| caption: |
new type of tax assessment at Melomi, to be paid half in cash and half in labour |
| text: |
To Melomi. I assessed Melomi on a plan not adopted in the rest of the district. I counted the village and deducted about 10% for Gaonburas and persons unable to pay and told the village that double the remainder was their assessment in rupees as house tax, and that that assessment would hold good till the village was assessed again. This should save the gaonburas the trouble of coming all the way to Kohima whenever someone gets married to get a new tin (which in any case they don't do) and will also save me from being pestered by old women for exemption at inopportune times and places, when it is impossible to tell if they really have a house of their own at all. The margin allowed for an increase in the proportion of those unable to pay was ample and Government may lose perhaps Rs 10/- a year over it while it will save the price of 300 odd house-checks tins and everyone will be saved a vast deal of bother, and coming and going. For this year, however, I have told Melomi that they will only pay half their revenue in cash, as I want half in labour or in kind on the bridle path, so that they will pay Rs 290/- as revenue this year and be liable for the equivalent when demanded, of the other half. |
