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their vegetables and mutton and beef are, as I have said, now surrounded with
open drains in which filth stagnates and undergoes putrefactive decomposition
and are enclosed by the crowded hovels of a squalid native population whilst the
atmosphere around them is tainted with the emanations from privies, cesspools,
&c., &c., in the neighbourhood whilst the flies swarm over each piece of meat as
it hangs on the filthy string suspended over the unclean stall, where it is touched
by the dirty hand, or is swayed about by contact with the long unwashed gar-
ment of the vendor, as he gets up or down from the raised platform where he is
supposed to sit. This is no exaggerated picture, but a simple statement of bare
truth, and it is impossible to see the present markets without coming to the con-
clusion that they are totally unfit for the sale of food, and that the erection of
fresh ones is a matter which should be taken in hand as soon as the other more
vital subjects have been dealt with. At the same time in my opinion the pre-
sent markets should be closed as soon as possible, and temporary open sheds
should be run up in other less objectionable sites in their stead, I think such
sites might be found at or near the Malcom tank. An open space all round
the sheds is absolutely essential, and if Kurruckwasla water is laid on there
should be a drain made to carry away the wastage water. The permanent
markets might be constructed on a somewhat similar design to those lately
erected by Mr. Robertson, C.S., at Dharwar; which are the finest I have seen out
of Bombay and which cost only Rs. 26,000. This amount is only for the cost
of a fruit vegetable and grain market, but the revenue derived from the stalls
yield an annual interest of 8 per cent. Three markets will be required, one for
the sale of fruit and vegetables, the 2nd for the sale of fish and mutton and the
3rd for the sale of beef.
67. The mode of distribution of the drinking water requires to be improved.
The practice of allowing people to walk knee deep into the water from
which they draw their water supply should be stopped, and Mr. Whiting who
introduced at Punderpoor the excellent plan of fixing brass cocks into a raised
water main would, I am sure, have no difficulty in providing a better system.
It is an established principle in sanitation that drinking water should be supplied
from covered channels and instead of the present dangerous open tanks, &c., the
water should be led into covered reservoirs made preferably of cast-iron or, if that
cannot be procured, of masonry in the sides of which brass cocks should be fitted.
If these are built in the form of a cross after the beautiful shape for example of
the old Mahomedan dipping well called the Chaoputee Fountain in the city of
Ahmednagar, a tracing of which will be found in my inspection report of that
Cantonment, a larger number of persons can draw water at one time than if the
reservoir is built in a straight line, but what I wish to draw particular attention
to is that no permission should, on any account, be given to any one to erect a
standpipe or to make a fountain until it was shewn that a proper and efficient
drain had been designed to carry away the wastage water. If evidence is required
for the necessity of this all that is required is an inspection of the ground
round any standpipe in the bazar,—the one opposite the south side of the
mutton market for example. The ground below each standpipe should be paved
on a slope to the drain. These matters are most important, for unless due
attention is paid to them the introduction of pure water even into an inhabited
area will prove a source of disease as it undoubtedly is in the Sudder Bazar,
from want of this precaution.
68. Among other matters that require immediate attention, I may mention
the provision of an adequate number of dust boxes in the streets. The removal
of cattle from amidst the habitations of the community and their location outside
bazar limits in properly built and ventilated stables from which drains are made,
The removal of the debris from, and the enclosure of, areas occupied by ruinous
houses, the compulsory limewashing of the interior as well as the outside of all
houses in the bazar at least twice a year, and the provisions of ventilating openings