( 5 )
matter was not reported to him until 4 P.M. of the day following, or about 18
hours after the occurrence. The investigation made by him at the time con-
vinced him that the offence had been committed; and he states that the watch-
men in question were by his orders placed within the criminal enclosure
pending the arrival of the police. A night watchman named Shaik Fareed was
placed in charge of them, but they escaped over the wall with the aid, it is
believed, of the watchman in question. At any rate he gave the alarm after
they had got away and a search in the neighbourhood was then made. Soola-
man was arrested, but Ramswamy got away and still remains at large. Both
Soolaman and Shaik Fareed were charged and tried: the former for rape and
the latter for allowing the accused to escape from custody, but both were dis-
charged by order of the Court.
Superintendence ... ...
Establishment ... ... ...
Diet ... ... ...
Clothing ... ... ...
Bazaar medicine ... ...
Forms and stationery ... ...
English stores ... ... ...
Contingencies ... ... ...
Total ...
1891.
Rs.
3,000
6,969
15,168
692
139
100
205
1,152
27,425
1892.
Rs.
3,000
7,405
17,584
1,156
83
...
*204
442
29,874
* Incorporated by book entry and therefore not shown in
Satement IX.
Statement IX,—The statement of receipt and expenditure shows that the total
cost exceeded that of the pre-
vious year, the actual cost of
maintenance of the two years
as detailed and compared in
the margin being 29,874 and
27,425. The increased cost of
establishment was due to the
appointment of an Assistant
Surgeon, who only for a part of
the year was attached to the
institution; but this increase
was made up for by savings
under the head of contin-
gencies. The increased cost
of diet was almost entirely due
to the high prevailing rates of food-grains. Paddy was for a considerable time
unprocurable, and rice had to be bought at greatly enhanced prices. The item
of clothing cost more, but the increase is explained in great measure by the fact
that a sum of Rs. 300 had to be paid during the year for blankets purchased
during the previous year.
The total expenditure was met in part by contributions from the various muni-
cipalities and townships, the amount derived in this way being Rs. 10,919-14-11,
or about Rs. 300 less than was received during the previous year. Contributions
from the friends of patients amounted to Rs. 464, which is an improvement on
the previous year. Of the total cost of upkeep, the sum of Rs. 1,469-12-10
represents the value of vegetables, milk, and broken rice supplied from the
garden, dairy, and workshed of the asylum.
Statement X.—The scale of establishment sanctioned for the asylum is detail-
ed in this statement. It will be observed that the staff has been increased by
six night watchmen on Rs. 14 per mensem, but this additional number was not
taken on until September. The Superintendent complains of the inadequacy
of the establishment, and having regard to the insecurity arising from the
essentially faulty plan of the buildings, the low walls, and the area covered, the
existing staff is certainly in need of further supplementing; but without a strong
hand and more intimate supervision no great improvement can be looked for.
The appointment of an Apothecary as resident Medical Officer has been proposed ;
but if this officer is to discharge the functions of an overseer as well, either his
medical duties or his executive duties must be neglected. As a matter of fact,
during the year an Assistant Surgeon was attached to the asylum from the 28th
April to the 9th November, but all his attention was devoted to professional work.
The man, however, was in delicate health and on his death no successor was
appointed.
The Superintendent makes a comparison between the establishment of the
asylum at Rangoon with the establishments of the institutions at Colaba and
Dullunda, which speaks for itself.
2