24
REPORT of a Sub-Committee assembled by order of the President of the Cantomment
Committee of Ahmednagar to report on the alterations and additions recom-
mended by the Sanitary Commissioner at his inspection, in September 1876, of
the Royal Artillery Lines and Salabhat Khan's Tomb, &c.
W. MANSON, Major, R.E.
President .
A. CAMPBELL, Captain, R.A.
Members.
T. K. BIRNIE, A.M.D., and P.M.O. British Forces.
J. WILLIAMSON, Surgeon—Attending.
The Sub-Committee having read the Report of the Sanitary Commissioner,
report as follows :—
Para. 17.—They admit that a better class of huts for Native followers
than those now built would be very desirable ; but as the maintenance of hut
buildings is generally left to occupants or to the regiments to which they are
attached, it is most unlikely that Government would ever authorize their being
made with raised plinths and tiled roofs, as this would entirely alter the quality
and cost of the construction. It may also be remembered that the Natives
themselves would not like raised plinths and large window ventilators as well as
they do the approach to their own style of dwelling. The same remarks apply
to detached lavatories. If proper privies were made it is supposed they would
have to be erected in the same position as the latrines are now,—some way to
the south-east of the Native huts,—and little would be gained in convenience by
an alteration on that head. The Sub-Committee consider that the four add-
itional houses required in the Native Lines might now be erected (at battery
expense) on the necessary sanction being obtained.
Para. 18.—The Sub-Committee fully agree that the position of the Native
,
Syce Lines is a very bad one, and dangerous to the
General Improvements,
barracks and the Officers' Lines near. The only site
to the south-east, however, being on black soil, it is suggested that they
be moved 800 yards north-west of their present position, to near the Moti
Bagh, and on the other flank of the stables, near which they must necessarily
be located. Some similar lines occupied that site some few years back.
Although the site proposed would be to the north and north-west of all
the barracks, still the increased distance might render them safe in case of an
epidemic ; whereas now they are as central to all European dwellings as they
well can be, and also close to both the hospitals. Surgeon Williamson, in medical
charge of the Royal Artillery, is of opinion that the south-eastern position is the
most suitable, if otherwise practicable ; but that the north-west site, proposed,
would be a great improvement on the present one.
Para. 19.—The Sub-Committee prefer a wire fence to the prickly-pe
ar
General Improvement.
hedge for the hospital compound, but consider the ex-
pense of it would be too great ; and they believe that
with proper management a prickly-pear hedge can be kept very neat and clean, and
that it is the cheapest and best fencing against cattle and dogs, &c., that can be
met with. A babul thorn fence is not as durable, and requires frequent renew-
ing, and it cannot be made as neat as prickly-pear fence (of which there are
generally very good examples in the Poona Cantonment).
The hospital serjeant's quarters should be taken into consideration at once,
as they are urgently needed with the present battery. These quarters should
be detached. The gutters in the hospital floor are not required, and might be
filled in. They can, however, easily be kept clean.