct of land t o a lte r such road, or t o construct a n y wa te rwa t e r'com s e s ‘ cour se unde r or through such road . In t h e e ve n t of

such person failing to comply with such re quisition in such m a n ne r a n dwithin such time a s th e Colle ctor shall pre scribe , t h e sa id Colle ctor m aycause t h e road to b e a lte re d or a wate rcourse to b e constru cte d . Th e

e xpense s of such a lte ration or construction sha ll be borne by t h e p e r sonin charge of t h e sa id road, so fa r a s the same sha ll have b e e n in curre don a ccount of insufficie nt provision having b ee n made a t t h e tim e ofth e construction of th e sa id road for the natura l dra inage the n e xisting .

This cla u se i s a ltoge the r n ew. Th e con clu di n g proviso, whichwa s adde d a t a la te stage of t h eB i ll , m u st b e obse rve d . Pr e sum ably, t h e bala n ce of e xpe n ditu r e will de volve on t h e z e m in da rsbe n e fite d u n de r Se ction 40 .

If a n y landholder, farmer, or cultiva tor be de sirous of havingApplica tion s for a s lu l ce made

.

in a n y public embankme nt for t h e

521

8556220?m ade

pu rpos e o

of dr a inage or i rriga ti on, h e sha ll m ake a n

apph ca t i on l n wr 1t 1n g t o th e Colle ctor of t h e distr ict inwhich such embankme nt is situ a te . Th e application sha ll conta in su chparticulars of the land to b e dra ined or irrigate d a s m ay e nable th e

" 35

Colle ctor to j udge of t h e adva n tage which m ay b e de rive d from t h e

work . Th e Colle ctor sha ll de cide whe ther it is e xpe dient t ha t suchapplica tion sha ll b e gr ante d .

This clau se corre spon ds with C lau se 1 , Se ction 8 of t h e form e r Act, b u t t h e applican t has n o

lon ge r t o de cla r e his r e adin e ss t o p ay ha lf t h e cost i f t h e e m ba n km e n t is m a i n ta in e d a t t h e cost oft h e Sta t e , or t h e whole cos t , if m a in ta in e d a t t h e e xpe n se of othe rs . Un de r t h e p r e se n t Act Gove rnm e n t will, u n de r Se ction 35 , have t o be ar t h e e n tir e cost of slu ice s fou n d n e ce s sa ry i n e m ba n km e n tse n u m e ra te d in sche du le D ,

a n d t h e ze m in dars of lan ds be n e fite d (wh e the r t h e applica n t or n ot ) , ofslu ice s in oth e r pu blic e m ban km e n ts .S e ction 6 , Act VII 1866 , h ad a lre ady re lie v e d t h e applican t for a slu ice from t h e burde n

of b e arin g t h e e n tire cos t, i n case s wh e re t h e lan ds of othe r z e m in dar s we r e be n efite d .

Wheneve r an y p e rson is de sirous tha t an y n ew embankme nt

Appl ication for n ew be e r e cte d, or tha t a n y n ew wa te r- course b e m ade ,e m ba n km e n t or drai n . or tha t an y wate r - cou rse b e obstructe d or dive rte d ,age t o b e m ade to if such work is like ly to inte rfe re with, counte ra ct,COl l e Ctor ' or impe de a n y public embankm e nt or a n y publicwate r- cour se , he sha ll apply to t h e Coll e ctor, a n d a t t h e time of makingsuch application shall de posit with h im a stateme nt of th e propose dwork . Th e Colle ctor sha ll de cide whether it is e xpedient that suchapplication shall b e grante d .

I t wil l b e s e e n tha t t h e En gin e e r can de cide on t h e e xp e die n cy of applica tion s u n d e r Clau s e s 6a n d 7 b e i n g gra n t e d in ca se s r e fe r r e d t o h im u n de r S e ction 10 . I f h e de cide s aga in s t the ir e xpe

die n cy, t h e appe a l will appar e n tly l i e t o t h e Com m ission e r dire ct u n de r S e ction 59 . I f h e de cide stha t t h e propose d wor k is e xpe die n t , t h e n t h e Colle ctor will hav e t o take action u n de r Se ction 5 , a n dhim se lf pass orde r s u n d e r S e ction 8 . (Se e n ote t o Se ctionAppa r e n tly t h e pe rson de sirou s of havin g t h e n ew work e x e cu te d is to b e t h e j u dge of t h e

l ike lihood of in te rfe r e n ce with t h e pu bl ic e m ba n km e n t or wa te r - cou r se . Bu t i f h e e xe cu te s t h e workwithou t pe rm ission , h e r e n d e rs him se lf pe n a lly liable . (Se e n ot e t o Se ction

5 . When it shall appear e xpe di e nt t o t h e Colle ctor tha t an y of th eworks spe cifie d in t h e la st prece ding se ction should b eexe cute d, h e sha ll cause to b e pre pare d plans, spe cifi

cations, a n d estimate s of the propose d works, toge the r with a copy oft h e surv ey m ap showing t h e boundari e s of t h e village s of t h e va riouse state s like ly to be a ffe cte d by the sa id works, a n d h e sha ll cau se a

proclamation to b e issue d giving notice of his inte ntion t o cause suchworks to b e e xe cute d . Su ch proclam ation sh a ll be in t h e form, an d statet h e particul ars mentione d in Sche dule (A ) anne xe d t o this A ct ; a n d t h e

plans, sp e cifications, a n d e stimate s of t h e propose d works, toge the r witha copy of th e surve y m ap as a fore sa id, shall b e ke pt a t t h e office of t h e

Colle ctor, an d sha ll b e open to t h e inspe ction of a n y inte reste d p e rson ,who shall be a llowe d to take copie s the re of . Th e Coll ector sha ll n otcommence an y of such works until fina l orde r made in re spe ct the re tounde r the provisions of S e ctions 8, 59 , an d 60 of this A ct .

By Boa rd of Re ve n u e ’s circu lar orde r N o. 3 of M ay 1875, action u n de r this se ction m ay n ot b etake n withou t r e fe r e n ce t o t h e Com m ission e r an d t o t h e Board . A s re gards this circu lar , s e e n ote t opage 2 8, a lso A ppe n dix D , in which it i s give n a t fu ll ; a lso it m ayh e re m ark e d that t h e l e ga lity ofthis circu lar s e e m s ope n t o qu e s tion as r e ga rds Clau se s 6 a n d 7 . I n t h e pr e viou s five clau se s t h ein te rve n tion of t h e Colle ctor i s discre tion a ry, an d th e Boa rd of Re ve n u e , a s a con trol lin g a u thority,have t h e powe r of tyin g his han ds : b u t C lau se s 6 an d 7 make i t t h e r ight of t h e applican t t ore qu ir e t h e Colle ctor t o de cid e qu a s i - ju dicial ly on t h e e xp e die n cy of t h e propose d work, a n d in t h ee ve n t of his fin din g i t e irp edie n t , bin d h im t o take a ction u n de r S e ction 5 .

Th e de cision s a rr ive d a t,accordin g t o t h e con clu din g pa ragraphs of Claus e s 6 an d7 Of Se ction 4,

a re on ly provision al , a n d t h e propose d works ha ve the n t o b e adve rtise d with a view t o a fu r th e rd e cision u n de r Se ction 8 . Un de r t h e form e r l aw, t h e Coll e ctor h ad on ly t o issu e a proclam a tioni n corpora ti n g t h e su bsta n ce of t h e n otice re ce ive d by h im from t h e Su pe rin te n din g En gin e e r . Th en ew proce du re wil l gre a tly in c re a s e t he pre lim in ary labou r , b u t will b e a fa r gr e a te r a id t o pe r son sce n ce r u ed i n d e te rm in in g whe th e r the y shou ld obj e ct t o t h e work . It was propose d t o se n d c e p ie sof t h e sp e c ification s , with e ach proclam a tion , b u t this wa s n e ga tive d t o save t h e costs whichwou ld b e so gre a tly e n han ce d (s e e discu ssion i n Cou n cil on 17th Se pte m be r M or e ove r

, itw ill ofte n b e fou n d tha t a v e ry rou gh copyof on ly a sm al l portion or se ction of t h e pla n s an d m apis al l that e ach in te re s ted p e rson will n e e d .

Proce du re .

( 36

6 . Every such proclamation sh al l be publish e d by a ffixing th ePu blica tion of same a t t h e cutche rry of the Colle ctor

, a n d in t h ePm d am a t‘on ' manne r provi ded i n the thi rd clause of Section 57 .

Th e grave de fe ct in this Act, which m ak e s it a lm os t u n workable , ar ise s from t h e se ction s re la tivet o t h e se rvice of n otice s . N ot on ly wil l th e se he fou n d t o b e ve ry e xpe n si v e , b u t a lso a lm ost im pract icab l e . I n t h e pr e se n t case this s e ction e n ta ils se rvice by d e live rin g a copy t o t h e age n t wh o h aspaid t h e la st, or pays t h e n e xt, in sta lm e n t of r e v e n u e for a l l e sta te s W ith a r e ve n u e e xce e di n gRs . 100 tha t have n o m é l cu tche rry. This r e ve n u e i n sta lm e n t m ay n ot b e payable for 2am on ths .

7 . Every such proclamation sha ll b e publishe d not le ss than

Procl am ation t o thirty days be fore the day appointe d for he aring theb e pu blish e d for p e rsons intere sted .

t hi i ty days .8 . Th e Colle ctor shall , on th e day appointe d for th e hearing, or

on an y su bse qu e nt day t o which t h e he arin g sha ll. H e a" n g f’f Ob J e c' b e adjourne d, he ar t h e obj e ctions of a n y pe rsonstion s t o works .

wh o m ay app e ar, a n d, a fte r re cording an y e vi de n cewhich the y m ay adduce

,sha ll pa ss a n orde r in re gard t o t h e e xecution

of th e propose d works . “ Notice of such orde r sha ll b e se rve d on su chpe rsons a s m ay have appeared in pursuance of th e proclamation .

For m an n e r of se rvice of n otice , s e e Se ct ion 57.

9 . If t h e lands which a r e like ly to b e a ffe cte d by a n y suchpropose d works a r e situ a te d within t h e lim its of

Au thority t o tak e diffe rent distri cts, t h e Coll e ctor of a n y distr ict withinproce e d in gs whe r el an ds “m ym b e whi ch an y porti on of such lands i s Si tu a te d sha ll applya ffe c t e dby t h e works to t h e Commissione r of t h e di vision for authority to

proce ed in such m a tte r ; a n d t h e Com m issione r of t h edivision, if a l l t h e lands ar e situat e d within his division ,

m ay give authority t o such Colle ctor, or t o an y othe r Colle ctor withinwhose district an y portion of such lands is situate d , to proceed inrespe ct of a l l t h e lands like ly to b e a ffecte d by such works .

If th e districts within which the lands like ly to be a ffe cte d bya n y su ch works ar e situ ate d '

ar e su bj e ct t o theCommissione rs of diffe re n t divisions

,th e Colle ctor

shall a pply to th e Com missione r of t h e division within which his districtis situ ate d, a n d such Com m issione r m ay, with t h e concurr e nce of th e

Comm issione r t o whom t h e other district is subj ect, give authority t oproce e d in such matte r .

Th e l aw doe s n ot provide for t h e case in which par t of th e lan ds be n e fite d l i e in a distri ct t owh i ch t h i s A ct doe s n ot e x t e n d, e .g . , works in t h e sou th - w e st of M idn apore a ffe ctin g la n ds inOrissa . I f ha lf t h e b e n e fit of a s lu ice or wa te r - cou rs e will b e r e ape d by la n ds in Orissa , will t h eM idn apor e ze m in dars have t o be ar t h e whole cost ? Th e l aw doe s n ot appe ar t o a u thor ise t h e le vyfrom a n y p e rson s in Or issa .

1 0. A l l t h e powe rs veste d in the Col le ctor by Section 4of thisA ct m ay b e e xe rcised by t h e Engine e r in ca se sre fe rre d t o him ' by the Collector

, subj e ct to thege ne ra l orde rs of the Collector .

It wi ll b e fou n d on car e fu l e xam in a tion tha t t h e scop e of this se ction is ve ry lim ite d. It willb e se e n tha t e ach clau se of S e ction 4e n ta il s t h e e xe cu t ion of som e work , t h e r e m ova l or a lte ra tionof an y work be in g i t se lf a work . Bu t n o su ch work can b e take n in ha n d till a n or de r h a s be e npa sse d u n de r Se ction 8 , an d thou gh t h e Colle ctor ca n de le ga te t h e pa ssin g of th i s orde r t o a D e pu tyColle ctor u n de r S e ction 64 (su bj e ct t o appe al t o him se lf) h e ca n n ot de l e ga t e i t t o t h e E n gin e e r .This was ce r ta in ly t h e in te n tion of t h e Cou n cil as app e a rs from t h e de ba te of t h e 17th S e pte m b e r1 873, i n which M r . Sch a lch e xpre ssly said Th e whole qu e stion a s t o wh e th e r t h e m e asu r e s t o b eca rrie d '

ou t we re e xpe die n t or othe rwise m u st have be e n discu sse d an d de cid e d pre viou sly t o tha tpowe r be in g de le gate d, an d a l l that re m ain e d t o b e don e wou ld b e t h e m e cha n i ca l a n d p r of e s s ion a l

or diffe re n t d ivision s .

( 37

qu e stion as t o how th e work was to b e carr ie d ou t . The re fore t h e m or e p rof e ss ion a l e xe cu t ion oft h e work wou ld b e t h e powe r tha t wou ld b e de le ga te d, the re we r e n o othe r powe rs which wou ld b econ ce rn e d .” Th e con clu din g words, how e ve r , of C lau se s 6 a n d 7 se e m t o conflict with t h e abov ere m a rks, as th e re by a n orde r i s e xpr e ssly passe d u n de r Se c t ion 4, an d ca n the re fore b e pa sse d by t h eE n gin e e r , i f r e fe rr e d t o h im . Th e fa ct is tha t t h e s e words a r e n ot t o b e fou n d in t h e a bove clau se s a sthe y stood a t t h e tim e of t h e de bate in which the se r e m ark s w e r e m ade (s e e S e ction 4asi t s ta n ds in t h e am e n dm e n ts a cce pte d on t h e l ot h Se pte m be r) ; th e y w e re adde d in a late r s tage oft h e sam e de ba te . The se words w e re in t rodu ce d i n ord e r tha t t h e r ef u s a l t o take a n y a ction m ay b etr e ate d by t h e A ct a s a sp e cia l ord e r which i s a pp e a lable t o t h e Com m ission e r u n de r S e ction 59 .

I t r e su lts, how e ve r , tha t, con trary t o t h e in te n tion of t h e L e gisla tu re , t h e Colle ctor ca n r e fe r t ot h e E n gin e e r appl ica tion s u n de r C la u s e s 6 a n d 7, a n d tha t offi ce r can re j e ct th e m su bj e c t t o appe a lt o t h e Com m ission e r . I t i s probable tha t this will cau se n o practica l in con ve n ie n ce .

PA RT III .

P roce du r e i n ca s e s of im m in e n t da nge r to l ife or p rop e r ty.

1 1 . Whe neve r t h e Colle ctor sha l l b e of opin ion that th e procee dingscom m e nce d by n otice unde r S e ctions 5 t o 8 of this A ct

would cau se de lay in t h e e xe rcise of a n y of t h e powersconfe rre d upon him by Clause s 2 , 3, a n d4of S e ction 4,

like ly t o b e atte nde d with grave a n d imm ine nt dange r t o life or prop e rty,

it sha ll b e lawful for him for thwith t o com m e n ce t o e xe rcise suchpowe rs . Provide d tha t h e sha ll for thwith ca u se t o b e pre pare d t h eplans, spe cifica tions, a n d e stim ate s of t h e propos e d works , toge the r witha copy of t h e su rve y m ap a s provide d in S e ction 5 , a n d sha ll caus e a

proclam a tion t o b e issue d, a s provide d in tha t s e ction , giving notice tha tt h e work me n tion e d th e re in h a s a lr e ady be e n com m e nce d ; a n d the re uponsuch proce e dings a n d inquirie s sha ll b e h ad a s in a n d by Part II of thisA ct ar e dire cte d .

It was t h e abse n ce of a n y su m m ary proc e du re in t h e th e n e xistin g l awwhich l e d t o t h e in trodu ction of this Act (s e e pag eI t m u s t b e ca r e fu lly n ote d tha t t h e su m m ary proce dur e can n ot b e r e sor te d t o u n de r Clau se 1 ,

or Clau se s 5 , 6 , an d 7 of Se ction 4.

12 . Wheneve r a n y land, or e arth from an y land the prop e rty ofa n y pe rson , is re qu ir e d for t h e purpose s of a n y workscom m e nce d in pursuance of t h e provisions of t h e la stpre ce ding se ction , or for the purpose s of S e ction 18 ,

in ca se s whe re t h e Coll e ctor sha ll b e of opin ion tha t proce e din gs for th ea cqu i sition of such lan d, a ccording t o t h e provision s he r e in a ft e r con ta in e din S e ction 25 , would cause de lay a s a for e sa id, t h e Colle ctor sha ll causea proclam ation to b e issue d in form in Sche dule (B) anne xe d t o this A ct ,givin g notice the re of a t conve nie nt pla ce s in t h e loca lity in which suchland is situate d, an d he m ay a t the same time take possession of th e

same for the said purpose s .Thou gh th e su m m ary proce du r e in S e ction 1 1 is r e sorte d t o, it doe s n ot n e ce ssarily follow

tha t sum m a ry proce e din gs shou ld also b e tak e n for t h e acqu is ition of lan d u n de r Se ct ion 12 , a n d, asa ru le , i t will b e be tte r t o avoid it . Un de r S e ction 17 of Act X , 1870 , la n d ca n b e acqu i i e d withou tgre a t d e lay, a t a n y ra te withou t a n y de lay t o b e com pa r e d t o t h e de lay wh ich th e proce du re u n de rSe ction s 5 t o 8 will e n ta i l, a n d it is ope n t o dou bt whe th e r S e ction 1 2 i s n ot u l t ra oi r e s as goin gbe yon d t h e provis ion s of t h e Lan d Acqu isition A ct ; s ide n ote t o Se ction 2 6.

18 . The Colle ctor sha l l a sce rta in an d re cord t h e na ture an d e stimate d va lue of t h e cr0ps a n d tre e s (if a n y) sta n ding on

CO‘P Pe n sat ion f°r such land, a n d shall off e r ade quate com p e nsa tion t o t h eSt an d mg croPs a n d p e r son s in te r e ste d . If such offe r is n ot a cce pte d

, t h e

val u e of such crops an d tre e s sha ll b e a llowe d for inawarding compensation for th e land under th e provisions of Section 2 9 .

Proce e din gs ine m e rge n ci e s .

Pow e r to tak eposse ssion of la n d .

[ 38

14. Th e Colle ctor m ay de pute to the Engine e r the powersde scribe d in Se ctions 1 1 , 12 , an d 13 , subj e ct t o his own

Powe r t o,

En s i gene ra l orde rs, an d in tha t ca se whe n t h e Colle ctor isn e e r t o act i n ab

se n ce of Co ll ector. not pre se nt, the Engineer m ay, i f h e shall b e of opini ontha t de lay for t h e pur pose of obta i ni ng t h e orde r s of

the Collector would be a ttende d with grave a n d im mi ne nt dange r tolife or prope rty

, e xercise th e powe rs conferre d on h im by t h e Col le ctor .

To e n abl e th e En gin e e r t o tak e action u n de r S e ction s 1 1 , 1 2 a n d 13 , it is n e ce ssary (a ) tha t t h epowe r h as b e e n d e pu te d t o h im by th e Colle ctor , (b ) tha t th e Colle ctor is n ot pre se n t, (0 ) tha t in t h eopi n ion of t h e En gin e e r de lay for t h e pu rpos e of obta in i n g h is orde r s will b e a tte n de d with gravea n d im m in e n t da n ge r t o life or prope r ty . It i s on ly whe n al l thr e e con di tion s a r e com bin e d tha tt h e powe r ca n b e e x e rcise d . T h e ca se s in which t h e se ct ion W i ll probably b e m u ch r e sor te d t o a re

whe n e arth is n e e de d to m ake u rge n t r e pa ir s t o a br e ach u n de r Se ction 18 .

1 5 . Whene ver, upon an inquiry h ad unde r th e provisions of thisPower t o r e stor e Part

,it h a s be e n de te rm ine d, in t h e fina l orde r t o b e

e m ban km e n t s, &C pa sse d on such inquiry, that anythin g done by t h e Colle ctor, or by the Engine e r u nde r t h e la st pre ce din g se ction , wa s u n n e ce ssary, t h e land or th e embankm e n ts or dr a inage sha ll, so far a s a n ya lte r ationthe reof sha ll appe ar t o b e unne ce ssary, b e , a t t h e e xp e nse of th e Gove rnme nt, re store d a s ne a r ly a s possible t o t h e state in which the y we re whe nt h e Colle ctor comme nce d t o act unde r th e provisions of thi s Pa rt a n d a n ype rson wh o sha ll have susta ine d loss , dam age

,or injur y by th e e xe cu tion

of such works , sha ll re ce ive com pe nsation from th e Gove rnme nt, t o b ea sse sse d a ccording to t h e provisions containe d in Part V of this A ct .

Th e sum m ary pow e r s v e s te d i n t h e Colle ctor a n d En gin e e r b e in g ve ry gr e a t, it is b u t e qu itabletha t a n abu se in t h e ir applica tion , or e v e n th e ir m i sapplica tion , shou ld e n ta i l se r iou s con s e qu e n ce s .S till it wou ld have be e n be tte r h ad i t be e n m ade Option a l with t h e pe rson s su sta in in g loss t o r e qu iret h e r e stor a tion . A work m ay ofte n b e u n n e ce s sary a n d ye t n ot in j u r iou s , h e n ce its e n force d re s t oration b e a pity ; e .g. , a slu ice m ay b e con stru cte d u n de r Clau se 4, S e ction 4, a n d on Opposi tion bysom e pe rson who obj e cts t o pay for it, it m ay b e fou n d u n n e ce ssary, s t ill it wou ld b e ha rm le ss a n di ts com pu lsory re m ova l t o b e r e gr e tte d .

l

s‘i‘

éfin eggisp; 1 6 . Th e provisions of Section 9 sha ll be applica

Slide . fbis Pa rt?

b l e t o proce e din gs take n unde r thi s Pa rt .This wi ll se r iou sly im p e de su m m ary proce du r e aff e ctin g lan ds i n two or m ore distr icts

, an d stillm or e la n ds n e ar a division a l bou n dary.

PA RT IV.

Powe rs of Engin e e r .

17 . The powe r confe rre d on t h e Engine e r unde rthis Part sha ll b e e xe rcise d su bj e ct to t h e ge n e ra lcontrol an d orde rs of t h e Colle ctor .

1 8 . The Engine e r m aymake an y re pa irs in, an d m ay do a l l a ctsne ce ssary a n d prope r for t h e m a inte n ance of a n y pub

PQW‘“ t ° m ake lic embankm ent, public wate r- course , or othe r workr e pai r s .

exe cu te d or taken charge of u nde r t h e prOVISIOI lS of

this A ct , or of an y of t h e A cts re pe ale d by this A ct .

This corr e spon ds in gr e a t m e asu r e with S e ction 4,.

Cla u se 4of Act XXXII . Th e words e n la rgean ypu blic e m ba n km e n t’ a re le f t ou t (s e e n ote t o Se ct ion 4, Cla u seTh e e xpe n se s of t h e re pa irs , &c .

,u n de rt ake n u n de r this s e cti on have t o b e re cove re d by t h e

proce du r e con ta in e d in Se c t ion s 37 t o 40 , a n d as n o r ight of appe a l aga in s t t h e Colle ctor ’s orde r iscon fe rre d on t h e E n gin e e r, that office r will b e wise i n pr e par in g his Spe cifica tion s a n d e stim a te s inam ple tim e , so

tha t h e n e e d n ot com m e n ce t h e r e pa irs ti ll t h e opportu n ity of obj e ctin g h a s gon e by,b u t i t doe s n ot appe ar t o b e obliga tory on h im t o wa it .

.

Obse rve tha t i f th e E n gin e e r r e qu ir e s totake a n y e arth or t o tak e u p an y lan d be lon gin g t o pr iva t e p e rson s for t h e pu rpose s of this se ction ,t h e sum m a ry proce du re pre scribe d i n Se ction 1 2 m ay b e re sor te d t o in u rge n t case s .

( 39

19 . Th e En gine e r m ay ca ll upon the manage r or othe r person in

Power to“te r m “.

charge of a n y ra ilroad which inte rfe re s with t h e dra inroa ds or con stru ct age of a n y tra ct of land t o a lte r such r a ilroad or t o

con struct a n y wa te r- cou r se unde r or through such ra ilroad . In t h e e ve n t of su ch p e rson fa ilin g t o com ply with such re quisition in such m anne r a n d within such time a s th e E n gin e e r sha ll prescrib e

, t h e Engine e r m ay the re upon , with the pre viou s sanction of t h eLie ute nant - Gove rnor, cause t h e sa id ra ilroad t o b e a lte re d or a wate rcou rse t o b e constr u cte d in su ch m anne r a s t h e Lie ute nant - Gove rnorsha ll dire ct . Th e e xpe nse s of such a lte ra tion or construction sha ll b eborne by t h e sa id m anage r or othe r p e rson in charge of t h e sa idra ilroad, so far a s t h e s ame sha ll have be e n incurre d on a ccount ofinsufficie nt provision havin g be e n made a t t h e tim e of t h e constructionof the sa id ra ilroad for t h e natural dr a in age the n existing .

This is a n e n tir e ly n ew prov is ion , a n d gave r ise to m u ch obj e ction on t h e par t of t h e Ea s tI n dia n Ra ilway (s e e pag e Th e E n gin e e r shou l d pr e scr ibe a r e a son able t im e for t h e a lte ra tion ,a n d if t h e Ra i lway M a n age r doe s n ot com ply, m u s t b e ca r e fu l t o obta in t h e pr e viou s sa n ction oft h e Lie u te n a n t - Gove r n or be fore takin g fu r the r a ction . J u dgi n g f rom Se ction 17, t h e r e fe re n ceou gh t t o go throu gh t h e Colle ctor .

Th e portion of t h e e xpe n di tu r e for which t h e m a n age r i s n ot liabl e wi ll appar e n tly have t o b ea pportion e d am on g t h e ze m i n dars of t h e tract t h e dra i n age of which is im prove d .

2 0 . Whe ne ve r a n y p e rson is de sirou s that a te m porary roadway

Power t o make shoul d b e m ade o v e r , or tha t a tempor ary wate r- coursete m pora ry roadway, should b e m ade throu gh, a n y pu blic embankme nt, orwa t e r'cm s e “ dam ' tha t a te m porary dam shou l d b e constructe d in an ye m banke d rive r or public wa te r- course , h e sha ll apply to t h e Engine er,wh o sha ll communicate th e applica tion t o t h e Colle ctor, a n d t h e Colle ctorsha ll pa ss such orde rs the re on a s h e shall think fit . If th e propose dwork is to b e e xe cute d by a n office r of Gove rnme nt, t h e applicant

,

b e fore t h e comme nce m e nt of th e work, shall de posit t h e a m ou n t e stima te d by th e Engin e e r to b e ne ce ssary t o de fray th e e xpe nse s of

, a n dincide nta l t o

,making a n d removing such roadway, or of, a n d incide nta l

t o, m aking a n d closing or re m oving such wa te r- cour se or dam . I ft h e amount de posite d is found insufficie nt, t h e Engine e r shall re cove rfrom the sa id applicant the fur the r am ount re quir e d, a n d if it exce e dst h e amount re quir e d, such exce ss sha ll b e re turne d t o t h e sa id applicant.

I f t h e pe r son r e qu ire s a pe rm a n e n t wa te r - cou r se or slu ice , h e shou ld a pply t o t h e Colle ctor u n de ron e or othe r of t h e clau se s of S e ction 4. I f t h e propose d work b e te m porary, h e r e sorts t o t h e En gin e e r ; t h e En gin e e r h a s t o com m u n ica t e t h e applica tion t o t h e Col le ctor , b u t h e i s n ot spe cifica llyd e bar r e d from a llowi n g t h e work t o b e com m e n ce d be for e r e ce ipt of orde rs . I t will in m os t ca se sb e de sira b le tha t Colle ctors shou ld a u thor i se ge n e ra lly E n gin e e rs t o com m e n ce t h e te m porary worksi n an ticipa tion of san ction ,

whe n the y ( t h e E n gi n e e r) h ave su ppor t e d it, oth e rwise su ch d e laywill occu r as will b e v e ry d e tr im e n ta l . T e m por a ry wa t e r - cou rse s a n d dam s r e qu ire t o b e m ade so

prom ptly tha t th e re h a s a lways be e n a difficu lty in i n du cin g t h e p e rson s n e e din g the m t o obta inp e rm i ssion . Th e on ly h 0 pe of e n forcin g a t te n tion to t h e ru le lie s i n t h e pe rm iss ion be in g obta in e dwith t h e u tm os t ce le r ity whe n i t ca n b e con ce de d .

Un de r t h e form e r l aw,t h e appl ica tion cou ld b e m ade t o t h e n e a re st e m ba n km e n t office r , a n d

i n ca se of e m e rge n cy t h e office r i n im m e dia te cha rge of t h e e m ban km e n t cou ld cau se a te m pora rywa te r - cou rse t o b e m ade . Th e om ission of this provision s e e m s r e gre ttable , a s i n ca se s of i n u n dat ion t h e pe ople wi ll a lm ost b e dr ive n t o act in a n ticipa tion of sa n ction a n d the re by r e n de r the m se lve sliable to pu n ishm e n t u n de r S e c t ion 54.

Th e p roce du re u n de r wh ich t h e r e cove ry shou ld b e m ade is to b e fou n d in S e ction 39, to whichSe ction 50 applie s.

2 1 . Whe neve r th e Engineer sha l l be of opinion tha t th e remova lof a n y tree s, house s, huts, or othe r buil dings

,situate d

hogs?”t ° rem ove be twe e n a public embankme nt a n d th e rive r, is n e ce s

sary, h e sha ll make a re por t t o tha t e ffe ct, a ccompa n i e dby a deta ile d stateme nt of th e trees, hous e s, huts, or other buildings t o b e

( 40

removed, to the Colle ctor of the district in whose ju risdiction th e land onwhich su ch tree s, house s, huts, or othe r bu ildings stand, is situate d ; a n dt h e Colle ctor sha ll re port t h e sam e t o t h e Lie ute n ant - Gove rnor, in orde rthat proce e dings m ay b e take n in a ccordance with t h e provisions of Th eLand A cqui sition A ct X of or othe r l aw for t h e tim e be in g fort h e a cqui sition of land for public pur pose s , for obta ining posse ssion of

such tre e s, house s , huts , a n d bu ildin gs . Provide d a lways that in ca se t h eColle ctor b e of opinion tha t t h e de lay re quir e d by such proce e din gs islike ly t o b e a tte nde d with grave an d immine nt dange r t o life or prop e rty

,

it sha ll b e lawful for him forthwith to cause such trees,hou se s

,huts

, or

buildings t o b e remove d,a n d in such ca se t h e compe nsation du e the refor

shall b e a sce rta ine d an d pa id in t h e man ne r he re ina ft e r provide d .

Th e word tre e s is n ot t o b e fou n d i n t h e para lle l se ction (12 , C lau se 1) of Act XXXII the yw e re d e a lt with u n de r S e ction 7, Cla u se 14.

This s e ction doe s n ot a u thor is e t h e r e m ova l of hou se s an d hu ts on t h e i n n e r slope of e m ba n km e n ts , n or i s i t in te n d e d t o apply t o hou se s a n ywhe r e on t h e e m ban km e n ts , su ch hou se s ip saf a ct o be com e t h e prop e rty of Gov e rn m e n t ; v ide n ote t o Se ction 34.

Un de r t h e pr e se n t l aw, t h e En gin e e r h as t o m ov e t h e hou se s in ste ad of forcin g t h e own e rs t odo so a n d s e l lin g t h e m a te r ia ls t o de fray t h e e xpe n se .

Se ction 29 is a ppa r e n tly t h e s e c t ion u n de r which com p e n sation a s provide d for i n t h e fin a lparagraph will b e d e te rm in e d .

22 . Sluice s constructe d in an y public embankme nt sha ll b e

81ope ne d or shut only by, or with th e ge ne ra l or sp e cia l

n i ce s t o b e ope ne d or sh um n de r au . pe rm i ssm n of, t h e office r i n t h e imm e di a te charge oft hor i ty of t h e E n s i t h e embankm e nt, unde r such orde rs , e ithe r ge ne ra l orn e e “ spe cia l, a s h e m ay re ce ive from t h e Engine er.

Th e words or shu t a r e n ew, an d e xte n d t h e powe r of t h e En gin e e r t o k e e pi n g slu ice s ope n ,whe n n e ce ssary, a s we l l a s t o k e e pin g the m close d . A ge n e ra l pe rm ission , howe v e r , will su ffice .

2 3 . In a n y ca se whe re a n embanke d t ow- pa th h as he re tofore be e n

Pow e r t o appro_ma in ta ine d by Gove rnm e nt a longside an y canal, rive r,

pris te la n d or e a r th kha ll , or channe l , th e Engine e r sha ll b e e ntitle d t o approfm ‘

lfm b an ke d ‘OW'

pr ia t e , withou t payme n t, a s he re tofore , land or e arthpa t

for t h e ma inte nance , re pa ir , or r e - construction of s u che mbanked tow - pa th . If in an y ca se t h e Engine e r sha ll conside r it n e ce ssary for t h e purpose s of towing t o e nla rge a n e xisting t ow- path , or toconstruct a n ew tow- pa th

,proce e din gs sha ll b e take n in a ccordance with

t h e subse que nt provisions of this A ct re la ting the re to.

Obse rvin g t h e de fin ition of t h e word ‘la n d (S e ction 3) (which in clude s t r e e s , c rops a n d

hou se s) , t h e right h e r e give n is v e ry e xte n sive , b u t t h e words a s h e r e tofore shou ld b e u n de rs tooda s r e str ictin g it to its pr e viou s lim it s .

24. It sha ll b e lawful for the Engine er, or a n yPW “ t o e n t e r

orson whom he m ay author ize in that beha lf, i na n d su rv e y lan d , &c . P

orde r t o carry ou t a n y of t h e pu rpose s of thi s A ct ,

t o e nte r upon , a n d su rve y, a n d take levels of a n y landt o dig or bore into the sub - soilt o do a l l othe r a cts ne ce ssary t o a sce rta in whe the r t h e la n d is adaptedt o th e purpose proj e cte d by such Engin e e r or by th e Colle ctor

t o s e t ou t th e boundar ie s of t h e land propose d t oPOW“ t ° m ark b e take n a n d t h e inte nde d line of t h e work propose d

ou t l in e .

to b e made the re on ;t o mark such le ve ls, boundarie s, a n d line , by placin g marksa n d cutting tre nche s

a n d, where othe rwise th e surve y can n ot b e com

l a tfiowe " to Cle ar

pl e t e d or t h e le ve ls take n , t o cu t down a n d cle ar awaya n y par t of a n y standing crop , fe nce, or jungle .

https://www.forgottenbooks.com/join

( 42

2 8. The Colle ctor sha ll a lso serve notice t o th e same e ffe ct on theFu rth er notice t o occupie r (if a n y) Of such land, an d a l l su ch pe rson s

b e s e rve d on ce rtain known or be lie ve d t o b e inte re ste d the re in , or t o b ePam e s'

e ntitle d t o a ct for p e rsons so inte re sted, a s re side , or haveage nts authorize d t o re ce ive se rvice on the ir be ha lf

,within th e re venue

district in which t h e land is situate .For m an n e r of s e rvice , s e e Se ction 57U n l e ss t h e pe r son s in te re s t e d re side or have age n ts re side n t within th e re ve n u e distr icts , th e y

are n ot e n title d t o n otice .

Th e wm ds r e ve n u e district ’ appa re n tly m e an t h e distr ict i n which t h e la n d pays its re ve n u e ,a s di stin ct from t h e ordin a ry fiscal j u r isdiction .

2 9 . A fter se rvice of such notice proce e dings sha ll b e h ad a n d

take n t o de te rmine t h e amou n t Of com pe nsation t o b e

n ogzgf’e e dm gs afte r payable in re spe ct of su ch land , in a ccorda n ce with the

provisions of t h e Land A cquisition A ct X of 1 870, or

a n yothe r l aw for t h e time be ing in force for th e a cquisition of land for

pu b l ic pu rpose s .

30 . Whe ne ve r an y land othe r than land re quire d or take n by t h eE n gine e r, or a n y right Of fishe ry, right of dra inage ,

n a i n fc oge

o

e

n

giign fialo or

ri ght Of th e u se of wate r, or othe r ri ght or prope rty, sha lldam age have be e n inju r iou sly a ffe ct e d by t h e du e e xe rcise of th epowers or provision s of this A ct

, t h e pe rson in whom such prope r ty or rightis ve ste d m aypre fe r a claim by p e tition t o the Colle ctor for comp e nsation .

Th e e labor a te sys t e m of d e te rm in i n g com pe n sation pr e scr ibe d by t h e form e r Act disappe ar s . A lso t h e d istin ction be tw e e n t h e title of t h e cl a im an t a n d t h e a m ou n t du e . ByA ct XXXII, if t h e cla im a n t’s titl e wa s r e j e ct e d , h e cou ld have r e cou rse t o t h e C ivil Cou r t b u t if histitl e wa s adm it te d , a rbitra tors de cide d t h e am ou n t . N ow, t h e sam e tr ibu n a l will de cide t h e qu e stion of tit le t o r e ce ive a n d of t h e am ou n t. A p e tition u n de r S e ction 30 will on ly l i e whe n t h e in j u ryh a s be e n cau se d by t h e du e e x e rcise of powe r . Aga in st u n du e e xe rcise an ord in ary civil actionwill l i e aga in st t h e w ron g - doe r .

