EASTERN FRONTIER DISTRICT. 25
71.8 inches; in the five succeeding years, as may be seen from the accompanying table, it has
risen to 100.4 inches :—
Years.
No. of days. Quantity collected.
1874 . .
.
. .
.
.
.
.
. .
.
.
.
.
153
95.3
1875 .
.
.
.
.
. . . . . . . . . .
162
100
1876 . .
. .
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
. .
146
95
1877 . .
.
.
.
.
.
.
. .
.
.
.
.
.
165
104
1878 .
.
.
.
.
.
163
107.8
Average for the 5 years
.
.
.
.
.
.
. .
.
157.8
109.4
Thus, judging from the past five years, there would appear to be a steady and permanent increase
in the rainfall—a result probably due to energetic forest conservancy both in the hills and in
the province generally. The quantity of timber in the neighbourhood of Shillong has increased
wonderfully within the past seven years. Large tracts of the hills in the watershed of the
rivers which flow through the station have been taken up by Government from the Khasias (the
territory of the hills is independent) and set apart for the growth of timber. Young pines are now
growing up in these tracts with great rapidity. The heaviest rainfall was in the month of
August. In the last week of the month 27 inches fell. There was a downpour of 15 inches
one day, which raised the streams to such a height that nearly all the bridges in the station
were swept away. The temperature of the year was moderate—highest 78° in April, lowest 40°i
n January and February. The average temperature for the year was 61.9° F.
VIII. Water-supply.—The water-supply is tile same as last year. An improvement was
effected this year by tapping the water-course, as it passes through the lines at a few convenient
points, with short zinc pipes. A spout of water is thus obtained from which the men can fill
their vessels without the necessity of dipping them into the stream. The water-course flows
above the men's huts, between them and the parade ground, which is on the summit of the hill.
Unfortunately as it is a mere open channel it is open to contamination in the rains from wash
-ings from the higher ground. It is kept as free from impurity as possible within the canton
-ment bounds ; but outside it is open to many sources of contamination, e.g., in its course down.
the hill the stream passes through three private compounds ; it also crosses the high road in three
or four places. It might very easily, and at a moderate cost, be rendered perfectly pure by con
-ducting it through pipes in those parts of its course in which its purity is endangered. It is
always very turbid for some time after heavy rain.
The admissions for dysentery and diarrhœa were very numerous, and many cases were
probably due to impurity of the water. Thus, out of an average strength of 435 men, 93 cases
of dysentery and 17 of diarrhœa occurred, being about 16 per cent of the total treated. Three
cases of dysentery and two of diarrhœa (chronic) proved fatal. The recent change to the hills
from the plains (the regiment arrived here in December 1877) might probably be charged with
many cases. Still I think with purer water we would have less bowel-disease.
Water-sup
-ply.
IX. Diet.—As in former years, rations were supplied by the commissariat Department at a
cost of Rs. 3-8 a month. The ration consists of a seer or attah or rice, 1 chittack ghee, 2 chittacks
d h a l , ¼ c h i t t a c k s a l t . T o g e t h e r w i t h o b t a i n i n g g o o d r a t i o n s a t t h i s m o d e r a t e p r i c e , t h e m e n
in the Assam regiments get a local allowance of Rs. 2-8 a month. This and a free kit
render them comfortable and independent. Indeed, as far as food and clothing go, I see
nothing to complain of from a sanitary point of view. During the year under review all
food-supplies in the bazar, and at the weekly hât were exceedingly dear, and what may be called
famine prices ruled for some time, e.g., ordinary servants' rice sold at four seers for the rupee,
gram was Rs. 8 a maund, fowls two for the rupee, milk 4 annas a seer, and everything else in
proportion. The only cheap food was potatoes, and they are very good and abundant here,
and may usually be bought for Rs. 2 or 2-8 a maund. The rise in prices was due to the impos
-sibility of importing sufficient supplies owing to the bad state of the cart-road from Gauhati.
The road is a new one, and it was so softened and cut up during the rains that wheels sunk
to their axles in it and bullocks were unable to struggle through it. Now the road is being
metalled, so it is to be hoped that the stream of supplies will not be interrupted in future.
X. Clothing.—No change in the clothing since last year. The boots and great coats are
both good, and of English manufacture. There were 13 cases of blister of feet, and this
without any long marches. Blisters of feet might, in my opinion, be obviated in a very great
degree if the men were obliged to wear worsted stockings. If made an article of uniform,
they might be imported and supplied at a very moderate cost. The men themselves now com
-monly buy stockings in the bazar, but they are poor things, and cost, no doubt, double
their value.
XII. Exercise, amusements and occupations.—Several of the men are good cricketers and play
regularly with the officers; some occupy themselves with garden work; some with gymnastics
in the lines. On Sundays numbers of the men off duty go out good distances into the woods
and bring home a week's supply of firewood. On the whole the men are an active, helpful body,
ready to turn a hand to anything.
Diet.
Clothing.
Exercise,
amusements
Occupa
-tions. G
G