33. Evidence of Mr. R. H. RENNY, Deputy Commissioner of Singhbum.

2. These definitions may be accepted. Such are the names by which their products are known to me.

3. None.

4 to 6. See above.

7 to 9. I believe so, but not in my district. 10 and 11. Don't know.

12. I have no knowledge on this subject.

13. Yes; to Rajshahi, Bog,..,ra, and Dinajpur districts. Cannot say why. I have no knowledge as to conditions of climate, soil, etc.. nor am I able to say if there are any parts of this (Bengal) province where its cultivation would be impossible. From cases which have come up before me for trial in both Chota Nagpur and Behar, I find that it is possible to grow the plant in these divisions, but I am unable to say whether or no this can be done on an extensive scale or not. In the cases referred to, only a plant or two were detected.

14. In this province (Bengal), yes. In my district no, so far as I know.

15. I have no knowledge on these subjects.

16. Bhang not in this district. Ganja, I know, can be prepared from the wild plant. I have come across cases in which people have been prosecuted for so preparing it. I have no information in regard to charas.

17. I don't know, as they are not made in this district.

18. Yes, it deteriorates by keeping ; it loses its effect in time. It remains good for a year with ordinary care. Moisture and dampness are the causes of deterioration. To prevent deterioration it should be kept in a tin-lined box placed in well ventilated rooms.

19. Ganja and charas are generally used for smoking, but the former is occasionally used for medical purposes. Ganja boiled in cocoanut-oil becomes a medicine for itch, and is used in almost all the districts of Bengal.

20. Fakirs and sadhus, Bengalis, Uriyas, Beharis, Muhammadans, Tamarias, Uraons, and Bhuians smoke ganja. About 5 per cent, of the population of these classes smoke ganja. In this district ganja is used at Chaibassa, Baharagorah, Ghatsilla, Chakradharpur, and iVIanaharpur, and all over the district. Charas is not in use in this district.

21. Round ganja is preferred. The other kinds are not used here.

22. See concluding portion of answer to question No. 20.

23. No.

24. Bhang is both eaten and drunk by Bengalis and Beharis in summer season only. At least 10 per cent. of these two classes use it. There is no particular locality, but this is done in places where these people live.

25, On the decrease, as prices of all principal food-grains are ruling high.

26. In this district there are habitual moderate consumers of ganja and bbang only. Their proportions are respectively 5 and 10 per cent.

27. About classes of people, I have already answered in questions Nos. 20 and 24. As far as this district is concerned, the use of ganja and charas is not due to any particular habits of life or circumstances.

29. Tobacco leaves are ordinarily mixed with :.Y.anja and dhatura is mixed with bhang only. These admixtures are intended to increase intoxication. The ingredients mixed with bhang are anise, a species of parsley, and cardamom. They are known by the name of bhang massala.

30. As regards first part of the question I have no knowledge. Ganja and bhang are partaken of by both males and females. Children do not consume any of these drugs.

31. Yes, the habit is easily formed in resrect of ganja and charm. Yes, difficult to break off. Yes, there is a tendency for the moderate habit to develop into the excessive.

32. At times of the annual worship of Kali, Durga, Sib and other divinities, ganja and bhang in this district are used. The use of these drugs on these occasions is excessive. I cannot answer the rest of the question.

33. The consumption is regarded with disfavour by public opinion, as it is supposed to affect the mental faculties, to impair the constitution, and to shorten life. I do not know of any custom of worshipping the hemp plant. No such custom prevails here.

34. I cannot answer this question. 36 to 38. No knowledge.

39. Smoking is said to be less injurious than either drinking or eating. I cannot say why.

41. Beneficial only to those addicted to it.

43. Yes.

44. I am told that it is refreshing, produces intoxication, allays hunger, and creates appetite. Its effects last about eight hours or so, and the want of subsequent gratification produces longing as well as uneasiness.

58. Yes, I am acquainted with the system of excise administration. I consider the system capable of improvement.

59. As regards cultivation, storage and transport, I would like to see it put in the same footing as opium. Its cultivation should be supervised by a superior agency, as is done in the case of opium : there should be a factory for its storage and packing, and indents for supplies to districts should be made in a similar way as is done in the case of opium.

60 and 61. I cannot say. I have no experience.

62. I consider that it should he treated in the way proposed in my answer to question 59.

63. I have objections. I would like to see the golas abolished and sales made to retail vendors from the Government treasury, exactly in a similar manner as is done in the case of opium. One good result of the proposed system would be that we could exercise control over the price at which the drug is sold to the consumers and could prevent its being sold too cheap.

64. See answers to questions 59 and 63.

65. In this district the taxation is fair with reference to alcoholic and other intoxicants ; but the taxation is, generally speaking, low in all cases. Year by year, however, it is being raised slowly and gradually.

66. In this district only round ganja is imported, so I am unable to offer an opinion.

67. The taxation is very low at present; the consumer can afford to pay much more. The lowness of the taxation is mainly due to the present defective method of taxing. See answer to questions 59 and 63.

68. There are houses or shops licensed for the sale of these drugs or their preparations, and there is no prohibitioif to there being consumers in the premises. As no inconvenience has been brought to light as resulting from the present method, I would not interfere.

69. Up to date the wishes of the people have not been consulted; and as no complaints have been preferred, I suppose no cause for any exists. If the public did object, their objection should undoubtedly receive full consideration.

70. I have good reason to believe, in regard to this district, that a good deal of hemp drugs, but in very small quantities only, are smuggled into it from the Native States, which hem it in on all sides. All these drugs, so smuggled, are untaxed.