This S e ction , i t will b e se e n , i s ve ry com pre h e n sive ly worde d an d e xte n ds t o a n y lan d (whichi n clu de s hou se s a n d c rops , a ide de fin i tion ) or prope rty in j u riou sly aff e cte d by t h e clu e e x e r c is e of t h e

p owe r s or p rovi s ion s of this Act. H e n ce , i f a z e m in dar wish e s t o r u n a n e m ban km e n t a lon g t h em a rgin of a d e l t a ic r iv e r, a n d t h e Colle ctor d isa llows it a fte r du e in qu iry u n de r S e ction 4, Clau se 7, a se n dan ge r in g t h e sa fe ty of th e pu blic e m ban km e n ts lowe r down t h e r ive r, t h e pe r son whose prop e r tyi s i n a n yway i n ju r iou sly a ff e cte d by t h e r e fu sa l of pe rm ission m ight

,i t se e m s, pre fe r a cla im u n de r

this S e ction ,a s t h e prohibition wou ld b e t h e du e e xe rcis e of t h e p rovision s of t his Act . We r e t h e

Colle ctor appl ie d t o him se lf t o e xe cu t e som e work , h is r e j e ction of t h e applica tion wou ld n ot

appar e n tly b e a. cau se of a ction ; b u t if h e prohibite d t h e applica n t from e xe cu t i n g som e w0 i k on hisown prope rty, it s e e m s Ope n t o qu e stion whe th e r t h e liability cou ld n ot ar is e . S im ila r ly, i t s e e m spossible tha t a cou r t m ight de cide tha t t h e r e fu sa l t o Ope n or close a slu ice (S e ction 22 ) gav e a cla imfor an y dam age tha t cou ld b e trace d t o su ch r e fu sa l . Th e difficu lty is pe rhaps e n ha n ce d , ra th e rthan r e m ove d, by t h e wordin g of S e ction s 3 1 a n d 33, whos e scope is n ot n e ar ly so wide as tha t ofthis Se ction .

31 . N O cla im shall be e nte rta ine d which sha ll b e made late r than

Applica tion t o b e two ye ars n e xt a fte r t h e com ple tion Of t h e work bym a de wi thin two which such right is inj u r iou sly a ffe cte d.

ye ar s .I f this Se ction b e acce pte d as in te rpre tin g th e pre ce din g on e , th e n i t m ight b e argu e d tha t n o

cla im shou ld b e a llowe d whe re n o Sp e cific work i s don e , though t h e r e m ova l of a n e m ba n km e n tWou ld b e a work . Bu t wha t m i lita te 's aga in st this con s t ru ction is tha t Se c t ion 33 m ight sim i la rlyb e u rge d a s lim itin g cla im s t o cas e s i n which n ew la n ds a r e acqu ire d , a n d adja ce n t la n ds the r e byin j u re d . I t m ay the r e fore n ot im p robably b e he ld tha t whe r e n o sp e cific work is e xe cu t e d, t h eordin ary l awof lim i ta tion will a pp ly .

32 . When a n y su ch cla im is made , proce e di ngs sha ll b e take n

fi n Vi e w t o de te rmine t h e am oun t of com pe nsati on , i f

cfégc

e

e

fs‘

gé ogr “ Ch

a n y, whi ch should b e m ade,a n d t h e p e r son t o whom

th e sam e should b e payab le , in a ccordance Wi th t h e

provi sions of the Land A cqu isition A ct X of 1870, or a n y othe r l aw for‘

t h e tim e be ing in force for the a cquisition of land for public purposes .

( 43

33 . In de te rmining t h e amount of compensation to be awarde din such ca se s, t h e Judge a n d A sse ssors sha ll take intoconside ration

Fir s t , t h e marke t va lu e of th e prop e rty or rightinju r iou sly a ffe cte d a t t h e tim e Of a cquirin g t h e lan d

Se con dly, t h e dam age susta ine d by t h e cla im a n t by re a son of sucha cquisition in j u r iously a ffe ctin g t h e prop e rty or r ight ;

Th irdly, t h e conse qu e n t dim inution Of t h e m arke t va lu e of t h e

prop e r ty or right injuriously a ffe cte d a t t h e tim e of a cqu ir in g t h e la n d .

But t h e Ju dge or A sse ssors sha ll n ot take into con side ra tion

M atters n ot t o b e Fir s t , t h e de gre e of urge ncy which h a s l e d t o t h ecoii side i e d i n de te r a cquisition‘lm ’m g compensa ‘

Se con dly, a n y dam age susta i ne d by t h e cla im ant,n o}

? which,if cause d by a pr ivate pe r son , woul d n ot in a n y

sui t i nstitute d aga in st such pe rson j u stify a de cre e for damage s .Un de r Clau se 1 3, Se ction 7 of t h e form e r Act, t h e a rbitra tor s h ad t o a llow a s e t - off of a ny

be n e fi t wh ich t h e p e rSon cla im in g com pe n sa tion m ight h av e de r iv e d from t h e work . Thisprov ision is n ow om itte d , a n d

'

i f on e par t of a p e r son ’ s prop e r ty is i n j u r e d a n d a n oth e r pa rtb e n e fi t e d , h e will a ppa r e n tly b e e n titl e d t o t h e fu l l dam age don e W i thou t s e t - Off

,thou gh i f th e be n e fit

w e r e pe rce i v e d in tim e , a portion Of t h e cost of t h e work m ight b e a llotte d t o t h e prop e rty forpaym e n t . Eve n this, how e ve r , wou ld on ly apply wh e r e t h e prop e rty is a n e s ta te or t e n u re . A n yothe r p e rson wou ld ha ve his fu ll cla im t o com pe n sa tion withou t b e in g l iabl e t o a n y s e t - off.

It h a s a lr e ady be e n poin te d ou t tha t n o in stru ct ion s ar e give n t o gu ide t h e Colle ctor or t h eJ u dge a n d Asse ssors wh e r e n o la n d i s acqu ir e d .

Th e la st c la u se i s p e rhaps an e xce ption t o this , b u t this is dou btfu l , a s it is so ve ry obscu re . I f i tm e a n s tha t a n y dam age ca u se d by Gove r n m e n t which if ca u se d by a priva te p e r son of h i s owna u t hor i ty wou ld n ot j u stify a d e cre e for dam age s , it ha rdly se e m s t o go fa r e n ou gh . I f it m e a n stha t t h e te st i s wha t a priva te p e r son cou ld ha v e e ff e ct e d t h r ough t h e m e di u m of a cou r t of l aw, i t18 the n a lm os t su ffic i e n t . To

‘tak e a n i llu stra tion a ce r ta i n in te r ior e m ba n km e n t or cross dam i scon str u cte d across a dra i n age kha l l t o afford ir riga tion t o high la n ds , which ba cks up t h e wa te r a n di n u n da te s la rge t ra cts of low lan ds . A n y of t h e occu pan t s of th e s e la n ds cou ld n ot of the ir owna u thor i ty cu t t h e dam b u t th e y wou ld probably obta i n a n orde r from a Civi l Cou r t d ir e ctin g it t ob e cu t . I f the y apply t o t h e Coll e ctor , a n d h e r e m ov e s t h e obstru ctio n u n de r S e ction 4, Cla u s e 2 ,wil l t h e pe rson s who wou ld have be n e fite d by t h e bu n d if le ft i n ta c t hav e a claim for dam age s ?Wha t appe a rs t o b e n e e de d is som e disti n ction b e tw e e n t h e e xe rcise of pow e r for t h e pu rpose

of p r ot e c t ion a n d for t h e pu rpose Of imp r ove m e n t . Wh e n WO i ks a r e con st ru cte d t o e n ha n ce t h eva lu e of prope rty, i t is b u t e qu i t able tha t those wh o will b e e n r ich e d shou ld m ake com pe n sa tion t osu ch a s s u fi'e r in ju ry ; b u t wh e n the a ction of t h e au thori t ie s is m e re ly t o a ffO i d l e gitim a te prote otion from i n j u ry , a s by n ot a l lowin g drain age chan n e ls t o b e obstr u cte d , or by n ot a llowin g e m ba n km e n ts t o b e m ade i n t h e high e r r e a che s of d e l ta ic r ive r s , which m u st prov e d isastrou s t o thos e l ivin ga lon g t h e lowe r r e a ch e s

,n o com p e n sa tion ou ght t o b e g iv e n .

Sin ce this wa s i n pr in t, t h e Boa rd Of Re v e n u e hav e e xpre sse d an Opin ion , on a re fe r e n ce m ad e t oth e m , t ha t Se ction 33, i n layin g down t h e poi n ts which t h e J u dge a n d a ss e ssor s sha ll take in tocon sid e ra tion i n d e te rm i n i n g t h e am ou n t of com pe n sa tion t o b e awarde d , distin ctly con fi n e s t h equ e stion of com pe n sa tion t o ca se s wh e r e t h e dam age for which com p e n sa t ion i s t o b e awarde d h asa r ise n from ca u se s du e t o t h e acqu isition of la n d .

”

I f this opin ion prove s cor r e ct, an d M r . Sch a lch , a s t h e Cou n cillor wh o in trodu ce d t h e Act

,

ou ght t o b e th e be st j u dge Of what its m e an in g is,i t will r e str ict t h e Ope ra tion of t h e com pe n sa tion

s e ction s t o a v e ry sm a l l com pa ss, a n d obvia te m a n y e m ba rra ssm e n ts .

34. A l l buildin gs,land, e arth, pathways , slui ce s, ga te s, be rme s ,

Land , &c . ,t ake n

he dge s , be lon gin g to, or forming pa r t of, an y e m bankposse ssion of t o ve st me n t or wate r - cour se , of whi ch charge h a s be e n or m aym b ov e m m e n t ' he r e a fte r b e take n by t h e Office rs of Gove rnm e nt

,sha ll

ve st in t h e Gove rnm e nt,a n d shall b e he ld on be ha lf Of t h e Gove rn m e nt

in re spe ct Of th e e m ba n kme n ts me ntione d in Sche du le (D) anne xe d t o thisA ct , a n d in re spe ct of othe r works on be ha lf Of t h e p e r sons inte r e ste d int h e lands t o b e prote cte d or be n e fite d by su ch e m bankm e nt or wa te rcourse , subj e ct t o t h e provision s of S e ction 63 a n d a l l monie s re ce ive dOn a ccou n t of such la n ds sha ll b e payab le t o t h e Engin e e r a n d cre dite dt o th e cost of t h e construction a n dma in te nan ce of su ch works re spective ly .

This i s a ve ry im porta n t se ction , a n d shou ld b e m os t ca re fu l ly a tte n de d t o. M a n y e m .

b a n km e n t s m a in ta i n e d a s pu bl ic e m ba n km e n t s a r e cov e r e d on th e ir i n n e r s lope s wi th hou se swhich still pay r e n t to t h e z e m i n da rs . Th is shou ld a t on ce ce as e . Th e hou s e s n owve st i n

Gov e rn m e n t (s e e d e fin ition of la n d) , a n d thou gh it m ight b e ha rd to tak e advan tage of this , a n dappr opr ia te th e hou s e s or th e ir m ate ria ls

, a l l pe rson s a llow e d t o r e m ain in occu pa tion of th e s eshou ld b e r e qu i re d t o pay r e n t for t h e grou n d the y occu py, a n d shou ld b e wa r n e d tha t th e yr e m a in on s ufi

‘

e ra n ce . Th e E n gi n e e rs W ill ha v e t o ope n a n a ccou n t for e ach e m ba n km e n t a n dwa te r - cou rs e , a n d cr e dit a l l r e n ts towa rds t h e cost of th e ir m a i n te n an ce .

A ll e m ba n km e n ts in clu de d i n Sch e du l e D shou ld b e in clu de d in t h e r e giste r of Gove r n m e n tla n ds

,N o. 2 6 .

PA RT VI .

Cos t of Works , P roce edin gs , &c .

l . A SCERTAINM E N T THEREOF .

35 . The provisions in this Part conta ine d sha ll not apply t o a n yof t h e em bankm ents me n tione d in Sche du le (D) t o

Scféffi‘

gl

b

m em s this A ct anne xe d, save so fa r a s a n y works or re pa irsa r e e xe cu te d the rein or in re lation the re to unde r t h e

provision s of Se ction 4, Clause 7 , or Se ction 20 of this A ct ; or t o a n yof such emba n km e nts a s m ay he re a fte r b e e re cte d for t h e prote ctionof la n ds which a t t h e time of t h e pa ssin g of this A ct ar e prote cte dby th e e m bankme nts m ention e d in t h e a fore sa id Sche du le , save so far

a s th e e r e ction of su ch e m ban kme nts m ay prote ct lan ds n ot prote cte dby th e embankm e nts m e ntione d in t h e a for e sa id Sche du l e . A l l su m spayable in r e spe ct of a n y works or re pa irs e xe cute d the re in

, or inre lation to t h e embankm e nts me n tione d in t h e

“

a fore sa id S chedu le ,e xc e pt unde r t h e provisions of S e ction 4, Clause 7, or S e ction 2 0 of

this A ct , sha ll b e pa id by the Gove rnme nt .I n th e ca se of D Sch e du le e m ban km e n ts, Gove rn m e n t will hav e t o be a r t h e e n tir e cos t of a l l

slu ice s fou n d n e ce ssary, e ve n wh e n con stru cte d u n de r Se ction 4, C lau se 6 , which is m ore th a n wasr e qu ir e d u n de r t h e form e r law. This cre a te s som e difficu lty i n orde rin g slu ice s t o b e con stru cte du n d e r S e ct ion 4, Clau se s 4a n d 6 .

If a t an y time a fte r t h e pa ssing of this A ct , on inqu iry madeExciu s ion from by th e Coll e ctor a s fa r a s possible in a ccordance withSch e du le . t h e provisions of Par t II of this A ct , it sha ll b efou nd tha t it is u nne ce ssary for t h e pu b l ic inte r e sts t o re ta in a n ye m ban km e nt m e n tione d in Sche dule (D) , t h e Lie ute nan t - Gove rnor m aydir e ct tha t th e sam e sha ll b e n o longe r inclu de d in t h e sa id sche du le .

Provide d tha t th e Lie ute nant - Gove rn or m ay re store t h e sam e t o th e

sa id sche du le if, on a n y subse que nt inqu iry similar ly condu cte d, itsha ll appe ar t o th e Lieute nant - Govern or that it is ne ce s sary so to do.

A pe rson in ju r e d by t h e aba n don m e n t of an e m ban km e n t u n de r Sche du l e D wou ld n ot

appare n t ly have a n y cla im s t o com m n sa t ion u n de r S e ction 30 , a s Gove r n m e n t i s n ot bou n d t o ke e pu p e m ba n km e n ts. This was t h e de cision a r rive d a t by t h e Gov e r n m e n t of In dia i n t h e case of t h e

aba n don m e n t of t h e Dam oodah e m ba n km e n ts on t h e r ight ba n k .

“ Th e Gove rn m e n t i s u n de rn o obligation t o an y on e t o k e e p u p a n y e m ban km e n ts , an d n o pe rson wha te ve r wou ld hav e a n ycla im t o com p e n sa tion for in ju ry su ffe r e d in c on sequ e n ce of t h e aban don m e n t of a lin e of

e m ba n km e n ts which ca n n ot b e m a in ta in e d with safe ty . ’ - Hom e De pa rtm e n t N o . 1 143 , of 2 5 th J u ly1856 . It is probably m e an t tha t Gove r n m e n t is n ot bou n d t o ke e p u p a n yp a r t i cn la r e m ba n km e n t, e xce pt on t h e grou n ds of pu bl ic be n e fit, of wh ioh Gove rn m e n t is t h e j udge .

Th e Lie ute nant - Gove rnor m ay a t a n y time a fte r t h e pa ssin g of

this A ct , by a notifica tion published in t h e Ca lcu t t a

dufidd‘tm t ° S°h e '

Gaz e t t e , dire ct that a n y embankme n t n ot me ntione din Sche du le (D) b e included in t h e sa id sche dule , a n d

t h e provisions of this se ction sha ll apply t o such embankme n t .Th e pow e r of addin g t o t h e sch e du le i s r e stri c t e d t o e m ban km e n t s . A wate r - cou r se ca n n ot

b e placed on t h e sch e du le . Th e d isti n ction is du e , n o dou bt, t o e m ba n km e n t s be i n g t h e on ly cla ss ofwork which Re gu la tion XXXI II , 1793 , s pe Cifie d a s m ain ta i n e d a t t h e e xp e n s e of Gove rn m e n t ,b u t the re is r e ason t o be lie v e tha t i n som e parts of t h e cou n try Gove i n m e n t bou n d itse lf u n de r

( 45

spe cific agr e e m e n ts t om a i n ta in w a te r - cou r s e s (K h a lkh u n de e ) . This Act h a s th e e ffe ct of re l e asin gi t from t h e s e e n ga ge m e n t s , a n d thu s t h e s e ction un de r n ot ice , wh ich wa s i n t e n d e d t o e n able t h eL ie u te n a n t - Gove rn or t o cor r e ct a n ove rs ight of th i s k i n d, se e m s in ade qu a te for t h e pu rpose .

Contr ibu tion of 36 . In a ccordance with th e custom he re tofore in

pu blic m on e i’ fiO'

for ce in re sp e ct of t h e pe rgunnahs e nte r e d in Sche du lewards t h e m a in ten a n ce of t h e e m (E ) ann e xe d t o thi s A c t , t h e Gove rnm e nt shall con ti n u eb a n km e n t s in t h e t o con tr ibu te annua lly t h e su m note d the r e in for e a ch

p e rgunnah re spe ctive ly towards t h e ma inte nance of

b e con ti n u e d . t h e emb ankme nts the r e of.If t h e emba n kme nts m a in ta in e d in a n y such p e rgu n nah sha ll a t

I f su ch e m ba n k . a n y tim e b e de clar e d t o b e pu b lic e m bankm e n ts un de rm e n ts a r e; d e cla r e d th e provision s of Se ction 4, t h e Colle ctor shal l, from

t h e da te of such de cla r a tion , ke e p a s e pa r ate a ccou n taccou n t . for su ch p e rgu n n ah , in which t h e a fore sa id su m sha llb e cr e di te d a t th e com m e nce m e nt of e ach fin a n cia l ye a r . Th e u n e x

p e n de d b a lan ce a t t h e close of ea ch ye ar sha ll be carr ie d on to t h ecre dit of t h e a ccou nt in t h e next succe e ding ye ar, a n d sha ll b e ava ilablefor th e cost of re pa iring or e re cting a l l t h e e m bankme nts which it m ayb e de e m e d ne ce ssa ry t o ma inta in in such p e rgu nnah .

If a t an y tim e a fte r th e pa ssing of this A ct , on an inquiry made

Contr ib u tion m ayby t h e Colle ctor a s far a s possible in a ccorda n ce with

b e discon tin u e d if i t t h e provisions of Pa r t II, i t sha ll b e found tha t it isb e fo

gn d

t h

‘

gn n

lffifii‘ unn e ce ssary for th e public in te re st t o re ta in a n y emba n k

t o rrihin t a in me nt in e ithe r of t h e sa id p e rgu nnahs , t h e Lie ute nantt h e e m ban km e n ts Gove rnor m ay dir e ct tha t such contribution sha ll ce a sein re sp e ct of such pergunnah . Provide d tha t su ch contribution sha llaga in b e made in a ccordance with t h e provisions he re inbe fore contain e d,if it sha ll appe ar t o th e Lie ute nant - Gove rn or , on t h e re por t of a n inqui rysim ilarly con ducte d, that t h e m a inte na n ce of a n y e m b a n kme nt in suchp e rgunnah h a s aga in b e come ne ce ssary for t h e pu blic inte re st .

37 . Spe cifica tions of a n y works or re pa irs t o b e e xe cute d unde r

Estimate s a n d t h e provisions of this A ct , a n d e stima te s of t h e e xpe nse ssp e cifica tion s t o b e t o b e incurr e d the re in or re la tin g the re to

,inclu ding

Pre pa‘e d' su ch proportion of e stablishm e nt charge s a s t h e Lie ute nant Gove rnor sha ll dire ct, shall b e pre par e d by t h e E n gine e r a s soona fte r t h e m onth of Octob e r in e a ch ye ar a s m ay b e pra cticab le . A n dwhe ne ve r it app e ars tha t t h e a ctu a l e xp e nse s t o b e incurr e d will e xce e dt h e amount m e n tione d in t h e sa id e stim ate s by on e - te nth

, t h e Engin e e rsha ll forthwith pre pare furthe r e stim ate s , a n d, if ne ce ssa ry, furthe rspe cification s . Copie s of a l l spe cifications a n d e stimate s sha ll b e transm it t e d t o t h e office of t h e Colle ctor, toge the r with ve rna cu l a r t ra n sl ations the r e of, or su ch abstra cts the re of a s th e Lie ute nan t - Gove rnor m ayfrom tim e t o tim e dire ct, a n d m ay b e e xam ine d by a n ype r son inte re ste din such works or re pair s . Notice of th e re ce ipt of specifications a n d

e stim ate s sha ll b e s e rve d for a l l e sta te s charge able for , or like ly t o b ea ffe cte d by, t h e sa id works or re pa ir s ; a n d should a n y obj e ction inre gard t o t h e amount of such e xpe nse s b e pr e fe rre d by a n y such pe r sonwithin a p e riod of on e month from t h e da te of such notice

,t h e Colle ctor

sha ll pa ss such orde rs a s m ay app e ar t o him r e a sonable a n d prop e r .

Su ch orde r shall b e su bj e ct in a n y ca se t o a n appe a l by t h e p e r sonm aking such obj e ction t o th e Commiss ioner of division

,whose de cision

shall be fina l .

[ 46

Th e re was a sim ila r se ction u n de r t h e form e r Act for t h e m ain te n an ce or im prov e m e n t ofe m ba n km e n ts k e p t u p a t t h e e xpe n se of t h e z e m in dar s, b u t n o n ewwork cou ld b e con stru cte d a tt he i r e xpe n se . I t will b e s e e n tha t u n de r t h e pr e se n t Act t h e works will fi r s t b e sa n c t ion e d by t h eCol le ctor u n de r S e ction s 8 or 1 5 , or t h e re pa irs b e d e sign e d by t h e E n gin e e r u n de r S e ction 1 8 , a n dth e n

, a s soon a fte r Octob e r a s possible , t h e E n gin e e r will pr e pare sp e cifica tion s a n d e stim ate s u n de rth is s e ction . H e m u st b e car e fu l t o obta in t h e orde rs of t h e L ie u te n an t -Gove r n or a s t o t h ep ropor tion of e stablishm e n t which is t o b e adde d.I t is appa re n tly t h e in te n tion of t h e se ction tha t th e E n gin e e r shou ld se n d i n sim u lta n e ou sly

a l l t h e spe cifica tion s for t h e works u n de r his charge , b u t this is n ot obliga tory .

Th e obliga t ion t o s e n d in su ppl e m e n tary e s t im ate s i t t h e or igin al e stim a te s prov e t o b e t e n p e rce n t. t oo low, a n d t h e obliga tion to s e n d ve rn a cu lar tr a n sla tion s, a re both n ew provision s .It h as be e n su ppose d i n som e qu a r te rs tha t t h e Act, by r e qu i rin g t h e san ction of t h e Colle ctor

t o t h e e stim a te s a fte r n ot ice u n de r this Se c tion , i n som e way or othe r d ispe n se s W i th t h e de pa r tm e n ta lapp rova l of t h e Su p e rin te n din g En gin e e r or Chie f E n gin e e r . This is a n e n tire m istak e . Th e Actlooks to t h e E n gin e e r a s t o t h e loca l r e pr e se n ta tive of t h e Pu blic WO i ks D e par tm e n t , b u t t ha toffice r m u st com ply with a l l de partm e n ta l ru le s a s t o wha t e stim a te s n e e d a n d wha t do n ot n e e dt h e san ction of su pe r ior au thor ity . Th e Colle ctor ’ s fu n ction s a r e a ltoge th e r diff e re n t . H e occu pie st h e position of a n a rbite r be twe e n t h e r e qu ir e m e n ts of t h e Pu blic Works De par tm e n t a n d t h e

obj e ction of t h e pe rson s wh o will ha v e t o pay t h e bill .For t h e m a n n e r i n wh ich n otice s a r e t o b e se rve d for e sta te s, s e e Se ction 5 7.

Obj e ction s ca n on ly b e m ade t o t h e am ou n t of t h e e xp e n s e s , a n d n ot a t this stage t o t h en e ce ss ity of t h e works . This Will hav e b e e n d ispose d of pre viou sly wh e r e t h e works a r e n e w. I n

t h e ca se of re pa irs , a n obj e ction t o ce r ta in r e pa irs a s e xce ssive or su p e rflu ou s m ight p e rhaps b er e ga rd e d a s a n obj e ction t o t h e e xpe n s e s of t h e r e pa ir s a s a whole , othe rwise the re i s n o stage a t

which su ch obj e ction s cou ld b e ra ise d . Th e obj e ction m u s t b e m ade within a m on th of t h eda t e of t h e n otice , n ot t h e da te of th e s e rvice of t h e n otice , as in th e n e xt s e ction a n d e lse whe r e .

Prob ably this is a ve rba l e rror .

38. The a ccoun ts of th e a ctua l expe nse incurred in e xe cuting a n yPreparation an d works or re pa irs sha ll b e pre pa r e d a s soon a s possib les e ttle m e n t of a fte r t h e com ple tion the r e of. Th e E n gine e r sha ll signa ccou n ts‘

a ce rtificate sta ting t h e true am oun t of a l l su che xp e nse s , an d t h e nam e s of the e state s charge able for , a n d of t h e e sta tea n d village s a ff e cte d by, th e sa id works a n d re pa irs . Copie s of t h e

sa id a ccounts a n d ce rtificate s sha ll b e forwarde d t o the offi ce of t h e

Colle ctor, an d m ay b e the re e xamine d by a n y pe rson in te re ste d .

N otice of t h e re ce ipt the r e of sha ll b e se rve d for t h e sa id e state s a n d

vi llage s, an d such othe rs a s in t h e opin ion of t h e Colle ctor a r e liablet o con tr ibute t o t h e paym e nt of t h e sa id am ou n t ; a n d if, within thirtydays from t h e se rvice of su ch notice , an y in te re ste d p e r son sha ll ob j e ctt o t h e a ccounts on t h e groun d e ithe r tha t th e work charge d for h a s n otb e e n p e r form e d, or that t h e whole sum charge d h a s n ot b e e n e xpe n de d

,

or tha t t h e rate s of charge ar e highe r than those m e ntione d in t h ee stimate s, t h e Colle ctor sha ll inqu ir e into such obj e ction , a n d m ay passa n y orde r the re on, su bj e ct in a n y ca se to an appe a l by th e obj e ctor tothe Comm issione r of division, whose de cision sha ll b e fina l .This se ction h as a lre ady form e d t h e subj e ct of m u ch discu ssion , t h e qu e stion be in g wh a t

t h e p re cise m e an in g of t h e‘com ple tion ’

of a work is . Th e poin t a t.

issu e is how lon g t h e

E n gin e e r h as t o wa it be for e h e can s e n d i n t h e a ccou n t of his e xpe n di tu re for a pportion m e n ta n d r e cov e ry . Th e Gov e r n m e n t of I n dia form e r ly r u le d tha t su ch a ccou n ts shou ld b e se n t i nm on thly, a n d t h e loca l Gov e r n m e n t h a s r u le d tha t this r u le is t o hold good u n d e r t h e pr e s e n t A ct ,a s e ach se ction of t h e work com ple te d du rin g t h e m on th m ay b e re ga rde d a s a com ple te d work .I t is be lie v e d, howe ve r , tha t this ru l in g is u n de r r e con side ra tion . It hardly s e e m s t e n able ,lookin g t o t h e whole spir i t of t h e Act, an d will m ake t h e work in g of t h e s e rvin g of n otice s,which is a lr e ady im prac t icable , still m or e disa strou sly e xpe n sive . It h as be e n a lre ady r e m ark e d tha tt h e we ak pom t i n t h e Act is t h e syste m of se rvin g n otice s i n t h e m ost whole sa l e m a n n e r a t e ve rys t ag e of t h e proce e di n gs . Tak e a n ordin ary case of t h e r e pa irs t o a lin e of e m ba n km e n ts som e

2 0 m ile s in le n gth , which wou ld probably prote ct som e 2 00 squ ar e m ile s of cou n t ry, wh i ch m ightw e l l con ta in 2 50 e sta te s a n d 500 village s . Th e cos t of r e pa ir s wou ld pe rhaps b e Rs . i n

a n ygive n ye a r . Notic e of t h e r e ce ipt of e stim a te s wou ld have t o b e s e rve d on t h e 2 50 e state s

by pu ttin g a copy a t th e m a l cu tche rr i e s of su ch a s h ad the m , a n d Whe re n o su ch cu tche ry e x ists,by fixin g th e m u p i n a con spicu ou s place , a n d by de live ri n g a copy t o t h e age n t wh o pa id t h e la stor sha ll pay t h e n e xt in sta lm e n t of re ve n u e , i f t h e r e ve n u e b e ove r Rs . 1 00 pe r a n n u m . N e x t,on t h e r e ce ipt of t h e a ccou n ts, t h e sam e p i oce s s h a s t o b e gon e

.

through for t h e 2 50 e sta te s a n dt h e 500 V i llage s , a n d t o crow n a l l, whe n t h e am ou n t to b e apport ion e d h a s be e n fixe d , Sim i la r n ot ic e shave t o b e se rve d , con ta i n in g t h e l ist of n am e s, tha t is 750 n ot ice s e a ch con ta in i n g 750 n a m e s "Las t ly, wh e n apportion ed, furth e r n otice s have t o b e se rve d on e s t ate s (S e c t ion Thu s i n t h e

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case con ce rn e d n otice s wou ld b e se rv e d from fi rs t to last to le vy Rs . e ve n if le vie d on ce fora l l , a n d i t ca n hard ly b e m a in tain e d tha t i t is practicable t o go throu gh this proce du r e m on th a ft e rm on th . Th e a lte ra tion which is n e e de d is t o m ak e t h e s e rvice of s e pa ra te n otic e s on ly n e ce ssa ryfor la rge e sta te s , whe r e paym e n ts wou ld b e h e avy, say e sta te s payin g above Rs . 100 r e ve n u e , a s int h e cas e of t h e Road C e s s Act .

Th e e xpr e ssion ‘se rve d for t h e said e sta te s ,’ in its e lf am bigu ou s , i s fu lly e xpla i n e d i n S e ction 57.

Obj e ct ion s , i t will b e se e n , ca n on ly b e a llowe d on thre e sp e cific grou n ds . It doe s n ot appe artha t t h e m e r e fa ct of t h e ra t e s of charge be in g highe r is t o b e fa ta l a s a n obj e ction , b u t on ly tha tt h e Colle ctor i s the n t o i n qu ir e whe the r t h e in cr e a s e d ra te s ca n b e j u stifie d . I f a n obj e ctionsu cc e e ds , t h e charge stru ck off m u s t b e born e by Gov e rn m e n t u n le s s t h e m on e y h a s n ot b e e ne xp e n de d.

39 . Th e Colle ctor sha ll add to t h e amount appe aring in t h e sa idc e rti fica te a l l su m s whi ch have b e e n pa id or have

Tom sum payable ' be com e payab le i n r e spe ct of com pe n sati on,costs

, a n d

e xpe nse s u n de r an d in ci de n ta l t o a n y proce e di n gs take n or di re cte d t o b etake n u n de r Parts I I a n d V of thi s A ct , i n clu di n g costs of a l l surve ysa n d pla n s . H e sha ll the r e u pon m ake a n orde r sp e ci fyi n g t h e tota lsu m fou nd payable , a n d i n r e sp e ct of works done u n de r S e cti on 4,Clau se 5 , a n d S e ctions 19 a n d 2 0, t h e p e r son s by whom , or in r e sp e ctof othe r works , t h e e state s in re sp e ct of whi ch t h e sam e i s payable t o h im .

If t h e orde r is m ade in re spe ct of work don e unde r S e ction 4,Clause

5 , an d S e ctions 1 9 a n d 2 0,t h e sam e sha ll forthwi th b e se rve d upon

t h e par ty or par tie s li able t o pay oth e rwi se t h e Colle ctor sha ll proce e dun de r t h e provisi on s i n t h e n e xt Chapte r con ta in e d .

Inte re st m ay b e charge d upon a n y sum pa i d a s com p e nsati onfrom t h e date of paym e nt the re of a t su ch ra te

,n ot

In te r e st‘e xce e ding 5 p e r ce n tum pe r annum, a s the Li eute nantGove rnor m ay di re ct .

This se ction doe s n ot appe ar t o provide for a l l kin ds of costs b e in g add e d . S e ction s 19 a n d2 0 of Pa r t IV a r e e xpr e ssly provide d for , a n d p e rhaps t h e words a l l su rve ys a n d pla n s i n clu d ee ve ry kin d of e xpe n ditu r e u n de r S e ction 24, b u t t h e e xp e n di tu r e i n cu rr e d u n de r t h e fi n a l por t ion ofS e ction 2 1 doe s n ot s e e m t o b e r e cov e rable . Un de r t h e form e r Act i t cou ld b e r e cove r e d by t h e sa leof t h e m a te r ia ls if t h e ow n e r r e fu s e d t o pay (Act XXX I I, 1855 , Se c t ion M or e ov e r , i t m ayapp e a r a s if t h e costs of a l l se rvice of proce ss u n de r S e ction s 37 , 38, 41 , 43 a n d 49 m u s t b e bor n eby Gove rn m e n t , as th e r e is n o provision for addin g th e m t o t h e s u m t o b e appor t ion e d ; b u t S e ction41 au thor ize s t h e in clu sion i n t h e am ou n t t o b e appor tion e d of t h e costs of apportionm e n t, a n d t h eL e ga l R e m e m bra n c e r , in r e ply t o a con su lta t ion on t h e s u bj e ct , h as e xpr e ss e d an opin i on tha t the sewords will i n clu de a l l costs u n de r S e ction s 37, 38 , 41 , a n d43 , thou gh n ot u n d e r Se ction 40 .

C la im s for com p e n sa tion n e e d n ot b e i n stitu te d for two ye ars , a n d p e rhaps n ot.

de c ide d for a.

m u ch lon ge r pe r iod . I t is obviou s th e r e for e tha t com pe n sation can n ot, a s a r u le , b e i n clu de d in t h esam e a ccou n ts a s thos e which con ta in t h e e xpe n ditu r e on t h e works . Com pe n sa tion e xpe n s e s m u s tobviou sly b e r e cov e r e d from tim e t o tim e a t a l a te r sta ge . Whe n t h e works a re of a n e ce ssa rychar acte r, su ch a s n e e d a n n u a l r e pa ir s , this will n ot b e in con ve n i e n t, b u t i t W i ll in volv e e xtraproc e e din gs whe n t h e work is on e wh ich is don e on ce for a l l .

Th e Lie u te n a n t - Gove rn or h a s fixe d t h e ra te of i n t e r e st a t 5 pe r c e n t —m al e Appe n d i x D .

40 . The sa id tota l sum,save so far a s is othe rwise provide d in

Pa rtie s l iabl e t o this A ct , shall b e pa id t o t h e Colle ctor by t h e z eminp aY dars of th e e state s in which ar e situ ate d t h e landsbe n e fite d or prote cte d by

‘

t h e re pa ir s or works e xe cu te d . Pr ovide dtha t whe r e a n y spe cific sum h a s hithe rto be e n ann u a lly de m ande d inre sp e ct of a n y e m b ankm e n t n ot in clu de d in Sche du l e (D) , a n d whe nt h e sa id e m b an km e nt is a t th e tim e of this A ct com ing in to op e ra tionbe in g m a in ta ine d by Gove rnm e n t, the n su ch spe cia l paym e nts sha ll ,a ft e r t h e pa ssin g of this A ct , the nce forth ce a se a n d de te rm i ne .

Eve ry ze m in dar wh o is liab le un de r this r u le for t h e payme nt oft h e whole or por tion of su ch tota l su m sha ll b e e ntitle d t o re cove r fromth e proprie tor of e ve ry te n ure which is de clare d t o b e a part of h i sestate t h e sum apportione d to such te nur e by th e Colle ctor unde r t h eprovisions of S e ction 45 ; an d similarly e ve ry propri e tor sha ll b e

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entitle d t o re cover from th e proprie tor of a n y subordin ate te nure whichis de clare d t o b e a part Of his te nu re t h e sum apportione d to suchsu b ordin ate te nu r e by t h e Colle ctor un de r t h e sa id provisions .

Th e la tte r por tion of t h e se ct ion in trodu ce s th e pr i n ciple of t h e Roa d Ce ss Act, a n dwa s adde d i nSe l e ct Com m itte e . Gove rn m e n t looks t o t h e ze m in dars a n d le ave s the m t o re cove r from t h e te n u r eholde rs . For the ir pow e r s of re cove ry, which a re am ple , s e e Se ction 5 1 .

2 . A PPORTIONM ENT THEREOF .

41 . So soon a s th e tota l sum payable a s a fore sa id h a s be e na sce r ta ine d, t h e Colle ctor sha ll cause a notice t o be

b

1

;

Tot ice t o 1

2

? giv e n se rve d for e ve ry on e of t h e sa id e state s a n d Village smm'

me ntione d in S e ction 38 . Eve ry such notice sha llspecify t h e e state s an d vil lage s a fore sa id, an d tha t

a n inquiry will b e he ld a t a day an d pla ce there in name d for t h epu r pose of apportioning amongst t h e zemindars an d proprietors thesa id tota l su m , with inte re st an d th e costs of apportionme nt.It se e m s difficu lt t o u n de r sta n d why village s in t h e sam e e sta te shou ld b e se pa ra te ly se rve d

with n otice s . Th e s e ction m ay m e a n tha t i t is on ly isola te d village s, wh e re t h e b u lk of t h e e sta tei s e ls e whe r e , tha t hav e t o b e s e pa ra te ly se rve d . As n ote d abov e , t h e labou r a n d e xp e n s e of thisproce s s will b e v e ry h e avy ; it shou ld hav e su ffice d if a l l e sta te s payin g ove r Rs . 100 a n n u a lre ve n u e w e re s e rve d with se para te n ot ice s .

42 . On t h e day fixe d in th e sa id notice , which sha ll b e n ot le ssthan thirty days late r than the date of a n y se rvice of

such notice , th e Coll e ctor shall proce e d t o make t h esa id inqu iry . In making this inquiry h e sha ll re ce ivesuch e vide nce a s m ay b e te nde re d by, or on b e ha lf Of ,th e sa id zemin dars a n d proprie tors

,a n d by, or on

be ha lf of, a n y othe r p e rsons wh o m ay cla im t o b e inte re ste d the r e in .

