( 4 )
other claims, if, as has been proposed in some schemes which have come before
Government, they are financed for the greater part from General Revenues.
15. The Sanitary Commissioner instances the cases of Howrah, the Subur-
ban area in Calcutta and Berhampur, as illustrating the need of efficient drainage
concurrently with the introduction of a filtered water-supply. In the absence
of proper drains it may not be possible to dispose of the waste water brought into
the towns, and increased mortality from fever may result. The working of
the various septic tanks which have now been constructed in different localities,
particularly in the mills along the banks of the Hooghly, has received special
attention, and an Inspector has recently been appointed to inspect the
installations, with particular reference to their size and construction, and the
proper sterilisation of the effluents from them.
16. Sanitary Board.—Sir Edward Baker regrets to notice the death,
while on leave in England, of Mr. A. E. Silk, M.I.C.E., F.R.S.I., late Sanitary
Engineer, Bengal, in whom Government has lost a valuable officer. During
the year the Board prepared preliminary estimates for water-works in the
Hooghly-Chinsura and Daltonganj Municipalities, and detailed estimates for
water-works at Gaya. Six drainage schemes (for the towns of Burdwan, Khulna,
Serampore, Arrah, Howrah and Darjeeling, respectively), and two projects
for the construction of water-works at Puri and Murshidabad were considered
by the Board. Complaints have been made of delays in the consideration
of schemes in the office of the Sanitary Engineer, as also of the unnecessarily
voluminous details compiled in connection with them. Time and money are
also wasted by the preliminary preparation of projects by local authorities
on ill-considered lines, which have subsequently to be reconsidered. The
Lieutenant-Governor would be glad if the question were examined by the Board
with particular reference to the possibility of ensuring efficient supervision at the
initial stages of a scheme, in order that the proposals may be framed from the
outset upon a satisfactory basis. Provided that the local authorities were
willing to undertake the subsequent execution of a scheme, Government assist-
ance might suitably be given them in ascertaining their requirements and how
they can best be met.
17. The Lieutenant-Governor's thanks are due to Lieutenant-Colonel
Clarkson and his subordinates for their administration of the department.
By order of the Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal,
H. WHEELER,
Offg. Secy. to the Govt. of Bengal.
Nos. 638—42T.—San.
*For all except No. I.
COPY (with a copy* of the Report of the Sanitary
Commissioner for 1908 and of the Annual Statistical
Returns and short notes on Vaccination in Bengal for the year 1908-
09) forwarded to the
(1) Sanitary Commissioner.
(2) Inspector-General of Civil Hospitals,
(3) Inspector-General of Prisons,
(4) Inspector-General of Police.
(5) Secretary to the Sanitary Board (his attention invited to the remarks in
paragraph 16 of the Resolution).
Bengal,
for information.
Circular No. 15T.—San.
COPY, with a copy of the Report of the Sanitary Commissioner for 1908
and of the Annual Statistical Returns and short notes on Vaccination in Bengal
for the year 1908-09, forwarded to all Commissioners of Divisions for informa-
tion, and for communication to all District Officers in their respective
Divisions.
By order of the Lieutenant-Governor of Bengal,
S. N. MITRA,
Under-Secy. to the Govt. of Bengal.
DARJEELING,
The 8th July 1909.
B. S. Press—19-7-1909—1747C—1,781—J. A. M.