10
away the storm-water, might, in my opinion, wisely determine to lay glazed stone
ware pipes down the centre of the streets. I think that 4-inch pipes would be
ample for the house connections, through which the urine, the water used in the
privy for ablution, and at the washing-places would pass clear away from the
houses, and might be received in the upper part of the district into pipes 6
inches in diameter, and these again might communicate with 9-inch pipes, which, in
my opinion, would affored a sufficient waterway. The level of the fields on the
north-west side of the town is higher than the bed of the nulla through which
the sullage now flows; arrangements would, therefore, have to be made—supposing
it was determined to utilize the sewage for irrigation—to divert it at such a level
as would allow the sullage to flow by gravitation over their surface; or, if the
land could not be acquired, the out-fall might be taken down to the river and along
its bed to a safe distance, before it was discharged; and as funds became available
the three other divisions of the town might be sewered in a similar manner.
I should strongly advise the municipality not to fritter away their money by
trying to improve the existing drains, which should be left to carry away the
storm-water, but to get an engineer to settle the line of main sewers, and then to
compel the houseowners to connect with them under municipal surpervision. I
am confident this action would materially improve the health of the town, and
prevent the heavy rate of infant mortality that now exists. If, as it is probable,
a loan to carry out these works be necessary, I would earnestly hope that the
time of its repayment be extended over a period of not less than 50 years, as it is
not fair to impose on the present generation the entire cost of construction of works
which will permanently benefit the city. I have ascertained from Mr. Walton,
the Executive Engineer to the Municipality of Bombay, that the cost of glazed
stoneware pipes per running foot, and of the following dimensions, laid down in
Bombay, is as stated below:—
Rs. a. p.
4 inches in diameter cost . . .
0 5 3 per foot.
6 " " " " . . .
0
8
0
do.
9 " " " " . . .
0 10 3
do.
12 " " " " . . .
1 2 7
do.
It would, therefore, be easy to calculate what additional amount would be en
- t a i l e d f o r c o n v e y a n c e t o A h m e d n a g a r , a n d t h e m i l e a g e o f p i p e s r e q u i r e d . I
would earnestly hope that the municipal commissioners will not allow themselves
to be frightened at the mere name of a main sewerage scheme; but after having
had the levels taken, and the line of sewers settled, that they will sit down and
calculate the cost of the whole, or, if this is clearly beyond their possible means,
of the parts above referred to. It may also be useful to state that the manufac
- t u r e r s e m p l o y e d b y t h e M u n i c i p a l i t y o f B o m b a y a r e M e s s r s . H e n r y D o u l t o n
Co., Lambeth Pottery Works, London; Messrs. George Jennings & Co., Palace
Road, Lambeth, London.
38. The houses require more ventilation, and tiled roofs only should be
allowed, as there is always some movement of air through the interstices left by
them; but regulations might be enforced regarding the construction of windows
to let in those two important elements of health, especially to the young—air
and light—and the interior of the houses should be regularly lime-washed, not less
than twice a year. The application of hot lime-wash is a very effectual means of
destroying organic germs.
39. The debris from houses that have fallen down ought to be at once re
- m o v e d . T h e s u r f a c e o f t h e g r o u n d - f l o o r o f s o m e o f t h e n e w b u i l d i n g s w a s , i n s o m e
cases, at least 6 feet above the surface of the road, from the house having been
built upon the debris of the former one; and the ground inside compounds ought
not to be allowed to be excavated for building puaposes, as the hole thus left
is kept for storing the household refuse, until it is filled up to the original level.
Owners of ruinous walls ought to be made to pull them down or repair them.