10
REPORT OF THE IMPERIAL BACTERIOLOGICAL LABORATORY,
agricultural resources of the estate for our direct advantage. Much cre-
dit is due to Mr. G. P. Goffi for the enthusiasm with which he has sup-
ervised the execution of operations for the extension of cultivation
and the development of the Dairy.
(h) Laboratory Engineering Department. During the years under
report, the department in charge of the laboratory Engineer,
Mr. W. Pryde Watson, was worked under greater pressure than at any
time since the opening of the laboratory. The cause of the excess of
work was the increased demands in electricity and gas, mainly due to
the development of the research activities of the laboratory, and the
large amount of mechanical engineering work which was undertaken by
the Engineer to supply the needs of the technical staff of the laboratory.
In 1922-23, 19,753 units of electricity were produced, an increase of
36.8 per cent over that of the previous year. In 1923-24, there was a
slight decrease (199 units) due to the research officers being away on
tour during the winter months. No breakdowns occurred in the oil
engine, dynamo, or storage battery ; the spare oil engine parts ordered
through the Public Works Department arrived early in 1923, but the
condition of some of the parts was very unsatisfactory. During the
winter 1923-24, when there was a lull in the work, opportunity was taken
for a thorough overhaul of the engine. The storage battery has now
reached the limit of its efficient life (8½ years), according to the instruc-
tions laid down by the Electrical Inspector to the United Provinces
Government. There was a much enhanced demand for power from the
battery, amounting to 10,410 units in 1922-23, an increase of 90.83 per
cent over the previous year; the output decreased in 1923-24 to 8,516
units.
The total quantity of water pumped from the spring and collecting
dams at Muktesar for distribution to the station amounted to 2,186,796
gallons in 1922-23 (an increase of 3.8 per cent. on previous year), and
2,452,100 gallons in 1923-24 (increase of 11 per cent). The amount of
electricity consumed in pumping water in 1923-24, however, was increased
by 18.75 per cent., as all extra water had to be pumped from No. 3 dam,
the water at No. 2 dam having been found unfit for consumption. In
1923, the scheme for an extension in the water supply system of the
station, originally drafted by the Engineer in 1919, was carefully examined
and elaborated on the spot by Major Rhodes, Executive Engineer, 3rd
Division, Public Health Department, United Provinces, and subsequently
bacteriological tests and chemical analyses were made of the likely sources
of potable water. A comprehensive scheme was thus drafted sufficient
to supply the needs of all the station with an adequate, safe, and conve-
nient supply of water, and this scheme also included the installation of a
filtration plant, for bacteriological tests showed that the water supplies
represented a source of grave potential danger to the inhabitants at
certain seasons of the year. It is unfortunate that lack of funds have
prevented the speedy execution of the scheme.
Much apprehension is felt with regard to the possibility of a break-
down in the single oil engine which is at present the only source of power