Un de r S e ction 64 th is i n qu iry can b e de le gate d t o a De pu ty Colle ctor. Appar e n tly a l l e vide n cete n de re d m u s t b e , if in siste d on , r e ce ive d .

43 . In a n y such inqu iry t h e Colle ctor shall take down in writin g t h enam e s of a l l p e rsons wh o m ay cla im , or wh o m ay b e

a lle ge d by a n y party inte re ste d to b e propr ie tors of

te nu re s within a n y Of t h e e state s me n tione d in su chnotice . In de fau l t of appe a r a n ce Of a n y such p e rson, t h e Colle ctorsha ll issue a n d se rve a notice ca lling on h im to appe ar a t a date a n d pla cethe re in me nt ion e d, a n d to show cause aga inst be ing inclu de d in t h eorde r Of apportionme nt to be made the re in, a n d sha ll adjourn t h e

inquiry till such date .

I t wil l ofte n b e fou n d tha t pre viou s t o t h e day of i n qu iry t h e Colle ctor will b e u n awa re Of

t h e e xiste n ce of ce rta in te n u r e s be n e fite d . A s th e ir proprie tors will u su a lly b e a bse n t, a n adjou r nm e n t will b e n e ce ssa ry t o e n able the m t o b e he ard .

Lakh iraj holdin gs b e in g te n u re s a s de fin e d i n this Act, will b e liabl e to pay the ir share if t h eze m in da r n am e s t he ir proprie tors . As th e y ar e Ofte n v e ry n u m e rou s , se rvice of n otice s on th e m wil lgre a tly e xce e d t h e am ou n t the y will have t o pay. It m ay b e hope d, howe ve r , tha t t h e firs t apport ion m e n t of e xp e n se s of a n y work u n de r con stan t r e pa ir s wi ll b e a cqu ie sce d i n a fte rwards i n a l l s u b

se qu e n t apportion m e n t proce e din gs . I f so, t h e com pu lsory chara cte r of this se ction is u n fortu n a te ,for u n l e ss the se pe tty Lakh irajda rs a ll appe a r a t t h e proce e din gs , t h e Colle c t or will b e bou n d t os e rv e th e m with s e para te n otice s, howe ve r con fide n t h e m ay b e tha t th e y in te n d t o acqu ie sce withou tu e s t ion .qI n t his, a s in m a n y othe r proce e din gs u n de r this Act, t h e Road Ce ss pape rs will b e of t h e gre a te st

u tility.

Nam e s of propr ietors .

- A t such or an y sub seque ntly adj ourne d inquiry, t h e Colle ctor, if there b e only on e e state liable , shall charget h e ze m indar th e re of with t h e tota l amount payable ;a n d if the re b e two or more e state s, h e sha ll appor tion

t h e same amongst t h e zemindars the re of, ra te ably in proportion t o t h ere spe ctive benefits derived by such estates from such works or re pa irs ;

Appor tion m e n tam on gst z e m in dars .

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47 . Th e amount apportione d t o a n y e sta te or te nure shall b e

A m ou n t appor .

payab le in e qu a l instalm e nts on such days a s t h e

t ion e d paya ble b y Lie u te n ant- Gove rnor sha ll dire ct, provide d tha t n o

in at a lm e n m insta lm e n t sha ll e xce e d four anna s for e ve ry a cr e of

land in re sp e ct of which t h e sam e is payable , a n d that n ot more thanfour in sta lm e n ts sha ll b e payable in a n y on e ye ar .Inte re st sha ll be charge d on the u n pa id portion of t h e sa id

am ou nt from t h e da te of t h e sam e b e com ing du e un tilpaym e nt the re of a t su ch rate , n ot e xce e di n g fiv e p e r

ce ntu m pe r annum , a s t h e Lie ute nant - Gove rnor sha ll from time t o t imede te rmine .

In te r e st .

Whe r e t h e a llotm e n t is l e ss th an fou r an n a s pe r a cr e , t h e whol e a m ou n t m ay b e colle cte d i n on ei n s ta lm e n t if t h e Lie u te n a n t - Gove rn or so d ir e cts . I t will thu s b e s e e n tha t i n e ve ry way t h e

a cre age appor tion m e n t W i l l work b e st .Th e L ie u t e n a n t - Gov e r n or h a s pr e scr ibe d t h e ordin ary kist days a s t h e da te s on which in sta l

m e n ts b e com e du e i n t h e ca se of e sta te s . Vida A ppin dix D .

48 . On th e com ple tion of th e apportionm e nt, t h e Col le ctor sha llm ake a n orde r spe cifyin g th e e state s a n d te n u r e s , a n d

Fin a l orde r oft h e s e ve ra l sum s payab le i n re spe ct the r e of , t h e m e ta l

t i t.appor om enme nts Of such sums, a n d th e date s on whi ch th e sam e

a r e payable .

I t is difficu l t t o be lie ve tha t t h e L e gisla tu re r e al ize d t h e e xtr e m e ly e labora te a n d dila torycharacte r of thi s proce du r e whe n pr e scr ibin g it . Th e followin g illu stra tion of qu ite a n a v e r agecas e is giv e n t o e x e m plify it . On t h e l s t Ju ly 1875 t h e Colle ctor r e ce ive s t h e a ccou n ts of ce r ta inWOi ks aggr e ga tin g in cost Rs . u n de r Se ction 38, a l so a ce rtifica t e , which will ha ve cost t h eE n gi n e e r n o lit tle trou ble , spe cifyin g t h e e state s a n d village s affe cte d by the se r e pa irs . On t h e 1 0t hJ u ly pr in te d n otice s ar e se rve d on t h e 250 (s ay) e sta te s a n d t h e 500 v il lage s shown in t h e ce r tifica te .

A s som e of the se will b e e sta t e s havin g n o m a l cu tch e r ry, t h e n otice s ca n n ot b e fu lly s e rv e d be for et h e 28th S e pte m be r , t h e n e xt kist day, a n d th e r e for e obj e ction s m ay b e su bm i tt e d u p t o 28t h

Octob e r u n de r Se ction 38 . N e ar ly a ll t h e obj e ction s will, how e ve r, have be e n du e by a n e a r lie r da te ,a n d m ay b e de te rm in e d a s th e y com e i n h e n ce by -l s t Nove m be r t h e Colle ctor will b e in a posi t iont o proce e d u n d e r Se ct ion 39 . He m a k e s su ch an ord e r , s ay, on t h e l ot h Nove m be r , an d b e gin s t ose rve n otice s u n de r S e ction 41 . Som e of the se 750 n otice s will n ot b e capable of b e in g se rve d be foreJa n u ary 1 2 th , a n d th e r e for e Fe bru ary 12 th will b e t h e e ar l ie s t day adm issible for proce e din gs u n de rSe ction 42 . On t ha t day la rg e n u m be r s Of propr i e t or s ar e n am e d , a n d t h e ca se adjou r n e d t o (s ay)1 s t M a rch t o a llow of th e ir a tt e n dan ce . S e ve ra l of th e se appe a r a n d n am e u n de r - t e n an ts , a n d a

f u r th e r adjou rn m e n t t o M a r ch 20 t h b e com e s n e ce ssary . Fu rthe r de lays i n t h e takin g Of

e vid e n ce will e n su e a lm ost in e vitably, a n d it will b e w e ll if t h e apportion m e n t orde r is pa sse du n de r S e ction 44b y t h e 1 5 th Apr i l . Th e Colle ctor th e n se rve s n otice s on t h e 2 50 e sta te s, sh e wi n gt h e appor tion m e n t of t h e Rs . r e pa ir e xp e n s e s, a n d possibly a s m u ch aga i n for cos t s , whichwill b e payable i n fou r in sta lm e n ts—on t h e 28 th J u n e , 2 8 t h D e ce m be r 1876, an d 12 t h Ja n u a ry a n d2 8t h M a rch 1 877 . Aga in st those who fa i l t o pay, t h e ce r tifica te proce du re is t o b e r e sorte d t o, a n di t will r e a lly b e good work if t h e Col le ctor cle ar s off by t h e 30 t h Ju n e 1877 t h e adva n ce m adeb e for e t h e 1 s t J u ly 1875 .

Som e tim e m ay b e save d by s e cu r in g in t h e Colle ctora te th e addre ss of e ve ry age n t wh o paysan in sta lm e n t of r e ve n u e . Notice can th e n b e se rve d on h im by a r e gis t e r e d le t t e r in ste a d ofwa itin g for t h e kis t day. Bu t p e r con tra n o n otice h as be e n take n of n u m be r le ss de lays an d adjou r nm e n ts which will b e in e vitable in practice .

3 . RECOVERY THEREOF .

49 . Th e Colle ctor sh a l l , .

with in thirty days from th e fin a l orde r ofapportion m e nt , m ake a n d se rve for e ve ry e state the re in

mgfe rs for pay“ me ntion e d a n orde r sta tin g t h e am oun t with inte r e st

du e in re spe ct the re of, a n d tha t t h e sam e is payable t oh im ,

a n d t h e da te or da te s a t whi ch such am ount or insta lm e nts the re ofsha ll be com e payable t o him .

Car e m u s t b e tak e n tha t t h e p e riod h e re in a llowe d is n ot e xce e de d, as appa r e n tly a ny e rror

u n de r this s e ction is irre m e diable . Th e se rvice h as a lso t o b e e ffe ct e d within 30 days . Se ction 58,howe v e r , m u s t n ot b e ov e r look e d .

f 51

50. If su ch su m , or an y insta lme nt the re of, be n ot , pur suant t ot h e sa id orde r, pa id, th e same with in te re st sha ll b e

”033323”fm m re cove rable a s a rre ars of a demand unde r t h e provisions

of B e nga l A ct VII of 1868 (to m ake f u r tn e r p rovis ion

f or fil e r e cove ry of a r r e a rs of la n d r e ve n u e a n dp u l l ic de m a n ds r e cove ra b l e

a s a r r e a r s of la n al r e ve n u e ) .Un de r t h e form e r Act du e s cou ld b e le vie d as arre ar s of re ve n u e . The difficu lty in workin g t h e

ce rtifica te proce du re lie s in asce rta in in g t h e n am e s of t h e ze m in da rs . O n this poi n t s e e n ote t od e fin it ion ze m i n da r .

’

5 1 . Eve ry zemindar or proprietor to whom a n y sum or insta lmentthe re of is payable unde r t h e sa id orde r

, m ay recove rt h e same with inte re st a s a fore sa id in the manner provide d for th e re cove ry of arre ars of rent in re sp e ct of

pu t n e e te nure s by t h e provisions of Clause s 2 a n d 3

of S e ction 8, Sections 9 , 10 , 14, 15 , a n d Clau se s 1 , 2 , a n d 3 of Se ction 17of Re gu lation VIII of 1819 , a s am e nde d by Be n ga l A ct VIII Of 1865provide d that th e right or inte re st of a n y pe rson holding from t h e

proprie tor of such te nur es sha ll not be a ff e cted by a n y sa le heldunde r the se provi sions .This proviso will n ot b e a s e m bar ra ssin g a s m ay a t firs t sight appe ar . For, if t h e pe rson holdin g

from t h e propr ie tor , whose r ights a r e h e re by prote cte d, cla im s a n y r ight t o hold a t a fixe d r e n t, h ewill be com e him s e lf a propr ie tor , an d b e com pe lle d t o con tr ibu te t h e share a llotte d t o t h e te n u r e ;while a n y r ight short of a right t o hold a t a fixe d re n t can n ot ofte n de stroy t h e va lu e of a te n ur e .

PA RT VII .

M isce l lan e ous .

52 . Whoeve r wilfully obstru cts a n y pe rson duly authorize d unde r

P a l t for Ohthis A ct in re m oving or le ve llin g a n y e mbankme nt ,house , hut , or othe r bu ilding, or in t h e lawfu l e xe rcise

e x e rcise of Powe rs of a n y Of t h e powe rs in this A ct confe rre d , sha ll , in° f A c t ’ ca se su ch Obstruction sha ll n ot amou nt t o a n offe ncewithin t h e provisions of th e Indian Pe na l Code , b e liable to imprisonm e n tof e ithe r de scription for a n y p e riod n ot e xce e ding six months

,a t t h e

discr e tion Of t h e Magistra te , or t o fin e n ot e xce e ding Rs . 2 00, com m u t

able , if not pa id , to a pe riod of im prisonm e nt n ot exce e ding s ix months .This i s n e ar ly ide n tica l with Se ction 15 of Act XXX II, b u t a fewwords are a lt e r e d . Th e

savin g clau se r e gardin g t h e Pe n a l Code i s, n o dou bt , i n troduce d t o a void in te rfe rin g with th a t Cod e,

which t h e B e n gal Cou n ci l h a s n o pow e r t o tou ch . I t will b e ge n e ra l ly be s t t o charge i n t h e

a l te rn a tive , tha t is with t h e offe n ce u n d e r t h e Pe n a l Code a n d with a n off e n ce u n de r this s e ction .

Eve n th e n t h e con viction will b e te chn ica lly wron g i f t h e a ccu se d can show tha t h e m ight ha ve be e ncon victe d of a ny Ofl

‘

e n ce u n de r t h e Pe n a l Code ; b u t a s h e wou ld hav e n othin g u ltim at e ly t o ga in bydoin g so, t h e difficu lty is n ot lik e ly ofte n t o a rise .

I t will b e se e n tha t on ly im pr ison m e n t or fin e m ay b e awarde d u n de r this se ctio‘

n . Th e cau seof this, a s appe ar s from t h e de ba te in Cou n cil on th e 17th Se pte m be r, is tha t i f both pu n ishm e n tsw e re awardable , t h e a l te rn a tive im pr ison m e n t in lie u of t h e fin e cou ld n ot , u n de r t h e Cr im in a lProce du re Code , with spe cia l re fe re n ce t o Se ction 309 , e xce e d I t m on ths’ im pr ison m e n t .

53. Eve ry person who, without the pre vious permission Of the

P ItEngine e r, sha ll e re ct, or cause or wilfu ll y p e rmit t o b e

t h orifiea

dflight?“

ere cte d, a n y n ew embankment, or sha ll obstru ct or

e n ce with e m ba n k dive rt , or cau se or wilfu lly p e rmit t o b e Obstructe d orm en t s °r dram ge ‘ dive rte d , a n y wate r - cou rse , if such e m ban km e nt or

wa te r course is like ly t o in te rfe re with , cou nte ra ct , or impe de a n y publice mb an kme nt or an y pu b lic wate r- cou rse , or sha ll abe t a n y such a ct

,sha ll

be liable on convi ction to a fin e n ot e xceeding Rs . 500, or, in de fault of

( 52 3

payme nt , t o imprisonment of eithe r descri ption for a period n ot exce e ding six months .It is n ot sta te d wh e the r a ge n e ra l ’ p e rm ission will su ffice , a s provide d for in S e ction 22 . This

s e ction appe ar s som e wha t to con flict with S e ction 4, Clau se 7, which r e qu ir e s t h e d e cision of t h e

Col l e ct or in t h e ca se of the s e works b u t t h e Col le ctor be in g for t h e pu rpose s of this A ct t h e su p e rioroffice r of t h e E n gin e e r , a Cou r t ou ght , n o dou bt , t o r e gard t h e pe rm iss ion of t h e Colle ctor a s

con stru ctive ly in volvin g t h e con se n t Of t h e En gin e e r.I n t h e e ve n t of a prose cu tion , t h e qu e stion will ar ise whe th e r a pe r son i s pu n ishabl e who can

n ot b e prove d t o have k n own tha t th e work wa s like ly t o in te r fe r e with a pu blic e m ba n km e n t orwa te r - cou rse , thou gh it wa s lik e ly to do s o in t h e j u dgm e n t of e xpe rie n ce d p e r son s . Probably t h ede fe n da n t wou ld have t o show tha t h e took r e a son able care t o sa tisfy him se lf on thi s poin t .

54. N o pe rson shall withou t du e au thor ity ou t through, or

a tte m pt t o cu t through, a n y pu blic e m ba n km e nt, or

de stroy, or a tte m pt t o de stroy, a n y such e m bankm e n t,

or ope n or shu t, or obstru ct a n y slu ice in a n y su che m ba n km e nt , or a n y pu blic wate r - cou rse a n d e ve ry

p e rson wh o sha ll comm it a n y br e a ch of t h e provision s of this se ctionsha ll, in ca se t h e a ct sha ll n ot am ount t o m ischie f within t h e m e a n in gOf t h e In dian Pe na l Code , b e liable t o im pr ison m e n t of e ithe r de scr iptionfor a te rm n ot e xce e ding on e mon th, or t o a fin e n ot e xce e ding Rs . 2 00.

O n ly a p u b l i c e m ba n km e n t is prote cte d by this se ction , wh ile u n de r t h e form e r l aw,S e ction

1 6 , a n y e m ba n km e n t wa s prote cte d . Bu t t h e Pe n a l Code provide s t h e n orm a l r e m e dy for m ischie ft o e m ban km e n ts , both pu blic a n d pr iva te ; a n d this s e ction on ly prov ide s for su ch ca se s a s do n ot

am ou n t t o m ischi e f u n de r t h e Pe n a l Code . He n ce t h e m a x im u m p u n ishm e n t , wh ich wa s be forese ve n ye ars, is re du ce d to on ly on e m on t h . N o da m age n e e d b e prove d u n d e r this se ction .

55 . Eve ry p e rson wh o sha ll make a n y dam or othe r Obstructionfor t h e pu rpose Of dive r tin g or Opposin g t h e cu rr e nt of

v efiffigl

ifiifggfl“

a rive r whe r e in or whe r e on the re a r e pu b l ic e m bankPe rm ittin g ca ttl e t o m e nts , withou t th e p e rm ission of t h e Office r in im me

fggfl te

s

m e m ba n k' diate charge Of t h e e m bankm e n ts, or sha ll r e fu se or

n e gle ct t o remove a n y su ch dam or Obstruction whe nso require d by t h e E n gine e r , or sha ll cut or othe rwise a lte r t h e ba n ksOf a n y emb anke d r ive r

,or sha ll re m ove t h e e arth from a n y pu b l ic

e m bankm e n t, or sha ll drive stake s in to it, or by a n y othe r wilfula ct de stroy or dim inish t h e e fficie ncy of such e m bankm e nt ; a n d

e ve ry pe rson wh o shall cause , or knowingly a n d wilfu lly p e rm it, a n y

ca ttle t o gra ze upon a n y such e m bankm e nt, or sha ll te the r, or

cause or wilfu lly p e rmit a n y cattle t o b e te the re d, u pon a n y su ch

e m b ankme nt, or wh o sha ll root up a n y gra ss or othe r ve ge ta tiongrowing on an y such e m bankme nt, shall b e liable t o im prisonm e n t ofe ithe r de scr iption for a term n ot e xceeding six months, or t o a fin e n ot

excee ding two hundre d rupe e s .A ga in , it is on ly r iv e rs on which th e r e are p u b l i c e m ban km e n ts t o which this se ction applie s ,

in ste ad of an y e m ban k e d r iv e r s a s i n S e ction 17 of Act XXXII . Un de r t h e se ction qu ote d,t h e n on

r e m ova l of t h e e m ban km e n t or dam a t t h e p r op e r s e a son was pu n ishable . Now t h e r e qu is itionof t h e E n g i n e e r is n e ce ssa ry .

Th e form e r se ct ion did n ot m ak e gra zin g or l e t tin g ca ttle gra ze on e m ba n km e n ts p e n a l , b u t i tm u s t b e obse rv e d tha t own e r s an d cowh e rds ca n on ly b e pu n i she d if the y kn owi n gly a n d wilfu llyp e rm i t ca t t l e t o gra ze . Th e m e r e fac t tha t t h e ca ttle a r e fou n d gra zin g is n ot su ffici e n t wh e n t h ehypot he sis of th e ir havin g straye d on t h e e m ban km e n ts is possible . Se e a lso pag e 26 .

56 . Whe ne ve r an y p e rson is convicte d of a n off e nce unde r e ithe rof t h e thr e e la st pre ce ding se ction s, th e convicting

“22323231218

50 Magistrate m ay orde r that h e sha ll remove the embank

dam ge r e pa ire d , me nt or Ob struction , or re pair t h e damage , in re spe ct Ofwhich th e conviction is he ld, within a pe riod t o b e fixe d

in su ch order . If such p e rson neglects or re fuses to obe y such orde r

( 53 )

within th e fixe d pe riod , th e Engine e r m ay remove such embankment orobstruction ,

or re pa ir su ch dam age , a n d th e cost of su ch remova l orr e pa ir sha ll b e le vie d from su ch p e rson in addition t o a n y othe r p e na ltyin t h e ma n ne r provide d in S e ction 307 of t h e Code of Crimina lProce dure .

57 . Eve ry proclamation , notice , or orde r in an d by this A ct

re qui re d t o b e se rve d, m ay, unless when othe rwiseprovide d, b e se rve d

(1 ) by de live rin g a copy of th e same to t h e p e rson to whom it isdire cte d, or , on fa ilure Of su ch s e rvice , by postin g a Oopy on som e con spi

cu ou s part of t h e hou se in which t h e sa id p e rson r e side s, or by de live rin ga Oopy t o a n y age nt au thor ize d t o app e ar ge n e ra ll y for th e p e rson towhom such proclam ation, notice , or orde r is dire cte d ; or

(2 ) by se nding a re giste re d le tte r conta ining a copy of suchproclam ation ,

notice , or orde r, dire cte d t o t h e sa id p e rson a t his usua lpla ce of abode , or a t t h e place whe re h e m ay b e known to re side or

(3) by postin g a copy of t h e proclamation, notice , or orde r a t th em al cutche rry of t h e e sta te , village , or te nu r e t o which th e same re late sor , if n o such m a l cutche rry b e foun d, on som e conspicuous pla ce on t h e

sa id e state , village , or te nure , a n d by de live r ing, in t h e ca s e of e state spaying the ir annua l r e ve nue by four in sta lm e n ts , anothe r copy the r e oft o t h e age nt wh o shall have pa id a n in sta lm e n t of r e ve nu e ne xt b e foreor a fte r t h e pr e paration of su ch proclam ation

,notice , or orde r . In a l l

ca se s whe re two or more p e rsons a r e holde rs of an e state , village , orte nure

,se rvi ce unde r this clause shall b e de emed t o b e good a n d suffi cie nt

s ervice on e a ch an d a l l of such p e rsons .

S e rvice .

A s r e m ark e d be fore , i t will b e adva n tage ou s in a l l districts in which th e r e is m u ch work u n de rth is Act t o r e qu ir e e v e ry age n t wh o pays a n i n sta lm e n t Of r e n t t o a ffix t o t h e challa n s t h e a ddr e s swh e r e a n y r e g iste re d le tte r will fin d h im ,

tha t i s , h is u su a l place of abode . This will save m u chde lay by s e rvin g t h e n otice on h im in ste ad of wa itin g till t h e n e xt kis t day.

Th e e state s which pay i n fou r in s ta lm e n ts a re thos e whos e r e ve n u e e xce e ds Rs . 100 pe r a n n u m .

58 . N O proce e dings unde r this A ct sha ll b e im pe a che d or a ffe cte dby re a son Of a n y m i stake i n t h e nam e of a n y p e rson

b

N 0 Proo

fie

gir

jgst o the re by re nde re d li able t o pay a n y sum of m one y

,or

e 1m e a c e O

wan tEf form .i n t h e de scr i pti on of an y e state or te nu re or la n d i nre sp e ct of whi ch h e i s re n de r e d li able t o pay ; provide d

t h e dire ctions of this A ct b e i n su b stance a n d e ffe ct com plie d with a n d

n o proce e din gs unde r thi s A ct sha ll for want of form be qua she d or seta side i n an y Court of Justi ce .

M istak e i n a n am e is a m i srak e of form b u t if a p e rson liable is a ltoge th e r om itte d, a n d n o

n otice s e rv e d on him wh e r e h e is e n title d t o n otice , t h e dire c t ion s of t h e Act wou ld n ot be insu bsta n ce com plie d with .

59 . Eve ry orde r passe d by t h e Colle ctor in respe ct to applicationsunde r Se ction 4, Clau se s 6 a n d 7 , or unde r S e ctions 8 ,

d

App e a l from 39 , a n d 48 , sha ll b e app e alable to t h e Com m issione r OfO

e r s m ade on obj e c R d d f fi ll C tm m .e ve n u e , a n e ve ry or e r 0 e om m i ss 1on e r , e xce pwhe n othe rwise dire cte d by this A ct , sha ll be appe a l

able to th e Board of Re ve nue ; but n o appe a l sha ll l i e un de r this s e ctionaga inst a n y orde r u nl e ss t h e same b e pre se nte d within on e month fromthe date of th e orde r .S e ction 8 in clu de s orde r s of a l l kin ds u n de r Se ction 4, e xce pt orde r s r ef u s ing application s

u n de r C lau se s 6 a n d 7 h e n ce th e se ord e r s a re e xpr e ssly m ad e a ppe a lable . Bu t orde rs u n de r Par tII I are n ot appe alable . S e ction s 37 an d 38 ar e m ade appe a lable in t hose s e ction s .

( 54

60 . Subj ect t o th e right of appe a l above mentione d, an d t o th e

orde r a n d con trol Of Gove rnm e nt, e ve ry orde r pa sse dunde r the provision s a foresa id shall b e fina l, an d sha ll

not be open to revision by a n y Civil Court .This se ction e xpr e ssly bars t h e j u r isdiction of t h e C ivil Cou r t i n a l l m a tte r s re la tin g t o

e m ban km e n ts a n d d ra in age . I t is n ot qu i t e cle a r wha t provision s a for e sa id ’

re fe rs t o,—whe the r

t o a l l proce e din gs u n de r t h e Act, or on ly t o proce e din gs e n u m e ra te d in S e c t ion 59 . I f t h e la tte r ,which s e e m s t h e m ore probable , t h e ordin ary j u r isd iction Of t h e C ivil Cou r t is n ot barr e d a s

r e gards t h e re st of t h e Act.61 . In an y inquiry or app e a l he ld under this A ct , th e Colle ctor

a n d t h e Com m issione r sha ll re sp e ctive ly have t h e sam e

“ 50

21553?‘n q‘m y powe rs a s those confe rre d on Courts by t h e Code of

Civil Proce du r e , of sum moning an d e xamining witne sse sa n d compe lling t h e production of docume nts .

Ge n e r a l control 62 . A l l t h e powe rs of a Colle ctor unde r this A ct

of Com m ission e r sha ll b e e xe rcise d un de r t h e ge ne ra l control a n d orde rsa n d Govern m en t

Of t h e Com m issione r Of t h e Division , a n d a l l t h e powe r sof Colle ctors a n d Com m issione rs sha ll b e e xe rcise d subj e ct t o t h e ge ne ra lcontrol a n d orde r s Of t h e Boa rd of Re ve nu e a n d of t h e Gove rnm e nt.

63 . Whene ve r t h e ma in te nance of an y public e m bankme nt, or

t h e re te ntion of a n y land appropriate d t o th e purpose slg

ie poe a l of l e ngs the re of, m ay n o lon ge r b e re qu ire d, a n d th e p e rman e nt

3 23 232133: re linqu ishm e n t Of t h e same m ay b e de e m e d e xp e die nt,

such land sha ll be conve ye d by t h e Colle ctor t o t h epropri e tor of t h e land within t h e li m its of which it m ay b e situa te d, onpaym e nt of t h e com pe nsation , if a n y, which wa s pa id for such landwhe n t h e sam e wa s take n for th e purpos e of t h e embankm e nt . I f t h e

proprie tor of such lan ds r e fu se . or ne gl e ct t o pay such pr ice within a

re a sonable time a fte r demand , t h e same shall b e sold by t h e Colle ctorfor su ch price a s h e can obt a in for th e same . A l l sums Obta ine d forth e con ve yance of la n ds unde r t h e provisions of this se ction sha ll, a fte rt h e payme nt of a l l e xpe n se s incu rre d on a ccou nt of th e sam e

,b e

applie d t o th e payme nt of t h e cost of an y n ew e m bankm e nt or dr a inageworks a ffe cting t h e sa id lands, a n d in su ch ca se t h e re sidue only

of th e cost of such n ewworks sha ll b e charge d upon t h e zemindars ofestate s b e ne fite d, a s he re inbe fore provided .

Th e own e r h as th e r ight of pr e - e m ption a t t h e am ou n t of com pe n sa tion or igin a lly pa idoth e rwi s e t h e Col le ctor m ay se l l t o a n yon e h e ple a se s . Th e word propri e tor,

’ be in g re stricte d by t h ed e fin ition t o t h e holde r of a t e n u r e , se e m s in corr e ctly u se d he re , wh e r e i n m an y case s h e will b e t h eholde r of a n e sta te ; b u t i f t h e la n d is pa rt of a te n u r e i n a n e sta te , it i s e vide n tly t h e t e n u re - hold e rwh o, u n de r t h e de fin ition of t h e word , wil l a lon e have t h e r ight of pr e - e m ption .

I t i s for t h e Colle ctor t o ju dge what is a re ason able t im e .

’

Th e proce e ds shou ld b e added t o t h ere ce ipts u n d e r S e ction 34. N o i n te r e st will a ppare n tly h e claim able , b u t t h e r e ce ip ts be in g sm a l l

will n e ve r re m a in lon g u n cov e r e d by e xp e n ditu r e .

64. A Colle ctor m ay de le gate a n y Of his powe rs und e r this A ct

11 t dto a D e pu ty Colle ctor, but from an y orde r pa sse d by

if ,e '

a D e puty Coll e ctor to whom powe rs have b e e n so de lepow e r s t o a De pu ty gate d, a n appe a l shall l i e t o t h e Colle ctor if pre se nte d

within thir ty days of t h e date of t h e orde r.A Colle ctor m ay con se qu e n tly de le ga te t h e powe r of de le ga tin g t o a n En gin e e r t o a De pu ty

Col le ctor .

65 . A l l offence s cre ate d by this A ct sha ll be inquire d into a n d

J ur isdiction trie d by a Magistrate of t h e first or se cond cla ss .66 . Nothing in this A ct shall a ffe ct t h e provision s

of The Hooghly a n d Bu rdwan Dra inage A ct ,

O rde rs to b e fin a l.

55

SCHEDULE OF FORMS .

SCHEDULE A .

— (Rej’

e r r ed to in Se ct ion

A l l persons inte reste d a r e here by re quire d t o take notice tha tit is my inte ntion t o

[ h e r e s t a t e th e n a tu r e of th e work to b e u n de r t ake n"for th e purpose of

[ s ta t e th e p u rpose". For th e exe cution of this work the unde rme ntionedland will b e re quired to b e take n up

situ a t e d. i s situ a te d .

Are a Of la n d.

Plans, sp e cifications, an d e stim ate s of t h e propose d work,toge the r

with a copy of t h e su rve y m ap showing the boundarie s of t h e vil lage sof t h e various e state s like ly t o be a ffe cte d by t h e sa id work , ar e ope nfor inspe ction by an y interested person a t this office , who is a llowed totake copie s the re of .The tota l probable cost of such work will b e th e sum of Rs .

a n d t h e ra te pe r a cre of t h e area bene fited or prote cted by the sa idwork is estim ate d a t Rs .

Th e foll owing e state s a n d vill age s wil l probably b e a ffected byth e work propose d [ h e r e s e t ou t a l is t of th e e s t a t e s a n d vi l lage s".

A n y pe rson inte re ste d a n d de sirous of showing cause aga inst t h eexe cu tion of t h e works sp e cifie d is here by re quire d to appear beforet h e Colle ctor for tha t purpose on the day of

Th e day of

Col l e ctor of

Whe n th e work wil l b e don e a t t h e sol e cost of Gove rn m e n t, i t ca n n n ot b e n e ce ssa ry t o sta tet h e probable cost or t h e r a te pe r a cre , b u t n ot ice m u st b e s e rv e d t o give pe rson s in te re s te d a n

Opportu n i ty of obj e c t in g if t h e work will i n ju r e the m .

SCHEDULE B .—(Ref e r r e d to in Se ct ion

Notice is he re by give n that unde r t h e provisions of S e ction 1 1of th e B e nga l Embankm e nt A ct , 1 873 , t h e land he re unde r spe cifie dh a s be en take n up, an d notice there of h a s be e n give n to the Collector of

situ a te d . a re a of la n d .

Col le ctor of

( 56

SCH EDULE C.—(Ref e r r ed to in Se ct ion

A l l pe rsons in te re ste d ar e re qu ir e d t o take notice that un de r th eprovision s of S e ction 1 1 of t h e B e nga l Em bankme n t A ct , 1873 , t h eColle ctor of h a s take n posse ssion on a ccou nt of t h e Gove rnme nt of [ h e r e s ta t e p a r t icu la r s of th e la n d t ake n", a n d tha tcla im s t o compe nsa tion for a l l inte re sts in su ch land must b e m ade t ot h e Colle ctor . A ll pe r sons having a n y such cla im s ar e the re fore r e qu ir

e d t o appe ar pe rson all y or by age nt on day of a t

a n d t o sta te t h e na tu re of the ir r e spe ctive inte re sts in such lan d, an d

t h e amount an d particulars of the ir cla ims to compensation for suchinte re sts .

The

Col le ctor of

Se ction 1 1 in this an d Sch e du le B se e m s t o b e a cle rical e rror for S e ction 1 2 . Lan d m ay b e

tak e n sum m ar i ly for t h e pu rpose s of works ca rr ie d on e i the r u n de r Se ction 11 or Se c t ion 18, b u t inboth case s it is t o b e tak e n su m m arily u n de r th e provision s of S e ction 1 2 .

SCHEDULE D .—(Ref e rr e d to in Se ct ion s 34, 85, a n d

N o. 1 .

Righ t Em ba n km e n t on th e Se lye Rive r f rom I sn agor e to K ola .

This is a continuous line of embankm e nt on t h e right bank of th eS e lye Rive r, 3 mile s fe e t, more or le ss , in le ngth . It com m e nce sa t a ma sonry pilla r fixe d in t h e grou nd in th e village of I sn agor e , of

Pe rgunn ah Bogr e e , a n d te rm inates a t a ma sonry pillar in t h e village of

Kola , in the sa id p e rgunnah .

b

N os . l , 2 , an d 4, are ve ry high u p on t h e Se lye , an d t h e e xpe die n cy of m a in ta in in g th e mdou t fu l .

N o. 2 .

Righ t Em ba n km e n t on th e Se lye Rive r f rom Chota Roop ram to N a rooa .

This is a continuou s line of embankme nt on t h e right bank of t h eS e lye Rive r, 4 m ile s 770 fe e t, more or le ss, in le ngth . It com

m e n ce s a t a ma sonry pillar fixe d in t h e ground in t h e village of ChotaRoopram , of Pe rgu nnah Bogr e e , an d te rm ina tes a t a ma sonry pillar int h e vill age of N arooa , in the sa id pe rgunnah .

N o . 3 .

Righ t Em ban km e n t on th e Se lye Ris e r f rom Sr ir amp or e to Ga n chia .

This is a continuous line of e mba n kme nt on t h e right bank of th e

S e lye Rive r, 7 m ile s fe e t,more or le ss , in le ngth . It com m e n ce s

a t a ma son ry pillar fixe d in t h e groun d in t h e village of Sr iram por e , of

Pe rgu n nah Ch an de rkon a , an d termin ate s a t a masonry pillar in t h evillage of Gan ch ia , in the sa id pergunnah .

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No. 9 .

Righ t Em ba nkm e n t on th e Roop n ar a in Rive r .

This is a continuous line of embankme nt on the right bank of th eRive r Roopn ar a in , 29 mile s fe e t, m ore or le ss, in le ngth . Itcommence s a t a ma sonry pillar fixe d in th e ground di stant 57 fe e tsouth - e a st by

' compa ss from th e M a ch n an masonry sluic e on t h e rightbank of t h e Doorb ach a t t i Khall, in t h e village of Ma chuan , Pe rgunnahM u n dl e gh au t , an d te rminate s a t a m a sonry pillar a t t h e ze ro mile - poston t h e bank of t h e Tida l Can a l, Re a ch I . This mil e - post bears 500fe e t south- we st by compass from t h e Cana l Toll- house , in the vill ageof Cam a lpor e , of Pergunnah M ysadu l .

This e m ban km e n t i s con tin uou s , an d the r e for e pr e sum ably sh e wn u n de r on e n u m b e r ; b u t t h eobliga tion t o ke e p up t h e sou the rn portion of i t r e sts on a qu it e diffe re n t b a s is f rom tha t of ke e pi n gup t h e n orthe r n por t ion .

No . 10.

Righ t Em ba n km e n t on th e Pyra toonge e K h a l l .

This is a continuous lin e of e m bankment on t h e right bank ofthe Pyra t oon ge e Kha ll, fe e t, more or le ss , in le ngth . Itcommence s a t a ma son ry pillar fixe d in t h e ground in t h e village of

Pyr a t oon ge e , of Pe rgunnah Tum l ook, on t h e Roopn ara in e m bankm e nt,

right bank, a n d te rminate s a t a ma sonry pil lar dista n t 187 fe e t we stof a temple on t h e Tu m lookRoad, in the vill age of Barpadoob asu n , inthe sa id pergunnah.

No . 1 1 .

Lef t Em ban km e n t on th e Pyra toonge e K ha l l .

This is a continuous line of embankme nt on the left bank of th ePyra t oon ge e Kha ll, fe e t, more or le ss, in le ngth . It comme nce sa t a ma sonry pil lar in the ground in t h e village of Pyra t oon ge e , of

Pe rgu nnah Tum look, an d on t h e Roopn ar a in e m b a n kme n t,r ight bank

,

a n d te rminate s a t a ma sonry pill ar in th e village of Barpadoob asu n ,in

t h e said pergunnah .

No . 12 .

Righ t Em ba nkm e n t on t h e Gu ngakha l ly K ha l l .

This is a continuous line of embankme nt on the right bankof t h e Gu n gakh a l ly Kha ll, 3 mile s fe e t

,more or le ss ,

in le ngth . It comm e nce s a t a ma son ry pillar fixe d in the groundi n t h e village of Soodh apor e , of Pe rgunnah Tu m look

,on the

Roopn a ra in e m bankm e n t,right ba n k, a n d te rminate s a t a ma sonry

pillar distant 675 fe e t e a st of th e Rogon a thpor e masonry slu ice, in th evil lage of Sye dpor e , in t h e sa id pergunnah .

