47
MYSORE DIVISION.
the Military authorities and by Government. This measure has afforded a considerable
saving in the hire of puckalies, besides ensuring a greater purity of supply.
The native troops draw their supply from tanks and wells, the former principally Mil
-ler's tank and the reservoirs at the head of the Ulsoor Valley, which have been recently
deepened by the municipality, under a special grant of money by the Mysore Government, in
view to a larger storage of water. This work necessitated the removal of the vegetation and
fish which kept the water of these reservoirs so pure, and for a time has rendered the water
turbid and muddy, but steps have been taken to re-plant the vegetation and re-stock with
fish.
Bellary.—I
have less progress to report at this station, less, that is, than at Bangalore.
Drainage of the native town known as Bruce Pettah is very defective, but the municipality
promise improvement, and have provided for it in the Budget for 1873-74. Still, progress
in the general sanitary state of the cantonment has been made. Surgeon-Major Brett's report
contains a very good account of the improvements during the year 1872, which comprise the
erection of a pukkah built slaughter-house near the Cowle Bazaar; the erection of additional
public latrines; paving of certain lanes; better lighting of the streets; removal of prickly
-pear bush, &c., and " notably," to use Dr. Brett's words, " house-to-house inspection for the
detection and removal of cess-pits and nuisances, the existence of such being in contraven
-tion of a municipal enactment. These inspections are nearly completed, and have been very
thorough, especially in the Cowle Bazaar; nuisances found to exist are removed and parties
f i n e d f o r p e r m i t t i n g t h e m . "
Bellary.
Water-supply.— During the year water from the Alipore tank was for the first time
successfully brought in and a good supply thrown at a most opportune time into the fort
ditch and into the tanks near the Native Infantry Lines.
The rainfall of the year was also above the average, and the station has received a sup
-ply of water which it has not experienced for many years. The analysis of the waters of
this station has been completed, but the results have not been communicated.
Water-supply.
Lines of n ative regiments.— These are kept in a very creditable state, both as to drain
-age and general conservancy by regimental authorities. In the 4th and 16th Regiments
considerable improvements have been effected in the huts themselves and in their drainage,
though considerable difficulties had to be contended with, owing to the nature of the soil.
Impervious floorings to the bathing places and small privies in the courtyards of the sepoys'
huts are the great desiderata here as elsewhere. Daily removal of solid excreta and house
-hold refuse is enforced. The worst lines, both in respect to drainage and general conservancy,
are those of the native cavalry. The lines are in fact so bad, that they are scarcely capable
of improvement, and require to be re-built altogether on another site. In my Annual Inspec--
tion Report I strongly advised this course rather than any attempt to remedy the defects of
the existing lines.
Mercara. —But slow progress has been made in the new lines at this station. One wing
only is accommodated. The drainage of even these new lines is very defective; much sewage
lodges. No progress has been made in the scheme for water-supply. All of these points
were reported at my annual inspection, when I expressed my opinion that " these lines will
not be complete, the drainage will not be satisfactory, nor will provision be made against
sewage saturation of the soil. till impermeable drains are provided."
Lines of
na-tive regi
-ments.
Mercara.
French Rocks.— I have nothing to add in regard to this station to my report for the pre
-vious year. At my inspection I found the state of the lines most creditable to the regimen--
tal authorities. The water-supply is duly guarded against contamination. The conservancy
of the huts of the men is well looked to. Cattle have been removed and stalled in a
building erected at regimental expense out of the Conservancy Fund derived from sale of
night soil, and the immediate neighbourhood of the lines is scrupulously kept from defilement,
and the public latrines
are freely resorted to.
I am well aware that in that I have written there is much repetition, much dwelling
upon subjects which have been made the burden of two former reports, but such repetition.
is unavoidable.
French Rocks.
SANITARY STATE OF PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND OTHER QUESTIONS AFFECTING THE HEALTH
OF THE TROOPS.
As explained in former reports these are merely places of arms, and their accommodation,
&c., in no way affects the health of the troops.
Barracks, guard-rooms, and prison cells.— I have no changes to report in the guard
-room accommodation, which is generally insufficient, necessitating the occupation of open ver
-andahs in many instances, which, although of no moment in stations on the plains, may be
prejudicial in Mysore and at Coorg.
The dimensions of the several guard-rooms were given in my report for 1870. The
prison accommodation (solitary cells) is sufficient, but defaulters' rooms are in some instances
badly ventilated.
Barracks,
guard-rooms,
and prison
cells.