1 ( 17 )
2 (2).—By being careful to report only good cases, and seeing that pro-
3 per evidence is forthcoming.
4 (3).—By moving the court to fix a definite date for hearing, and
5 taking care to have everything in readiness then.
6 T believe a good deal of the evil could be avoided if local officers were more
7 business-like and punctual, and took care to inform themsclves exactly how to
8 proceed with a criminal information or case in court.
9 Wotes of mame in the 115. These remarks will receive illustration from the
10 sovoral divisions. following brief notice of Forest offences in the several
11 divisions,
12 116. Jhelam Division.—In the upper river forests, 25 cases of timber theft
13 were sent for trial,—five to the Kashmir authorities, and one case of setting fire
14 to the forest, which was convicted, the sentence being a fine of Rs. 8. Mr.
15 Murray has not, however, reported the extent of the fire in question ; hence if
16 presume it tu have been inconsiderable.
17 117. There were also 23 cases of timber theft in the lower river ; in 19
18 cases convictions were obtained,—fines to extent of Rs. 200 being awarded.
19 118. The theft cases were most of them theft of timber in the river or
20 on the banks, and were tried at Jhelam with a few excep-
21 tions. Whenever tried by European Magistrates, the sen-
22 tences were fair,—in one case the theft of an entire log was met by a fine of
23 Rs. 20, in another case destruction of three logs by a fine of Tis. 6.
24 119. A case was brought up from village Kokar in which several persons
25 were proved to have concealed and buried and made away
26 with over 31 logs of timber ; though the logs were not
27 of great value, the nature of the offence is very serious, and the absurdly in-
28 adequate punishment of a fine aggregating on all the prisoners Rs. 67 was the
29 result.
30 120. In the cases brought in the Rawalpindi District, Mr. Ellis complains
31 that in many instances no notice 1s taken of complaints, and that in those taken
32 up trial has in several cases been delayed for three months.
33 121. Upper Chendb Division.—A fire occurred in the Chau Forest after
34 the pass was closed in November 1870, and could not
35 therefore come to light till 1871. A long investigation was
36 carried on, in which one party maintained that the Forest Watcher caused it in
37 clearing the ground for planting. The season of the year and the loss of some
38 documentary evidence which was proved to have been sent to Chamba, but was
39 denied by the Assistant Superintendent, prevented any satisfactory conclusion
40 being arrived at. The fire was accidental. Mr. Hillier, who also maintained
41 full enquiry, is satisfied that it was caused by coolies. A number of trees were
42 scorched, but not destroyed by the fire. The only other
43 offences reported are damages by the nomadic shepherds
44 Timber thofts.
45 Instance of one case.
46 Ture in Pangi.
47 Damage by shephords.
48 (as last year), who—
49 (1) Leave camp fires alight.
50 (2) Bark trees.
51 (3) Flocks nibble the seedlings.
52 The reservation of the forests will cure this to some extent; but, unless the
53 Pe | t e s e
54 orarnaaalitia ah renee local Forest Oflicer has power to punish on the spot, it is
55 mg this without local hopeless to expect that mere rules and erection. of pulars,
56 bic la and even local fencing, will prevent such work. These
57 people having no residence, to punish by reterence to Chamba is impossible.
58 122. Upper Ravi Dimsion —Exactly the same difficulty is reported. ln
59 “oe :
60 _, Stmonubect aaallustratd the Sei Forest near Alwas nearly 50 deodar trees had been
61 eS lati barked ; it was determined at all costs to punish the offence.
62 An official had to be deputed from Chamba, and the Forester of the circle was
63 kept two months in attendance on this case. At Kukti a magnificent specimen
64 of P. Excelsa (over 20 feet in girth) was barked, and the loss is irreparable ; it
65 _ Punishment for offences Was not possible to punish the offender. One attempt to
66 in “uureserved ° forest, burn and clear wood in the centre of an ‘ unreserved’ forest