JUDICIAL ADMINISTRATION OF SINDH. 151 



he appointed for the disposal of minor cases 

 with the following powers : — 



To inflict 6 months' imprisonment. 



100 rupees fine. 



50 lashes. 

 His Excellency also drew up instructions for 

 tlieir guidance in passing sentence, and at the 

 same time ordered that all cases involving a 

 heavier punishment than six months' imprison- 

 ment should be tried by military commission ; 

 the minor offences were easily and speedily 

 disposed of, but delay occurred in the settle- 

 ment of heavier cases. In civil suits the sole 

 order given regarding tlieir disposal was that 

 which ordered a fee of 5 per cent, to be levied 

 at the filing of every suit. This of course was 

 intended to operate as a check on litigation, and 

 I dare say has had that efi'ect. Until 1853 only 

 European officers exercised magisterial powers, 

 either of a criminal or civil nature. In 1849 

 orders were received to assimilate the practice 

 in all courts, as far as circumstances would 

 admit, to that laid down in the code of regula- 

 tions of 1827, and the progress, though slow, 

 has been satisfactory. 



The civil courts established in Sindh arc : — 



