6
20. Th e Of f i c e r s ’ we l l h a s b e e n v e r y p r o p e r l y e n c l o s e d b y Ma j o r Ma t h e w
in a building, the door of which is kept locked and the leakage of the surface
water into it has also very rightly been prevented, and I imagine that the water
filtered as it must be through many feet of earth is very pure, but I have not
seen any analysis of it. The arrangements for drawing the water remain how-
ever as bad as they can be in spite of Major Mathew’s remonstrances who was
anxious as undoubtedly should be done to fix a pump the handle of which should
be worked from the outside, and thus obviate the necessity for the bheesties’ dirty
hand and bucket being introduced into the water supply. Even if this course is
as I think it should be adopted, the pure water will still be defiled by being
carried in the filthy leather mussuck and on transference from it at the houses.
On this account I am extremely anxious that Government should be pleased to
sanction the extension of the Ekrook Canal water scheme to the cantonment
where not only could the Officers’ houses be supplied with water through pipes,
but as Major Mathew suggests the tank could be kept constantly full with
water and this alone would, in a hot dry parched-up climate like Sholapur, be an
inestimable benefit.
21.
Before leaving the subject of this marsh and its surroundings, I would
strongly advise the Committee to plant the whole surface of it with trees which
will afford some kind of protection to the malarious influence it now undoubtedly
exerts, perhaps the Eucalyptus would thrive here; at all events it is worth the
trial, but deep subsoil draining will be necessary or the roots would rot from
excessive moisture.
22.
I think the drainage of the Moti Bagh which covers an area of
5¼ acres should also be more carefully attended to; the water does not escape
quickly enough, and although I quite approve of large trees, I think the under-
growth should not be allowed to grow so luxuriantly and that all wet cultivation
in the Moti Bagh should be stopped.
23. The natives are allowed to draw water on the North of the garden and
the places from which they procure it are much frequented, but I think a covered
well should be provided in the open ground between the garden and the heavy
traffic road. It should be covered to prevent any leaves, dust, &c., falling into it
and the external surface below should be paved on a sufficient slope to carry
away the wastage water, and iron chains and buckets should be fitted all round as
at the Lily Tank, access to which I think should be prevented. It would not be
any real hardship on the Lingayets as the walk round the upper road is not far,
and the growth of weeds in the Lily Tank is so rapid that the water is and must
be impure. A trough for watering cattle might be erected at the same spot, but
great care must be taken to see that the wastage water is properly disposed
of.
24. The condition of the nullah below the Moti Bagh is very bad, as the
camp dhobies are allowed to wash along its banks and the black slushy mud
into which they are converted emits a bad smell. This practice should be
immediately stopped, and in my opinion no washing should be allowed in this
direction which is to windward of camp, or if it is allowed further down it should
not be nearer than the other side of the Ekrook Canal. The distance may be
objected to as it is about 1¾ mile from camp, but in Bombay the dhobies have
to go even further, and I should not hold that to be a valid objection. From
the confines of the camp limits downward, wet cultivation is carried on in the
bed of the nullah, and nothing can be in my opinion more likely to be a source
of danger to the residents in camp, and I think this practice should be at once
stopped although it would be necessary to obtain the co-operation of the Civil
Authorities to effect this.