1848.] 



The Neilgherry Mountains. 



69 



plains are much addicted to spirits, which are unfortunately to be 

 obtained readily, and at a very low rate. 



With regard to the cantonment of Ootacamund, when the peculiar 

 nature of its native population is considered, consisting as it does of 

 petty traders, Brinjarries, Lubbies, and servants of all castes, and 

 from every part almost of India, combined with the means which all 

 classes possess of obtaining arrack, and also opium, it must be es- 

 teemed very creditable to the authorities that so little crime is com- 

 mitted within its precincts. 



That such should be the case is doubtless chiefly to be attributed 

 to the constant presence of a magistrate (who is also commanding 

 officer of the district) aided by a tahsildar and cutwall resident on 

 the spot, around which the bazaars and abodes of the native inhabi- 

 tants are drawn so closely, and so little scattered, as to bring them 

 all readily within the range of a close surveillance. 



Police; num- Fay. 

 ber, remu- 



The Police of the Neilgherries con- 

 sists of 



Siencr'^ "^e^sem. The Joint Magistrate. 



» 50 „ „ The Tahsildar, who is also " Head 

 of Police." 



" 42 „ „ The Cutwall, whose duties are con- 

 fined to Ootacamund. 



„ 17 „ „ The Peishcar, or Tahsildar's deputy, 

 who has charge of the eastern 



"W 



„ iO|(Cut all's and portion of the Hills. 

 „ 7 Sebundy) 5 Duff'adars, and 



5 ; 4 : and 3^ „ 75 PcOUS, 



But of these two last, 3 dufladars and 43 peons belong to the sebun- 

 dy establishment, and are employed at the proper season in collect- 

 ing the revenue. Six peons also are exclusively employed in the 

 charge of the forests which are scattered about the environs of the 

 cantonment, to prevent wood-cutters from wantonly destroying them, 

 or cutting in parts where they are prohibited from felling trees. 

 Besides these, 2 duffadars and 20 peons, under the immediate orders 

 of the cutwall, remain in Ootacamund to carry on the police duties 

 of the bazaars. 



The orderly state of the chief settlement, Ootacamund, sufficiently 

 attests the efficiency of the cantonment police, as does also the com- 