59

No. 18 .

Lef t Em ba n km e n t on th e Gu n gaka l lg K ha l l .

This is‘

a continuous line of embankment on th e le ft bank of theGu n gakh al ly Khall , 8 mile s fe e t, more or le ss, in l e ngth . Itcom m e nce s a t a ma sonry pill ar fixe d in th e ground in t h e village ofM ysda , of Pe rgunnah Tu m look, on th e Roopn a ra in e mbankm e nt,right ban k, a n d te rm inate s a t a m a sonry pill a r di stant 170 fe e t northe a st of t h e Rogon a t hpor e ma sonry sluice on t h e right bank of theGu n gakh ally Kha ll, in t h e village of Rogon a t hpore , in the sa idp e rgunnah .

N o. 14.

Righ t Em ba nkm e n t on th e Soadiggi K ha l l .

This is a continuous l ine of embankment on the right bank of theSoadiggi Kha ll, 2 m ile s fe e t, more or le ss, in le ngth . It comm e n ce s a t a ma sonry pilla r fixe d in the ground in the vill age of Soadiggi

, of Pe rgu n nah Tu m look, on t h e Roopn arain embankme nt,right

ba n k, an d te rminate s a t a masonry pillar in th e vil l age of Ja sam n a thpore

,in th e sa id pe rgunnah .

N o. 15 .

Lef t Em ba n km e n t on th e Soadiggi K ha l l .

This is a continuous line of embankme nt on th e le ft bank of theSoadi ggi Kha ll , 2 mile s fe e t, more or le ss , in le ngth . It comme ne e s a t a ma sonry pillar fixe d in t h e ground in t h e vill age of Soadiggi

,of Pe rgunnah Tu m look, on t h e Roopn ar a in embankm e nt

,right

ba n k, an d te rm i nate s a t a ma sonry pillar in the vill age of Hugl a , in thesa id pergu nnah .

No . 1 6 .

Righ t E m ba n km e n t on th e Dooba chu t tg K ha l l .

This is a continuous line of embankme nt on the right bank of t h eDoob a chu t ty K ha ll, on e mil e fe e t, more or le s s

,in le ngth . It

comm e nces a t a masonry pill ar fixe d in the ground a t a distance of 550

fe e t nort h north - e a st of t h e Bhoodah factory chim n e y in t h e village of

Bh oodah , of Pe rgu nnah M u n dl e gh au t , a n d te rmin ate s a t a ma sonry pilla rdistant 57 fe e t south - e a st of th e M a ch n an ma sonry slu ice

,in t h e village

of Ma chuan, in the sa id p e rgunnah .

No . 17

M oha nkha l lg Circu i t Em ba n km e n t .

This is a circuit embankment 28 m il e s fe e t, more or le ss , inl e ngth . It comme nce s a t a ma son ry pillar fixed in t h e village of

K ool t igr e e , whe re the M ohu n kh a l ly River runs into the RCOpn ara in

River, a n d pa ssing alon the right bank of the M ohu n kh a l ly River,throu gh the vill age s of ol igu n sam , Se e t apore , Manoo to Ba san t opor e ,whe re th e M oh u n kh al ly a n d Doob achu t ty Rivers bifurcate ; the nceskirting the le ft ban k of the Doob ach u t ty Rive r it passe s thr ough t h evillage s of Sh ahpor e , Bosor e por e , an d Barm ogr ia to Ka chara ; the nc eskirting t h e Roopn ara in right bank , it pa sse s through t h e vill age of

Doodcou ra a n d Bagchin a an d te rminates a t the ma sonry pillara foresaid .

No . 18 .

P a n n ah Circu i t Em ba n km e n t .

This is a circuit embankme nt 9 mile s fee t, more or less, inle ngth. It comm e nce s a t a ma sonry pilla r bu i lt in the groun d on t h ele ft bank of t h e S e lye Rive r a t its junction with the Cossye Rive r ne ara temple in th e village of Bargob in doo, Pe rgunnah Barda . It pa sse sthrough t h e vill age s of Baramdi a n d Ran e e b az ar on t h e le ft bank oft h e S e lye Rive r, an d the n a long the right bank of t h e Kanta Kha ll,through the vill ages of Bh augadow, Parna , Baram dijh e e l , Tubli, a n dDh u rm pore , an d terminates a t t h e a foresa id pillar.

N o. 19 .

Gha t ta l Circu i t Em ba n km e n t .

This is a circuit embankme nt 10 mile s fe et, more or less,in le ngth . It comm ence s a t a ma sonry pillar bu i lt in t h e ground onthe le ft bank of t h e S e lye Rive r a t its bifurca tion with t h e A rgor Rive r,a n d pa ssing a long th e l ef t bank of t h e S e lye Rive r a n d through th evillage s of Sriram por e , Ba s sode b por e , a n d Sin gpor e , it skir ts t h e rightbank of th e A rgor a Kha ll through t h e village s of Ram ch u n de rpor e ,Rogon a th ch u ck a n d others, an d terminate s a t the ma sonry pillara foresaid .

No . 20.

Sh e ikpor e Circu i t Em ba n km e n t .

Th is is a circuit embankme nt 18 mile s fe e t, more or le ss,in le ngth . It comme nce s a t a ma sonry pillar built in t h e ground a t t h ebifur cation of th e Rive rs Sankra a n d J hoom e e in th e village of She ikpore , of Pu rgu n n ah Boyr ah , an d pa ssing a long t h e le ft bank of t h eJ hoom e e Rive r, through the vil l age s of Sr im a n tpor e , A n an de por e , a n d

Th akooran ch u ck, thence a long t h e right bank of the Sankra rive r,through th e village s of Nu r sin gch u ck, K ool a t , Goozra t , an d others,terminates a t th e a foresaid ma sonry pillar.

N o. 2 1 .

K ha sba r Circu i t Em bankm e n t .

This is a circuit embankment fiv e miles fe e t, more or l ess , inlength . It commence s a t a m asonry pillar bui lt in t h e ground a t t h e

point of bifurcation of the Jhoom e e an d A mada Rivers, in the vil lage

61

of Lal chu ck, Pe rgunnah Barda , an d pa ssing a long the right bank ofthe Jhoom e e Rive r, through the v ill age s of Parb u t t ichu ck, Prosadch u ck,a n d J oyb ag, a n d the nce a long th e le ft bank of the A m ada Rive r,through t h e village s of Kha sbar, Sowoi , an d

- La lchu ck, it terminatesa t the a foresaid masonry pillar.

No . 22 .

Ch e tooa Circu it Em ba n km e n t .

This is a circui t embankment 45 miles feet, more or less, inle ngth . It com mence s a t a ma sonry pillar built in th e ground a t t h e

ju nction of th e Roopn ara in Rive r a n d M oh u n kh a l lyKhall in th e villageof M oishga t t a , Pe rgunnah K h ar ij e e M u n dl e gh au t , an d passing a lon gthe le ft bank of the M oh u n kh a l lyKhall , through the village s of Dukinb ar , Gowr e e ch u ck, Gob in dn u ggu r , a n d Bosu n t opor e the nce a long thele ft b ank of the Cossye River, through the village s of Kola , M oh e shpor e ,Gocool n u ggu r , an d I sl am por e ; the nce a long the right bank o f th e SelyeRive r, thr ough the vill age s of Sooru tpore , Rogoon a t hpore , an d K on agor e ,to t h e junction of the S e lye an d R0 0pn ar a in River s a t Prot ab por e ; a n dthe nce a long the right bank of t h e Roopn ara in rive r, through t h evillages of Hu rr ishpor e , J ol e con aram , Ran e e chu ck, an d Gope egu n ge ,it terminates a t the a foresa id ma sonry pill ar .

No . 2 3 .

Doosasp or e Circu i t Em ba nkm e n t .

This is a circuit embankment 18 miles feet, more or less , inle ngth . It comme nces a t a ma sonry pill ar bui l t in the ground on th eright bank of t h e Cossye Rive r, distan t 704 fe e t an d bearing 2 0° fromt h e Doosa spor e slu i ce , in t h e vill age of Doosaspor e , of Pe rgunnah Ch e tooa ,a n d pa ssing a long the right bank of the Cossye Rive r, through t h evillage s of N ob in b asde opor e , K oon jpore , M oh e spor e , Te lon de e , a n d

Brickob an u por e thence pa ssing a long t h e le ft b ank of t h e P e t ooa

Khall , through t h e vill age s of Fu t t e hpor e , Godye por e , an dDh am kol a , itte rmin ate s a t another masonry pill ar in the village of K r it ib a spor e ,Pe rgunnah Ch e t ooa .

N o. 24.

N a r ajole Em ba n km e n t .

Thi s is an embankme nt 7 mile s fe et, more or less, in le ngth .

It commence s a t a ma sonry pilla r built in th e ground on t h e le ft bankof t h e Cossye Rive r in t h e village of Samat, Pe rgunnah Ch e tooa , an dpassing a long t h e le ft bank of the Cossye Rive r to the village of

M u du n m oh u n por e , an d thence a long th e right bank of S e lye Rive rthrough t h e village of Ram de b pore , it te rminate s a t another masonrypillar in the village of Ch an dikh a l ly, Pergunnah Ch e tooa .

No . 2 5 .

Bin da bu n chu ck Em ba nkm e n t .

This is an embankme nt 2 mile s 800 feet, more or le ss , in le ngth .

It commences a t a masonry pillar built in the ground in the village of

( 62

Bin dab u n chu ck, Pergunnah K har ij e e M u n dl e gh au t , an d running alon gt h e r igh t bank of t h e Doorb ach a t t i Kha ll, te rminate s a t anothe r ma sonrypilla r in the same village .

N o . 2 6 .

Dha n ga r ia E m ban km e n t .

This is an embankme nt 2 m ile s fe e t, more or le ss, in length .

It com m e nce s a t a m asonry pillar bu il t in t h e groun d in t h e village of

Dh an gar ia , Pe rgu nnah Je hanabad, a n d running a long t h e l ef t b ank oft h e Roopn ara in River, terminate s a t an other ma sonry pillar in t h e samevillage .

N o. 27 .

Righ t Em ba n km e n t on th e A dj a i Rive r .

This is a continuous line of embankme nt on t h e right bank of t h eA dj a i Rive r, seve n mile s fe e t, more or le ss, in le ngth . It com me ncesa t a ma son ry pillar fixed in t h e ground in t h e vi llage of Gou rb az ar ,of Pe rgunnah Sh e r e garh , an d te rm ina te s a t a ma sonry pil l a r a t t h e

junction of the Toom n e e Kha ll wi th the A dj a i River in the village of

K e j lade e , of Pe rgunnah Sh an pah ar e e .

No . 2 8.

Righ t Em ba n km e n t on th e A dia i Rice r .

This is a continu ous lin e of embankment on t h e right bank of t h eA dj a i Rive r, 4 mile s, more or le ss, in le ngth . It com m e nce s a t a

ma sonry pilla r fixe d in t h e grou nd ne ar a m a sonry sluice ne ar th e junction of t h e Toom n e e a n d Ba lpah ar e e K h a l l s in t h e vil lage of Bis t opor e ,of Pe rgunn ah Sh an pah ar e e , an d te rm inate s a t a masonry pillar in t h evillage of U rju n b oon e e , in the sa id p e rgunnah .

No . 29 .

Righ t Em ba n km e n t on th e A dj a i Rive r .

This is a continuous line of e m bankme nt on the right bank of t h eA dj a i Rive r , 1 1 m ile s , more or le ss , in le ngth . It comm e nce s a t a

m a sonry pillar fixe d in t h e ground in th e village of Sa tkon e a , Be rgunn ah Sh a n pah ar e e , a n d te rm inate s a t a masonry pillar in the village of

Sagu rpos t a , of Pe rgunnah Gope e b h oom .

N o. 80.

Lef t Em ba n km e n t on th e A dj a i Rive r .

This is a contin uou s line of embankme nt on t h e le ft bank of t h eA dj a i Rive r, 3 m il e s, more or le ss , in le ngth . It com me nc e s a t a

mason ry pillar fixe d in t h e groun d in th e village of Sin gh e e , of P e rgu nn ah A zm u t sh ah i , a n d te rminate s a t a masonry pillar in th e vi llage of

Bam oon e a , in the said pergunnah .

( 63

No . 81 .

Righ t Em ban km e n t on th e Dam oodu r Rive r .

This is a continuous line of e m bankme nt on th e right bank of th e

Dam oodu r Rive r, fe e t,more or le ss, in le ngth . It com me nce s a t

a m a sonry pillar fixe d in t h e grou nd in t h e village of Sadipor e , of

Pe rgu nnah H ab a l e e , an d te rm inate s a t a masonry pillar in t h e villageof K ist opor e , in the sa id pe rgunnah .

No . 32 .

Lef t Em ban km e n t on th e Dam oodu r Rive r .

This is a continu ous lin e of embankm e nt on t h e le ft ban k of theDam oodur Rive r, 1 07 mile s, more or le ss , in le n gth . It com m e nce sa t a m a sonry pillar fixe d in t h e groun d in the village of Sil lia , P e rgu n n ah Ch am pan u ggu r , a n d te rm inate s a t a ma sonry pillar in thevillage of A lipore , of Pergunnah M u n dl e gh au t .

N o. 33 .

Righ t Em ba n km e n t on th e Dam oodu r Rir e r .

This is a continuou s line of e m ba n km e n t on t h e right bank oft h e Dam oodu r Rive r, 1 m ile 2 60 fe e t, m or e or le ss , in le ngth . It comm e n ce s a t a m a sonry pillar fixe d in t h e ground in t h e village of Lake a ,Pe rgun nah H ab a l e e , an d te rm inates a t a masonry pillar in the villageof Be rgang

,in the s a id pergunnah .

N o. 34.

Righ t Em ban km e n t on th e Dam oodu r Rive r .

This is a continuous lin e of e m ba n kme nt on t h e right bank of theDam oodu r Rive r , fe e t , more or le ss , in le ngth . It commence s a t ama son ry pillar fixe d in t h e ground in t h e village of Bu l r am por e , P e r

gu n n ah H ab a l e e , a n d te rm inate s a t a ma sonry pill ar in the sa id village .

No . 35 .

Righ t Em ba n km e n t on th e Dam oodu r Rive r .

This is a continuous line of embankme nt on t h e right b ank oft h e Dam oodu r Rive r, 1 mile 52 8 fe e t, more or le ss, in le ngth . It comm e n ce s a t a masonry pillar fixe d in t h e ground in t h e village of

Z a n girpor e , Pe rgun nah H ab a l e e , a n d te rmin ate s a t a masonry pillarin the village of Sr eki st opor e , in the sa id p e rgunnah .

No . 36 .

Righ t Em ba nkm e n t on th e Dam oodu r Rice r .

This is a continuous line of emban kme nt on t h e right bank ofthe Dam oodur Rive r, 1 8 m ile s, more or le ss

,in le ngth . It comm e nce s

a t a m a sonry pillar fixe d in t h e ground in th e village of Ooz irpor e ,Pe rgu nn ah H a b a l e e , a n d te rm inate s a t a masonry pillar in th e vill ageof D e hi Barsa t, of Pe rgunnah Barsu t .

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N o. 37 .

Righ t Em ba nkm e n t on th e Damoodu r Rive r .

This is a continuous line of embankment on the right bank ofthe Dam oodu r Rive r, 29 mile s feet, more or less, in le ngth .

It comme nces a t a masonry pil lar fixed in the ground a t the junctionof t h e Gygh a t t e e Kha l with th e Dam oodu r Rive r in the village of

Gygh a t t e e , Pe rgunnah A rsa , a n d terminate s a t a ma sonry pillar a t t h ej un ction of the RCOpn ara in an d Hoogh ly Rive rs a t t h e 32n d m ile - poston the Roopn ara in le ft embankment in the village of M agrapa th u r , ofPe rgunnah M u n dl e gh au t .

No . 38.

Lef t Em ba n km e n t on th e R00p n ara in Rive r .

This i s a continuou s line of embankme nt on the left bank ofthe Rive r Roopn ara in ,

31 mil e s feet, more or less, in le ngth .

It commence s a t a masonry pillar fixe d in t h e ground a t t h e junctionof the Roopn ara in River an d the Bakh se e Kha ll in the village of

Bakh se e , Pe rgunnah M u n dl e gh au t , an d terminate s a t a ma sonry pillara t th e junction of the Hooghly an dRoopn ara in Rive rs a t th e 32 n dmilepost of the Roopn ar a in embankme nt in the village of M agrapa thu r ,Pergunnah M u n dl e gh au t .

No . 39 .

This is a continuous line of embankment 41 miles an d 155 feet,

more or less , in length . It comme nce s a t a masonry pilla r built in t h eground in the vil lage of K hoda lgob ra , Pe rgunnah Bir kul, an d runningge ne ra lly para ll e l with the coast line of t h e Bay of B e nga l

,te rminate s

a t a ma sonry pill ar on th e Conta i a n d K e dge ri Road on the right bankof th e Ru ssu lpore River in the village of Sh am ch u ck, PergunnahK owram al .

This is t h e gre a t se a dyke de sign e d t o arre st a storm - wave .

No . 40.

This is a continuous line of e mbankme nt 30 mile s, more or less,in length . It comm e nce s a t a ma sonry pillar bui lt in t h e ground ont h e Contai a n d K e dge ri Road on the right bank of th e Ru ssu lpor e

Rive r, in the village of Sam ch u ck, Pe rgunnah K owram al , an d runninga long the right bank of the Ru ssu lpor e Rive r a s fa r a s the Conta i an dTu m look Road, a n d thence al ong the right bank of t h e Serpa i Rive r,te rminate s a t a masonry pillar in the village of A t l agori, PergunnahM aj n am u t t a .

No . 41 .

Thi s is a cir cuit embankment on the right bank of the Ru ssu lpor eRiver 2 miles fe e t, more or le ss, in le ngth . It comme nce s a n dte rminates a t a ma sonry pillar built in th e ground in t h e village ofSanboria , Pe rgun nah Bah irim u t t a .

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N o. 47 .

This is a circuit emba n km e n t 34mile s fe e t, more or le ss, inle n gth . It comm e n ce s a t a m a son ry pillar built in t h e ground ne ar t h eBa r ju Ghat in t h e village of Barju , Pe rgu n n ah N ar n am u t t a

, a n d ru n

ning a lon g t h e r ight bank of t h e M adakh a l ly Rive r , t h e le ft ba n k of

t h e Bagdab Rive r, a n d t h e right b ank of t h e Ch ackb owa n i K ha ll,

te rm in a te s a t t h e a fore sa id pilla r . It pa sse s through th e village s ofBar ju

,Sim ul ba r i, Dism ila , K am gar a , Ida lpor e , K a lu r a t h ari , Lisch in t ar ,

U l l a lb ar a , K on iab ar , Bh a st aga r a , K ha la K a lkadar i , Su n darpor e ,M a l l ickpore , Ba l l ab por e , Sukakh ol a , Udaypor e , Gopa lpor e , Ba ro A dapor e , Tam l apu ra , Ch akb a t a , Ca l sa i , Cu l b ar ia , Ch akm a th u r i , Ch akah a

b a n i,Bh ayr ab dar i , Sou th Chando, M a n gl e por e , Dakh in dar a

,Pa r t ab digi ,

Bam a n b a sa n , Sit adigi , K i st a n u gge r , Pan e soor i , Sa rdab a r , Ma thu r a ,Ch akros a l

,K h a cu ra

,M a n ga l ch u ck, Ton ab il a , A r j a n u ggu r , Pu r u lia ,

M ah e sda , K am gara , Ma lda, Barj e e , a n d Pe rgu n n ahs N a r n am u t t a ,

Kism a t Pa t a spor e , Kisma t Da n to, K h a ra ig, Par t ab jh an , Pa t a spor e ,a n d Bh a tgar .

No . 48 .

This is a circuit emban km e n t 1 1 m ile s fe e t, m ore or le ss, inle n gth

,lyin g be twe e n t h e M adakh a l ly Rive r a n d Udb ada l Khall .

‘Itcom m e nce s a t a m a son ry pillar b u ilt in t h e grou n d a t t h e ju n ction of

t h e M adakh a l ly Rive r a n d Udb ada l K ha ll in t h e village of N a t u r e a ,Pe rgu nn ah N ar n am u t t a , a n d pa ssin g throu gh th e village s of Udb ada l ,Ch am pa in u ggu r , Con a sdigi , N a th ar a , K h a tm ar i , E t ab a r ia , N a u digi ,M a n ikj a r , H a sgor ia , M a n ikjor Ba sde b b ar ia , Pa t a rb ar a , Pergu nnahN ar n am u t t a , te rm inate s a t t h e a fore sa id pillar .

N o . 49 .

This is a circuit embankm e nt 1 1 m ile s fe e t, more or le ss, inle ngth , lyin g be twe e n t h e Ikt iarpor e Kha ll, M adakh a l ly Rive r , a n dUdb adal Khall . It comme nce s a t a m asonry pillar b u ilt in t h e grou n da t th e ju nction of t h e M adakh al ly Rive r a n d Ikt iarpor e K ha ll in t h e

village of Rogon a th ch u ck, Pe rgu n n ah Na r n am u t t a , a n d ru n n in a lont h e le ft ba n k of t h e M adakh a l ly Rive r , le ft ba n k of th e Udb ada l K ha ll ,a n d right bank of t h e Ikt iarpor e Kha ll, te rm in ate s a t t h e a for e sa idpil lar. It pa ss e s throu gh th e vi llage s of Udb ada l , Pa tn a , Du m u rdar i ,Podu t ardi , South Biada , I chh apor e , P au ch gar ia , Bh u pa t in u ggu r , Rogon a th ch u ck, N an dich u ck, K hor in e t , Gob in dapor e , J ogom oh un por e , Cham

pa in u ggur

, K a n j adapor e , Udb ada l , a n d th e Pe rgun nahs of N ar n am u t t a

a n d K oaa l .

N o. 50.

This is a continuou s line of e m bankm e nt 3 mile s fe e t, moreor le ss , in le ngth . It com m e nce s a t a m a sonry pillar bu ilt in t h e

groun d in t h e village of Ram ch u ck, Pe rgun nah Su gam u t t a , a n d r un

n ing a long t h e right ba n k of t h e Ikt iarpor e Kha ll, te rminate s a t a pil l arin the village of Radh apor e , Pergu nn ah E rin ch .

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N o. 5 1 .

This is a circuit e m bankm e nt 7 m ile s fe e t, more or le ss , inle n gth, be twe e n t h e K a l iaghye Rive r a n d t h e Bagui Kha ll . Itcom m e nce s a t a ma son ry pillar bu ilt in t h e grou nd a t t h e jun ction of

t h e K a l iaghye Rive r with t h e Bagui K ha ll in t h e village of Daropa t n a ,Pe rgun nah Pa t a spor e , a n d passin g throu gh t h e village s of Gocoolpor e ,Gol ah a t , Da ropa t n a , Pe rgunnah Pa t a spor e , te rmin ate s a t t h e a for e sa idma sonry pilla r .

N o. 52 .

This is a circu it e m ba n km e nt 2 0 m ile s , m or e or le ss, in le n gth .

It comm ence s a t a m a sonry pillar built in t h e grou nd on t h e southside of th e ju n ction of th e Th a lpu t t i Kha ll with th e Ru ssu lpor e Rive rin t h e village of Gu m gar , Pe rgu nnah Ka sba H idge l l e e , a n d runnin ga long t h e le f t bank of t h e Ru ssu lpor e Rive r t o its conflu e nce with t h es e a

,the n following t h e coa st lin e t o t h e embou chure of t h e Th a lpu t t i

K ha ll in th e Bay of B e nga l, a n d the nce running a long t h e south b ankof t h e Th a lpu t t i Kha ll, te rm inate s a t t h e a fore sa id pillar. I t pa sse sthrough t h e village s of Gor ab ar , De b ichu ck, Da n dchu ck

, Ka tka ,Sam por e , Baga , Padu rb ar ia , N e n apa t a , M oh e n dra n u ggu r , K ol aga ch ia ,Panchbar i, Osil chu ck, H on ab ar ia , Orukb ar ia , Sa loon da , Sah ib ch u ck,Bam u n ch u ck, Barabari, Phulbari, an d M u l ich u ck, a l l in t h e Pe rgunn ahKa sba H idge l l e e .

N o. 53 .

This is a continuous line of emban kme nt 60 m ile s fe e t,more

or le ss, in le n gth . I t com m ence s a t a m a sonry pillar bu ilt in t h e groun don t h e le ft b ank of t h e Cossye Rive r in t h e vi llage of Ba rgoda ,Pe rgu n nah Tu m look, a n d ru n nin g a lon g th e le ft ban k of th e Cossye

a n d Hulde e Rive rs t o t h e conflue nce of t h e latte r with t h e Rive rHooghly, a n d the nce a long t h e right bank of t h e Hooghly a n d

Roopn ar a in Rive rs, te rm in ate s a t a m a sonry pilla r in t h e village of

Banka , about on e - fou rth of a mile north of a Hindu tem ple on t h e le ftbank of t h e Banka Kha ll .

N o. 54.

This is a circu it emba n kme nt 1 2 m ile s fe e t , m ore or le ss,in

le ngth, situate d b e twe e n t h e K a l iaghye a n d Cossye Rive rs . It com

m e n ce s a t a m a sonry pillar built in t h e groun d a t t h e ju n ction of t h es a id r ive r s, a n d runnin g a lon g t h e le ft ba n k of t h e K a l iaghye Rive r a n dt h e right ba n k of t h e Cossye Rive r , te rm in ate s a t t h e a for e sa id pillar.It pa ss e s through t h e village s of Purse , Non akh a r i , La ch a n por e ,N a rku ldi , Soon ab h oy, A snan , Ch a u n dib arya , M a ch oda l , K hol akh a l ly,K a lkadar i , Pa u chpukh iria , K ist och u ck, a n d Sa l u gar ia , a l l in t h e P e rgu n n ah Tum look.

No . 55 .

Ramp or e Be a u le ah ol i l E m ba n km e n t .

This is a con tinuous line of e m ba n kme nt on th e le ft bank of t h eRiver Gange s fe e t in le n gth, more or le ss . It comme nces a t

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a ma sonry pillar t o b e fixe d in t h e ground a t th e village of K a su b pore ,Pe rgunnah Gh u rr e e h a th , a n d te rmin ate s a t a ma sonry pillar t o b e fixeda t th e village Ta l l iam u r e e , Pergunnah Laskarpor e .

No . 56 .

Ramp or e Be au le ah Em ba n km e n t .

This is a contin uou s line of embankme nt on t h e le ft bank of th e

Rive r Gange s, fe e t in le ngth, more or le ss . It comme nce s a t a

m a sonry pillar t o b e fixe d in t h e ground a t t h e village of Bol a n por e ,Pe rgunn ah Gh u rr e e h a th , an d te rmin ate s a t a masonry pilla r in t h evillage of K u du lku t t e e

,Pe rgunnah Ghu r r e e h ath , whe re it joins th e

road t oDin age por e .

N o. 57 .

M a lda h Em ba nkm e n t .

This is a continuou s lin e of embankment on th e right bank of t h eM ah a n u ddyRive r, fe e t, more or le ss , in le ngth . It com m e n ce sa t a ma son ry pilla r t o b e fixe d in th e groun d a t t h e village of K oot u b

pore , Pe rgu n nah A m e e rab ad, a n d te rmina te s a t a masonry pillar in t h evillage of M oh e shpor e , Pe rgunnah Va tra .

24- PERGUNNAHS .

N o. 58 .

Lef t Em ba n km e n t on th e Rive r H oogh ly.

This is a con tinuous embankme nt on t h e le ft bank of th e Rive rHooghly, 5 mile s fe e t, more or le ss, in le n gth . It com

m e n ce s a t M u n n e e kh a l l e e Kha ll a t a ma sonry pilla r fixe d in t h eground in th e village of Ju ggon n a th n u ggu r , a n d te rmin ate s a t a

m a sonry pillar in t h e village of M e e jgh u r , on t h e north side of Ch u rr ia lKha ll, ne ar t h e junction of t h e Hooghly River a n d Ch u rr ia l Khall .

No . 59 .

Righ t Ba n k of Chu r r ia l K ha l l .

This is a continuous emba n kme nt on t h e right bank of t h e Ch u rr ia lKhall, fe e t, more or le ss , in le ngth . It com me n ce s a t a m a son r

pillar in t h e village of M e e jgh u r , on t h e north side of Ch u rr ia l Kha ll,n e ar t h e ju nction of Hooghly Rive r a n d Chur r ia l Kha ll

,a n d te rm in a te s

a t a m a sonry pillar in t h e village of Gh u rb a n m on e a , on t h e n or thbank of Chur r ia l Kha ll, ne ar the junction of Chu r r ia l Kha ll a n d t h eCa lcutta an d A t ch e e pore Road .

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No . 60 .

Lef t Ba n k of Cha rr ia i K ha l l .

This is a continuous e m ban km e n t on the le ft bank of Ch u rr ia lKhall , fe e t, m ore or le ss , in le n gth . It com m e n ce s a t a m a son rypillar in t h e village of J oych u n de e por e , n e ar t h e ju n ction of le ft ba n kof Ch u rr ia l K hall a n d th e Ca lcu tta an d A t ch e e por e Road , a n d te rm in a te sa t a m a sonry pillar in t h e sa id village of J oychu n de e por e , ne a r t h e

‘

junction of Rive r Hooghly an d Ch u rr ia l Kha ll .

N o. 61 .

Lef t Ba n k of Hoogh lyRis e r .

This is a continuou s embankme n t on t h e le ft bank of HooghlyRive r, 1 9 m ile s fe e t, m ore or le ss, in le ngth . It comme nce s a ta ma sonry pillar in t h e village of Joych u n de e por e , n e a r t h e ju nctionof Rive r Hooghly a n d Ch u rr ia l K ha ll, a n d con tinu e s a long t h e le ftba n k of t h e HooghlyRive r t o Pooj a l l e e K hall, on both side s of Pooj a l l e eKha ll

,be twe e n t h e Rive r Hooghly a n d t h e road le adin g from Ca lcutta

t o A t ch e e por e , a n d aga in down t h e le ft bank of th e Rive r Hooghly tot h e right ba n k of Fu l t a K ha ll, a n d te rmin a te s a t a m a sonry pillar int h e village of Pulta , n e a r t h e ju nction of Rive r Hooghly a n d Fu l t a

Kha ll .

N o. 62 .

Righ t Ba n k of Fa l ta K ha l l .

This is a continuous e m bankme nt on the right bank of Pul taKha ll, 2 mile s fe e t, m or e or le ss , in le ngth . It comm e nce s a ta ma sonry pillar in t h e village of Fu l t a , on th e north side of th e kha ll

,

ne ar t h e j unction of Rive r Hooghly a n d P u l ta Kha ll, a n d te rm inate s

a t a ma sonry pill ar on t h e right bank of Fu l t a Kha ll in the village ofSohara .

No . 63 .

Lef t Ba n k of Fa l t a K h a l l .

This is a continuous embankme nt on t h e le ft bank of Fu l t a Kha ll,2 mile s fe e t, more or le ss , in le ngth . It comm e nce s a t a mason rypillar on t h e le ft bank of Fu l t a Kha ll, in t h e village of Bosoode apor e ,an d te rmina te s a t a ma sonry pil lar on t h e le ft ba n k of t h e kha ll int h e village of Tar agu n ge , ne ar t h e j unction of River Hooghly an dFu l t a Kha ll .

No . 64.

Lef t Ban k of Hoogh lyRive r .

This is a continuous emba n kme nt on t h e le ft ban k of RiverHooghly, 1 1 m ile s fe e t, more or le ss

,in le n gth . It com m e nce s

a t a m a sonry pillar in t h e village of Taragu n ge , n e a r t h e ju nction ofRive r Hooghly a n d Fu l t a Kha ll, an d te rmina te s a t a m a son ry pil larin t h e village of Se e m oolgu n ge , on t h e right bank of K h ol akh a l e eK hall, near it s junction with Hooghly Rive r.

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N o. 65 .

Righ t Ba nk of K holakha le e K h a l l .

This is a continuou s embankm e nt on th e right bank of Kholakh a l e e K ha ll, fe e t, m ore or le ss

,in l e ngth . It com me n ce s a t

a m a son ry pillar in th e village of Se e m u lgu n ge on t h e right b ank ofK hol akh a l e e Kha ll, ne ar its junction with Hooghly Rive r, a n d te rm in a te s a t a m a son ry pillar on t h e right bank of t h e kha ll in t h e villageof Du rr e e Govin dpor e .

N o. 66 .

Left Ba n k of K holakha le e K ha l l .

This is a con tinuous emba n km e nt on t h e le ft bank of Kholakh a l e e Kha ll, fe e t, m ore or le ss

,in le ngth . It com m e n ce s a t

a m a son ry pillar on t h e le ft bank of K h ol akh a l e e Kha ll in t h e villageof J u n ga lpa rah , a n d te rm in a te s a t a ma sonry pilla r on t h e le ft b a n kof t h e kha ll in t h e village of Ram ch u n de rn u ggu r , ne ar t h e j unction ofHooghly .River a n d K hol akh a l e e K hall.

No . 67 .

Lef t Ba n kof H oogh lyRive r .

This is a continuou s embankme nt on t h e le ft ban k of Rive rHooghly, 3 mile s fe e t, m ore or le ss, in le n gth . It comm e n ce sa t a m a sonry pillar in t h e village of Ram ch u n de rpor e , ne ar t h ejun ction of Hooghly Rive r a n d K h ol akh a l e e K ha ll, a n d te rm in ate s a ta m a sonry pillar on t h e right ba n k of Diam ond Harb ou r Cr e e k in t h evillage of H aj e e por e , ne ar t h e ju nction of Hooghly Rive r a n d Diam ondHarbour Cre e k .

No . 68 .

This is a continuous e m bankm e nt on th e right bank of DiamondHarbour Cre e k, 7 m ile s fe e t

,m ore or le ss

,in le ngth . It com

m e ne e s a t a m a sonry pillar on t h e right b ank of Diam ond Harbou rCr e e k in t h e village of H aj e e por e , n e ar t h e ju nction of HooghlyRive r a n d Diam on d Harbou r Cr e e k, a n d te rm in a te s a t a m a son rypillar on t h e right bank of Diamond Harbour Cre e k in th e village of

De ar n ah .

N o . 69 .

Lef t Ba n k of Diam on d H a r bou r Cr e ek.

This is a continuou s embankme nt on t h e le ft bank of DiamondHarbou r Cre e k , 6 m ile s 680 fe e t, m ore or le ss, in le ngth . It comm e n ce s a t a ma sonry pillar on t h e le ft bank of Diam on d Harb ourCr e e k in t h e village of De ar n ah , a n d te rm ina te s a t a m a son ry pillar ont h e le ft bank of t h e Diam ond Harb ou r Cr e e k in t h e Village of M ad

h u b por e , ne ar t h e junction of Hooghly Rive r a n d Diam on d HarbourCr e e k.

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N o . 70 .

Lef t Ba n k of th e H oogh ly Rive r .

This is a continuous e mbankm e n t on th e le ft bank of Rive rHooghly

,8 m ile s, m ore or le ss , in le n gth . It com m e n ce s a t a m a son ry

pilla r on t h e le ft ba n k of Diam on d Ha rbou r Cr e e k , in t h e village of

M adh u b por e , n e ar t h e j unction of Hooghly Rive r a n d Diam ond H ar

bou r Cre e k, a n d te rm in ate s a t a m a son ry pillar on t h e r ight b an k ofCul pe e N u dde e in t h e village of M osam ar e e

,n e ar t h e j u nction of

Hooghly Rive r a n d Cu lpe e N u dde e .

No . 71 .

Righ t Ba n k of Cu lp e e N adde e .

This i s a contin uous e m ba n kme n t on th e right ba n k of Cu lpe e

N u dde e , 1 m ile , more or le ss , in le n gth . It com m e n ce s a t a ma son rypillar on t h e right bank of Cu l p e e N u dde e in t h e village of M osam a r e e ,

a n d te rm in a te s a t a m a son ry pillar on t h e right ba n k of Cul pe e N u dde e

in t h e village of J a n ike e m ar e e .

No . 72 .

Lef t Ba n k of Cu lp e e N udde e .

This is a continuou s emba n kme nt on t h e le ft bank of Cu l p e e

N u dde e , 1 m ile , m or e or le ss, in le n gth . It com m e n ce s a t

a m a son ry pil lar on th e le ft ba n k of Cu lp e e N u dde e in t h e villageof Gou rypor e , a n d te rm in ate s a t a m a son ry pillar on t h e le ft ba n kof Cu l pe e N u dde e in t h e village of Durga n u ggu r , ne ar t h e junctionof HooghlyRive r a n d Cu lpe e N u dde e .

N o. 73 .

Lef t Ba n k of Rive r Hoogh ly.

This is a con tin u ou s e m b ankm e nt on t h e le ft ba n k of HooghlyRive r, 6 m ile s fe e t, m or e or le ss

,in le n gth . It com m e n ce s a t

a m as onry pillar on t h e le ft bank of Cu l p e e N u dde e in t h e villageof Du rga n u ggu r , n e ar t h e junction of HooghlyRive r an dCu l p e e N u dde e ,a n d te rm in ate s a t a m a son ry pillar in t h e village of Ch u l am oor e e , ne arCh u l am oor e e s e m aphore .

N o . 74.

Soon a'e r b u n E m ba n km e n t .

This is a contin u ou s e m bankme nt in t h e , Soon de rb u n s , 8 m ile sfe e t , m ore or le ss , in le n gth . It com m e n ce s a t a m a son ry pilla r

in t h e village of Ch u l am oor e e , ne a r Ch u l am oor e e s e m aphor e , a n d

te rm in a te s a t a m a son ry pilla r n e a r t h e right bank of t h e Sr e e r am por e

Kha ll, in th e village of Bu din a t hpor e .

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N o . 75.

Righ t Ba nk of Sr e e r amp or e K ha l l .

This is a continu ou s e m bankme nt on t h e right bank of t h e Sre er am por e Kha ll, 6 mile s fe e t, more or le ss, in le ngth . It comme ne e s a t a masonry pillar on t h e right ban k of Sr e e r am por e Kha llin t h e village of Bu din a thpor e , a n d te rmina te s a t a masonry pil lar inthe village of K on t ah e n n e ah .

