3
filtered water always available for cooking and drinking The supply of water in the lavatories
of the Kamptee barracks was rather limited. The conservancy of the hospitals and barracks
was satisfactory and the establishment efficient.
The following works were completed during the year:—
(1) Supplying moorum for repairing roads and of British Infantry lines.
(2) Constructing an open-air gymnastic apparatus for Royal Artillery lines.
(3) Constructing concrete drains from British Infantry cook-house No. 4 through the
British Infantry school compound.
(4) Repairing old canteen, British Infantry.
(5) Remodelling British Infantry canteen.
Hyderabad Subsidiary Force. —The barracks generally are commodious, well built, and,
with the exception of the 2nd British Infantry, are well situated. The latter, although not
unhealthy, are not so good as the others. They are nearest to Secunderabad and not so open
and airy, and there is a good deal of rocky ground around and some wet cultivation. They
are not either so well built or so well finished as the rest. All the barracks are in a good
state of repair, and, on the whole, healthy and comfortable. The want of trees and shade is felt,
especially in the Cavalry barracks, but this will be remedied in time by the growth of trees,
which are being regularly planted in due season. There was some over-crowding in the
Cavalry barracks after the arrival of the 7th Queen's Own Hussars on the 28th December, as
this regiment arrived 600 strong, whereas the barracks were only intended for the old strength.
To increase accommodation, it was found necessary to utilize the lower storey, recreation
rooms and other places not so intended as dormitories. There were also insufficient quarters
for the officers of the regiment. The drainage of the barracks is chiefly by natural fall of
ground assisted by some open masonry drains. This is sufficient to carry off rain water if
hollows are filled up and care taken to secure slope away from the walls.
More lavotories are required for the Cavalry. There are very good latrines on the dry
-earth system in rear of all the barracks, and are, upon the whole, well kept. The water-supply
is of excellent quality and plentiful. It is obtained from large wells situated at a distance from
all chance of pollution and most carefully covered over.
There are three station hospitals named the South, Central and North. The South Station
Hospital, in which are treated the sick of infantry and departments, is a large two-storied
building on a basement of about 6 feet. The bath-rooms, dispensary, store-rooms and washing
rooms attached to it are not very good. Quarters for servants are being erected on the sepoy
hut system. This is much cheaper than the standard plan, and will serve the purpose probably
as well.
The Central Station Hospital is a long one-storied building, fairly well situated, dry and
well drained. There are quarters for only a portion of the servants attached to this hospital.
A small cheap hospital or ward has been built for Native drivers during the year.
The North Station Hospital is also a long one-storied building on a good basement, well
situated, dry and well drained. All the station hospitals are well supplied with good water.
The hospital for women and children is not a very good one. It was one of the family quarters
of the 1st British Infantry Regiment, and is consequently defective in many respects as a
hospital. Much inconvenience is felt for want of a suitable place for contagious diseases. It
is intended for the reception of the women and children of the Royal Artillery and Infantry,
those of the Cavalry being treated in a small ward or section hospital near the barracks.
The following improvements were carried out during the year
:—
BRITISH INFANTRY.
Urinal for the canteen.
ROYAL ARTILLERY.
( 1) Two r i di ng s c hool s .
(2) Providing wire fencing round Royal Artillery cricket ground.
(3) Adding seven stalls to Royal Artillery stables.
(4) New stabling for 32 horses for light field battery.
(5) Providing new punkahs in barracks Nos. 1, 2, 3 and 9.
(6) Improving the light and ventilation of rooms in the medical subordinate's
quarters, Central Station Hospital.
BRITISH INFANTRY REGIMENT.
(1) Converting the disused water-room near main guard within intrenchment into a
powder magazine.
(2) Altering the rain storage reservoir in intrenchment into an ordinary storage
reservoir.
(3) Altering and covering with earth-work No. 2 powder magazine in intrenchment.