5
(ii) Stables for nine ponies.—Clearing site was commenced in previous
year, but the actual construction of buildings was started at the
beginning of the year and completed in July 1899.
(iii) Fire extinguishing scheme.—This consists of (a) Two masonry
reservoirs, each holding 10,500 gallons of water. (b) Two hand
pumps. (c) Hand grenades. (d) Fire buckets. (e) Fire bell.
(f) 200 feet Merryweather's Dub Sub-canvas hose. (g) Hand
fire engine, with suction hose and 200 feet delivery hose. The
masonry reservoirs were started in April, the north-east one was
completed on June 15th and the other on the south-west side
was completed on 19th August 1899. Items (b) to (f) reached
Muktesar by 12th September. Item (g) arrived in the beginning
of October. Item (f) perished in the fire at the Laboratory on
27th September 1899.
(iv) Additions and Alterations to Clerks' quarters.—The additional
servants' quarters were completed in previous year, but the work
on Main Building could not be commenced before April and was
completed in June 1899.
(v) Means of access to roof of the Laboratory.—Two ladders and two
trap doors and floorings (planked) in lofts, commenced May and
completed June 1899.
(vi) Kennels for six dogs commenced July, completed August 1899.
(vii) The Public Works Godown and Staff quarters, for stores materials,
staff and coolies, commenced in July and completed in October.
(viii) Re-roofing snow well, dismantling thatched roof, which proved a
failure, and rebuilding it with concrete and flags laid over milled
steel beams.
(ix) Again a landslip at Ritani occurred on 27th August 1899, behind
the cattle shed. The material was wholly cleared away and a
breast wall made by 20th September.
(x) Quarters for the Artist and native Laboratory assistant were com-
menced in December 1899 and completed during March 1900.
(xi) Lengthening the stalls in the cattle-sheds commenced in January
and were completed in March.
(xii) Reconstructing the main building of the Imperial Bacteriological
Laboratory.—Work commenced on the 23rd November 1899, and
materials and iron-work collected for roofing and floorings, etc.
Masonry work of ground floor, verandah, and dismantling and
rebuilding of damaged portions completed.
(xiii) Constructing a " Residence" for the Imperial Bacteriologist at
Muktesar.—Clearing site started on 24th February 1900. Iron
joists for floors collected.
The residence for the Imperial Bacteriologist will probably be in a condition
to occupy about February or March 1901. At present this officer is living in
the Muktesar Garden, Bungalow, a small building about a mile from the
Laboratory, for many years has been utilized as a rest house for District Officers
on tour, when visiting this part of Kumaon.
Veterinary Assistants' quarters.—Two native Veterinary Assistants were
appointed and placed on the Laboratory Establishment during 1897-98. Up
to the present these subordinates have had rooms in the quarters provided for
the Bearers, and as provision has been made in the Budget for 1900-1, for
building the necessary accommodation for Veterinary Assistants, a suitable site
has been chosen for the erection of the buildings and the ground is being
prepared for the foundations to be laid. Consequently it is expected that
within some five or six months, the quarters will be finished and ready for
occupation.
Lieutenant S. D'A. Crookshank, R.E., has continued to hold the post of
District Engineer of Naini Tal during the year under review, and it is owing to
this Officer's keen foresight and supervision that all work has been so expedi-
tiously and thoroughly performed.
6. Destruction of the Laboratory by Fire.—On the evening of 27th
September 1899, I regret to have to report, a fire broke out at the western end