N o . 76 .

Lef t Ba n k of Sr e e r amp or e K ha l l .

This is a continuous embankm e nt on t h e le ft bank of Sr e e ram por eKhall, 9 mile s fe e t, m ore or le ss, in le ngth . It com m e nce s a ta m a son ry pillar in t h e village of K on t ah e n n e ah , a n d te rm inate s a ta ma sonry pilla r on t h e le ft bank of t h e Sr e e r am por e Kha ll, in t h e villageof Takt ipor e Digh e e .

N o . 77 .

Soon de r bu n E m ba n km e n t .

This is a continuous e m bankme nt in t h e Soon de rb u n s,2 6 mile s,

more or le ss,in le n gth . It com m e nce s a t a m a sonry pilla r on t h e le ft

bank of Sr e e ram por e Khall in t h e village of Takt ipor e B igb e e , a n d

te rm ina te s a t a m a sonry pillar on t h e right bank of K h ar e e Kha ll, int h e village of Gu l arch an t .

N o . 78 .

Righ t Ba nk of K ha r e e K ha l l .

This is a continuous emba n km e nt on t h e right bank of K h ar e e

Kha ll,3 mile s 602 fe e t, m ore or le ss, in le n gth . It com m e nce s a t

a m a sonry pillar on t h e right bank of K h ar e e K ha ll in t h e village of

Gu l arch a n t , a n d te rm in a t e s a t a ma sonry pillar in th e village ofM e gh e e b e r , ne a r a dra inage slu ice .

No . 79 .

Lef t Ba n k of K ha r e e K h a l l .

This is a contin u ous e m ba n kme nt on t h e le ft bank of K h ar e e

Khall , 3 mile s fe e t , mor e or le ss , in le ngth . It comm e nce s a ta m a son ry pilla r in t h e village of M e gh e e b e r , a n d te rm inate s a t a ma sonrypillar on the le ft bank of t h e kha ll in t h e village of K am a ra th a .

N o. 80 .

Soon de r bu n E m ha n hm e n t .

This is a continuous e m bankme nt in t h e Soon de rb u n s , 19 mile s ,more or le ss , in le n gth . It comme nce s from a m a son ry pillar on t h ele ft ba n k of th e K h a r e e Kha ll in th e village of K am ara t h a , a n d t e r

m in a t e s a t a m a sonry pil l ar on the right bank of Pe a l e e River in t h evillage of Tu lpe e .

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( 74 )

P e a l e e Rive r a n d Bau gm ar e e K ha ll, a n d te rm in ate s a t a m a sonry pillara t t h e side of M u t l ah Road in t h e village of A t h Ram dh u r .

N o. 87 .

Righ t Ba n k of Ba ugm a r e e If h a t t .

This is a contin uou s e m ba n km e n t on t h e r ight side of Bau gm ar e e

Kha ll,1 m ile fe e t , m or e or le ss

,in le n gth . It com me nce s a t

a m a sonry pillar a t t h e side of M u t l ah Road in t h e village of K ool au r e e ,a n d te rm in a te s a t a m a son ry pillar on t h e le ft bank of P e a l e e Rive r int h e village of Kist K a l ab oroe .

N o. 88 .

Lef t Ba n k gf P e a le e Rive r .

This is a con tin u ou s e m b a n km e nt on t h e le ft bank of th e P e a l e e

Rive r , 4 mile s fe e t, m or e or le ss , in le n gth . It com m e nce s a t

a m a sonry pilla r on t h e le ft ba n k of P e a l e e Rive r in t h e village of KistK a l ab or oe , a n d t e rm inate s a t a m a son ry pillar in t h e Village of Povan ,abou t a quarte r of a mile north of t h e Ca lcu tta a n d South - E a sternRa ilway .

N o. 89 .

Lef t Ba n k of Re n te e Riz‘

e r .

This is a con tin u ou s e m bankm e n t on t h e le ft bank of Pe a l e e

Rive r , 2 mile s fe e t, m or e or le ss,in le n gth . It com m e nce s a t

a m a sonry pilla r in t h e village of Sh r ikish e n por e , a n d te rmina te s a ta m a sonry pillar on t h e r ight b a n k of Biddiadhu r e e Rive r, ne ar th ej u nction of Biddiadh u r e e a n d P e a l e e Rive rs.

N o. 90 .

Righ t Ba n k of Biddiadh u r e e Ri e e r .

This is a contin u ou s e m bankm e nt on t h e right bank of Biddiadhu r e eRive r, 8 mile s, m ore or le ss

,in le ngth . It com me n ce s a t

a m a sonry pilla r on t h e right b an k of Biddiadh u r e e Rive r in t h evillage of Ba l l e ahpor e , a n d te rmin a te s in a m a son ry pillar on t h e rightba n k of t h e sam e rive r, ne ar t h e j unction of Biddiadh u r e e an d

Pe a l e e Rive r s .

N o . 91 .

Righ t Ba n k of B iddiadhu r e e .

This is a continu ou s e m ba n kme nt on t h e right bank of Biddiadh ur e e Rive r, 2 m ile s fe e t , m or e or le ss, in le n gth . It com

m e n ce s a t a m a son ry pilla r n e a r t h e jun ction of t h e Biddiadh u r e e a n d

P e a l e e Rive rs in t h e villag e of Sa u n gur , a n d te rm inate s a t a m a son rypillar on t h e right ban k of Biddiadh u r e e Rive r, ne ar its ju nction withTol ly

’

s Cana l in t h e village of P e r t ab n u ggu r .

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N o. 92 .

Sou th s ide of Totty’s Ca n a l .

This is a con tinuou s emba n km e n t on sou th side of Tolly’s Cana l ,

1 0 m ile s,m or e or le ss, in le n gth . It com me n ce s a t a ma sonry pillar

on t h e r ight ba n k of Biddiadhu r e e Rive r, ne a r t h e junction of

Biddiadh u r e e Rive r a n d Tol ly’

s Cana l in t h e village of P e r t ab n u ggu r ,a n d te rm in a te s a t a m a sonry pillar on t h e south side of Tol ly

’

s Cana lin t h e village of K u r ram ab ad.

N o. 93 .

N or th s ide of Tot ty’s Ca n a l .

This is a continu ous line of e m bankm e nt on th e north side ofTol ly

’s Cana l, 2 mil e s fe e t, m or e or le ss , in le n gth . It com me nce s

a t a m a son ry pillar on t h e north side of Tol ly’s Cana l in t h e village of

Nowabad, a n d te rm inate s a t a ma sonry pilla r in th e j ungle in t h e

village of T e hoorah a .

N o. 94.

Bhagir a t t e e E m ba n km e n t s .

This is a line of discon n e cte d e m bankme n t on t h e le ft bank of t h eBh agiru t t e e Rive r, exte n din g from Pla sse y Bazar

,Pe rgu nnah Pla sse y,

District N u dde a,t o Dadm oot e e , P e rgu nnah Roku n por e , District Moor

sh e dab ad, a distance of about 93 m ile s .

N o. 95 .

K a toh e e ka ta Em ba n km e n t .

This is a continuous line of embankme nt, about fe e t in le ngth ,on th e r ight ban k of t h e Matabhanga Rive r. It com m e n ce s in t h e

vi llage of Lu ckim por e , Pe rgu nnah Ba jpor e , Distric t N u dde a , a n d

t e rm in ate s a t t h e b ottom of t h e n ew cu t opposite t h e village of

Radh akan tpor e , in t h e same p e rgun nah a n d district .

SCH EDULE E .

— (Ref e r r ed to i n Se ct ion s 36 a n d

P e rgu n n ah . Distr i ct .

A PPEN DIX A .

Emba n km e n ts oth e r tha n those in th e old Bu rdwa n E s ta t e or in

M idn ap or e Dis tr ict .

TH E fol lowing outline of the embankments which ar e kept up byGove rnme nt office rs a t t h e prese nt time m ay be of inte re st . It iscompile d fr om t h e Board’s report i n 1837 the Midnapore Embankme ntComm i ssione rs’ re port in 1839 ; ofii ce note s pre pare d by Mr. Bail lie int h e B e nga l Office in 1850 a n d by Mr . Hughe s, A ssistant S e cre tary t ot h e Benga l Irr igation Branch , unda te d ; by Mr. Boyce , Controlle r, PublicWorks De partm e nt, in 1868, a n d from othe r pap e rs a n d note s whichhave be e n a cce ssible . A t t h e same time a s the se sour ce s of in formationa r e de fe ctive for a l l districts othe r than Midnapore, the description wil lundoubtedly be foun d ina ccurate or incomple t e .

Raj sb ahyeIn

'

three districts e m bankments were a t one timema inta ined, but have been, a fter care fu l inquiry

,

abandone d .

In the Raj shahye di str ict the y we re abandone d in 1819 on there port of Lie ute nant Forbe s, exce pt small portions re ta ined for theprotection of t h e station . Previously to tha t time , about 166 mile sof emban kments we re ke pt up , a n d t h e annua l e xpe ndi tu re wa s about

The y ran a long th e le ft bank of t h e Gange s a n d bothbanks of the Bu rr a l . Six ye ars a ft e r the ir abandonme nt, Lie ute nantFitzge ra ld re porte d on the results of t h e measure to t h e effe ct tha ttracts of land hitherto but partial l y cu ltiva te d, a n d th e produce ofwhich wa s e xtremely pre carious, a s de pe ndin g e ntirely on t h e favor_able ness of th e se a sons , have be e n re nde re d fe rtile by the rich se dimentle ft by a gradua l inunda tion ; tha t t h e low lands in th e neighbourhoodof e xtensive jh e e l s have bee n ra ised, an d t h e e xte nt of the jh e e l s the reby lesse ne d that the inhabitants have substitute d crops which

,wi th

their pre se nt a cqua intance of the exte nt to which the overflow re aches,

the y can be tte r de pe nd upon than whe n trustin g to t h e precar iousprote ction of e m bankme nts that t h e indigo an d amun rice crops

,which

can only flourish in land subj e cte d t o inundation , have be come m u ch moreproductive since 182 0 a n d fina lly

,that t h e inhabitants, by having for a

few se a sons witne sse d t h e gr adual an dunr e stra in e d rise of t h e inu nda tion ,have b ecome so we l l a cqua inted with t h e ge ne ra l le ve l of th e country, an dt h e e xact extent to which danger is to b e appre hende d, as t o e n able themt o se le ct prope r site s for their village s an d t o construct the ir habitationson spots for the prote ction of which no artificia l works ar e n e ce ssary.

”

“ A few instance s are state d whe r e injury wa s susta in e d a t firstby the abandonme nt of the bu nds but these we re me re ly th e de struotion of an incon side rable numbe r of habita tions a n d som e of t h e crops111 the imme diate vicinity of the emban kme nts . But t h e ve ry manne rin which this eff e ct is sta te d t o have be e n produ ce d a ffords th em ost rem arkab le proof of th e in u tility, if not t h e absolute dis advantage

,

ii

of t h e embankm e nt system,for in a ll ca se s whe re injury was susta ined

it arose e ntire ly from t h e viole nt an d ove rwhe lming rush of wate rthrou gh partia l bre a ches .” It wa s adde d that by far t h e gre ate st injurywa s e xpe rie nce d in the first or se cond ye ar a fte r t h e embankm e n ts we reabandone d, an d that a fte r a ye ar or two p e titions for th e re pa ir of th eembankme nts cea se d t o be prese nted .

Following th e e xpe rie nce of Rajsh ahye , the embankments inJ essore we re abandone d in 1 826 (thou gh that prote e ting the comme r cia l fa ctory a t Com m e r col ly a n d

six adj a ce nt vill age s wa s pre se rve d til l a n d t h e Colle ctor an dt h e Magistrate in 1 82 8 r e porte d that We have n ow t h e satisfa ctiont o sta te that t h e rise of t h e rive rs thr oughout th e la te p e riodica l ra insh a s be e n mild a n d gradu al , a n d that n o in stance h a s com e to our

notice of injur y having b e e n su sta ine d, e ithe r in dividua lly or colle ctt ive ly, in a n y part of t h e country from the ir aban don m e nt .

In Tipperah t h e embankm e nts on t h e Goom t e e we re abandone din 1 845

, an d the result wa s a lso re ported to b e sa tisfa ctory .

Public embankments ar e a t present ma intained in the followin g

J e ssore .

Tippe rah .

Patna , Bh agul por e , Raj shahye , Pre side ncy, Burdwan, an d Orissa .

Th e A ct doe s n ot e xte nd to Orissa , which will a ccordi n gly b e omitte d .

In the Pa tna division the only public embankme n ts ar e those int h e Saru n a n d Tir hoot districts, on t h e two banks oft h e Gu n du ck. The Tirhoot embankme nts a r e ne arly50, an d th e Sarun about 90 mile s in le ngth, an d the irhistory is a s follows —Up t o t h e ye ar 1 82 0 the y we re

re pa ired by Gove rn me nt office rs , th e Gove rnm e nt advancin g the n e ce ss ary funds a n d recovering it by a rate of ha lf a n anna p e r rup e e int h e N izamut M e h a l s , an d a n anna pe r b e e gh a on t h e j agh e e r - holders .By th e ye ar named a considerable sur plu s h ad a ccumul ate d, which on eof t h e am l ah emb e zzle d, an d for som e time t h e le vy wa s discontinue dan d th e embankme n ts we re not re pa ir e d . In 1 825 the Sarun zemindarsp e titioned for the ir repa ir, e ngaging t o de fray th e e xpe nse s, a n d th eGove rnme nt orde re d com pliance . In 1829 , on the re comme nda tionof Capta in Fitzge ra ld, t h e Surve yor of Embankments , Gove rnme ntre solve d to r e - e stablish the se works , a n d a n ew line was constructe d byCapta in Sage in 1 830, since which time th e re pa irs on both banks haveb e e n re gular ly provide d for . On two occa sions , howe ve r, la rge sum s ofove r Rs . du e to Gove rnme nt from t h e zemindars , have h ad t o b erem itte d

,—once in 1839 an d on ce in 1850.

_I t wa s a lways doubtful

whe the r, if t h e zemindars refused to pay, a n y coe rcive me a sure s cou ldle ga lly be re sorte d to ; but now paragraph 2 , S e ction 44of th e A ct ,make s specia l provision for t h e retention of t h e ce ss in th e form sanct ion e d by long e xisting custom .

In 1841 t h e proprie ty of ma inta ining the se bunds wa s raise d,

a n d re ports were sent in from Ma jor Gar st in an d

“

1

322? ofCapta in Gre ene , both re comme nding the ir continuance .

I o 0 o a o o

“ t am i n g

pt h e m ,

y M a j or Gars t i n s a1d tha t I am 1n ch n e d t o be li e vetha t origin a lly. t h e bunds in Sarun we re n ot ne e de d ,

a n d that if the y h ad n ot be e n constructed the low ground which n ow

iii

suffe rs from inunda tion , a n d wa s the n uncu ltivate d , wou ld n ow havebe e n ra ise d so m u ch a s t o suff e r little or noth ing if floode d, a n d in

a fewye ars m or e would have be e n above flood- le ve l , whe n n o b unds cou ldb e requir e d . Th e que stion, howe ve r , is n owtota lly a lte re d , from th e bu n dshaving be e n ke pt u p so m a n y ye ars . Th e in cre a se d popula tion , in ste adof s e e king land in othe r dire ctions, have locate d the m se lve s on th e groundre covere d, I m ay s ay, from t h e rive r by th e e re ction of th e bunds, a n dt h e whole district (inclu di ng t h e parts which us e d t o b e annua llyinundate d) is now de ns e ly popul a te d a n d highly cul tiva te d ; an d thou ghI woul d not origina lly

,with t h e in formation b e fore m e , have re com m e nde d

t h e e re ction of t h e Sarun bu nds, I must n ow,unde r e xisting circum sta n ce s ,

give it a s my opinion that Gove rnme nt could ne ithe r in ju stice t oindividua ls, norwith re gard t o the ir own re ve nue , a lte r t h e system— thatis , a ltoge the r abandon t h e bunds .

”

Capta in Gre ene take s substantia lly t h e same vie w . H e says, Itis n ow t oo late to sp e culate on th e e xpe die n cy or othe rwise of constr u ctin g th e bunds but with re fe re nce t o t h e proprie ty of a bandonin gthem, now tha t the y have be en m ade , my opin ion de cide dly is tha t su cha me a sure would b e crue l t o in dividu a ls a n d in ju rious t o t h e Sta te .

Th e bu nds have n owbe e n r e - e stablishe d som e twe lve ye ars, a n d the y haveope rate d most e xte n sive ly in re cla imin g a n d prote ctin g va st tra cts oflands from in undation , a n d crops of whe a t, indi go, a n d sugarcane , a r enow sa fe ly cultivate d whe re forme rly nothing b u t su rpu t gra ss, or a t

be st paddy, wa s t o b e se e n . Many village s ar e now locate d whe re but fort h e bunds thre e a n d four fe e t of wa te r wou ld b e standing in time s of flood .

N ow, whe n such a calamity a s a bre a ch in t h e bunds doe s occur in highfloods, the on l y pla ce of sa fe ty for th e village rs is t h e t op of t h e bunds,which a t such time s is cove r e d with t h e prope rty a n d stock of t h einhabitants , a s we ll a s a pla ce of re fuge for the m se lve s . Th e argum e n tfor abandon in g or ke e pin g up th e bunds m ay a fte r a l l hinge on t h e

natur e of t h e de posit le ft by t h e floods . On e bre a ch occurre d during t h etime I h ad charge of t h e bunds, but on this occa sion t h e rive r h adsubside d t o a lmost its limit ; t h e inunda tion ave rage d only a de pth of on efoot, a n d a t a time whe n t h e adjoin in g lands we re parche d up with a n

un usua l drought, t h e grou nd s o floode d wa s m uch b e ne fite d .

‘

Bu t whe n ,u pon anothe r occa sion , a n d within 100 ya rds of th e same spot, I anticipa te d t h e construction of a n ewbu nd, th e Ove r se e r r e porte d tha t it wou ldb e ne ce ssary t o remove 15 fe e t of sand (which h ad be e n de posite d the reon t h e occa sion of a large bre a ch in t h e ne ighbour hood) be fore a firm

footin g for t h e propose d bund could b e ob ta ine d . I am the r e foreincline d to conclu de tha t th e de posit from high floods would b e ve ryinjurious to th e lands

, an d such I knowwa s Ma jor Sage ’s opinion .

”

In 1848, howe ve r, Ma jor Gar s t in se ems t o have a t le a st wave re din his opinion if n ot chan ge d it, a s h e re porte d

“ the re is no proof tha tt h e b u n ds on t h e Gu n du ck have done a n y good t o t h e coun try a t large .

I have he ard gre a t com pla in ts in t h e h ot we a the r followin g a se a son i n

which t h e bu nds did n ot give way, of t h e we lls drying up ; those whoselands l ay m ost r e m ote from th e rive r ca n obta in n o wa te r from i t whe nbunde d, a n d if t h e r a ins ar e scanty, suffe r mu ch in con sequ e nc e .

”

On e would thin k,howe ve r

,tha t m uch of th e b e n e fit of t h e ove r

flow coul d b e obta ine d by irrigating through slu ic e s, a n d a s th e Gu n du ck

iv

embankme nts in 1868 conta ine d 25 slui ce s, someth ing se ems to havebee n done t o e ff e ct this .

Th e only public embankm e nt in th e Bh agu lpor e di vision se e m s t o

Bh a 1 d. b e t h e Sagri b u nd in Monghyr . This is a large dam

gu pore , 1v1

sion . thrown a cross t h e we ste rn channe l of th e Sagri ri ve rin orde r t o dr ive t h e stre am into t h e e a ste rn channe l,a n d thus se cure a n e qu a l distribution of wa te r. Othe r

wise , in conseque nce of t h e na tur a l form ation of t h e country, t h e gre a tbody of th e wate r would flow in t h e chan n e l whi ch le a st nee ds it,while t h e e a st e rn channe l wou ld b e dry, a n d t h e lands de p e nde n t on itfor irriga tion, ste rile . This bund is known t o have e xiste d a s e arly a s

1 785 , a n d a s ofte n a s it h a s be e n wa she d away it h a s bee n re constructe d .

In 1834it wa s e ntir e ly swe pt away a n d le ft unre pa ire d for some ye ars .On t h e re pre se nta tion s of a n in digo plante r, Mr. Bon t in e , an d of se ve r a llandholde rs, a n in qui ry wa s institute d a s t o its im portance , an d on t h e

re port of Capta in Sm ith in 1 839 it wa s re ne we d, an d h a s be e n ke ptup e ve r since . That ofli ce r re port e d in su b sta n ce that t h e bun d wa sof gre a t va lu e a s prote cting on e tra ct of country from in undationa n d a ffordin g t o anothe r irrigation . It is thu s of t h e chara cte r of anirriga tion work . Th e e xpe nse is borne by t h e ze m indars .

In t h e Raj shahye divi sion the re ar e embankme ntsma inta in e d in thre e districts— Raj sh ahye , Ma ldah, a n dM oor sh e dab ad.

Those in Raj shahye ar e two sma ll embankme nts , which we re ke ptup for t h e prote ction of Gove rnm e nt prope rty whe n t h e ordinarye mbankme nts we re aban done d . The y ar e r e pa ire d of cour se a t t h e

Gove rnm e nt e xpe nse , a n d ar e Nos . 55 a n d 56 of Sche dule D .

In Ma ldah the re is on ly on e public embankme nt, which se emsori gin a lly t o have be e n constr u cte d for th e prote ctionof t h e m ul be rry cu l tiva tion an d t h e Gove rnm e nt silk

trade . It is ma inta in e d a t t h e Gove rn m e n t e xpe nse , an d is N o. 57 of

Sche du le D .

Th e M oor sh e dab ad embankments ar e e xt e n swe , an d will b e morea ffe cte d by t h e A ct a s re ga rds the ir ma inte n ance thanan y othe rs in t h e cou ntry. On t h e occa sion of t h e

inquiry in 1835 - 37 , t h e Board re porte d that nu m e rous e m bankm e ntswe re re pa ire d a t the Gove rn m e nt e xpe nse though the y h ad bee n u n ablet o discove r an y docum e nt bin ding t h e State t o do so, e xce pt a contra ctfor t h e two pe rgun nahs of Fu t t e h sin gh a n d Roku n por e , whe re a n a llowance of Rs . (sicca ) wa s m ade t o t h e ze m indars on t h e conditionof the ir ma inta ining the bunds n e ce ssary t o pre s e rve t h e cou n tryfrom t h e sandy inu nda tions of th e More . Th e Board re porte d tha tn o liability a tta che d t o Gove rnme n t, b u t a lso the y did n ot conside rthat a n y liability atta che d t o the ze m in dars, a n d the y re comm e nde d th eabandon m e nt of th e bu nds, e xce pt whe re ne ce ssary t o prote ct stations orca n tonme nts . Th e M oor sh e dab ad e m ba n km e nts we r e som e wha t unde r100 m ile s in e xte n t, a n d th e a n nua l e xpe n ditur e on the m from 1799 t o1 834average d Rs . In spite , howe ve r, of t h e conse nsus of opin ionon t h e subj e ct, t h e Gove rnm e nt e xpe nditure continu e d t o in cre a se, sothat in th e t e n ye ars e m bra ce d by Mr. Boyce ’s r e port it ave rage dRs . p e r annum . This exp e nditur e is appare ntly inde pe nde nt of

Sagr i bu n d .

Raj sh ahye division .

M a ldah .

M oorsh edab ad.

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vi

include d in t h e 24- Pe rgunnahs e xpenditure , a s t h e district boundarie san d Public Works D e partme nt division boundaries we r e quite distinct,a n d it is ofte n ve ry difficult t o fin d ou t pre cise ly t h e districts t o whicha n y particular work be longs . It most like ly corre sponds t o some exte ntwith t h e embankme n ts de scribe d in th e re port of Mr . Wicke s, C.E . ,

Exe cutive Enginee r, N u dde a Rive r s, t o t h e Superinte ndi ng Enginee r,N o. 81 , date d 2 1st Janu ary 1871 .

Th e obligation of Gove rnm e nt to ma inta in th e embankments int h e 24- Pe rgunnahs h a s forme d th e subj e ct of spe cia ldiscussion on mor e than on e occa sion . Origina lly,

fr om 1781 t o 1787 , t h e duty of ma inta in ing t h e e m bankm e nts h adde volve d on t h e zemindars, who re ce ive d from Gove rn me nt a n annua la llowance of Rs . for tha t pur pose ; but th e Sa lt A ge nt, on t h eple a of t h e absolu te ne ce ssity of the work be ing don e e fficie n tly, an d of

its b e in g ne gle cte d by t h e z e m indars, procure d t h e transfe r of t h e charget o his Ofli ce , toge the r with t h e a llowance tha t h ad b e e n made for t h epurpose . On this be ing done , t h e ze m indar s in 1791 r e fu se d to agree t ot h e customary clau se in the ir koob oolyu t s . In 1 803 t h e 24- Pe rgunnahse m bankme nts we re made ove r t o a n Em bankme nt Com m itte e

,a n d in 1 819

t h e control of them wa s aga in transfe rre d t o t h e zemindars . In 1832t h e Gove rnme nt ca lle d for a re port from t h e Board (1 ) a s to t h eage ncy thr ough which th e bunds in this district should be re pa ired, an da t whose e xpe nse (2 ) whe the r, in th e eve nt of their b e ing d

i scontinue d,t h e ze m indars ar e e ntitle d to an y re m ission of re ve nue . E a ch of t h emembe rs of th e Board note d se parate ly, Mr. W . W . Bird giving it a shis Opinion that “ it h ad b e e n cle arly unde rstood tha t un le ss t h ezemindars we r e e ntruste d with t h e re pa irs a t th e e xpe nse of Gove rnme nt, the y we re t o b e e xone rate d from a l l re sponsibility a n d inde m n ifie dfor a l l losse s which the y m ight b e e xpose d t o from t h e ne gle ct of t h ep e rson t o whom t h e du ty should b e com m itte d . It follows, the r e for e , a sa ne ce ssary conse que nce , tha t without re ce iving t h e advance s in qu e stionthe zemindars ca n not b e re quire d t o m ake t h e re pa irs, a n d that if t h ere pairs ar e ne ce ssary t o b e made a t a l l

, it must b e done a t t h e e xpe nseof Gove rn m e nt.” A s re gards t h e se cond point, h e he ld that in thosepla ce s where th e re pa irs ar e ne ce ssary t o pre vent dam age t o cu ltivationthe y ce rtain ly posse ss, unde r t h e circu m stance s above sta te d, a justclaim t o t h e prote ction of the ir la n ds from inu n da tion a t t h e hands ofGove rnm e nt, or t o b e in de m n ifi e d for th e loss with which, owin g t o th ediscontin u an ce of th e r e pa irs , such inu ndation m ay b e a tte nde d . Th e

se nior m e m b e r, M r . Pa ttle , a lso con side r e d tha t whate ve r e xpe nse wa srequ isite mu st b e born e byGove r n me n t, th e condi tions of t h e de ce nnia lse ttle m e nt have e xone r a te d t h e ze m indar s from t h e charge ; but h e he ldtha t Gove rnme nt h ad a right to constitute itse lf ju dge of t h e qu e stionwhe the r t h e embankm e n ts we r e or we re n ot n e ce ssary,

a n d if it de cide d infavour of t h e latte r, t h e ze m inda r s wou ld n ot b e e n title d t o com pe nsation .

“

The Gove rnme n t in re ply’" de cide d tha t “ t h e advance s he re toforemade from t h e pu blic tr e a sur y for t h e r e pa ir of the seemba n kme n ts sha ll b e discontinue d , a n d a l l inte r fe re nceon th e pa rt of t h e office rs of Gove rnme n t in dire ctin g

th e re pa ir of them sha ll b e withdrawn ; p e rsons cla im ing a n y right

24- Pe rgu n n ahs .

l 6 th Ja n u ary 1834.

t o be re imbursed for a n y part of th e e xpe n se"

of embankmentsthe y m ay ra ise , ar e to make an application through the ordinarychanne ls .With this decision the zemindars were highly dissa tisfie d, an d t h e

genera l report which t h e Board we re ca lle d upon t omake in 1835 - 37 r e - ope ne d t h e question . Th e Com

missione r, Mr . Pigou, showed tha t prope rty h ad materia l ly de cline d in va lue , a s instance d by re ce nt sa le s, a n d argued that a sGove rnm e nt, whe n holding t h e 24- Pe rgu nnahs kha s prior t o the de ce nn ial se ttleme nt, h ad e xpre ssly levie d a pu l b u n dy cess, which in 1 190brought in Rs . an d a s this ce ss h ad e xpre ssly be e n trea te damong th e a sse ts on which t h e de ce nnia l jumma h ad b e e n fixe d, t h ezemindars in fa ct pa id for the re pa irs of embankme nts in paying theirordinary sudder jumma .

Th e Board woul d not entire ly a cce pt the liability of Gove rnme ntfor re pa irs of e m bankm e nts , but the y did e xpre ss a n

Opinion tha t Gove rnm e nt wa s bound e ithe r t o re pair theembankme nts or to pay ove r to t h e zemindars t h e sum

of Rs . which wa s t h e sum pre viou sly pa id . Th e Gove r n me nt, inre ply, concu rre d with th e Board, a n d a ske d which of t h e two a lte rnative sthe y re comme nde d . Unwise ly, so far a s can b e judge d from th e

pe cuniary re sults , it wa s de cide d that Gove rnm e nt shou l d unde rtake t h ere pa irs itse lf, which th e Military Board e stim ate d a t Rs . toRs . annua lly, th e chie f grounds be ing that a large part of t h edistrict wa s be ing h e ld kha s, a n d that n o ade quate guarante e would b ea fforde d that t h e zemindars sp e nt t h e m one y, if made ove r to them .

It will be se e n tha t that t h e ave rage e xpe nditu re during the t e n years

(1858 to 1867) h ad incre a sed to ove r Rs . an d this is e xclu siveof cost of sup e rvision .

From t h e above it would appe ar tha t the Council might,without

injustice , have tre ated th e au thoritie s in t h e 24- Pergunnahs a s the y di dthose in M oor sh e dab ad, an d thrown the bur de n of the re pa irs on t h e

zemindars, with a contribution from t h e State of about Rs . 86 ;b u t a more libera l course was adopted, an d a l l the se embankmentsar e include d in Schedul e D (N os . 58 to so that Gove rnme nth a s ple dge d itself to the entire cost of their ma intenance so long as the ya r e ke pt up .

Th e ir m a in te n an ceorde re d.

A P PENDIX B.

Em ba n km e n ts in th e old Bu rdwa n E s ta t e .

A T th e time of the se ttleme nt of th e Burdwan z e m in dar e e , a

specia l a rrangeme nt wa s made with t h e Ra j ah , by which t h e obliga tionof mai nta inin g embankments over a lmost the whole of We ste rn B e n galis de te rmine d up t o the pre se nt day. Th e e n tire cost is borne byGove rnme nt under this arra n geme nt, from the A dj a i down t o t h e

southe rn point of Howrah . In othe r words, ne arly a l l the Ga n joor e ahbunds on t h e A dj a i , t h e Dam oodu r , t h e Darkissu r

,a n d the S e lye , beside s

some circuit embankme nts, ar e ke pt up a t t h e Gove rnme nt e xpe nse .

A t first, viz. in 1 195,a n a llowance of Rs . wa s m ade t o t h e

sRa j ah, tha t is, an abatement t o tha t e xte nt made in his

p e ci al con tractwith t h e Raj ah a t sudde r j umma , for the e xpre ss purpose of e nabling h im

316 de Cfn n ial s e t t o ke e p up the se e mbankm e nts . H e fa ile d

,howe ve r, to

e m “

ke e p them in e fficie n t re pa ir, a n d the officers of Gove rnme nt h ad to make good t h e de ficie ncie s ; by 1804 the re wa s a he avycla im aga inst th e Mahara j ah to me e t th e cost of the se re pairs . A fte rs ome de lay a n d re fusals to pay, t h e Raj ah pe titione d t h e Emba n kme ntCommittee to take ove r t h e Rs . a n d carry out t h e re pa irs for

him . This wa s fina lly a l lowe d by Governme nt, t h e

“ gn u”3 11W ”

Ra j ah agre e ing to pay Rs . dis tinct from, a n dove r a n d above , hi s ordinary re venue .

The differe nce be twe e n th e Rs . a n d t h e Rs . is duet o a portion of t h e z e m in dar e e having be e n sold in t h e i n t e r im , a n d a s

obliga tion of Governme nt to ma inta in t h e M u n dl e gh a t a n d Ch e tooa

pe rgunnah embankme nts de pends on this diff e rence , it m ay b e well toe xpla in cle arly t h e points a t issue, the decis ion arrive d at , an d the dataon which it wa s ba se d .

M u n dl e gh a t , on e of the pe rgunnahs of the original Burdwa n

I t s appfica t ion t oz e m in dare e , wa s sold for arre ars of re venue in 1 196 ,

p e rgu n n ah M u n . a n d Rs . the e stimate d embankme nt e xpe nditur edl e gh at of th e pe rgunnah

,wa s de du cte d from the Rs .

le aving Rs . a s th e embankme nt de duction to be a llowe d t h eRaj ah of Burdwan from t h e re ve nue of his rema ining e states .

In 1 197 the re st of th e Burdwan z e m in dar e e came under kha smanageme n t, a n d was farme d out in hooda s . Th e

n afil

éii et

tzgfgu n '

same year pe rgunnah Ch e t ooa wa s sold for arre ars ofreve nue . In 1 198 th e Ra jah a cce pte d se ttleme nt a n d

r e - e nte red into provision of a ll hi s form e r z e m in dar e e e xce pt (1) Mundl e gh a t (sold) , (2 ) Ch e t ooa (sold) , (3) se ve ra l hooda s whi ch h ad be e ngive n out in lea ses tha t di d not expire til l 1207. On thus re ga iningposse ssion of a part of th e estate , it be came a que stion what portion of

t h e embankme nt a llowance shoul d follow Ch e t ooa a n d the farme dh ooda s , a s t h e Ra j ah would, of course , n ot ge t this portion de ducte dfrom h is sudde r jumm a . This amount was fixe d a t Rs .

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X

A s r e gards Ch e t ooa , th e controve rsy is n ot so simple , a s while onth e on e han d t h e Gove rn me n t con tin ue d t o m a inta inth e e m bankm e nts

,on th e othe r ha n d t h e n ew koob oo

lyu t s take n from th e se ve r a l purcha se r s (Ch e t ooa wa sn ot sold a s on e e sta te ) in m any ca se s con ta ine d a clau se bindin g the mt o m a in ta in e m b ankm e nt s

,a n d spe cifyin g tha t de du ction s h ad be e n

m ade propor tione d t o t h e e xp e nse t o b e in cur r e d . Con se qu e n tly t h e

Su pe rin te n de n t of Em b ankm e n ts, M r . D e nton , a n d M r . H . V . Bayle y,a t tha t tim e a n A ssistan t Magistrate in Midnapore , havi n g r e porte d thatt h e ze m in da r s we r e boun d t o b e ar t h e e xpe n se

,t h e Em ba n kme nt Com

m it t e e of 1 839 care fu l ly e nte r e d into t h e qu e stion a n d obta ine d th econ cu rr e nce of Gove rn m e n t t o the ir vie w of t h e ze m indar’s liability .

The y a rgu e d that t h e m e r e fa ct of sign in g t h e koob oolyu t s wa sin sufficie nt e vide n ce , a s ze m in dars ofte n di d this re lyin g on the ircorre ctn e ss a n d con form ity t o t h e agr e e m e n ts m ade ; the se koob oolyu t sdistin ctly sta te d tha t de du ctions h ad b e e n m ade ; if the re for e n o de du c

tion s h ad be e n m ade, t h e a lle ga tion wa s de m on str ably incorr e ct . Tha t

it wa s so, the y showe d by re concilin g th e jum m a a t whi ch Ch e t ooa stoodin t h e Midnapor e Colle ctorate wi th t h e jum m a it bor e whe n se par a te dfrom t h e Bu rdwan z e m in dar e e . Th e r e ve nue in t h e Midn apor eColle ctor a te wa s Rs .

- 9 - 5 - 3,a n d t h e re ve n u e of t h e m e h a l s of

Ch e t ooa sold in 1 197 wa s Rs .- 7 - 2 - 3 . Th e e m ba n km e n t a llotm e n t

on this h a s b e e n shown t o b e Rs . an d t h e que stion is whe the rthis or a n y othe r aba te m e nt wa s or wa s n ot m ade .

Th e re con ciliation m ay b e thus shown

Dou bts r e gardi n g Ch e t o ii a .

Or igin a l j u m m a of Ch e t ooa

De du c t—Th r e e m e h a ls ke pt on t h e Bu rdwan r e gis t e rs

12 15 3

A dd— For m e h a is Gon a, Da spor e , an dSh am su n de rpor e ,

adde d t o Ch e t ooa 7 1 1 O

1,31 ,96O 4 6 3

De du ct— Re du ct ion s an ct ion e d in t h e ju m m a s of

m e h a ls M irzam an e e a n d Dam oode rpor e 1 1 1 0

9 5 3

A dd— J u m m a of pol ice l an ds a s s e s s e d u n de r S e ct ion8 , Re gu l a t ion I of 1793 741 0 0 0

A dd—Error in ca l cu la t ion l O O 0

J u m m a a s in Col l e ct ora t e 9 5 3

Thus n o abateme nt for embankments wa s a llowe d .

Re fe rring t o this e vide nce , t h e Board of Re ve nu e conside re d tha t itconclusive ly prove d tha t t h e koob oolyu t s of t h e ze m in dars we re in corre ct,

’

a n d that they must e ithe r have sign e d the m un pe ru se d, or m ust havebe e n e ntire ly ignorant of t h e fa cts of th e ca se whe n the y signe d .

Th e D e puty Gove rnor con cu rre d with t h e Board “ in t h e vie wwhich the y have take n in regard t o t h e e m bankm e ntsin p e rgunn ah Ch e tooa . Whe n t h e e sta te wa s sold in1 197 , on e of t h e conditions wa s tha t th e e xp e nse of

poolb u n dy should be defrayed by the State . Unde r

xi

this stipu l a tion it appears but just an d fa ir tha t t h e embankme ntsshould b e ke pt up by t h e Sta te . The y will on ly b e m a in ta ine d a t thosepla ce s whe r e the y a r e re qui r e d, an d unde r t h e profe ssiona l judgment oft h e e xe cutive ofli ce r s of th e De partme nt of Pu blic Works .”

