11
smoker, but I do not know anything
about his smoking on that particular oc
-
casion." On the other hand, another
witness, Mr. Dyer's butler, said in evi
-
dence: "I have known accused about
four or five months. I do not know any
-
thing about his using. ganja."
There is no other reference to hemp drugs in
all the evidence except in the statement of
the Assistant Surgeon, who on 4th Novem
-
ber 1887, said: "I know the accused Kun
-
jandas since the 9th ultimo, when he was
lodged in the Alibag jail * * * . I
found him on that occasion to be suffering
from narcotism ; and from the subsequent
observation, I am of opinion that this was
produced by the excessive use of some pre
-
paration of hemp, probably ganja." This
Assistant Surgeon was not examined as to
the grounds of this opinion, but generally
remarked that "the whole of the symp
-
t o m s w e r e c o n s i s t e n t w i t h a s e v e r e b o u t o f
ganja-smoking, lasting up to 8th ultimo
inclusive." There is no mention anywhere
of the prisoner asking for bhang; but in a
letter of the Assistant Surgeon (not in his
evidence) it is stated that the man asked
for ganja and tobacco.
(II) The Panwell case.—T h e
a c c u s e d w a s a
Brahman, said to have entered a temple
and "found Parbatti's idol therein so
beautiful that he embraced her and threw
her down, breaking her into seven pieces."
He was then insane and incapable of mak
-
i n g h i s d e f e n c e . H e w a s t r i e d t w o m o n t h s
afterwards, and was discharged by the
Magistrate, who wrote : " I do not think
there is evidence enough to persuade me
to put the accused on his defence." Mr.
Sinclair is therefore mistaken as to the
termination of the case. The man was
not acquitted on the ground of insanity,
but discharged for want of evidence.
As to the cause of insanity, the papers show
that the man was "insane for twelve
years—an attack every year or two ;" that
the attack was preceded by "dissolute
life ;" and that its "supposed causes"
were "ganja-smoking. Dissipation. Being
rejected and deceived by his paramour."
It is also stated that his father was
epileptic and his own health "below par."
Oral evidence.
I have been 25 years in the Civil Service. I have
served in every province in the presidency except
North Canara. I have little personal acquaint-
ance with the subject and have already placed
at the disposal of the Commission the information
I was able to collect. Speaking generally, I
think the hemp drugs have no effect to speak of
on the health of the people of this presidency. I
regard it as a negligible effect. I think it may
fairly be so described and I so treat it in my own
administration.
I have known only three cases in my experience
in which there was any apparent connection
between hemp drugs and crime. The one is over
twenty years old; and I have no details of any
value about it. I did not try it. The other two
cases are the Kennery Island case and the Panwell
case. I have already brought these cases to the
notice of the Commission and placed them (through
their Secretary) in the way of obtaining full in
-
formation regarding them. These are the only
cases in which I have traced any connection
between hemp drugs and crime. The Medical
Officer (Dr. Pereira) concerned in the Kennery
Island and Panwell cases is still in the same sta
- t i o n .
I have no reason to think prohibition is called
for. Had I thought so, I should have had more
to say. A thing which so little obtrudes itself does
not require such a measure. I believe in restric
- tion. I can refuse and have refused new shops
where not requi red. I can cl ose any shop i f i t
appears to be doing harm. I am not asked to
make revenue of the drugs. I have complete
power. But there are no appreciable effects. I
find villagers object sometimes to a liquor shop.
B u t I h a v e n e v e r h a d a n y o b j e c t i o n m a d e t o a b h a n g
and ganja shop.
I consider that there is a margin for increasing
taxation, having regard to the price of other intoxi
- cants, the fact that the drugs are mainly used by
the poor, and the danger of smuggling. It is
difficult to judge from my experience, as my farms
are suburban, and have to be considered in view of
the Bombay contracts. But I consider that there
might be a margin. I may add that the poorest
of the poor drink toddy and spirits and consumers
are not always the poorest.
My view of the general object of Government
administration of the drugs is that it aims first of
all at regulating their use and preventing intoxica
- tion. The making of revenue is a secondary object
altogether. I have no suggestions to make in
regard to the present system to improve it in
view of these two objects. It might be different
if I were serving in a country where the drugs
were much used. In my district, as I have said,
their effects are practically a negligible quantity.
In any case, if anything was done to raise the
price of ganja materially, it might be necessary
to have subservient legislation regarding dhatura.
7. Evidence of MR. F. L. CHARLES, Collector, Belgaum.
1. By serving for 24 years in various districts
in the various grades of the Civil Service.
2.In this district b h a n g
m e a n s p o w d e r e d g a n j a .
It is not known as subzi, etc. Charas is not used
in Belgaum at all. The definition of ganja ap
-
pl i e s . Onl y f l a t ga nj a i s s ol d i n Be l ga um. I t i s
simply known as ganja.
3. The ganja plant grows wild, to a very small
extent in this district. It is not cultivated in Bel
-
vol. vii.
gaum at all. It is said to grow freely in Satara
and Ahmednagar, but I have not been there.
4.Bombay hemp is called tagin Marathi,
sanabu in Kanarese. Ordinary hemp— ambadi in
Marathi, pundi in Kanarese. Both grown for fibres
in this district. Only used for fibres. Ganja
hemp is the name applied solely to the variety of
which the drug is formed.
5.This district is 2,000 feet above sea-level.
E 2