village organization. Every village has its Headman, appointed by the Deputy Commissioner from among the villagers. In the making of this appointment, so far as possible, regard is paid to hereditary claims and also to the wishes of the people. The Headman is the leading villager; the village magistrate and judge, with power to try petty criminal and civil cases, and the local revenue collector. The elders have no legal power or status, but in practice they exercise substantial influence. All villagers are bound by law to assist the headman in the discharge of his public duties; and new comers cannot settle in a village without his permission. On all residents is imposed joint responsibility for peace and order. They are bound to keep the village in a state of defence and to resist armed attack. If an undetected crime is committed, or if stolen property is traced to its borders, the village is held responsible.
The Shan States are administered on special lines[1]. The Shan plateau, occupying an area of over fifty thousand square miles, is distributed into a number of States varying in size from a few acres to thousands of square miles, each under its hereditary Chief. In the later times of Burmese rule, the Chiefs were constantly fighting one another and a country once prosperous was laid waste. Since our coming, peace has been restored and excellent progress has been made. The States are grouped into two main sections, the Southern, with headquarters at Taung-gyi, the Northern, with headquarters at Lashio, each under a Superintendent. These States are an integral part of British India, as they were formerly of the Burmese kingdom, and are not on the footing of native States in other parts of India. The form of administration which prevailed under Burmese rule has been preserved; and each State is governed by its own Chief, entitled Sawbwa, Myosa, or Ngwe-kun-hmu. The Imperial and Provincial[2] Legislatures enact laws applicable