It will b e se e n on a re fe re nce t o Sche du l e D tha t N os . 8, 9 (a portion ) , 16 , 17, 22 , 2 3, 24, 2 5 , 37 (a portion) , a n d 38, ar e in p e rgunnahsM un dl e gh a t a n d Ch e t ooa . Many of the se a r e ve ry large a n d costlye m bankm e nts, a n d the ir cost is out of a l l proportion t o t h e a llowa n cewhich Gove rnme nt re sum e d a s t h e e quiva le n t of th e re pa irs . In spiteof this t h e zemindars have succe e de d in a ctu a lly de r iving an a n nua lin com e from the se embankme nts of Rs . t o Rs . for inm a n y pla ce s the y a r e cove re d with hou se s, be in g a lmost t h e only spotsin th e n e ighb ou rhood sufl‘i cie n t ly e le vate d to s e rve a s bu ilding - grou n d .

Inste ad of Gove rnm e nt taking t h e re nts of the se house s a s som e s e t - off

aga in st t h e he avy m a inte nance e xp e nse s,— e xp e nses which t h e e xiste nceof th e house s a n d the ir appurte nance s di re ctly in cre a se d,— th e zemindarssucce e de d in obta inin g payme nt . Unde r S e ction 34 th is is n o longe rpe rm itte d, a n d t h e re nts whe re house s ar e all owe d to rema in ar e n owb e in g cla im e d by Gove rnm e nt . It is se lf- e vide nt that th e right of t h ePu b lic Works D e par tme nt t o re ce ive t h is

‘

in com e wa s a lways good ine qu i ty, a n d is n ow be yond a l l doubt a lso good in l aw.

Pe rgunnah Bogr e e is anothe r p e rgunnah spe ciall y re porte d uponby the Midnapore Em bankm e nt Comm ittee . It was

appl ica

fii i

l

lg

ity t o a lso origina lly a part of t h e gr e at Burdwan e state , b u tp e l gu m m ogl e e '

wa s se para te d from it in 1 804. A s t h e all owancere su m e d inclu de d t h e share of Bogr e e , t h e obligation of t h e Gove rnme ntt o ke e p u p embankm e nts in it is be yond que stion , a n d this obliga tionis e xpr e ssly provide d for in t h e Bogr e e koob oolyu t of t h e 1 1th January1 81 6 . It wi ll b e se e n that three of th e D emba n kments ar e in Bogr e eN os . 1 , 2 , an d 4.

It i s a qu estion, howe ve r, whe ther th e Bogr e e bunds do n ot

e n dange r t h e country lowe r down by confining be twe e n th e emban km e n tst h e e xce ss wate r which might harmle ssly spill ove r t h e cou ntry

, a lsowhe the r the y ar e of a n y pra ctica l b e ne fit . This que stion wa s r e se rve dfor con side ra tion in pa ssing orde rs on t h e Midn apor e e m ba n km e n tr e por t n l Th e qu e stion is, howe ve r, still unde cided, an d th e e m bankme ntsar e r e ta ine d in t h e sche du le .

P e rgunnahs Ch u n de rcon a , Burda , Byra , an d Je h an ab ad, a lso form e dpart of t h e Bur dwan e sta te , a n d the ir e m bankm e nts a r ema inta ine d by Gove rn m e nt . The se e m bankm e n ts a r ea l l on th e S e lye or Darkis su r rive rs, which combine d

form t h e ROOpn ara in . Vide N os . 18,19

,2 0

,2 1 , 2 6, Sche dule D .

A ve ry inte re sting note on t h e cost of the se e m bankm e n ts wa sM r . Hu ghe s , pre pare d by Mr . Hughe s , A ssista n t S e cr e tary in t h e

fi

ft

fhsh QWing cos t Pu b lic Works D e partme n t , Irr igation Branch , in 187 1

ga n kgggififfgfig or 1872 (it be ars n o da te ) . A s r e gards t h e costly circuitS e lye a n d Darkis embankme nts in particu lar (N os . 17 t o h e showe dm “

t h e na tu re of t h e cr 0ps t o b e prote cte d , a n d e stim a te dthe ir va lue a t Rs . pe r square m ile . Th e origina l cost of t h e

Oth e r p e rgu nn ah s .

Gove r n m e n t orde r No. 1 576 , da te d 29 ib Oc tobe r 1839 , paragraph 8 .

1‘ Di t to di t to, ditto, pa rag l aph 7 .

xii

embankme nts varie s from Rs . 2 17 a n d Rs . 224pe r a cre in the Gha t t a la n d K ha sbar emb a n kme nts a s a maxim um , t o Rs . 33 a n d Rs . 3 1 in t h eCh e t t ooa a n dDoosurpor e circuits a s a minim um ,

but the ave rage is on lyRs . 3 62 . Th e annu a l cost for mainte nance

,includin g e stablishme nt ,

flu ctua te s from Rs . 0 2 t o Rs . 2 - 5 p e r a cre , ave r age 5 Thus as sum in groughly that 2 5 pe r ce n t . of the crop is pre se rve d e ve ry ye ar ove r a n dabove what wou ld b e re ape d if u nprote cte d, it m aybe sa id that Rs .

p e r square m ile is a n n ua lly pr e se rve d a t a n or igin a l ou tlay of Rs .

pe r squ are m ile , a n d a t an an nua l e xp e n diture of Rs . 320. On the seda ta t h e be n e fit of th e e m ba n km e nts wou ld b e ve ry fu lly e stablishe d ; b u twhile th e e stim ate of 2 5 p e r c e nt . is a low e stim a te for dam age

,if a n y

single circuit is br e a che d a n d de va state d, it is probable tha t if t h e wholer a n ge of embankments we re thr own down t h e damage woul d b emuch le ss .

Th e Dam oodu r an d A dj a i embankme nts a r e a lso in the Bur dwan

Dam oodu r e me state , a n d a br ie f a ccount of t h e a l l - im portant discussion s

b a n km e n t , Fu n . which foll owe d t h e aban don me nt of pa r t of t h e rightdawe n t a l difficu lty embankm e n ts in t h e Dam oodu r cannot b e out of pla ce ,t o b e ov e rcom e . consi de ri n g tha t a Sim i lar di scu ssi on i s impen ding a s

re gards th e abandonm e nt of e m bankme nts on on e ban k of t h e Cossye .

Som e de cisive a ction wa s re nde re d n e ce ssary by t h e fre quent a n d

disa strous bre a che s in t h e Dam oodur e m ban kme nts t h e town ofBurdwan wa s la id unde r wate r thr e e tim e s in t h e on e ye ar a n d th e

be st m e ans of de a ling with t h e diffi culty wa s discu sse d in a n e laborater e port of t h e Military Boa rd in January 1854. Th e fundame nta ldiffi cul ty t o b e ove r com e , which is re produ ce d on a sm a lle r sca le in t h eca se of t h e Cossye a t Midnapore , wa s tha t t h e channe l of t h e Dam oodu r ,

in pa ssin g from above Burdwan t o A m pt ah , contr a cts t o su ch a n e xte n tthat it can not, whe n full up t o t h e t op of t h e bu n ds , carry off a t A m pt ah

m ore than on e - eighth pa rt of t h e flood which it might re ce ive from t h emore capa cious channe l above .

The a lte rnative proposa ls to reme dy this, which found most favour

(1) To wide n t h e embankm e nts in t h e lowe r re ache sso as to e nclose sufficie nt spa ce t o con ta in t h e wate r .

(2 ) To cut an e scape chann e l from t h e Dam oodu r into t h e

Roopn ar i an which flows a t a much lower le ve l .(3) To remove 2 0 mile s of e m bankme nt on t h e right bank above

the b e nd of t h e rive r (12 m il e s e a st of Burdwan) , by which t h e floodwould b e a llowe d t o spr e ad ove r 383 square m ile s of coun try .

"

Th e first proposa l wa s conside re d by Colone l Ga r s t in ,t h e Officiating

Chie f Engine e r, t o b e un sa tisfa ctory a n d ve ry costly (t h e works a lon ewould cost 2 0 lakhs) the se cond e qu a lly unsatisfa ctory a n dm uch m or e

costly (e stimate d t o cost 240 lakhs) while , a s a choice of difficu ltie s, h e

wou ld re comm e nd t h e abandonm e nt of t h e bun ds in th e right b ank of

t h e Dam oodu r a s t h e b e st m e a su r e that ca n b e adopte d, the re be ing n o

othe r a tte n de d with so few ob j e ct ion s .

”1'

His colle ague , Colone l Ma ctie r, howe ve r, pre fe rre d to combine h efirst an d se cond proposa l s i

Pa ragraph 9 of r e por t quoted.

1' D i t t o 15

1 Ditto 2 1 .

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xiv

Mr . Hobhouse, Collector of Burdwan , who went ove r the inunda tedare a du rin g t h e cold we a the r of 1859 , gave it a s his opinion from p e rsona l obse rvation tha t “ whe re ver t h e m a in body of the flood pa sse dthrough t h e br e a che s, the re more or le ss inju ry h a s be e n done on t h e

bank a n d inlan d by t h e swe e ping away a n d rot ting of crops , a n d t h e

de posit of san d to a gre ate r or le ss de pth . In pla ce s whe re th e floodshave sim ply wa she d lands without a n y viole n t rush of wate r

,a n d have

the nce g e n tly a n d n atura lly re ce de d a fte r r e sting some two or thre e days ,the re, t o judge of t h e crops, t h e floods have be e n b e ne ficia l t o t h e cou ntry.

”

A n d h e re com m e nde d t o fill up t h e bre a che s me ntione d so a s t o br in gthem t o t h e le ve ls of t h e rive r - banks on e ithe r side of them, a n d thu sp e rhaps , whe n a l l t h e right bank is ove rtopp e d by t h e flood, the re m ightb e a ge ne r a l a n d e qua l spill ove r t h e whole cou ntry, inste ad of thosepartia l r u she s of flood wate rs a t only some eight bre a che s ove r som e

thir ty m ile s of rive rI n 1 861 fu rthe r inqu ir ie s we re made a s to the e ffe cts of th e aban

don m e n t byMr . D e pu ty Colle ctor Jone s . His re port we n t t o show tha tt h e inun da tion p e r s e u nqu e stionably cause d dam age , inde e d a lm ost ru inin ce rta in loca litie s , a s much a s 90 pe r ce nt . of th e lands in some village slyin g wa ste ; a n dLie ute n ant Gar n au l t , R .E . , wa s de pu te d t o make a

fu r the r in qu iry in t h e wi n te r of 1862 . H e r e porte d favourably of t h em e a su r e a s a whole , though h e admitte d tha t itwa s ge ne ra lly u n popu l ar rf

'

H e m ade a com puta tion , showin g that th e are a of wa ste land,

which wa s b e e gh a s in 1864, h ad incre a se d in 1862 t oA ga inst this wou ld have t o b e s e t off th e improve m e nt t o a large tra ct ofland owing t o t h e fe rtilisin g de posit of silt re fe rr e d t o by Mr. Hob hou se ."

Th e ou tcom e of a l l the se inve st igations a n d re por ts wa s thu ssumm e d up by Gove rnme nt.

On a care ful con side r a tion of th e subj e ct, t h e Lie u te n ant- Gove r n

Fi n a l reviewofor is of opin ion tha t t h e re m ova l of t h e e m ba n km e n ts

t h e r e su l ts by t h e on th e r ight bank of t h e Dam oodu r h a s be e n a ju diciou sGove r n m e n t'

m e a su re ; t h e work h a s be e n car r ie d ou t wi th skil l a n dj u dgm e n t, a n d t h e r e su lts a ccord close ly with t h e e xpe ctation s form e dwhe n it wa s fir st authorise d in 1856 . Whate ve r pa rtia l dam age m ayhave be e n su sta in e d by t h e n a tu ra l a ction of t h e rive r

,n ow that it is

n o lon ge r a tte m pte d t o confine t h e flood wa te r s within a rtificia l l imits,it

is n ot t o b e com pa r e d with t h e in ju r y a n d de va station forme rly produ ce dby t h e su dde n a n d viole n t irruption of t h e r ive r bur sting its emb ankm e nts, while t h e ge ne ra l fe rt ility of t h e a r e a subj e ct t o inundation h a sbe e n gr e atly in cr e a se d.

”l|

It is but right, howe ve r, to draw a tte ntion t o th e fa ct that in t h eopinion of t h e be st au thoritie s t h e difficu l ty in de aling

f

A pprfign

fign of with the Dam oodu r flood is rathe r postpon e d tha n

(fix; “I

, “it; gta . p e rmane n tly se ttle d. Th e warning of t h e Chie f E n gidp a l ra is i n g of t h e ne e r in 1861 de se rve s t o b e re corde d .

“ It appe ars t o“ g“ ba n k t h e Chie f E n gin e e r obviou sly right tha t a sta te of

thin gs so opposed t o th e laws of natu re a s ob ligin g a la rge rive r, whe n

ac t from jou rn a l of Colle ctor of M idn apor e i n N ove m b e r 1859 .

1‘ To Su pe r in te n d in g En gin e e r , N o. 581 , 2 5 t h Se pte m be r 1863, pa rag raph 19 .

I D i t to ditto, ditto, pa ragra ph 14.

Di t to ditto, ditto, paragraph 18 .

Gove r n m e n t (Pu b lic Works D e pa rtm e n t) t o Board of Re ve n u e , N o. 3005, 18th M ay 1863 ,paragraph 14.

XV

flowing through its de lta , t o confine itse lf to on e channel shoul d b e termima te d ; a t th e sam e time h e ca n n ot b u t e n te rta in dou bts a s t o t h e strictproprie ty

,on e ngin e e ring grounds , of su bj e cting t o tr e a tme n t on e ba n k

of such a de ltoid r ive r on ly e xclu sive of t h e othe r ; n or avoid e xpr e ssinga fe ar tha t t h e e ve n tua l r e su lt, if a t a n ytim e vigilance should r e lax

, or a ccid e nt cause a bre a ch in t h e le ft bank bu n ds , n ow in su ch good orde r, m ayb e more disa strous than e ve r the re . Th e Chie f E n gin e e r woul d the r e forehave wishe d t o se e som e chan ne ls op e ne d on tha t side a lso, so that t h e le ve lof t h e coun try on both ba n ks m ight have b e e n ra is e d sim u ltane ously .

’

It is sta te d by Lie u te na n t Ga r n a u l t a s adm itting of n o que stionthat t h e r ight ba n k an d b e d of t h e Dam oodu r a r e b e in g ra ise d r apidlyd

'

Howe ve r, qu i te re ce ntly t h e old b e d of t h e K ana Dam oodu r h a sbe e n ope n e d a n dwa te r l e t into it, a n d proposa ls ar e u nde r con side rationt o tre a t othe r str e ams in t h e sam e mann e r.

Th e e m ba n km e n t on t h e le ft ban k of the Dam oodur is n ow cont in u ou s for 1 07 mile s — Sche du le D ,

N o. 82 .

O n th e right b a n k t h e e m bankm e nts a r e virtua lly continuous fromt h e mou th of t h e rive r t o K ist opor e , just b e low t h e b e n d

, b u t in t h esche du le the y appe a r broke n u p in to fragm e nts — N os . 81 a n d 38 t o 37 .

Th e e xplan ation of this is tha t t h e inte rve n ing se ctions a r e n ot in t h eBur dwa n e state , a n d he nce have to b e ke pt up by t h e zemindars t owhose e sta te s the y be longe d .

Obviously the y m ight b e take n up unde r th e new A ct a n d madea continuous line , t h e e sta te s be ne fite d be aring t h e e xpe nse of theportion s n ot in t h e Bu rdwan z e m in dar e e .

A s re gards t h e awa rd of com pe n sa tion for t h e in dividu a l damagein flicte d by the s e m e a su re s, t h e de cision of t h e Gove rn

Of c0m “ ment of India wa s aga inst t h e cla im .

p “ Th e Gove rnme n t is unde r n o obligation to a n yon e t o ke ep up a n y e mbankm e nts, a n d tha t n o p e r son wha te ve r wouldhave a n y cla im t o com pe n sation for in j u ry su ff e re d in conse qu e n ce of

t h e aba n donme nt of a line of embankme nts which cannot b e m a inta ine dwithOn t h e A dj a i thre e e m bankme nts a r e ma in ta ine d on t h e r ight ba n k

A d.

b k (N os . 2 7 , 2 8 , an d 2 9 , Sche du le D ) the y ar e a lm ost con tim e n t i

f

f“ e m an

n u ou s , 27 be ing only s e parate d from 2 8 by a kha ll, a n d

a gap of abou t a mile a n d a ha lf s e para tin g 2 8 from 2 9 .

N o. 2 9, th e Sa tkon e a b a n d, is a ce le b r a te d emba n km e nt,whose

hi story can b e tr a ce d ba ck t o t h e ye ar 1730, i n whicha dre adful inun dation occurre d, cau sing gr e a t loss of

life a n d prope r ty . Su ch wa s t h e m ischief tha t Raj ahK u t ch an d ende avoure d t o re pa ir the e m ba n kme nt du r in g th e r a in s , butfa ile d .

“

A nother ca lam i tous inundation occu rre d in 1 772 , a n d more or le ssdisastrou s bre a ch e s in 1774a n d 1784. A re port of 182 6 state s Th e

Sa tkon e a embankme nt wa s aga in breache d on t h e 1 st Nove m be r 1 787whe n t h e gre ate r part of Bur dwan , a n d m ost of t h e low distr icts in itsne ighbourhood, we re e ntire ly inundate d, so a s to occasion a scar city a lmostamounting t o a famine ove r a large portion of B e nga l . It a fte rwards

Th e Sa tkon e abu n d .

3“ M e m oran dum by Colon e l Y oun g , N o . 889 , 8th J u n e 1861, pa ragraph 17.

1’ R e por t pr e viou sly qu ote d , pa ragr aph 2 0 .

I Hom e De partm e n t N o. 1 143, da t e d 25 t h J u ly 1856.

xvi

gave way in 1807, a n d produce d a great devastation in the pergunnah ,t h e wate r having rise n a lm ost a s high a s in 1730, th e e arlie st re corde din un dation . This rise wa s e xce e de d in 1816 by ne arly two fe e t p e rpe n dicu l a r he ight, whe n a ge ne ra l swe e p wa s made of a l l t h e emba n kme n ts on t h e rive r . Num be rs of the inhabitants

,with the ir ca ttle

,we re

drowne d, a n d such of th e form e r a s e scape d, save d the m se lve s on tr e e sor on t h e high ba n ks of tanks . Scarce ly a hou se wa s le ft standingwithin t h e re a ch of

'

th e rive r from Be e rcu l s e e t o Cu twa ; a n d from t h ee xtraordinary rise of th e wate r, ma n y village s, which h ad a l l be e n con

s ide r e d be yon d t h e lim its of inu n da tion, su ffe r e d a sim ilar fate . Manyye ars must e lapse be for e t h e Gop e b h oom p e rgu n n ah ca n re cove r itsform e r sta te of fe rtility, a s a lthough t h e bu n d wa s re built in t h e e nsu ingse a son , wha t wa s on ce the riche s t part of th e pe rgunnah is now (182 6)a n unin hab itab le wa ste of sa n d .

“

A l l t h e e m ba n km e n ts on t h e right bank a r e we st of the E a stIndian Ra ilway, a n d t h e on ly Gove rn m e n t e m ba n km e n t on t h e le ftba n k is a sm a ll on e e a st of it. S e ve r a l sm a ll e m ba n km e n ts have be e nabandone d , a n d z e m in dar e e lands a llowe d t o ge t ou t of re pa ir , but t h ee ffe cts have n ot be e n n e arly so m arke d a s in the ca se of th e Dam oodu r

right e m bankm e nt. Mr. D e puty Coll e ctor Jone s in quir e d into t h e

e ff e cts of t h e abandonme nt of t h e A dj a i e m bankm e nts a t t h e same timetha t h e con ducte d th e inquiry re garding t h e Dam oodur , a n d h e re porte dth a t th e lands adjoining t h e aba n done d emba n km e nt of the A dj a ihave ne ithe r be e n se riou sly n or pe rm ane n tly in ju re d, an d t h e dam agedone appe are d t o him qu i te in sign ifican t whe n com pare d with t h ede va sta tion a n d ruin h e witn e sse d a lon g t h e ban ks of t h e Dam oodur .

”1

Mr. A le xande r, Colle ctor of Be e rb hoom , inqu ir e d a t t h e sam e timeinto t h e dam age s don e on t h e Be e rb h oom (le ft) bank a n d re porte d themt o b e conside rable

, b u t the y we r e n ot thought su ffi cie nt to ra ise an ydoubt a s t o t h e propr ie ty of wha t h ad be e n

Th e pre se nt cost of a l l t h e e m bankm e nts tha t formerly be longe d toCos t of e m ba n k . th e Bu rdwan e sta te , whose re pa irs ar e su ppose d t o be

m e n ts i n t h e old cove re d by t h e Rs . re sum e d a llowance , range s fromBu rdwa n esm e'

Rs . t o Rs . p e r annum wi t /rou t , a n d fromRs . t o Rs . wi th e stablishm e n t. Gove rn me nt is the r e forea cle ar lose r a t th e pre sen t tim e b u t until th e re ce nt A ct , no authorita tiveinte rpr e ta tion se e m s t o have be e n m ade of t h e pre cise exte nt of th ee ngage m e n t, or of t h e works which it be came in cum be nt on Gove rnm e ntt o ke e p u p . On th e on e hand, some of t h e e m ba n km e n ts on th e A dj a ia n dDam oodu r have b e e n aba n done d , whi le on th e othe r hand th e Ch e t ooae mbankm e nts have be e n e n large d an d num e rous slu ice s constructe d .

Th e Embankme n t A ct m ay b e conside re d to a fford such a n inte r

pr e t a t ion ; it is ta n tamount to a le gislative de clar ationof its true construction . That this construction is pr ecis e ly t h e same a s would have be e n made a t t h e tim e,cannot of cour se b e ma inta ine d, b u t it m ay b e conte nde d

tha t it is a fa ir e quiva le nt of it, or at least that it does not err in favourof th e Gove rnm ent .

M r . Ba illie ’s Be n ga l O ffice Note , paragraph 1 22 .

1’ M r . Com m ission e r Plowde n ’

s Re por t, No - 243, 27 t h S e pte m be r 1862 , par agraph 2 2 .

I B e n ga l Gove rn m e n t (Public Works De partm e n t) No. 6632 , of 25th Nove m be r 1862,paragraph 7 .

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A P PENDIX 0.

Em ba n km e n ts in t h e r e s t of th e Dis tr ict of M idn ap or e .

THE embankme n ts in Midnapore m ay b e conve nie ntly divide d intofive groups, which, with the ir obj e cts, m ay b e thus de scr ib e d

(1 ) Th e e m b ankm e n ts fa lling withi n t h e Bur dwan z e m in dar e e ,which form

'

par t of those which have be e n de scr ibe d in

03583 12152215?A ppe ndi x B . The se a r e on t h e banks of th e S e lye rive ra n d its contin uation , th e Roopn ar a in ,

a n d e xce pt for a

short distance a t t h e sou the rn e n d, t o which t h e sa ltwate r re a ches , the ir obj e ct is t o bank ou t sa n dy fre sh wate rinun dations , a s in t h e ca se of th e Dam oodu r a n d A dj a i .

(2 ) Th e e m bankm e n ts a long t h e Cossye . The se ar e sim i lar inchara cte r to t h e above, a n d ke e p ou t fre sh wate r ; b u t n otbe in g within t h e Burdwan z e m in dar e e , the y ar e ma int a in e d a t th e e xpe nse of t h e ze m in dars .

(3) Sim il a r emba n kme n ts on t h e K a l iaghye . The se a lso ar e

t o ke e p ou t fr e sh wate r, a n d ar e m a in ta ine d a t t h e e xp e n s eof t h e ze m inda r s whe r e t h e e sta te s ar e p e rm an e ntly se ttle d,a n d of t h e Gove rnm e nt whe r e te m por arily se ttle d ; t h elatte r ar e chie fly in p e rgun n ah Pu t t a spor e , which a t th e

tim e of t h e p e rm a n e n t se ttle m e ntwa s un de r t h e Mahratta s .

(4) Th e e m bankm e n ts of H idj e l e e , inclu ding t h e above , whichm ay b e tak e n a s a whole , sin ce the y stand on ve ry ne arlyt h e sam e footin g , thou gh the re is som e slight di ff e r e ncebe twe e n Tum look, M ysadu l , a n d som e sm a ll e r e sta te swhich ar e pe rm ane ntly se ttle d, a n d M a jn am oot ah a n d

J e l l am oot ah which ar e only te m por ar ily se ttle d. A ll the see m b ankm e nts, includi ng th e gre a t s e a dyke , ar e de signe dt o ke e p ou t sa lt wate r .

Of the se e m bankm e nts by far t h e most im por tant ar e those la stname d ; in de e d the y a r e pr obab ly th e most im portant e m bankm e n ts ina ll B e n ga l . It will b e the re for e be tte r t o de a l with the m first, addin ga fte rwa rds wha t is n e ce ssary re garding t h e re m a inde r.

In H idj e l e e t h e e m ban km e nt syste m is se en in its m ost com ple teform . A single ove rflow of sa lt wa te r is sa id t o b efata l t o thr e e ye a r s’ crops . He n ce it is n ot an y sudde nrush of wate r, such a s in t h e ca se of th e Dam oodu r ,

A dj a i , or Cossye , or a n y occa siona l in un da tions, b u t t h e ordinarygradu al rise of e a ch day’s tide s tha t h a s t o b e e n t ir e ly e xclu de d from a ll

lan d s e t apart for agricu l ture . Su ch com ple te e m banking ne ce ssarilyinvolve d a num be r of subsidi ary works, e sp e cia lly t o dispose of t h e

dra inage, a n d t h e whole of the se we r e com pr ise d in t h e on e com pr eh e n siv e te rm poolb u n de e , which m ay b e libe ra lly translate d a s t h esyste m of works ne ce ssary for the protection of agricul ture in a countrye xpose d t o inundations .

H idj e l e e e mb an km e n t s .

x ix

Th e system h a s be e n much sim plifie d, though not e ntire ly superse de d,by t h e con struction of slu ice s, a n d it will b e m ost conve n ie nt, first, t ode scribe t h e system of works a n d the ir te rminology ; the n t o state t h eob ligations of Gove rn m e nt a s r e gards the ir ma in te na n ce , a s de te rmin e d inpa ssing orde r s on t h e r e port of t h e Em ba n km e nt Com mitte e ne xt t o showt h e e ffe ct of t h e n ew A ct on the se obligation s ; a n d la stly, t o specify a n d

de scribe brie fly t h e principa l works . Th e gre a te r part of th e information he re give n is conta ine d in t h e Midnapore Em bankm e n t Re port of1 839 , by Sir H . M . Ricke tts a n d M a jor De Bu de , b u t a s that re port, so fa ra s I know, h a s n e ve r be e n prin te d, a n d conta ins m uch which is n o lon ge rne e de d, it ca n not but b e use fu l t o give t h e substance of it in this ma n u a l .

Ga n goor e ab u n de e or Bahar Be r ab u n de e .

” The se nam e s ar e give n

Et o t h e large st a n dm ost im portant embankme nts, viz . those

m b a n km e n tte rm in ology i n a lon g t h e s e a - coa st or a long t h e ban ks of rive r s a n dH idj e l e e ~ entr ance s of th e se a . Th e nam e gan goor e a bund is e qu a llyGa n goore ab u n de e .

give n whe the r t h e wate r of t h e rive r is fr e sh or sa lt.Hus s e ab un de e .

” Into the se ma in rive rs a large num be r of

kh a l l s ope n . The y we re chi e fly use d for t h e tran sportof sa lt during the days of t h e manuf a cture , but the y

al so se rve a s dra inage cha n n e ls . It is e vide nt tha t t h e sa lt wa te r of

e a ch tide woul d ga in a n e n tr a n ce in to t h e country unle ss th e oute r or

gan goor e a emba n kme nts we r e continue d a long these kh a l l s . Thesecontinua tions a r e ca lle d h u s s e a s .

”

Ne a rly a l l the se kh a l l s , howe ve r, have no flow e xcept in th e ra ins ;he nce , e xce pt whe n n e e de d for naviga tion , or, whe n so ne e de d, above t h epoint whe re the sa lt golah m i ght b e , a n d whe re t h e khall wa s the r e foren o longe r ne e de d, the re is nothing t o pre ve nt th e kha ll be in g close d by across dam . Th e advantage s of such cross dam s a r e ve ry gre at ; the yke e p t h e sa lt wa te r from fil l ing t h e kha ll, an d the r e by from e xe r cisin gits de stru ctive a ction on t h e e m ba n km e n ts on its ban ks (h u ss e a s ) , a n d

still more , ke e p ou t the la n d - cr ab which t h e sa lt wa te r brings with it,

whose a ction in burrowin g into t h e ba n ks is e ve n m or e de stru ctive thanth e saline wa te r. La stly, much le ss dange r arise s fr om t h e h u ss e a s be in gne gle cte d ; inde e d the y might b e dispe n se d with a ltoge the r we re it n ottha t in t h e r a ins t h e cross dams have t o b e cu t

,a n d the n t h e hu ss e a s a r e

ne e de d, though t h e wa te r whi ch wa she s the ir ba se is scarce ly, a t tha tse a son of the ye ar, e ve n bra ckish .

H e nce h u sse a s have t o b e divide d into two cla sses—those be lowcross bun ds, which ar e fundame nta lly oute r emb ankm ents a n d a lmosta s M port a n t a s ga n goor e a bunds , a n d thos e above cross bu nds, whichfor t h e gr e a te r part of t h e ye ar ar e inner e m bankm e n ts on ly .

Khall b u n de e is t h e nam e give n t o t h e a n n u a l con stru ction a n dcutting of cross embankme nts, whose importance h asj u st bee n de scribed.

Kh al l ku n de e is the pe riodi ca l e xcava tion of t h e kh al l s to removeth e a ccumula tions of sil t . It is e vide nt that outside th ecross dams, t h e play of th e tide s with n o cou nte ra cting

curre nt, a n d inside , t h e sluggish dra inage mu s t le ad t o t h e rapid de positof silt, a n d t o t h e conse qu e nt inutil i ty of the kh a l l s whe the r fornavigation or dra in age . He nce t h e ne ce ssity for p e riodica l e xcava tion ,

t h e earth be ing ge n e r a lly utilise d t o re pair th e hu s s e as ,”on their banks .

Hu ss e ab u n de e .

Kha ll b u n de e .

Kha ll ku n de e .

XX

J ol n ika s e e is in su b stance t h e same a s t h e above, e xce p t that

it is applie d t o sm a ll dr a inage chan n e ls on ly,su ch a s

would invariab ly b e within t h e cross dams, a n d s u b si

diary t o the large r kh a l l s . The se dra in age cha n n e ls we re a n im por ta n tf e a tu r e in t h e agr icul tu ra l syste m owing t o t h e pra ctice in H idj e l e e of

di viding th e country in to b locks by sm a ll inne r circu it e m bankm e nts,

in ste ad of into fie lds a s e lsewhe r e by a ils’ or fie ld ridge s . E a ch of the seb locks re qu ire d its jol n ika s e e kha ll or dra inage cha n n e l t o carry off th esurplus wate r of t h e circu it whe n t h e r a infa ll wa s e xce ssive

,whil e t o

pr e ve n t th e same r e sul t followin g whe n th e ra infa ll wa s n ot e xce ssive ,the se cha n n e ls h ad us ua ll y sm all h u ss e a s a long the ir banks which couldb e cut throu gh in a few m inute s if n e ce ssary.

B/zem bu n de e , Bh e r e e bu n de e— The se a r e t h e name s applie d t o th e

system of inte rior e m bankme n ts which it r e m a ins t ode scribe . Th e te rm b h e rab u n de e is applie d t o large

e mban kme nts of this cla ss, su ch a s those which in dicate p e rgunn ahbou nda rie s . Bh e r e e b u n de e , on t h e othe r hand, is a ge ne ric nam e for a l l

t h e sm a lle r inte r ior e m b ankme nts, which a r e ke pt u p e ithe r a s boundary line s or a s part of t h e agricultur a l syste m . The y we re ma in ly of

thr e e cla sse s J u l n ika s e e h u ss e a s , a lre ady de scrib e d a s t h e para lle lem bankm e nts on drain age chan ne ls t o pre ve nt the ir car ryin g off t h ewate r whe n n ot in e xce ss ; (2 ) Gr am sh rah adb h e r e e s or e m bankm e nts t o

m ark ou t village boundarie s (8) Gr am b h e r e e s , whi char e a lm ost ide n tica l with t h e pre ce ding, e xce pt that

the y ar e me ant t o se rve a diff e r e n t purpose , a n d the re fore do n ot n e ce s

sarily follow th e vi llage b oun dary. Th e gr am b h e r e e s a r e t h e sma llinne r emban km e nts which take t h e pla ce of a ils, in that the ir obj e ctis t o distribute fa ir ly t h e r a infa ll by ke e pin g on e a ch tra ct of coun trytha t which it a ctu a lly re ce ive s . We re the y n ot ke pt up or re pla ce dby a ils

,t h e wate r would n ot sta n d on t h e fie lds

,but wou ld flow off

towards t h e lowe r le ve ls , swam pin g t h e la n ds the r e , u n til r e le a se dby ru nning th e cross dam s a n d cuttin g th e hu ss e a s in nu m e rou s pla ce s,a n d a t t h e same tim e le avin g in su fificie n t moist u re t o t h e highe rlands . For though H idj e l e e is m uch more of a de ad le ve l tha n e ve na n ordinary rice pla in i n a fla t distr ict, still the r e is sufli ci e n t diffe re nceRel ative adva n ,

of le ve ls t o prove de tr im e nta l i f t h e wate r is in n o waytage s of gram ; re ta ine d on t h e land . Whe the r th e p e ople a lon g t h ewe r e “ a n d a‘l s '

s e a - coa st a r e right to pre fe r gram b h e r e e s t o a ils,h a s

forme d th e subj e ct of a protr a cte d controve r sy, t h e Em ba n kme ntCom m itte e of Midnapore de clar ing in favor of gr am b h e r e e s , whileCapta in B e ll, an e xperie nce d Supe rinte nding Engin e e r of Cu ttack, tookpre cise ly t h e opposite vie w ; but it is probable that t h e re a sons whichhave l e d t o the ir adoption by pr e fe re nce we re some wha t a s follows .

Gr am b h e r e e s can on ly b e re sorte d to whe re t h e cou ntry is so le ve lthat a n e m bankme nt t o a n e ntir e r ice m a t ,

’or pla in ,

re ta in s a su ffi

ci e n cy of wa te r on e ac/z part of t h e e nclose d are a , without holdin g u pa su p e rflui ty on a n y portion . It is e vide nt that m ore than a few inche sof diffe re nce in le ve l wou ld b e fata l t o this , a n d he nce it is only inv e ry le vel tracts that gram b h e r e e s would work. On t h e othe r hand,whe n a ils ar e re sorte d t o, t h e wate r of on e fie ld h a s t o dra in off (whe nit is in exce ss, or whe n i t is Wishe d t o dra in it off) through the adjacent

J ol n ika s e e .

Bh e re e b u n de e .

Gram b h e r e e s .

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xxii

which h e binds himse lf to ke e p up a l l embankme nts a t his own e xpe nse .

The r e is th e e ngageme n t of Raj ah Ju ggon a th Gurg whe n h e re cove re dposse ssion in 1808, in which , a s in t h e se ttle m e nt e ngage m e nts

,a l l

poolb u n dy e xpe n se s de volve d on th e Gove rnme nt ; a n d the r e is thekoob oolyu t of Ra j ah Ram na th Gurg in 1822 , in which h e e n gage s toma in ta in t h e poolb u n dy in his e sta te fr om his own re sou rc e s , a ccordingt o e stablishe d custom,

a n d ne ve r t o m ake a n y e xcuse s abou t poolb u n dy.

“ We re pe at t h e e xiste nce of a l l the se contradictory docu m e n ts , t h econtradi ction s in which have ge ne ra lly n o a ssignable cau se , if the yprove a n ything a t a l l , ca n prove on ly tha t the y we re dr awn up with li ttleor no a tte ntion t o the ir re a l te nor ; the y appe ar in fact t o have be e npre pare d a s m atte r s of me re form , a n d t o have be e n drawn up , sign e d,a n d re ce ive d with e qua l care le ssne ss by a l l pa r tie s .

“ Th e re a l obligations of Gove rnm e n t ar e , a s be fore state d, de te rmine d by t h e E n glish corr e sponde nce a n d by those koob oolyu t s which ,in conform ity with th e te nor of that corresponde nce , we re drawn up a t

t h e de ce nnia lTh e Tu m look koob oolyu t , which is date d 1 1 th Ju l y 1795 , wa s not

signe d by a n y E ur op e an offi ce r. Th e words in both the se koob oolyu t sa r e tha t the Gove r n m e n t (Company) will ke e p u p t h e

“ b h e e r e e b u n de e ,kh a lku n de e , kh a lb u n de e , gan goor e ab u n de e , &c . (o- gha ira ) salt a n d fr e sh

(n im ake e - o- m adh u r )Th e Committe e , taking t h e de nomin a tions on e by on e , a rrive d

Comm i ttee’ s opi . a t t h e foll owing conclu sions . Th e obligation t o

n ion a n d ord e r s ma inta in t h e ‘

gan goor e a’or ma in embankme nts wa s

th e r e on . l a in .

Th e hu sse a’e m bankme nts were not name d in th e koob oolyu t , an d

he nce h ad be e n le ft un r e pair e d for se ve ra l ye a r s be fore t h e Com m itte ere porte d ; b u t it wa s pointe d out tha t the y we re in te gra l portion s oft h e syste m ,

a n d we re a lways include d in t h e re pa ir e stim ate s of t h epe r iod . Th e Comm itte e the r e for e conte nde d tha t Gove rn m e n t wa s liable ,a n d th e Board of Re ve nue sum me d u p on th e sam e side , urgin g tha tt h e h u sse a bun ds ou ts ide t h e cross dam s we re in fa ct con tinuation s of

gan goor e a bu n ds ; whil e those inside m ight b e inclu de d in t h e ge ne ricte rm b h e r e e b u n de e .

