There is, however, a wide field for practical improvement; as may be fully understood from the following statement. The _dawk_ rarely travels at a less expence than twenty-five rupees per month, for each stage of eight miles (four cosses) on the average. This sum is absorbed by a _moonshy_ at each _chokey_, or relief at the end of a stage, who pretends to be very scrupulous in regard to ascertaining that all the parcels are right, but who, as I have repeatedly witnessed, is more intent on receiving little presents of _ottah_, (meal,) spices, &c., sent to him from the neighbouring villages, in return for letters conveyed by the _dawk-hirkarahs_, who are sometimes laden pretty heavily with such contributions. I speak from what I have been an eye-witness to repeatedly; as to hear-say, much more might be asserted. It appears to me that the above sum would carry on the system with double the speed, and double the efficiency. In lieu of sending off four, five, and six, men with the _dawks_, let a horseman convey the bags for about twelve miles, on an allowance of fifteen rupees per month for man and horse; and, during the rainy season, when the roads are deep, let a fresh horse be allowed for the several returns, instead of causing the same man and horse to return with the _counter-dawks_. On the above allowance a very good steed might be kept, the celerity of the _dawk_ would be greatly encreased, and there would be no occasion for _moonshies_, except at such _chokies_ as might be upon diverging roads, where it would be necessary to have the proper parcels sorted out, and delivered to the various _branch-dawks_.
Travelling in a _palanquin_ by _dawk_, (_i.e._ post,) is effected much in the same manner as the despatch of the _dawks_. Bearers are stationed at the several stages, for the purpose of relief; each station, in general, supplying eight bearers, and a _bangy_, in all nine men, together with one or two _mosaulchies_ for night stages. The expence of travelling in this manner will depend greatly on the distance: if only a short journey is to be made, such as may be compassed within eight or ten hours, nothing more is needful than to send on a set, or two, of bearers, who then receive their daily hire of four annas (8d.) each, while out from home; or, if there should exist the means of so doing, a _hirkarah_, (or messenger,) may be despatched to collect bearers at the several stages. In this manner, the relays may be properly supplied, and the cost will not amount to more than a rupee for three miles; equal to ten-pence a mile; whereas, in the ordinary mode of having bearers laid by the post-master, each mile will cost full one rupee, (_i.e._ 2_s._ 6_d._,) besides various little disbursements by way of _buxees_, or presents, to every set of bearers in the journey: these may be fairly estimated at two rupees for every set, or relief, which, if the distances run by each should average ten miles, will be about twenty rupees (£2. 10_s._) for every hundred miles. The ordinary rate of this kind of conveyance may be rated at four miles per hour during the cold season, three and a half during the hot season, and from two to three during the rains, provided the waters are not much out: otherwise, no estimate can be formed. The above includes stops.