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Imperial Gazetteer of India, v. 19, p. 302.

302 PABNA DISTRICT expense, to construct . proper roads, and most of those that exist are little more than tracks. A raised road from Pabna to Sara can, how- ever, be used throughout the year; and a metalled road, as miles in length, leads from Pabna to Bajitpur on the Padma. Most of the thdnas are connected with Pabna by raised roads, though there are breaks in places owing to floods. These roads are little used as trade routes on account of the excellent water communications. Both the Padma and the Brahmaputra are navigable by native boats of the largest size and also by steamers, and the Baral and the Hurasagar by boats of 4 tons burden throughout the year ; the other minor watercourses are navigable during the rainy season. The Phuljhur, which was formerly navigable throughout its course, has formed shallows at Nalka and Ulapara, which make it impassable for heavily laden craft. The Dhanbandi, which passes through Sirajganj, is connected with the Simla Neil and ultimately with the Jamuna by the Kata khdl, and with the Pangasi river and the Phuljhur by the Telkup! khdl ; these artificial , channels are, how- ever, navigable only during the rains. On the Brahmaputra a daily mixed service of steamers runs between Goalundo and Phulchari Ghat, calling for goods and passengers at several stations in the District, and the Goalundo-Assam mail stops at Sirajganj. The services which ply up the Padma call at four stations, Nazirganj, Satbaria, Bajitpur (for Pabna town), and Sara. A ferry steamer aided by a District board subsidy runs between Bajitpur and Kushtia, and there are 63 other ferries of less importance. Pabna is not liable to famine; but in 1874 and again in 1897 there was some local scarcity, and relief works on a small scale were opened by Government. For, general administrative purposes the District is divided into two subdivisions, with head-quarters at PABNA and SIRAJGANJ. At head- quarters the staff subordinate to the Magistrate- Administration. Collector consists of three Deputy-Magistrate-Col- lectors, one Sub-Deputy-Collector, and two kknungos. In charge of the Sirajganj subdivision is a covenanted civilian, assisted by a Deputy- Collector, a Sub-Deputy-Collector, and a kdnungo. The civil courts are those of the District and Sessions judge, who also pays quarterly visits to Bogra, a Sub-Judge, an additional Sub- Judge, and two Munsifs stationed at Pabna, and two Munsifs and an additional Munsif at Sirajganj. The criminal courts include those of the Sessions Judge, District Magistrate, and the above-mentioned magistrates. Frequent disputes arise in connexion with the possession of the valuable lands which are continually being formed by the changes in the courses of the great rivers, and these often culminate in riots. The District is notorious for both land and river dacoities,