’Th e De pu ty Gove rnor a cce pte d t h e l iab il i ty f

Th e liab ility a s re gards ‘kh a l lb u n de e ’ a n d ‘kh a l l ku n de e’ wa s n ot ope n

to que stion , th e te rms b e in g me ntione d spe cifica lly in t h e koob oolyu t s .

Joln ika s e e is n ot me n tion e d in t h e koob oolyu t s a n y m ore thanh u sse ab u n de e ,

’ but t h e Com mitte e pointe d ou t t ha t t h e pre sum ption infavor of this work be ing done by Gove rn m e n t wa s un iform,

a n d tha tit wa s an in dispe nsable portion of t h e system of agricultu r e . Th e Boardtook t h e same vie w, a n d Gove rnme nt adopte d t h e conclusions the ya rrive d a t i

It wa s only a s re gards b h e r e e b u n de e ’ that a n ydiffe re nce of Opinionwa s e li ci t e d. This m ay a t fir st sight appear str a n ge ,a s the te rm sta n ds a t t h e he ad of t h e list of workswhich ‘th e Com pany’ wa s ple dge d t o ma in ta in . But

t h e dive rge nce of opinion wa s in re a lity abou t t h e gr am b h e r e e s a n d

Com m itt e e ’s Re por t, pa ragraphs 31 , 32 , a n d 33 .

1" Orde rs on Re por t, da t e d 2 9t h Octobe r of 1839, N o. 1 576 , pa ragraph 9 .

I D itto d itto di tto 15 .

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gram sh rah adb h e r e e s ; an d th e true point a t issue m ay b e more corre ctlystate d a s be i n g whe the r th e word b h e r e e b u n de e , a s writte n in t h e

koob oolyu t s , in clude d or did n ot include gram b h e r e e s an d similar in te riorbu nds . He nce t h e me re nam e in th e koob oolyu t s wa s n ot so de cisive a s

it app e are d t o b e , a s it might only r e fe r t o th e in t e r ior a n d jol n ika s e eh u ss e a s , which Gove rnm e nt admitte d its liab ility t o ke e p u p .

Th e Committe e argue d tha t Gove rnme nt wa s bound t o ke e p up th e

gr am b h e r e e s be cause the y conside re d the m mu ch more be ne ficia lt o t h e agr icu lture of tha t part of t h e cou ntry than ‘

a ils ’ wou l d b e ;(2 ) be ca u se , if ke pt up , the duty wou l d ob vi ou sly de volve on t h e ze m in dar s ,a s e a ch bun d b e ne fite d many ryots, a n d the Gove rnm e nt h ad e xpr e sslytake n ove r in Tu m look an d H idj e le e t h e fu nctions of t h e ze m in da rsa s re gards e m bankm e nts (8) be cau se th e e xpre ssion n im ake e - o- m adhu r ,

’

“ sa lt an d fre sh or sa lt an d swe e t,”applie d t o embankm e nts, cou ld on ly

have in vie w gram b h e r e e s a n dgram sh r ah adb h e r e e s , a s a l l othe rs woul d b esa lt embankm e nts (4) be cause t h e e stim ate s of t h e p e riod pre ce din g t h ese ttleme nt showe d num e rou s gram b h e r e e s distin ctly so nam e d a s b e ingre pa ire d by th e State ; (5) sub se que nt t o t h e settle m e nt, the y we re ke ptin re pa ir u p t o 1222

, from which da te the y we re le ft untouche d inTum look, a n d, from a few ye ars late r, in Con ta i .The Board of Re ve n ue admitte d th e ove rwhe lm ing for ce of t h e

a rgum e nts adduce d a s t o t h e liability of Gove rn me n t , if t h e util ity of t h egram b h e r e e s could b e e stablishe d, b u t the y urge d aga inst th e authorityof the Com m itte e t h e opin ion s of Capta in B e ll an d Capta in Fitzge r a ld,

su p e rintende nts of Embankme nts

,who h ad pronounced aga inst the se

u n ds

Th e Gove rnm e nt came t o the conclu sion tha t a s t h e re pa ir of the sep e tty e m bankm e n ts h ad be e n discon tin u e d since 1 815 , a n d n o com pla in tsh ad be e n m ade for 19 ye ar s

,that is

,till a fte r th e thre e succe ssive storm s

of 188 1,1882 , a n d 1888 h ad de va sta te d t h e cou ntry, t h e gram b h e r e e s

could n ot b e of m u ch pra ctica l va lu e ; he n ce it wa s de cide d that unle ssthe r e for e stron ge r grounds than have a lr e ady be e n produ ce d ca n b e

shown , His Hon or is oppose d t o a n y e xpe n di tu r e of t h e pu bli c m on e yon a ccou n t of bu n ds com ing u nde r t h e de scription of b h e r e e b u n de e .

”f

Th e pe ople , howe ve r , still com pla in of t h e aba n donm e nt of t h e gramb h e r e e s , nu m be r s of which r e m a in an d a r e ke pt up in a n incom ple tesor t of m a n ne r ; a n d on an im par tia l re view of th e sub j e ct

,it is di fficult

t o a void th e con clu sion that while th e obliga tion of r e pa ir ing su ch p e ttyloca l works ne ve r ough t to have be e n a ssume d by t h e State , a s a fa ct itwa s so a ssum e d . On t h e othe r hand, lookin g t o th e H idj e l e e e m b ankme nts a s a whole ; looking t o th e e n orm ous e xpe nse on t h e gr e at s e adyke , on costly slui ce s an d other works which th e Gove rnm e nt wa s n ot

bou nd t o con struct, the r e can b e n o ma n ne r of doubt tha t wha t th eGove rnme n t h a s done ove r a n d above its obligation s far e xce e ds wha t ith a s le ft un done of what wa s include d in its obliga tions ; a n d th e costt o Gove rnm e n t of embankme nts in H idj e le e is indispu tably fa r gre ate rin proportion t o t h e revenue de rived than it wa s a t th e time of th ep e rmane nt s e ttle m e nt .

This se e m s ope n t o con te n tion . Th e pe rgu n n ah or b h e rab u n de e , t h e ba sse a bu n ds within crossdam s, a n d t h e j ol n i kas e e h u s se a s m ight a l l com e u n de r t h e de n om in ation of swe e t’ e m ba n km en ts .1’ Gove rn m e n t orde r s a s above , paragraph 2 1 .

xxiv

While advoca ting t h e liability of the Gove rnme nt t o bear the

Arran ge m e n ts fore xpe nse of a l l the se di ffe re nt cla sse s of embankme nts

,

m a n agin g t h e b u n dsth e Comm itte e we re far from thinkin g tha t t h e charge

for which Gove l ‘n of a l l of the m should b e pla ce d in t h e ha n ds of Gove r nm e n t wa s h a ble '

m e nt office r s ; in othe r words, of t h e Pu blic WorksD e par tm e nt of tha t day. Th e principle the y advocate d wa s a s follows

“We conside r tha t t h e bun ds a r e a n inte gra l part of e a ch zemin dar’se state , a n d we a ccordingly conclude tha t whe ne ve r t h e ma n ageme n t ofthe se bu nds ca n , with sa fe ty t o himse lf a n d othe rs, b e le ft in t h e ha n dsof th e zemindar, it ought to b e so, a n d tha t th e inte rfe re n ce of th e

Gove rnme n t shou ld b e confined t o those ca se s whe re , from t h e dange rou sexposu re t o which th e bunds a r e subj e ct, a de gre e of skill a s we ll a s careis re quire d in the ir man ageme nt be yond wha t coul d b e e xpe cte d fromt h e ze m in dars, or whe re , in th e e fficie nt ma inte nance of th e bunds

, a r e

involve d th e inte re sts n ot of on e but many not me re ly of th e ze m in daron whose e state th e bunds themse lve s ar e situate d, but of othe r ze m indars whose e state s ar e liable t o injury if his bun ds a r e bre a che d .

’

Th e prin ciple is substantia lly t h e same a s that s e t forth in t h epre am ble t o Re gula tion XXXIII, 1798 , though the re it is s e t forth a s

a n indica tion of th e e xte nt of th e liabilitie s of t h e State , an d here a s a

me a su re of th e e xpe die ncy of State su p e rvision .

Th e Com mitte e a ccordin gly propose d , a n d t h e Gove rnme nt sanc

Ext e r ior e m b a ukt ion e d, a n arra n g e m e n t by which a l l e xt e r ior e m b an k

m e n ts t o b e m a in m e n ts a n d su bsidiary works shou ld b e ke pt in r e pa ir

32°

1d t h e ? “b l i° throu gh t h e a ge ncy of t h e office rs of t h e D e partm e n t

or 3 De pa rtm e n t . of Pu b li c Works , a n d t h e 1n t e r i or emba n km e n ts a n dI n te r ior e m ba "k' su b s idiarv works b e m ade ove r t o t h e cu stody of t h e

m e n ts m ade ove r t o V

t h e com m "of t h e ze m indars Wi th a n a llowa n ce or re m i ssi on “ t o t h eze m i n da r s with a e xte nt of t h e ave r age of th e sum s annu a lly e xpe n de ds u l t a b l e a llowa n ce ' by t h e Sta te u pon t h e in te rior bu nds for t h e 17 ye a r sdur ing which the ywe 1 e a l l ke pt u p ; upon , howe ve r, th e condition tha t t h ein te r ior e m ba n km e nts

, on a ccoun t of whi ch t h e r e m ission is m ade , sha llb e ke pt in prope r re pa irs . Th e e xe cutive offi ce r s of t h e se ve ra l distr ictswill, of cou r se , s e e tha t su ch is t h e ca se , a n d the y will, a s propose d byt h e Board

,su bmit pe riodica l re ports t o th e Comm ission e rs of division s .

”f

Following this division , t h e ga n goor e a or bahar bu n ds, a n d t h e

h u ss e a s a lon g ope n kh a l l s or u p t o t h e point of e r e cting th e crossdam , t h e kh a l lb u n de e or e re ct ion a n d ma inte n ance of t h e cross dams,a n d t h e kh a l lku n de e of ope n kh a l l s we re t o b e looke d a fte r by t h ePu b lic Works D e pa r tm e nt ; while th e kh a l lku n de e of close d kh a l l s , t h ej ol n ika s e e a n d th e h u s se a s of close d kh a l l s a n d m inor dra inage chann e ls we r e t o b e tra n sfe r r e d t o t h e ze m in da r s . Th e Com mi tte e wou ldhave adde d t h e gram b h e r e e s , &c . , u n de r t h e nam e of b h e re e b u n de e ,b u t this wa s , a s shown above , disa llowe d . For t h e re st the se proposa lswe re sanctione d .

Th e remissions m ade a re shown in th e followin g sta te m e n t e sta te bye sta te t h e e xpe nse s on t h e e xte rior emb a n km e n ts ar eS tate m e n t of

a llowa n c e s m ade shown a t t h e sam e tim e a s de s e rvm g noti ce . Th e 1 7(“r “1 13 Pu rpose ° ye a r s se le cte d we re t h e 1 7 ye ars t e rm m a tm g i n 181 2

,a s

be in g th e pe riod du rin g which a l l e m b a n km e n ts we re ke pt fu lly in re pa ir .

Com m itte e ’s Re por t , paragraph 50 .

1” Gov e rn m e n t orde rs, pa rag raph 2 7.

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xxvi

Th e condition of the se re m issions wa s that th einte rior e m b ankme n ts shou ld b e ke pt u p a n d t h epe riodical r e ports m ade by t h e e xe cu tive office rs t oth e e ff e ct tha t this wa s done .

The se orde rs we r e n ot , howe ve r, found to work, a s will b e le arntfrom t h e Board’s re por t t o Gove r n m e nt in 1858

For m any ye a r s th e ce rtifica te s we r e fur n ishe d a n d t h e r emissiona llowe d, b u t t h e pr e se n t e xe cutive offi ce r , Capta in Rigby,

de m ur s t ograntin g t h e ce rtificate , re pre se n ting that t h e works a r e sca tte re d ove ra gr e at e xte n t of cou n try quite ou t of t h e range of his in spe ctiondu tie s, a n d tha t su ch a n e xam in ation of the m a s wou ld e n ab le h imcon scie ntiou sly t o ce rtify tha t a l l h ad b e e n com ple te d would occupyhis e n tire tim e for se ve ral m onths t o t h e de trime nt of his more u rge ntdu tie s .

It appe ars to t h e Board entire ly unne ce ssary t o make t h e remission condition a l on t h e du e e xe cu tion of r e pa irs . Th e e sta te s of Tu mlook a n d M ysadu l ar e se ttle d in p e rp e tuity. A t th e se ttle m e nt

,inste ad

of a n a llowan ce for pool b u n dy having be e n made a s wa s usu a l, t h e

Gove rn me nt took u pon itse lf t h e re pa irs of a l l t h e ne ce ssa ry works ;a fte r a cour se of ye ar s it h as b e e n de te rm in e d t o re ta in only t h e

e xte rior e m bankm e nts in the hands of t h e public office rs an d t o re liu

qu ish a l l t h e sm a lle r works t o th e ze m indars, b u t the re can b e n o m or e

re a son for havin g t h e works inspe cte d in this case than in t h e m anyothe rs in which , a t t h e se ttle m e nt, t h e e xp e nse of such works wasde ducte d from t h e ze m inda r ’s t ah ood.

’

Th e Board the r e fore re com m e nd that so much of paragraph 27 of

t h e orde rs of t h e 29t h Octob e r 1889 a s m ake s t h e a llowa n ce con ditiona lon a ce rtifica te from th e Exe cutive Engine e r m ay b e cance lle d .

“

Th e Gove rnm e n t brie fly sanction e d th e proposa on t h e un de rstandin g (implie d in your pre se n t le tte r) tha t it is a m a tte r of in diffe re n ce , a s far a s t h e inte re sts of Gove rnme nt ar e conce rne d, whe the r the sebu nds a r e ke pt in r e pair or n ot .

’

i“

It m ay we ll b e qu e stion e d whe the r this ma in te n an ce was a matte rof indiff e r e n ce , so far a s t h e in te r e sts of Gove r n m e n t we r e con ce rn e d .

If Tu m look a n d M ys adu l we r e pe rm a n e ntly se ttle d, M a j n am oot ah an dJe l l am oot ah , still la rge r e state s, we re on ly te m porarily se ttle d

, a n d

t h e com pla ints of ne gle ct of the ir du tie s by t h e ze m inda r s have be e nfre qu e n t both on t h e part of t h e e ngin e e r s a n d ryots . Mor e ove r

, t h e

e state s in which t h e Gove rnm e nt m ade a n a llowa n ce a t th e pe rm a n e ntse ttle m e nt, a n d the n e xe rcise d n o fu rthe r su p e rvision , we r e ju st tha t ve rycla ss of e state s which we r e n ot in a n y way para lle l t o H idj e l e e ,which a r e b e low th e le ve l of t h e ordinary tide s . I n t h e districts whichdid a fford some par a lle l, t h e 24- Pe rgu n n ahs a n d Or issa , t h e Gove rnm e nt did n ot m ake a n y such agr e e m e nt, b u t re ta ine d t h e emba n km e ntsin its own hands .

To som e e xte nt inde e d t h e orde r s have be e n m odi fie d . Re m issionsin H idj e l e e have b e e n so fre que nt that it wa s n a tura lly sugge ste d tha tt h e ne ce ssity for such re m issions might b e partly tra ce able t o th e negle ct

Board of Re ve n u e t o Gove r n m e n t, No . 344, da te d 9 t h Se pte m be r 1853 .

1" Gove rn m e n t orde rs, No. 802, da te d 2 2n d Se p t e m b e r 1853 .

Xxvl l

of the ir share of works by th e ze m indars .‘

A ccordingly, in 1869 th e

Gove rnme nt, in re ply t o a re fe re nce , de cide d tha t t h e ze m indars shouldb e give n cle arly t o un de r stand tha t n o a llowanc e will b e m ade in fu tur ein un favorable s e a sons

,u n le ss it is sa tisfa ctor ily shown tha t t h e fail u r e

of t h e cr ops is in n o way t o b e attrib u te d t o t h e fa ct tha t the y haven e gle cte d the ir du ty a n d in te re st in ke e pin g, a n d ca u sin g t o b e ke pt,in orde r t h e dr a inage cha n ne ls a n d gram b h e r e e s on the ir re spe ctivee state s .” It will n o dou bt b e obse rve d tha t t h e du ty of t h e ze m in darst o ke e p up gram b h e r e e s is he r e by in siste d on , thou gh n o a llowa n ce h adbe e n m ade for this purpose , indica tin g tha t, in t h e opinion of Gove r nme nt, it wa s th e ze m indars a n d n ot the ryots on whom this du tyde volve d .

In othe r subj e cts th e coe r cive e xe rcise of authority rema in sdorm ant ; but t h e n ew A ct se ems t o a fford a reme dy for this, thou gha som e what dilatory on e

,a n d a lre ady th e A ct h a s be e n s e t in motion a t

th e in s t a n ce of th e cu l t iva tors in re sp e ct t o many works of the cla ss madeove r to t h e ze m in dars .The se agre e m e n ts ar e of course le ga lly supe rse ded by t h e n ew A ct ,

which is e vide n tly inte nde d to give e ffe ct t o a l l e xistin g obligations of t h e Gove rnme n t . It is the re fore a n

im portant que stion to determ ine t h e e xte nt t o which itful fils this con dition .

U nde r t h e A ct , t h e ze m in dar s of th e e state s be n e fite d ar e liable fora l l works n ot shown in Sche dul e D he nce the ir liability a s r e gards th ein te rior e m ba n km e n ts an d kh a l l s is ve ry little modifie d . Th e e state sa r e large on e s , a n d the ir inte r ior works, a s a ru le , on ly be n e fit th e e sta te son which the y e xist. Th e only di ffe re nce is that t h e ze m indar s of a

ce r ta in num be r of pe tty e sta te s r e su m e d l akh ir aj e state s, a n d othe r s willb e liable t o con tribu te the ir sha r e of su ch works whe ne ve r the y a r e

carrie d ou t u n de r t h e com pu l sory proce du r e of t h e A ct ; a lso t h e

proprie tors of te n ur e s will have t o con tribu te . So far , the re fore , a s t h el aw a ffe cts th e works m ade ove r with a n a llowance t o t h e la rge zemindar s, its e ffe ct is be n e ficia l t o the m ,

a s it wi ll e n able them t o share the irobligation s with a ce r ta in num b e r of othe rs n ot pre viously liable .

It is n ot so, howe ve r, a s re ga rds t h e ou te r e m b ankm e n ts a n dkh a l l s .

A l l t h e ga n goor e a a n d ou te r h u ss e a s , it is tru e , have

r efill

ifel

ggifis f “ b e e n pla ce d on Sche du l e D

,a n d som e e ve n which ar e

m e n t t o m ain ta in n ot ou te r h u ss e a s ; slu i ce s a lso,'

which have for th e

th

ine

itiiiifsil on Of

m ost pa r t take n t h e pla ce of t h e old kh a l lb u n de e,a r e

pm a in ta in e d a n d con structe d a t th e e xpe n se of Gove r n

m e nt ; but kh a ll ku n de e , or cle ar ing ou t t h e silt de posit from t h e ope nkh a l l s

, is n ow e vide n tly capable of be in g e n forc e d u n de r t h e A ct , a n d t h eze m i n dar s m ade t o be a r th e e xp e n se in ste ad of Gove r n m e nt .

N o dou bt Gove rn m e nt will n ot take adva n tage of this ove rsight, b u twill de fr ay, a s he r e tofor e , th e n e ce ssary e xpe n se s of e xcavation ; b u t t h epr e cise cou r se which shou l d b e adopte d r e m a in s op e n for de te rm ina tion .

Th e followin g cour se is con fide ntly re comm e n de d a s th e sim ple st,fa ir e st, a n d m ost e con om ica l

K h a l l s in H idj e l e e ar e ve ry nume rou s , having gene r a lly be e nor igin a lly e xcava te d for t h e tra n spor t of sa lt du rin g t h e days of t h e

Gove rn m e n t ord e rs, N o. 1 62 1 , da te d 2 1s t Apr il 1869 .

xxviii

manufa cture . A t th e same time the y a lso se rve th e purpose of arte ria ldra inage . A s t h e Em ba n kme n t Com mitte e state in the ir re port,

" t h e

tim e - hon oure d custom is for tolls t o b e le vie d on t h e boats u sing the sekh a l l s

,from t h e proce e ds of which t h e cost of fr e que nt e xcavation is m e t .

If,there fore, Gove rnm e nt is on the on e hand bound in e qu ity to pay for

t h e ne ce ssary e xcava tion of silt in the se kh a l l s , it is a lso e ntitle d to me e tthis cost, a s far a s m ay b e , by tolls on boats using t h e kh a l l s .

A ga in , in the A ct a public wate r - course is de fine d t o b e a wate rcourse un de r t h e charge of t h e offi ce rs of Gove rnme nt ; an d by Se ction 84,a wa te r- course thus take n cha rge of , with a l l its appur te nance s, ve sts inGove rnme nt , a n d shall b e he ld on be ha lf of th e p e rsons in te re ste d in th elands t o b e prote cte d ; an d a l l mon e ys re ce ive d on a ccount of such landssha ll b e cre dite d to the cost of th e works constructed or ma inta ine d .

Th e Engine e r shoul d the re fore de te rmine which of the se kh al l s ar enece ssa ry for dra in age , a n d such wa te r- cou r se s shou l d b e made publicwa te r- course s unde r clau se 1 , se ction 4of th e A ct

,by which th e ze m in dars

of t h e e sta te s be ne fite d will be come le ga lly liable for t h e cha rge s ofma inte nance . A t t h e sam e time a n y pe rson he retofore e xe rcisin g a n yrights ove r su ch kh a l l s will b e entitle d t o com pe nsation . To suchpe r sons th e off e r shou l d b e m ade on be ha lf of Gove rnme nt, in a ccordancewith th e a rran geme nts above de scribe d, t o unde rt ake the ir li abilitie s ifthe y for e go a l l cla ims t o compe nsa tion ; a n d, on the ir a cce pting a n agre eme n t so obviously t o the ir advantage , t h e Gove rnme nt wi ll make n o

cha rge for m a inte n ance , a n d will re coup itse lf a s far a s possible bytolls, fishe rie s, a n d a l l othe r source s of income le viable on a ccoun t oft h e kh a l l s .

That such a course will b e doing th e fulle st e quity to th e rightsof th e ze m indars, ne e ds little proof. Th e l aw re cognize s t h e e quity ofmaking t h e incom e of embankm e nts a n d wate r - course s a s e t - off aga instth e e xpe ndi ture incur re d in the ir m a inte nance . If the re fore Gove rn me ntis t o de fray this e xpe nse , it shou l d of course e njoy t h e income ; and

navigation tolls having be e n custom ary from t h e ou tse t,an dhavin g be e n

th e re cognize d source of income t o me e t th e e xpe nse s of re m ovin g silt, n oobj e ction can prope rly b e ra ise d t o the ir im position . A ga in , it is b u te quitable tha t t h e wa te r- cour se s shou ld b e m ade public withou t additionalcom pe nsa tion be in g pa id t o the ir nom in a l own e r s, for in t h e fir st plac ethe y ar e virtually a lre ady public ; t h e adm ission tha t Gove rn m e n toffice rs have h ad charge of the se wate r - cou r se s since t h e p e rm ane n tse ttleme nt be in g th e e sse ntia l founda tion t o th e cla im tha t the y shouldn ow b e m a inta ine d a t t h e public e xp e nse . More ove r, Gove r n me n t isonly bound t o m a inta in the m an d n ot t o pay for appropr ia ting them,

a n d the re fore , if a n y su ch e xp e n ditur e is t o b e incur r e d, t h e ze m in da r sof t h e lands be ne fite d m ay fa irly b e made liable for it unde r t h eordi na ry proce dur e without viole nce t o t h e le tte r or spirit of t h e Gove rnme nt obliga tion .

It m ay b e thought that a s th e Gove rnme nt office r s have be e n cont in u ou sly in charge of the se wate r - cour se s, the y might b e r e garde d as

a lr e adypublic wa te r- course s, an d n o proce e dings t o de clare them t o b e so is

" Pa ra . 62 .—Of t h e large r kh a l l s , those which a r e k e pt ope n for n aviga tion re qu ire fre qu e n t

cle ara n ce , b u t th e cost is m e t by tolls on t h e b oa ts which pass through .

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XXX

t h e orde rs of Governme nt of 1869 , quote d above a t page XXVII,whe re t h e obliga tion of r e pa irin g gram b h e r e e s an d dra in age channelswas tr e ate d a s incide nt on t h e ze m in dar .

Th e Cos sye emba n km e nts a r e m uch mor e e xte nsive an d e labora tetha n those on th e K a l iaghye , b u t e xce pt a few m i le s ofn ew emban km e n t in Tu m look, the y ar e a l l m a in ta ine da t th e e xpe n se of t h e ze m in dars . Hithe rto th e amount

h a s b e e n a llotte d r ate ably on th e ju m m a s of t h e prote cte d e sta te s, som e

700 in num b e r , but apport ionm e nt a ccording t o be n e fits an d are a t o b eprot e cte d h a s n ow be e n sanctione d .

Th e H idj e le e e m bankm e nts,a s r e gards the ir scie ntific a spe ct, forme d

D e scr iption of t h e su bj e ct of a spe cia l re port by Capta in Short, the n

3233312320

213“ Supe rinte ndin g E n gin e e r, in t h e ye a r 1 861 . Wha t

con trov e r sie s gi ve s them sp e cia l im por tance is that the y ar e pe rhapscon ce r n in g the m t h e on l y works of th e kin d in B e n ga l which ar e de signe dt o ke e p ou t a storm - wave , an d n ot a m e r e high tida l - wave . Th e m a inwork r e lie d on for this purpose is t h e gre a t s e a dyke (N o 89 of Dsche dule ) ; a n d pe rhaps th e chi e f obj e ct of Capta in Short

’ s r e port in 1861wa s t o pr e ss upon Gove rnme n t t h e im portance of comple tin g it a t a costof Rs H e thus write s

I b e g t o pla ce on re cord t h e ante ce de nts re lating t o th e system ofprote ction hithe rto adopte d in H idj e le e , a n d, in collatin g

dyg’ f gre a t s e a

t h e e xpe rie nce r e corde d, to show t h e grounds on whichI ve ntu r e t o re comme n d so strongly th e im m e di a te

comple tion of the gre a t s e a dyke e nta iling a probable outlay of

Rs .

“ Th e re ports of t h e variou s office rs wh o have b e e n de pute d fromtime '

t o tim e during t h e pa st 75 ye ar s t o re cord t h e te rrible calam itie swhi ch have visite d t h e H idj e l e e di stricts, a n d de vise pra ctica l me a su r e st o se cure t h e coun try from s e a inunda tions by m e ans of prote ctive works,a r e fu ll of inte r e st, a n d should b e patie n tly stu die d t o re a lize t h e difficu ltie s a tte n ding th e que stion . The se r e por ts, toge the r with th e e xte n sivesurve ys a n d le ve ls pr e pare d in e lu cidation the r e of, will prove h ow m ucha tte ntion ,

e n e rgy, a n d tim e have be e n give n t o th e su bj e ct, b u t u n happil y,u p t o 1 850, with n o good re su lts

,a s a n y a ttempt t o me e t t h e a ctu a l

r e quire m e n ts h a s b e e n cr ipple d by fa lse e conom y ; an d it wil l, I b e lie ve ,b e fou n d, by re fe r e nce t o t h e Colle ctor

’s books, tha t during ha lf a ce n tu ry

(or u p t o 1 856) t h e e n orm ous su m of a b ou t a m illion ste r ling h ad be e nlost t o t h e Gove rn m e nt by r e ve nue re m ission s, loss of sa lt, fe e di ng t h estarvin g popu l a tion ,

a n d on e xp e ndi ture in a tte m ptin g ha lf m e a sur e s, t h efu tility of which, t o m e e t a n y b u t ve ry ordi n ary s e a in u n dation s, wa spate n t t o e ve ry e xp e r ie n ce d p e r son, from t h e re corde d fa cts of a lmoste ve ry visitation tha t have occu r r e d de ce nn ia lly .

In a ddition t o dir e ct m on e y loss t o t h e Gove rnm e nt, wh o sha lle stimate th e m ise ry su ffe r e d by t h e popu lation , t h e a ctu a l loss of live sa n d ca ttle , with t h e de str u ction of vil lage s a n d banks ? A n d a s a fte r e a chvisita tion th e Gove rnm e nt h a s com e forwa rd with a lib e ra l han d a n din vite d se cur ity by e xp e n din g la rge sum s on prote ctive works, t h esu cce e din g s e a inu ndation h a s prove d t h e folly of con str u ctin g we akse ction ed dyke s r a ise d b u t a foot or so above ordin a ry storm flood le ve l,an d whe re eve n sufficiently ra ise d t o withstand th e dire ct a ction of t h e

Cos sye e m ban km e n ts .

xxxi

wave , practica lly of n o avail , b e cause t h e e m bankm e nts con ne cte d the r ewi th u p t h e gr e a t in le ts from t h e s e a , h ad n ot be e n

.

e qu a lly a tte n de d t o,the r e by afl’ordi n g ingr e ss t o t h e wate r, whi ch tur n i n g th e flank of t h e

s e a line , ove rflows t h e la n d .

”

N ot on e word in the se re m arks is e xagge ra te d . Th e cyclone swhich form pe riodica lly in th e Bay of Be n ga l , a lm ost in var iably br e aku pon t h e coa st som e whe r e a lon g th e re ach of 50 mile s which s e par a te sBa la sor e from t h e mou th of t h e Hooghly , a n d com e u p a ccom pa n ie d bya storm -wave which, if it once e ffe cts a n e ntry, swe e ps unre siste d ove r t h efla t country se para ting t h e s e a from th e gr e at sa n d r idge som e four t oe ight m ile s in la n d . More ove r, pa ssing u p t h e Ru s soolpor e a n d th e

Hooghly, t h e wave sim ilar ly in u ndate s t h e country in t h e inte r ior,inflictin g u n told injury on life a n d prope r ty . I t i s on ly, howe ve r , a sre gards t h e fir st of the s e tr a cts that t h e s e a dyke can n ow a fford a n yprote ction . We st of Be e r cool , whe r e t h e s e a dyke com m e n ce s, t h ecoun try is natu ra lly prote cte d by t h e sa n d hills which re a ch downt o t h e s e a . From tha t pla ce t o th e Ru ssoolpor e t h e s e a dyke h a sb e e n constr u cte d, but above t h e Ru ssoolpor e t h e Hooghly m ay b e

sa id t o com m e nce , a n d t h e advise rs of Gove rn m e nt have come t o

t h e conclusion tha t e m b ankm e n ts of su fficie n t he ight a n d s e ctiont o ke e p a storm - wave within t h e Hooghly b e d m ight e n dange rCa lcutta itse lf. Mor e ove r, it wa s su ppos e d pr e vious t o t h e cyclon e of

1 864, an d spe cia ll y by Capta in Shor t hims e lf, tha t Saugor Islan dwou ld a fford some , though n ot comple te , prote ction t o this tra ct ;he n ce pr ior t o tha t e ve nt it wa s su ppose d that e m ba n km e nts of le sss e ction wou l d suffice above t h e Ru ssoolpor e , a n d a l l e ff orts we recon ce n tra te d in procur ing sanction t o t h e con struction of th e s e a dyke ,which

,a fte r a l l , is t h e m ost im por tan t work of a l l . Som e a ccou nt

the r e fore of th e e ve n ts a n d discussions which l e d t o its fina l sanctionse e m s de sir ab le .

Th e tor tuous a lignm e nt a lon g th e s e a - coa st a n d up t h e inle ts insou the rn H idj e l e e , a s foun d in 1 782 , wa s a n inhe r itance be qu e a the d t ot h e Indian Gove rnm e nt. I t form e d th e bou n da ry b e twe e n t h e cu l ti

va t e d an d sa lt tr a cts a n d ave r age d n ine fe e t high,with

a ba se of 2 0 fe e t a lon g t h e coa st, b u t m u ch le ss u p t h einle ts , so that for ordina ry pu rpose s t o withstan d high spr ing - tide s, the ym ay have answe r e d .

”6

The se emba n kme nts we re unde r t h e charge of t h e sa lt age nt up

Storm “ 1823t o Ma r ch 1828, whe n t h e we ight of his more le gitimatedu ty indu ce d t h e Gove rn m e n t to re lie ve h im

,a n d t h e

prote ctive works we re m ade ove r t o t h e Civil Sur ge on , in t h e fir st ye a rof whos e inau gu ra tion t h e whole li ne of bu ndswa s e ntire ly swe pt away ;b u t a t t h e sam e tim e a far gre a te r ca lam ity occu rre d , t h e e ffe cts of

which a r e fe lt t o this hou r in de aling with t h e qu e stion , viz. t h e s e a swe ptaway t o a gre a t e xte n t t h e sa n d hills which, u p t o tha t pe r iod, n a tu r eh ad provi de d a s a bar r ie r t o m e e t t h e first shock of t h e storm - wave

,

a n d, once this wa s re m ove d, t h e E n gine e r h ad t o provide prote ctionaga inst th e di re ct a ction of t h e s e a he nce t h e difficu lt ie s we r e in cr e a se da h u ndre d - fold .

”

Its history.

Capta in Short ’s Re por t, N o. 1 A , of t h e l s t M ay1861 , paragraphs 7 , 8, a n d 9 .

1“ Capta in Shor t’s Re port of paragraph 1 1 .

XXXl l

The se sand hills must n ot be confounde d with th e gre at sand ridgewhich forms a re tire d line , a n d, le avin g th e Soob u n r ika a t a spot abou tfou r m ile s in land, de scribe s a con ve x curve

,whe r e t h e coa st- line is

con cave . so that a t t h e fa r the st point it is ne arly t e n mile s in l and ; but a tt h e Ru ssoolpor e it aga in approache s to within two or thr e e mile s of thecoa st. We r e it n ot for on e or two gaps in this side through which t h ewa te r can find a n e ntry, it would be a comple te prote ction of th e countrybe hind it ; b u t since 182 3 a n a re a of about 150 square mile s of coun try

,

n e ar ly t h e whole of which, in Octobe r, is a continuous pla in of luxuriantrice , is on ly prote cte d artificial ly from t h e inroads of th e s e a .

Th e se a embankme nt wa s re constructed e le ve n fe et high an d thir tyfeet a t th e ba se, but t h e ne xt gre a t storm , tha t of 1 831 ,aga in swe pt it away. This p e r iod wa s th e clim ax ofH idj e l e e

’

s mise ry . Th e storm of 1831 occurre d inOctobe r , an d by th e e n d of M ay a s e a dyke 15 fe e t hi gh a n d 70 fe e t a tt h e b a se wa s constructe d by a lmost incre di ble e xe r tions . Be fore

,howe ve r

,

it h ad be e n turfe d, or h ad h ad tim e to consolida te , anothe r cycloneoccu rr e d in Octob e r 1832 . Mr. Bayle y says, in his m emor andum on

Midnapore , tha t t h e storm - wave t opp e d t h e 1 5 fe e t e m bankme nt ; butCaptain Short write s tha t a lthou gh only ju st constructe d, we ak,

un consolidated, a n d untur fe d, only bre a che s occu rre d, a n d the storm- wavefa il ing t o t op the be tte r ra ise d se ctions t h e damage wa s n ot so gre a t ,a n d this fa ct is t h e first glim pse of comfort ; a n d for t h e first time wehave pra ctica l data t o gu ide us a s to th e he igh t to which a we ll consolidate d dyke shoul d b e

H e adm its,howe ve r, that th e s e a pe netrate d up the inle ts, a n d took

t h e m a in e m bankme nt in flan k . Th e r emissions of re ve nue on a ccoun tof t h e cyclone of 1881 we re Rs . a n d of 1882 , Rs . b u t

the wor st visita tion was ye t to come . Hardl y h ad six months e lapse dwhe n , in M ay 1888, t h e coast - line was vi site d by a ga le , t h e durationa n d se ve rity of which far e xce ede d those which h ad pre ce de d it. Th e s e a

made a cle an brea ch ove r t h e whole ar e a of 1 50 squ are mile s de scrib e dab ove , a n d a lso pe ne tra te d inland up the kh a l l s a n d over the banks oft h e Hooghl y a n d its e stuar ie s . E ight hundre d a n d sixty - five village swe r e r e porte d inu n da te d, a n d live s lost, be side s ne arly he adof ca ttle . Th e fe rtility of t h e soil wa s rui ne d, a n d chole ra followe d int h e wake

'

of t h e storm to comple te t h e disa ste r . Th e re venue remission sthat m ay b e cre dite d t o this storm a r e ca lcu l a te d by Mr . Bayle y a t

Rs . a n d t h e su spe nsion s a t a fu rthe r sum of Rs .

B e side s t h e above , th e sa lt m a n ufa ctu r e wa s the n in full workin g, a n d

t h e loss in sa lt du e t o t h e thr e e cyclon e s , va lue d a t nin e lakhs .It ne e d n ot cause surprise if such u npara lle le d disa ste r s shook t h e

con fide nce of Gove rnm e nt in t h e e fli ca cy of a n y s e a dyke . Th e Boa rdca lle d for a re port a s to t h e fin ancia l e ff e ct of abandoning t h e e m bankm e nts a ltoge the r, a n d gr anting an ave r age re m ission of on e - third of t h ere ve nu e a s a se t - off ; a n d t h e Gove rnor - Ge ne ra l in Council conside r e d tha te m bankm e n ts of t h e forme r size shou ld b e re sor te d t o, a s the y suffice d inordinary se a son s , a n d in e xtraordina ry storm s nothing se eme d to b e of

a n y u s e . It is chie fly t o t h e e xe rtion of Mr . Ricke tts , Capta in Spe ns,Capta in Short

,a n d Mr . Bayle y tha t the se vie ws we re a t la st la id a side .

Storm s of 1 831 ,1832 , a n d 1833 .

Colon e l Short’s Re port, paragra ph 14.

