1 16. The only class of cases in which any increase is perceptible is the
2 True nature of miucel- miscéllaneous. But these cases are not offences,
3 laneous offences. ’ but personal grievances, which the aggrieved party
4 brings up before the Magistrate, which are tried much after the fashion
5 of a Civil Suit, and in which no aid from the Police is invoked. The
6 more free a Punjabee feels himself, the less will he tolerate nuisances
7 from his neighbour, the more ready will he be to hail his adversary before
8 the Magistrate. The increase of these cases therefore only proves,
9 that the people are becoming more intent on the vindication of their
10 rights, and it seems to be a condition. of the existence of external —
11 order, that such litigation should increase, until a higher Law shall
12 ‘supersede this physical civilization and introduce a sounder morality.
13 17. The status.of crime having been viewed in its social aspect, it
14 were now proper to consider points relating to the bringing to trial and
15 the punishing of criminals. In this respect one of the first points to be
16 regarded is the ratio of persons acquitted or convicted to persons arrested
17 and brought to trial. If the number of acquittals be too large, there
18 must be something wrong; for it follows, either that innocent persons
19 must have been arrested without sufficient care, or that guilty persons
20 could not have been prosecuted with sufficient pains. Now for the last
21 three years the proportion of convictions has been becoming -slightly
22 greater and that of acquittals slightly less, as may be seen thus :—
23 1853. 1854, 1855.
24 Per-centage of acquittals on total aes 45°58 42-60 37°67_
25 CHEW secs venseedecusd anes cedeescchectent ees
26 Ratio of acquittals and -Per-centage of acquit-_ ; ' :
27 convictions, _ tals on convictions 9398 77°72 63:96
28 It may be assumed that ® vittals before the Magistrates should bear
29 the proportion of about one-third upon the total number of trials, This
30 attained, it is supposed that the right degree of care and vigor in pro-
31 secuting and arresting on the one hand, and the right degree of tender-
32 ness as regards acquitting on the other, has been preserved.
33 18. That great diligence and despatch of criminal, as of all other .
34 Punctual despatch of business, has been exerted by the Punjab Officers,
35 business. is certain. The average duration of cases, in which
36 the aid of Police is employed, is only fourteen days, and of cases before