clxix 



population, a rate nearly double of that in excise tracts. There is 

 nothing to show that consumption has increased since 1875-76. When 

 the arrangements for concentrating distillation of toddy spirit are 

 introduced in this district, there will be an enormous decrease in 

 consumption. Mr. Bliss has been directed to visit the Northern 

 districts and submit proposals for placing the Abkdri administration 

 there on an improved footing, which, it is hoped, will be done at an 

 early date. 



Kistna. — The excise system was introduced into the upland taluks 

 of this district only in 1886-87 and reliable statistics of consumption 

 for previous years are not available. The consumption in 1887-88 

 was very high, 141 gallons per 1,000 of the population, but it must 

 have been much higher under the out-still system. A reduction in 

 the consumption should be brought about by a gradual enhancement 

 of the still-head duty in this district. Since 1888-89 the duty has 

 been raised from Rs. 1-1-2 to Rs. 1-14-0 per gallon London proof. As 

 the upland taluks of this district are surrounded by tracts in which the 

 renting system is still maintained, it is necessary, in order to prevent 

 smuggling, that the duty should not be fixed very high at the outset, 

 but when the coast taluks are also brought under the excise system, 

 as it is hoped that they will shortly be, the duty can be considerably 

 enhanced. 



Nellore. — In 1875-76 the consumption was 27,403 proof gallons ; 

 it has been gradually increasing since 1883-84; in that year it was 

 38,859 gallons, in 1886-87, 39,813 gallons, and in 1887-88, 42,106 

 gallons. In 1888-89, however, it went down to 39,240 gallons. The 

 increase, as compared with the earlier years is due to the suppres- 

 sion of illicit distillation and smuggling, which is known to have been 



prevalent chiefly in the zemindari 

 portions, and this is shown by the 

 fact that the consumption per head 

 of the population * in this district 

 is much lower than in the adjacent 

 districts. The duty, which was 

 Rs. 2-3-9 per proof gallon in 1875-76, amounted to Rs. 4-9-1 in 1887-88 

 and to Rs. 4-6-6 in 1888-89. 



Ciiddapah. — The excise system was introduced into this district in 

 1878, The consumption under renting system in 1875-76 was reported 

 at 66,848 gallons. In 1878-79, the year after the famine during whicl^ 

 this district had suffered very severely and lost more then one-fifth 

 of its population, the consumption was 41,172 proof gallons. Since 

 then the consumption has been 50,205 gallons in 1883-84, 43,614 in 

 1886-87, 46,703 in 1887-88 and 47,541 in 1888-89. The duty has 

 risen from Rs. 3-1-2 per gallon in 1878-79 to Rs. 5-1-2 in 1887-88 and 

 Rs. 4-14-9 in 1888-89. 



Bellary Cantonment. — In 1875-76, the consumption was 33,460 

 gallons. In 1883-84 it had increased to 46,164 gallons ; in 1886-87 it 

 fell to 37,531 gallons ; it rose in 1887-88 to 42,685 owing to favorable 

 season and fell again to 38,487 gallons in 1888-89. The duty per 

 gallon has risen from Rs. 3-13-6 in 1875-76 to Rs. 5-8-11 in 1887-88 