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xxxiv

a n embankment 15 fe e t above this le ve l, which , he conside re d,would have b e e n proof aga in st a n y storm which is on re cord, e xce pt

p e rhaps tha t of 1888, a n d, I rathe r think, aga in st tha t t oo ; b u t t h einform a tion re garding that storm is so ve ry l oose a n d unde cide d tha tI ca n not de pe n d u pon it in a n y. gr e a t

Capta in Spe n s wa s qu ite awa r e that this vie w wa s em pir ica l, for , a s

Mr. Bayle y in re com m e ndin g a highe r le ve l pointe d ou t ,“ we have

ne ve r ye t , in an y of t h e ga le s we have hithe rto e xpe rie n ce d, found the m

a ccompanie d by t h e comple te com bin a tion of a he avy, long- contin u e dga le from t h e sou th a n d spr ing flood tide s a t t h e cr i s i s of t h e ga le s ,b u t stil l it be hove s us t o b e pre par e d for e ve n su ch a com b ina tion ; a n d itwil l b e a su bj e ct of me r ite d r e gr e t if, for t h e sake of Is avin g t h e cost ofa n e xtra two or three fe e t of bu n d, we e xpos e th e cou n try t o in u nda tion ,

a n d t h e large sum s n e ce s sa ry e ve n for 1 5 - f e e t bu nds t o wa ste b u t

t h e 15 - fe e t le ve l wa s a cce pte d a s on e of practica l sa fe ty, a n d Capta inShor t appe a r s t o concu r in this Opin ion .

Up t o his tim e , howe ve r , t h e work h ad n e ve r b e e n prope r lyca rrie d ou t , a n d t h e m a in ob j e ct of his re port of 1 861

,which h a s

be e n se ve ra l tim e s quote d , wa s t o procure sanction t o t h e fu ndsne ce ssary t o carry ou t this work in its e n tire ty, tha t is, t o m ake

t h e dyke 15 fe e t above hi gh spring - tide le ve l,with a cr e st of 1 0 fe e t

broad, an e xte rior slop e of 5 : 1 a n d a n in te rior slope of 2 5 : 1 . Highspr ing - tide le ve l, Capta in Shor t poin te d ou t , wa s n ot a pr e cise ly uniformle ve l , b u t wa s on tha t a ccou n t a ll t h e m or e su itable , for

“ the r eis n ot a n inch of grou n d throughou t th e a lignm e n ts a lon g t h e coa sta n d t h e in te r ior whe re a t t h e spr ing - tide doe s n ot te ll its own e xa ctle v e l , a s a lso its highe r le ve l whe n la she d by t h e m onsoon ; a n d a s t h e

old a lign m e nt h a s be e n by orde rs of Gove rnm e n t m or e or le ssadopte d, it sta n ds t o re a son tha t a n orde r t o ra ise t h e se ction soma n y fe e tabove spring - tide le ve l is a ve ry, inde e d t h e most, a ccurate a n d pra ctica lmode of proce e din g, a s t h e ra isin g a long e ve ry hu n dre d fe e t can b e

de te rm ine d to a n ice ty. Inde e d I m ay b e a llowe d t o say tha t in m anyloca litie s we re t h e se ction to b e ra ise d me r e ly a ccording t o t h e re su ltsof th e le ve lling ope ra tion s , it wou ld b e de ficie nt, b e cau se , on th e occurre n ceof a gr e a t ga le from pa r ticu l a r dir e ction s, t h e s e a is he ld a n d la she du p in e xce ss, a n d a t a l l the se points incre ase d ra isin g b e com e s a n e ce s

s ity ; fa ilin g which, t h e loca l e nginee r would in practice b e visite dwith de fe a t ”:

Th e works advoca te d by Capta in Short we r e se r iously a ssa ile d by

Storm of 1 864t h e disa strous cyclone of 1 864 be fore the y we re com

pl e t e d, a n d have be e n aga in su bj e cte d t o as gre at a

tr ia l a s h a s e ve r occurr e d a lon g th e coa st in t h e still gre a te r cycloneof 1874. Capta in (n ow Colon e l) Shor t wa s still t h e Supe r in te n dingE n gine e r, a n d on him de volve d th e ta sk of re portin g u pon t h e e ff e ctsof this cyclone . This h e did in a m ost e lab ora te a n d e xhau stivem an ne r . Th e ca lam itou s e ff e cts of t h e cyclone of Octob e r 1 864we rema inly du e t o th e s t orm - wave havin g pa sse d r ight u p t h e Hooghl y a n d

a s sufficie ntly r a ise d e m b a n km e n ts a r e n ot m a in ta ine d above th e mouth

Ca ptain Sp e n ’s Re por t , paragra ph 62 .

"

l‘ M e m ora n du m on M idn apore , page 437 .

I Capta in Shor t ’s Re port of 1861 , paragraph 30.

XXXV

of the Hooghly, t h e ordin ary tida l embankme nts we re e ve rywhe reove rtoppe d, a n d t h e ru in am on g t h e fe r tile village s of Midnapore a n d

Howrah in de scr ibable . Th e e stim a t e d loss of life in Doro Don m a n ,

whi ch,b e in g in t h e b e nd of t h e Hooghly, wa s t h e m ost e xpos e d of a l l ,

wa s while t h e tota l loss wa s thu s brie fly sum marise d by th eS e cre tary to t h e Be nga l Gove rnme nt :

Human be ingsCa ttleShipping prop e rty Rs .

Gove rnm e nt standing dittoPrivate di t to B e yond com puta tion .

So far a s its effe cts a r e con ce rne d, this is undoub te dly t h e wor stcalam ity tha t h a s ye t occu rre d . Th e obs e rva tions m ade a fte r t h e stormby Colon e l Short prove d that his a n ticipa tion s a s re ga rds t h e op e ra tionof storm- wave s wa s in on e r e sp e ct qu ite incorre ct . H e n ow wr ite s

“ In t h e 6t h pa r agraph of t h e pr inte d re port on t h e H idj e l e eprovin ce embankme n ts I re m arke d tha t t h e district a long t h e Hooghl yfa ce wa s in a m anne r prote cte d by Sau gor Island, a n d that t h e e m bankme nt re qui re d t o prote ct it m u st b e of he avy s e ction, though lighte r thana long t h e s e a - coa st ; but e xpe rie n ce prove s tha t vie w t o b e incorre ct,for t h e storm - wave whe n first land - locke d ros e highe r than a lon g t h e

ope n coa st - line , topp e d t h e e m ba n km e nt throu ghou t, a n d e n te rin g t h ema n y tida l chann e ls, su bm e rge d t h e This cyclone cam e

u p t h e r ive r within two hou r s of high tide , the r e fore within abou t twofe e t of t h e maximu m sta te of t h e tide a n d it ros e in t h e highe st poin tin t h e rive r, viz . ne a r Cowcol ly light - hou se , 1 65 fe e t above high sprin gtide s . Highe r up t h e rive r it gr adu a lly de cline d, whil e ou t a t op e ns e a , whe n it str u ck upon t h e s e a dyke , it nowhe r e e xce e de d 1 1 fe e t4in che s . H ad this wor k b e e n com ple te d the r e for e , a n d t h e kh a l l s pr op e rly e m banke d a lso, n o in jury wou ld have b e e n su sta in e d in sou thH idj e l e e , which i s t h e a r e a prote cte d by t h e s e a dyke , a s whe r e com ple tet h e dyke susta ine d a n d re pe lle d t h e shock ; b u t u n fortu nate ly t h e wor kwa s v e ry fa r from com ple te ; it wa s the r e for e ove r toppe d in m a n ypla ce s, a n d su ff e rin g a n d ruin ve ry sim ilar t o tha t in Doro Don m an a n d

a t Ke dge r e e wa s cause d by it.Th e cyclone of 1867 wa s much fu r the r t o th e e a st than that of

1 864, a n d n o storm - wave cam e up t h e H ooghly, m uch le ss a tta cke d t h ecountry we st of t h e Hooghly ; thu s the re wa s a re spite of t e n ye a r sup t o 1 874. In t h e m e antim e n ot m e r e ly h ad t h e s e a dyke be e n com

pl e t e d up t o s e ction , b u t still mor e , a l l t h e gr e at kh a l l s le adin g in to ith ad b e e n slu ice d ; t h e Ram n u gge r , Sapoc a , a n d P e e ch ab u n n y sluice sb e ing inte nde d to form solid portions of th e e m ba n km e n t, a n d the r e byt o dispe n se with h u s s e a s , which have a lways prove d a sou r ce of

gre at dange r or gre at e xp e n se . On t h e othe r ha n d,th e M irz apor e

kha ll h ad silte d u p , a n d its m out h be e n pe rma n e n tly close d, a n othe rsource of da n ge r b e ing the re b y a ve r te d . H e nce , we r e it n ot for t h e

mishap tha t t h e P e e ch ab u n n y sluice wa s a t t h e tim e un de r r e pa ir s ,

Le tte r of Be n ga l Gove rn m e n t , Irriga tion De pa r tm e n t, to Gov e r n m e n t of In dia , N o. 195 1,da t e d 2 9t h Fe bru a ry 1 868 .

1' Re port on Uppe r H idj e l e e .

xxxvi

a n d a side channe l the re fore le ft ope n for th e purpose of e ffe ctin g t h ere pa ir s , t h e whole line from Be e r cool t o t h e mouth of th e Ru ssoolpor ewou ld have b e e n com ple te ly gu arde d .

Th e viole nce of t h e wind in t h e storm of 1874 u n doubte dly surpa sse d that of 1 864. Th e two stor ie d - house a t Con ta i ,which h ad re siste d e ve ry pre viou s storm

,gave way a n d

wa s wr e cke d, an d a storm - wave , appare n tly highe r than that of 1 864,bu r st with fu ll viole nce ne a r ly on t h e ce n tre of t h e s e a dyke . Th e sta teof t h e dyke a fte rwards showe d that “ it m ust have be e n ove rtopp e d byt h e wa sh of t h e tide , a n d t h e wate rline tra ce able on t h e ou te r slopeindicate s tha t t h e s e a m u st have stood for som e tim e a t 1 5 fe e tb e low cre st b u t both th e slu ice s of th e dyke a n d t h e dyke itse lfe scap e d with tr ifling in jur y. Thus t h e wave rose 135 ove r highspr in g flood le ve l, or two f e e t highe r than in 1 864 a n d it is hardly prob ab le tha t t h e dyke will e ve r b e su bj e cte d t o a se ve r e r str a in than this .It will p e rhaps b e thou ght tha t t h e m argin wa s t oo n arr ow for sa fe ty,a n d tha t t h e e ve n t indi ca te s tha t M r . Bayle y’ s limit woul d have b e e npr e fe r able . But still t h e me re fa ct of ke e pin g ou t su ch a storm - wavewou ld have b e e n a gr e at e n gine e r ing trium ph h ad it n ot b e e n , a la s "for th e ope n P e e ch ab u n n e e kha ll, with its side embankme nts of on lyt h e old le ve l .Up this ope nin g th e wave trave lle d with te rrible e ffe ct it both

br e a che d a n d ove rtopp e d th e low- se ctione d e m ban km e nts , a n d takin gt h e s e a - dyke in fla n k a n d re a r , inu ndate d a large portion of t h ecoun try which tha t work h ad prote cte d in front .

Th e storm fortunate ly spe nt its vi ole nce t o th e we s t of t h e Hooghly,a n d n o wave of a n y dim e n sions we n t u p that rive r or its trib uta r ie s .Som e dam age wa s done t o t h e cou n try e a s t of t h e Ru ssool por e , b u t t h ein j u ry from sa lt - wate r wa s n ot to b e com pare d with tha t cau se d in1 864.

With th e slu ice s a t Ram n u ggu r , Sapooa , a n d P e e ch ab u n n e e inDe scr ip t ion of e fficie n t orde r , t h e whol e lin e of th e s e a dyke ou ght t o

H idj e l e e e m ba n k b e con side re d se cu re ; whe the r it will prove so or n otm e n t s '

t h e ne xt gre a t cyclon e wil l show. Me anwhile t h e

h u s s e a embankme nts on t h e P e e ch ab u n n e e kha ll a r e still shown inSche du le D , N o. 48

,thou gh with t h e slu ice com ple te d the y have be come

in e ve ry s e n se inte r ior e m b an km e n ts .Th e s e a dyke is N o . 89 , a n d N os . 40

,41

,42 , 44, 45 (t h e first

30 m ile s of it) , 47 , 48, 49 , a n d 50, ar e a l l e m ba n km e nts a lon g t h eRu ssool por e a n d th e kh a l l s le adin g in to it . Ne a r t h e e m bouchure of

t h e Ru ssoolpor e a kha ll,ca lle d t h e K oon j apor e kha ll , run s

‘ into t h eHooghly, a n d t h e island forme d by it with t h e Hooghly a n d t h e

Ru ssoolpor e , on which sta n d Ke dge r e e a n d t h e Cowcol ly lighthou se , a n a r e a of abou t 2 0 square m ile s , is prote cte d by a circu ite m b a n km e n t

,No. 52 . Th e ne xt e stu a ry above t h e Ru ssool por e is t h e

Hu lde e , form e d by t h e j u n c t ion of t h e Cossye a n d K a l iaghye ; a n d t h e

n or th b ank of t h e K oon j apor e kha ll , t h e Hooghly b a n k b e twe e n thiskha ll a n d t h e Hu l de e , a n d t h e r ight ba n k of t h e Hu lde e t o be yondtida l lim its (that is t o t h e A m e r s i z e m in dar e e e m bankm e nts) , ar e

prote cte d by t h e re m a in in g 65 m ile s of No. 45 .

Storm of 1874.

Ex e cu t iv e En gi n e e r ’s Re por t, da t e d 2 l s t Octobe r , N o. 263, paragraph 3 .

https://www.forgottenbooks.com/join

xxxviii

that it is a n addi tiona l quantity of wa te r tha t is force d into th e channe lof t h e r ive r so m uch a s t h e unn a tu r a l ra ising of t h e surfa ce a t th e pointsove r which th e cyclone itse lf pa sse s .”

Th e Gove rn m e n t of B e n ga l, in forwardi ng this n ote of Colone lRunda ll with Colone l Short’s r e por t, su gge ste d “ tha t pre viou s to t h epr e paration of a n y de fin ite proj e ct, t h e n a tu re a n d de gre e of prote ctiont o b e a fforde d shou ld b e conside r e d in a l l its be arin gs by a committe eof e ngin e e r s a n d othe r scie ntific office r s .

”1'

To this t h e Gove rnor- Ge ne ra l in Council h a s no obj e ction , an d sucha com m itt e e m ay b e appoin te d a t once if on re conside ra tion His Honordoe s n ot conside r tha t it woul d b e pre fe r able to e n trust t h e inqui ry t o

M r . Le on ard, or som e sin gle s e le cte d office r .

His Exce ll e n cy in Cou ncil, a s a t pr e se nt in forme d, is di spose d to th eopinion tha t t h e r a ising of e m b ankm e n ts would n ot b e a tte nde d withda n ge r. That som e e xagge r ation of t h e rise of th e storm - wave m aytake pla ce in a fun ne l - shap e d op e n in g is n ot unlike ly, b u t with so lon ga n d so win din g a rive r a s t h e Hooghly, it s e e m s prob able that n o

ge ne r a l a ccum ul a tin g te n de n cy t o r a ise t h e h e ight of t h e - wa te r wou ldb e de ve lope d , a n d tha t t h e a ction would e n d ne ar th e pla ce whe re t h echanne l fir st be come s de cide dl y n a rrowe d ”:

Th e S e cr e tary of State wa s a lso t o b e a sk e d to obta in the opinionsof th e b e st author itie s in E n gland on th e qu e stion a t issu e .

Th e re su l t of t h e inqu iry wa s u nfavor able , an d t h e m ouths of t h e

Hooghly re m a in u n prote cte d aga inst an y wave su cha s that of 1 864. Th e qu e stion will pr ob ab ly n ot b e

re op e ne d u n til such anothe r visita tion occurs ; an d a s t h e e xpe r ie nce of

form e r cyclone s wou ld show that t h e line prote cte d by t h e s e a dyke istha t on which t h e ce n tre of t h e wave ge ne r a lly im pin ge s, it m aye arn e stly b e hope d that t h e re cu rr e n ce of this disa ste r is ye t fa r distant.Still

,a s it m ay occu r a n y day, a n d a s t h e obj e ction m ay natur a lly b e

ra ise d tha t t h e m one y de r ive d from im pe ria l taxa tion ou ght n ot t o b e

spe n t in such profusion on so sm a ll a por tion of t h e e m pir e,it is b u t

right t o notice he r e that, so far a s H idj e l e e an d Tu m look a re con ce rne d,the r e a r e t o this qu e stion two side s .In the se provin ce s , a s in t h e . 24- Pe rgunnahs (a ide A pp e ndix A ,

p . vn ) , a sp e cia l'

e m bankm e nt ce ss wa s im pose d a n d

include d in t h e a sse ts, on t h e ba sis of which t h e

pe rm an e nt se ttle m e n twa s fixe d . This ce sswa s 1 -5 a n n a s

p e r b e e gh a . an d t h e yie ld of it ove r t h e whole tra ct in qu e stion consistsof Rs . pe r annum , e xclu sive of t h e jul pa i (or sa lt) lands, whichhave b e e n adde d to t h e s e ttleme nt since t h e te rm i nation of t h e sa ltma n u fa ctur e .

In 80 ye ars this reve nue wou ld’

aggr e ga t e Rs . a n dhe ncet o this e xte nt t h e e xp e nditu re on the se prote ctive works is n ot a

donation from impe r ia l taxation . Whe the r t h e e xpe nditu re h a s hithe rtoam ou nte d t o this su m , it is n ot so e a sy t o de te rm ine . Colone l Shor te stim ate d t h e e xpe nditu re on e m bankm e nts up t o 1 860 a s only 12 lakhs,b u t I fe ar this m ust b e a m istake , though t h e figure s ar e adopte d by

Proj e ct disa llow e d.

Em ba n km e n t ce ssi n H i dj e l e e .

Sa m e Note , h e ad VIII.1 N o . 195I , 29 t h Fe br u ary 1869 . paragraph 6 .

I Gove rn m e n t of In dia , Pu blicWorks De par tm e n t, N o. 681 , da te d 25 t h April 1868 .

xxxix

Colone l Runda ll a s corre ct . Th e e xpe n ditu r

e in t h e t e n ye ars 1857 - 58 t o

1 866 - 67 we re shown byMr. Boyce a t Rs . l 8 ,34,408 . Thus,if the se data

a r e corre ct, t h e e xpe nditu r e u p t o da te wou ld n ot much e xce e d 40 lakhsa t a libe ra l e stim a te , a n d the re m u st b e a con side rable surplu s . Itmust a lso b e re m e m be re d tha t a gr e a t por tion of t h e 40 lakhs e stim a te dwou ld b e spe nt in Hooghly a n d t h e 24- Pe rgun n ahs

,a n d t h e e xp e n di

tu r e re quisite t o a fford com ple te prote ction to t h e tra cts which pay t h ece ss wou ld probably n ot e xce e d 2 0 lakhs .

It is a lso wor thy of n otice that t h e large temporarily - se ttle d e sta te s

An tici ated e ffe cts of J e ll am oot ah a n d M a j n am oot ah cove r ha lf t h e a r e a

of e m b ai km e n t s on prote cte d by the se e m ba n km e nts, a n d the ir fu tu r ete m pora rily se ttle d re ve n u e obviou sly de pe n ds on t h e de gr e e of prote ctionesm e s‘

a fforde d t o the m ; a n d a s the se e sta te s ar e n ow unde rre se ttle m e nt, it is in te r e stin g t o note t h e amoun t of e nhance m e ntwhich was a n ticipate d a s a con se que nce of the se works .

Th e s e a dyke a lon e prote cts 14 pe rgun nahs, of which e ight a r e

te m porar ily s e ttle d ;“a n d whe n t h e e ight p e rgu nn ahs a r e re se ttle d in

1 868,a n incr e a se of re ve nue am oun ting t o Rs . m ay b e fa irly

e xp e cte d, a s t h e prop e r ty will have be com e ve ry va lu able .

”

Nor the rn H idj e le e , t o which th e s e a dyke doe s n ot e xte nd, com pr ise st e n pe rgunnahs

,se ve n of which ar e te m porarily se ttle d .

“ Th e r e ve n u e ,whe n t h e se ve n p e rgu n n ahs a r e re se tt le d in 1 868, m ay fa irly b e exp e cte dt o b e pe rm a n e ntly in cr e a se d by Rs . 1DoroDon m an Colone l Shor t by m istake suppose d t o b e p e rm ane ntly

s e ttle d, whe re a s it is t h e most va lu able pe rgun nah in t h e gre at Majnam oot ah e sta t e

,a n d yie lds a r e ve n u e of Rs . H e wou l d have

a llowe da t le a stRs . as th e probable incre a se of re ve nu e obta inablea t its re se ttle m e n t .In Colone l Ru n da l l ’s note , which is ba se d on Colone l Shor t

’s da ta,

t h e incr e a se obta inable a t t h e re se ttle m e nt is ca lcu l a te d a t Rs .

while t h e re ve n u e obta in ab le for t h e a cre s of j u lpa i lands whichwe re to b e re cla im e d wa s ca lcu la te d a t Rs . 2 - 4p e r a cr e , or Rs .

It wa s pointe d ou t tha t the se two ite m s a lon e woul d give a re tu rn of

9 p e r ce nt. on t h e 40 lakhs which it wa s propose d t oI am a fr a id t h e se ttle m e n t office r will think the se e stimate s

sa n gu ine in th e e xtre m e , a n d will conside r tha t h e h a s don e we ll if h eobta ins ha lf t h e amount sp e cifie d ; b u t t h e a ttitu de of t h e civil cou r ts

,

which,wha te ve r it m ay b e in the ory, is in pra ctice handi n g ove r t h e

re n t incre m e nt t o th e ryots, wa s , whe n the se ca lcu l a tions were made ,a thing of t h e fu ture .

More ove r, the r e is anothe r fa lla cy in su ch ca lcul a tions, tha t the yle ave ou t of view e ntir e ly t h e cost of t h e se ttle m e n t ope rations . Whe nt h e re su lt of those ope rations is fina lly re porte d, t h e e n tire incre a sewill b e shown n o doubt a s t h e re turn for the expe nditu r e incurre don e stablishments ; a n d if a fa ir p e rce ntage is shown , t h e work willb e tr e ate d a s succe ssful . It will b e forgotte n tha t t h e Pu blic WorksD e partm e nt have a lr e ady appropr iate d by a n ticipa tion t h e e n t ir e

in cr e a se a s du e t o t h e n ew works . To a rrive a t a cor r e ct r e su lt,

Re port on Sou the r n Hidj e l e e , paragraph 56 .

1' R e por t on Nor the r n H idj e l e e , pa ragraph 5 .

I Colon e l Ru n dal l’

s Note , he ad VII.

xl

it is obvious tha t tha t propor tion of th e in cr e a se d r e ve nue which isre qu ir e d t o m ake th e se t tle m e n t proce e din gs se lf- su pportin g m u st - b e

de du cte d b e for e a n y r e tu rn ca n b e shown t o t h e cr e dit of pu b lic works .Thou gh Pa t t a spor e is a lso te m por a r ily se ttle d, its e m b a n km e n ts

ar e of in fin ite ly le ss im por ta n ce . N os . 46 a n d 51 of

e mfigfififi; Sche du le D b e long t o it, b e in g both on t h e K ul iaghye ,above tida l lim its . A sm all portion of a tida l e m ba n k

me nt, No. 47, a lso pa sse s throu gh it, b u t this h a s be e n a lr e ady de scribe d .

B e low t h e Pa t t a spor e e m b a n km e n ts, b u t stil l a b ove tida l lim its

,

com e t h e A m e r s e e e m b a n km e nts , which do n ot app e a r

mfifis‘

f‘s e e e m ban k' in Sche du le D ,

b e in g r e pa ir e d a t t h e cost of t h e ze m indar s . The se e m ba n km e n ts gave way in t h e cyclone

of 1874, owing t o th e K u l iaghye b e ing ove r cha rge d with dra in age wa te r ,an d cau se d a wor se in u n da tion tha n a n y r e su ltin g from t h e storm - wavea n d du r in g t h e cu rr e n t ye ar t h e b e d of t h e r ive r h a s b e e n de e pe n e da t a cost of Rs . a n d it m ay b e hop e d tha t both n avigation a n ddr a in age will b e be ne fite d by it .The r e is on e isola te d e m ba n km e nt in H idj e l e e which n e e ds t o b e

notice d b e fore pa ssin g t o t h e Cossye e m ba n km e nts,“ affi x? viz . t h e J oke e cross e m b a n km e nt . This embankm e n t is

constr u cte d with t h e ob j e ct of e xclu din g t h e flood

wate rs of th e Soob u n r ika from flowin g ove r a large pla in which the ywou l d othe rwise in u nda te t o t h e we st of Conta i . This e m ba n km e nt wa ssa n ctione d ju st b e for e t h e n ew A ct cam e in to for ce a n d a s t h e prope rtywhich it is t o prote ct i s in gr e at m e a sur e te m pora r ily s e t tle d, it wa scon structe d a t t h e cost of Gove r n m e nt ; still it is n ot shown in Sche du leD

,a n d h a s b e e n constru cte d u n de r Par t III of t h e A ct

,a n d form a lly

san ction e d, a fte r du e n otice , u n de r S e ction 5 . N o appe a l h as be e n m ade ,a n d t h e proce e din gs a r e n ow fin al . Th e qu e stion ar ise s whe the r t h eGove rn m e n t shoul d con tin u e t o b e ar th e e xpe n se of its m a in te n a n ce , orwhe the r , a fte r its con struction is com ple te , it will b e m a in ta in e d a t t h e

cost of t h e ze m indars . This qu e stion should b e de finite ly se ttle d a t ane arly date .

Th e Cossye embankm e n ts a r e none of the m in Sche du le D ,a n d

the ir u n iform obj e ct is t o ke e p t h e fr e sh - wate r floods ofem b a nk'

t h e Cossye from de va sta tin g t h e low coun try throu ghwhich it flows . On t h e right ba n k, a s t h e Hul de e is

approa che d, th e Cos sye re c e ive s t h e dr a inage of a large tra ct of cou n trysou th - e a st of Midn apor e , a n d he re t h e e m ba n km e n ts ar e n ot con tin u ou s

,

b u t a r e broke n up in to a s e r ie s of cir cu it e m b an km e n ts , t o pr e ve nt t h el ow cou n try from be in g swam pe d by this a ccu m u l ate d dr a in age .

N o f u r the r notice of the se e m ban km e n ts wou ld b e ne ce ssary we r eit n ot for a proble m sim ila r t o that of t h e Dam oodu r

,thou gh on a

smalle r sca le,which is a t t h e pre se n t mome nt pr e ssing for solution .

Th e Cossye in a m axim u m flood opposite Midnapore ca n car ry off

a s m u ch a s cu b ic fe e t of wate r p e r se con d , a n d

dfiry

gfie m

cp r e s e n t in se ve r e floods t h e discharge of t e n r e a che s t o

im bén kri e nfifye fe e t . B e low Midn apor e t h e cha n n e l con tr a cts

rapidly,till a t K apa s t ikr e e , 13 m ile s down ,

it b ifu r ca te s ,t h e on e chann e l , capab le of car rying off abou t cu bic fe e t p e rse cond, goin g north, a n d eve ntua lly falling into th e Roopn arayan ,

while

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A P P ENDIX D.

Cir cu la rs a n d Orde r s issu e d u n de r i lze A ct .

N o . 3,M A Y 1875 .

Hon’

b l e V . H . CHAPTER XI, S e ction 6 , page 179 of t h e Board ’sSCh a l » C -S'L Rule s is cance lle d, a n d th e following substitu te d

1 . Th e B e nga l Em ba n kme n t A ct VI of 1873 diffe r s fromth e pre ce ding A cts re la tin g t o th e same subj e ct mainly in t h e following particulars :

(a ) A l l publi c e m bankm e nts ar e divide d into two cla sse sfir s t

, those e nte re d in Sche dule D,th e whole e xp e nse s

a tte nding which a r e t o b e borne by Gove rn m e nt ; a n ds e con d, those n ot e n te re d in th e sa id sche du le . Th e

e xpe n se s a tta chin g t o th e la tte r, whe n take n charge of

by Gove rnme nt, a r e t o b e borne , n ot , a s form e r ly, bya: Th e de fin ition t h e part ie s bou n d t o m a in ta in the m

of th e se word s in (s e e Se ction 2 of A ct XXXII oft h e A ct shou ld b e b u t by t h e zemin dars of t h e e sta te s“O t e d’

a n d proprie tor s"of t h e te nur e s" which

m ay b e be n e fite d or prote cte d by t h e e m ba n km e n ts .(b) To carry ou t this n ew pr in ciple

,provision s a r e m ade

for t h e du e notifica tion t o t h e partie s inte re ste d of th eworks propose d t o b e take n in ha n d, of the ir e stim ate da n d a ctu a l cost, an d of t h e amoun t of e xpe nse s payableby e a ch cla ss

, a n d a lso for t h e r e cove ry, by Gove r nm e n t, of th e cost from t h e ze m inda r s, a n d for th e

r e - im b u rse m e n t t o t h e zemin dar s of th e proportion payab le by propr ie tor s , a n d t o proprie tors of tha t payab leby su b - propr ie tor s .

(0) Provision is m ade in Par t I II for imm e diate a ction ince r ta in ca se s of e m e rge ncy .

(d) Th e proce dure for . th e a cquisition of la n d in su ch ca se s,a n d for th e de te rm ina tion of com pe nsa tion for couseque nt dam age s

,is de scr ib e d in Pa r t V of t h e A ct .

2 . Th e A ct a lso con ta ins a n ew fe a tu r e in bringin g unde r t h econtrol of t h e Colle ctor t h e m anageme n t, im prove m e nt, a n d a lte rationof wate r cour se s in ce rta in ca se s ; a n d a s the r e is re a son t o su ppose tha tm u ch of th e un he a lthine ss of portions of th e country is du e t o de fe ctivedr a inage , t h e a tte n tion of Colle ctor s is e spe cia l ly drawn t o th e powe rfor good in this re spe ct n ow pla ce d in the ir hands .

3 . Gre at care shou ld, howe ve r , b e take n to a void th e constructionof n ew emba n km e nts or othe r works which ar e n ot absolute ly n e ce s

sary . To e n su re du e conside r ation of t h e n e ce ssity of works , it h a sb e e n d e cide d th a t for th e pre se nt a Colle ctor sha ll , be fore taking a n ya ction un de r Se ction 5 of t h e A ct , submit a fu ll re port on t h e ca se t o

xliii

th e Com mission e r. This re port shou ld b e forwarde d by th e Comm iss ion e r t o th e Boa rd

,with a n e xpr e ssion of his own opinion a s t o t h e

ne ce ssity or othe rwise of t h e proposd work .

4. Eve n in ca se whe re re sor t t o t h e proce du re of Se ction 5 wou ldin volve de lay like ly t o b e a tte n de dwith gr ave a n d imm ine n t dan ge r t o life or prope r ty (an d it is only t osu ch ca se s tha t t h e proce dure de scr ibe d in Pa r t III of t h e A ct applie s) ,t h e most ca r e fu l con side r a tion com pa tib le with th e circum sta n ce s shou l db e be stowe d on e a ch ca se , a n d sim u l ta n e ou sly with a ction take n un de rS e ction 1 1 a re port shou ld b e su bm itte d t o t h e Comm ission e r , whoshould j e a lously wa tch a n y a tte m pt t o stra in t h e provision s of tha tse ction . Ne gle ct on this point m ay, unde r Se ction 1 5 , involve Governm e nt in large pe cu n ia ry liabilitie s .

N o . 389A , da t e d For t W ill iam , t h e 2 l s t J u n e 1875 .

From — J . GEOGHEGA N , Es q , O fficia t in g S e cr e t ary t o t h e Boa rd of Re v e n u e ,Lowe r Provin c e s ,

To— Th e S e cr e t a ry t o t h e Gov e r n m e n t of Be n ga l , Pu b l ic Works D e part

m e n t , Irr iga t ion Br a n ch .

WITH re fe re n ce t o your Memorandum N o. 5481 , date d 8th instant,a n d e n closure s, a skin g for a n e xpr e ssion of t h e Board ’s opin ion a s t o

t h e proce du r e t o b e adopte d in re ga rd t o hou se s bu ilt on publice m ban km e nts

,I am dir e cte d t o state that t h e vie w of t h e l aw, taken by

t h e Colle ctor of Midnapor e , appe ar s t o t h e Me m be r in cha rge t o b ecorr e ct. Re n t shou ld b e le vie d by t h e e xe cu tive office r s for a l l house swithin th e lim its of t h e e m ba n km e n ts take n cha rge of by Gove rnm e ntu n de r S e ction 4, A ct VI of 1873, a n d t h e proce e ds cre dite dtowards t h e cost of t h e con str u ction a n d m a in te na n ce of t h e emba n kme n ts on which su ch hou se s a r e re spe ctive ly situ ate d .

2 . It wou ld appe ar e xpe die nt tha t t h e con str u ction of n ew buildin gs shou ld n ot b e pe rm itte d b u t if it b e found absolu te ly n e ce ssaryfor t h e m a inte nan ce or t h e be ne fit of th e e m bankm e nt t o r e m ove thosea lr e ady constr u cte d , t h e E n gin e e r could e xe r cise t h e powe r confe r r e dby S e ction 2 1 of t h e A ct , thou gh, a s t h e land is ve ste d in Gove rn m e n t,n o compe nsation n e e d b e a llowe d for t h e land or rights the re on thuscle are d, but on ly for t h e va lue of t h e buildin gs thu s remove d . Eve n ift h e grant of su ch comp e nsa tion b e n ot le ga lly obligatory, n o obj e ctionon t h e score of cost ne e d, Mr . Sch a l ch thinks, b e ra ise d t o its payme nta s a n a ct of gra ce .

3 . Th e e nclosu re s of your Memorandum u n de r a ckn owle dgm e nta r e re turne d he rewith .

N o . 6261 , da t e d t h e 2n d J u ly 1875 .

From —COLON EL F : T . HA I G , R .E ., J oin t - Se cr e t ary to t h e Gov e rn m e n t of

Be n ga l , Pu b l ic Works D e par tm e n t , Ir r iga t ion Br an ch .

COPY of t h e above forwarde d t o t h e Su pe rinte ndin g E n gine e r,

Sou th -We ste r n Circle , with r e fe r e n c e t o his N o. 1290,da te d 2 n d u ltim o,

with re qu e st t o in str u ct th e Exe cu tive E n gin e e r t o a rra n ge with t h e

Colle ctors of th e districts in which t h e embankme nts ar e situate d t o

xliv

remove such of th e huts a s re ally cause in jury, taking care that suchn otice is ‘

giv e n a n d tim e a llowe d for the ir re m ova l that n o hardship willb e inflicte d on th e own e r s, a n d t o colle ct re n ts for such a s m ay b e

a llowe d t o stand , re por t in g t o this office a fte r a m onth Wha t progr e ssh a s be e n made in car rying ou t this arrangeme nt.

N o . 102 , da t e d Fort Wil li am , t h e 15th A p ril 1875 .

From— J . O’

K I N EA LY , ESQ . , Officia t in g Su pe r in t e n de n t a n d Re m e m b ran ce r

of Le ga l A ffa ir s ,

To—Th e Se cr e t ary t o t h e Gov e rn m e n t of Be n ga l , J u dicia l D e par tm e n t .

WITH re fe re nce t o your office le tte r No . 1349 of t h e l st insta n t,I have th e honor t o state a s follows .

2 . Th e u e s t ion for de cision is , whe the r t h e costs of se rvingnotice s unde r e e tion s 37 38, 41 , 43, a n d 49 of th e Em ba n kme n t A ct

can b e in clude d . in t h e sum apportione d unde r Se ction 41 a n d t h e followin g se ctions .

3 . Th e only se ctions I can find supporting th e payme nt of costsa r e 39 a n d 41 .

4. Looking a t Se ctions 39 a n d 5 , I th ink tha t th e costs of notice ss e rve d unde r S e ctions 37 a n d 38 m ay b e inclu de d in th e tota l su m ”

re fe rre d in Section 39 , a n d from Se ction 41 , which e nable s th e Colle ctort o apportion t h e “ costs of apportionme nt,

” I conce ive that th e costsof notice s un de r Se ctions 41 a n d 43 m ay b e so appor tioned am ongt h e pe r sons liable t o pay.

5 . S e ction 49 is diffe re nt . Th e notice re fe rred t o in it is serve da fte r t h e proce e din gs have close d, a n d cannot b e con side re d a s pa r t oft h e cost of appor tion me nt . M ore ove r , though S e ction 50 give s su m m arypowe r s t o re a lize th e amount apportione d, the re is n o such powe r give na s r e gards th e cost of s e rvice unde r S e ction 49 . I am of opin ion thismust b e borne by Gove rnm e nt .

N 0 . 270A , da t e d For t Wi l l iam , t h e 4th M ay 1875 .

From —J . Officia t in g S e cr e t ary t o t h e Board of Re ve n u e ,Lowe r Provm c e s ,

To —Th e S e cr e t a ry t o t h e Gov e rn m e n t of Be n ga l , Re ve n u e D e par tm e n t .

I A M dire cte d t o subm it, for t h e conside r a tion an d orde r s of Gove rn m e n t

, th e a ccompanyin g copy of a le tte r , No. 49T,date d 2 0t h

instant, a n d e n closure s, from t h e Com m ission e r of Bu rdwan , in re ga rdt o th e provisions of sections 37, 39, a n d 47 of t h e Embankme n t A ct

VI of 1873 .

2 . With re fe re nce t o t h e que stion a ske d by Mr. Bu ckla n d on t h e

fir st point, Mr . Sch a l ch would sugge st tha t t h e charge on ac cou n t ofa l l Pu blic Works e stablishme nts e m ploye d on z e m in da r e e a s we ll a s

Gove rn m e n t e m b ankme n ts , shou ld b e propor tion a te t o t h e work the ydo for e a ch, ca lcu late d on t h e r e spe ctive costs of t h e two works . I f t h e

e stablishm e n t b e e m ploye d only on z e m in da r e e e m bankments t h e wholecost will b e fa irly chargeable t o thos e embankme nts .

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