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The city inspection room was closed from 1st January, 1883, under orders
received through the Quartermaster-General. It cost Es. 516 per annum, paid from
cantonment funds. And the Municipal authorities have been invited to re-establish
it in the interests of the general population and of the soldiers who protect the city.
It does not appear likely that the proposal will meet with assent. In the meanwhile
the city registered women were directed to attend the cantonment lock hospital
for examination. Probably because of the distance to be traversed, from 1½ to 2 miles,
many absented themselves.
In consideration of the comparative nearness of the city to the fort and the
barracks, and the great number of the resident prostitutes, the Cantonment Com-
mittee think the regular examination of all city prostitutes suspected of consort with
soldiers is of the last importance. And they view the abolition of the city inspection
room with considerable misgiving. They think, indeed, that the number of city
registered women ought to be largely increased, and that the Cantonment Magistrate
should supervise the work. But the question of jurisdiction may bar the way to this
supervision.
With reference to the remarks of the Government in the report for 1881, encourag
- i n g t h e g r a n t o f f r e e q u a r t e r s t o t h e r e g i s t e r e d w o m e n , t h e C a n t o n m e n t M a g i s t r a t e
reports that at Agra, so far as the women attached to the infantry regiment are con-
cerned, good and suitable quarters exist, yet not rent-free. But the greater portion
of the registered women reside in scattered houses in the bazaars, and their proper
supervision is well nigh impossible. The committee would gladly provide the free
quarters in question, if so permitted.
With reference to the water-supply of the hospital, it is explained that the
water of a well immediately adjacent to the hospital building is brackish, and that
of necessity drinking water must be brought from the sweet water well in the can-
tonment gardens.
14. The Magistrate of the district confesses to inexperience of the subject hin-
dering useful comment. He considers the closing of the city inspection room is to be
regretted, as likely to have prejudicial results upon the health of the troops during
the present year.
The question of re-establishing the inspection room was laid before the municipal
committee who unhesitatingly rejected it. Native public opinion is by no means in
favour of the Contagious Diseases Act. The municipal committee read the orders of
Government extending the Act to Agra, as expressing that the extension is with
a view to prevent venereal disease amongst the soldiers, and they are therefore of
opinion that the necessary expenditure should fall upon the Military Department.
The question of jurisdiction will be considered hereafter.
15. The Commissioner remarks that the results of the management, for 1881 and
1882, appear to be about the same. The monthly meeting of the sub-committee is
satisfactory, especially as in former years this important point had been neglected.
The frequent change of Medical Officers in charge of the hospital is to be regretted
as not tending to efficient supervision. Without doubt soldiers at Agra, as elsewhere,
take disease from unregistered women, and however difficult it may be it is absolutely
necessary, for the prevention of disease, to supervise these women. The Commis-
sioner thinks the abolishment of the city inspection room is a retrograde step, likely
to be attended with bad results. And he sympathizes with .the Municipal Committee,
in their refusal to re-establish the room, for a purpose which militates . against the
prejudices of many of the members.
The Commissioner remarks that; nothing is said, in the-report; as-to the registra-
tion of a better class of women than. formerly. Although this is an important point, if
the soldier is to restrict himself to registered women.