12. Evidence of MR. A. C. TUTE, Magistrate and Collector of Dinajpur.

1. As Collector of Dinaj pur on a small portion of which Government ganja tract lies, and as a District Officer of several of the other districts of Bengal, I have had opportunities of gaining information on this subject. I have also consulted leading gentlemen in the place, and, unless otherwise mentioned, these answers are the net result of my enquiries.

2. Yes; these can be accepted. Bhang is only known here in the name of siddhi. Ganja has no peculiar other name.

3. Bhang grows in almost all parts in all districts of North Bengal, specially in Dinajpur and Rangpur, and ganja in Rajshahi, BooTa, and Dinajpur ; the production in Rajshahi !ling the highest, and that in Bogra lowest.

4. It is not known under any different names. (b) The plants belong to the same species, but are somewhat different.

5. Bhang grows naturally in damp soil, but ganja has a peculiar tendency of growing in places where the soil is moist, and in places, of course, neat and clean and well cultivated. Generally high lands are selected for the growth of ganja, the site selected being open field, on which the shadow of no large tree can fall.

6. Dense.

7. (a) Yes, in Mahadebpur Thane.
(b) No.
(c) No, as it grows wildly.
(d) No.
Ganja grows only in three or four villages in Mahadebpur Thana in this district.

8. None.

9. The ground requires to be ploughed up very carefully. The great object of this ploughing is to free the soil of all herbage and stubble. The next process is to throw sods on the field and surround it with a ridge. The third operation is to manure the fields with oowdung. When fields are fully prepared by this course of dressing, the seedlings are transplanted. About a lapse of three or four weeks, dressing and manuring take place. Manure consists in some cases of cowdung, and in others of oil-cake and cowdung. After this the plants are trimmed. The next process is to destroy the male plants. After this a second process of transplantation takes place. After this the female plants begin to flower, which is known as ganja.

10. No; they are agricultural cultivators.

11. "No.

12. No.

13. It is cultivated in ,Dinajpur, Bogra, and Rajshahi, the necessary condition for its growth being damp soil, high land and sufficient rainfall, and moist climate.

14. (a) Ganja in three or four villages in Thana Mahadebpur.
(b) No.
(c) Yes.

16. Yes; it can be prepared from the hemp plant wherever grown. Ganja and charas cannot be prepared from the wild plant.

17. Generally the cultivating classes.

18. Ganja only deteriorates by keeping, but neither bhang nor charas. Yes, ganja loses its resinous substance after about two years, its rapid deterioration being due to its susceptibility to dampness. It can be kept in a good condition if protected from dampness.

19. Ganja and charas are generally used for smoking purposes. In Eastern Districts majum, which is a preparation of ganja and some sweets, is eaten.

20. Lower classes generally smoke ganja. Charas is rarely used. Most of the Sanyasis and mendicants, day-labourers, and up-country palki bearers generally use ganja.

21. Flat is prepared for smoking.

22. None here.

23. Bhang is not used for smoking.

24. In Behar respectable people drink bhang daily as a luxury ; in Bengal, it is used by all classes, specially the middle class. In Bengal people drink bhang at the time of some religious festival. Regular bhang eaters are few and far between. Bhang is eaten very rarely, but cooked.

25. The use of ganja is on the increase. The reason for increase in consumption here is that the people of this district shew likeness to ganja in preference to drink, the consequence being the consumption of ganja increases with the decline of that of country liquor.

26. The approximate figure for ganja will be this-
(a) 60 per cent.
(6) 20 per cent.
(c) 15 per cent.
(d) 5 per cent.

27. (a) This class consists of very low class of people, viz., fishermen, Hanoi domes.
(b) Consists of Sanysais, Ramads, ete.
(c) Consists of middle, sometimes of wealthy, class.
(d) Beggars and very poor men.

The medicants travel from place to place, and the reason of their using ganja is that they can endure different climates. The menials use them with a view to do hard work.

28. (a)    anna.
(b) 2 annas.

29. Dhatura is mixed with behang sometimes in order to make it strong.
The ordinary bhang massala is black pepper and anise-seed. It is made rich by mixing milk, sugar, rose-water, and cardamom, which are used by the higher classes.

30. Ganja is consumed generally in company, and bhang in solitude. They are used by adults and old men. They are mainly confined to the male sex. Children never consume any of these drugs, except for medicinal purposes.

31. (a) The habit of smoking ganja is easily formed.
(c) Yes; it is marked in the case of ganja.

32. Behang is generally drunk in small quantities on the fourth day of the Durga Puja, in which its drinkino. is compulsory on every devout Hindu. The use of this drug is moderate. Many take only a drop of it. It is not injurious, and does not lead to habit.

33. The use of ganja is regarded as disreputable. The public opinion is against it.

34. Yes, by the use the consumers feel a sort of pleasure which they cannot forego.

35. It is not feasible with regard to bhang, as it grows wildly ; it may be practicable with ganja.

The prohibition would certainly cause widespread discontent which would not create any political danger. The prohibition would be followed by recourse to some other stimulants.

36. No.

37. Charas is the most powerful, but has not the same inducement to become a habit as ganja.

38. I believe they are the same thing in different forms.

39. Yes; it is less powerful.

40. Bhang is prescribed by the native school of physicians as medicine. Bhang is used as a treatment for cattle-disease

41. (a) Bhang is a very digestive article of food.
(b) Yes; for the time, to be followed by greater exhaustion.
(c) Yes ; for the relief of pain it is used as an intoxicant or narcotic.

42. Moderate use is harmless, but it may always lead to excess.

43. Yes.

44. It intoxicates. At first is refreshing. Does intoxicate. It does create a false appetite. Its after-effects are depression. There is always a desire to repeat the dose.

45. (d) Charas smokers suffer from asthmatical breathing. Ganja causes dysentery.
(e) Yes.
(f) It produces insanity.

55. (b) Yes.

56. I believe dhatura is mixed with it to act as an antidote against the bad effects of charas on the lungs.

58. Yes; I consider it to be capable of improvement.

59. I would wish to see the goladari system abolished. The ganja should be sold in the way the opium is being sold now. This would return a heavy profit to Government.

60. I think that a smuggling to a large extent takes place. I should like to see a large staff of detective officers appointed.

61. None.

62. Not at all.

63. Wholesale vend of ganja leads to much wastage. I would like to see it abolished. The Government itself should be the vendor as in the case of opium.

65. Except where it could be shown to be to the interests of the revenue, such as by making a change in the goladari system I would not in- terfere with the consumption Of ganja amongst those who habitually use it.

66. Yes. The proportion of taxation on each kind of ganja as exists now should be retained. I do not advocate different taxation on ganja grown in different localities (see 65).

67. See 65. M2

68. Yes. It is better that ganja should be consumed as we do tobacco, not in shops. Ganja shops are apt to develop into places for the concoction of crime.

69. No. A shop is opened where Collector thinks that it would be paying.

I do not think it is necessary to consult local opinion in this matter, for I don't believe there is any public opinion on the subject.

70. None.