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In 1875 the average strength of the depôt was 273.81. The total admissions for
primary venereal disease contracted at Naini Tál were 26=9.49 per cent.
In 1876 the average strength was 320. The admissions for primary venereal
disease were 31=9.69 per cent.
In 1877 the average strength was 239.16. The admissions for primary venereal
originating at Naini Tál were 54=22.57 per cent.
Cantonment sub-committee.—The cantonment sub-committee was composed of the
commandant, the medical officer in charge of the depôt, the assistant commissioner,
and the station staff officer. It assembled monthly for the usual purpose, and the
monthly report was, after consideration, forwarded to the general officer commanding
the district.
Condition under which the women lived.—Up to the month of May of this year the
registered women who lived at Khaila Khán resided in temporary grass huts amongst
the barrack coolies and servants. They were then removed to stone-built permanent
huts, quite away from the coolies, to a secluded place below the men's barracks, a
change not at all agreeable to them, as it took them quite out of native society. Of
the total number registered, twenty-two resided in the big bazár and twenty-seven in
Khaila Khán.
Measures for the control of prostitution.—The chief difficulty in carrying out
the provisions of the Act (XXII. of 1864) lay in controlling prostitution; in other
words, to prevent unlicensed prostitutes plying their calling without coming under
surveillance. Where this class of people stand so high in native male estimation, it is
with the greatest difficulty that any reliable information can be got as to the habits
of any particular woman; not one of them but can get a man to call himself her hus-
band, and not a few men actually let out their so-called wives as prostitutes, and suc-
cessfully claimed exemption from examination and registration upon that ground,
although everybody knows the woman or women to be arrant prostitutes.
Two chaprassis have been paid during the year to try and apprehend any woman
unregistered they could, but they rarely succeeded, or cared to succeed, preferring to
take a bribe and let the women off. There was another difficulty, it must be added,
which lay in the burden of proving by witnesses the fact of such and such a woman
being a prostitute, without which no prosecution would stand. Legality is a very
good thing, but, like many other good things, may be most conducive to the public
good when more honoured in the breach than the observance. Eleven were appre-
hended by the detective chaprassis plying an unregistered trade. Of these eight were
placed upon the register. Three refused to be registered, and were turned out of the
station. If the police could be got to assist the detectives and to give the desired
information, I think a great deal of the difficulty would vanish, though I know there
is something, to be said about employing them on such a service, and their liability to
abuse their power; but the regular English and French police are employed in this
way, and why not the Indian? The chaprassis, I am assured, are perfectly worthless,
and care for nothing but drawing their Rs. 6 per month, the fear of losing which
alone causes them to make a show of activity now and then. I have had to dismiss
two of them in course of the year for gross neglect of duty and making false reports,
and was beseiged by applicants for the empty place. But where all are corrupt it is
difficult to make a choice.
System of registration.—The system of registration is the same as formerly: any
woman proved to practise prostitution is compelled to take a ticket or leave the
station.
Registration fees.— No fees are charged for registration.
Fines imposed for non-attendance.—Twenty-five women were reported to the magis-
trate for non-attendance at the weekly examinations conducted by the medical officer;
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