366 KOLABA DISTRICT
of the rice crop on saline land was damaged by unusually high spring-
tides. Remissions were granted to the amount of Rs. 37,750. In
1852 heavy rain damaged grain and other produce stacked in the fields.
In 1854 an exceedingly good harvest was the outcome of a most favour-
able rainfall; but on November 1 a terrible hurricane completely
destroyed every sort of field produce, whether standing or stacked,
felling also coco-nut and areca-nut plantations. Remissions to the
amount of more than Rs. 12,000 were granted. In 1871 there was a
serious drought, particularly in the southern half of the District. In
1875-6 and in 1876-7 floods did much damage to the same tract. In
1878-9 the cold-season crops were damaged by locusts.
The District is divided into seven idlukas, ALÎBAG, PEN, PANVEL,
KARJAT, ROHA, MANGAON, and MAHÂD, usually in charge of one
Administration. member of the Indian Civil Service and a Deputy-
Collector recruited in India. The Khâ.lâpur, Uran
or Karanja, and Nâgothana pethas are included in the Karjat, Panvel,
and Pen tâlukas. The Collector is ex-o?ccio Political Agent for the
Janjira State.
The District is under the sessions division of Thana, and the District
Judge of Thâna disposes of civil appeals from Koldba. During the
monsoon the District Magistrate is invested with the powers of a
Sessions Judge. There are five Subordinate Judges. The District
Judge of Thâna acts as a court of appeal from the Subordinate judges,
who decide all original suits, except those in which Government is
a party and applications under special Acts. There are twenty-five
officers to administer criminal justice. The commonest form of crime
is petty theft; but cases of homicide, hurt, and rioting occasionally
occur and are usually ascribable in the first instance to drink, to which
a large majority of the population are addicted. In years of scarcity
dacoities are sometimes committed by immigrants from the Deccan ;
but as a rule this form of crime is unknown.
The District was first included in Ratnâgiri and then in Thâna. In
1853 it was made a sub-collectorate and in 1869 a separate District.
After annexation in 1818, the practice of paying revenue in grain was
for some time continued; and during the period of depressions in
prices, 1823-34, the District fared better than Thâna, where money
payments were taken. From 1834 to 1854 the country improved,
population increased, and reductions were made in the Government
demand. Between 1854 and 1866 survey rates were introduced, and
as this occurred in some parts before the rapid rise of prices in that
period, the cultivators became extremely prosperous. Other parts
were settled under the influence of high prices, and for a time their
condition was depressed, but on the whole cultivation and revenue
have both advanced. The revision survey settlement was carried out
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