10
drink of cattle ; but all of it after such use will sink into the earth in the midst of
the habitations of the people where it will aid the decomposition of any particles
of organic matter it comes in contact with, and will thus render the air malarious.
36. It becomes then a matter of the deepest interest to see what is the
best way of removing all this water which has been brought into the town at a
great expense, and which is one of the greatest blessings ever conferred on it, but
which, unless properly disposed of, will prove a source of danger to the health of
the people. Happily, the natural advantages of Kolhápur are so great, that the
matter is not a difficult one, and the only question to be considered is that of
cost.
37. The Political Agent, Colonel Schneider, has, in his able Administration
Report, remarked upon the great facility that exists for sewage irrigation around
Kolhápur, and there can be no doubt that a carefully prepared stone-ware pipe
sewerage scheme would remove the difficulty at once, and would do away with
the danger of a fouled sub-soil, and the necessity for employing bunghies at all.
I have consulted Major Ducat, R.E., and he agrees with me in thinking that
such a scheme is feasible. The State Kárbhári, Mr. Madhaorao Wasudev Barvé,
also, I believe, approves of the scheme, and has made some valuable suggestions
as to the best way of adapting it to the want of the inhabitants.
38. In the suburban districts it would not be possible to connect every
house with the main sewer, but it would be quite feasible to erect a privy with 3
or 4 seats for the accommodation of each little cluster of houses, and in the same
way to provide a common bathing place and a trough for washing clothes for the
convenience of their residents ; the same plan might be adopted in the Fort, where
if there was any difficulty experienced in obtaining a site, a house might be pur-
chased (if no other convenient site could be found) and converted into a public
privy and bathing place, but for ladies who do not appear in public, and for private
gentlemen, house connections could be made, as they would not, it is thought, be
numerous. I am sure Major Ducat would provide a scheme which would prevent
the danger of sewer gases escaping into the houses. The fields on three sides of
the Town would be available as out-falls, so that the sewage would be discharged
whilst perfectly fresh ; and it would prove a very fertilizing agent, and one that the
cultivators are accustomed to deal with, as they now readily purchase the mixed
soil and ashes for their gardens.
39. I also think that bye-laws regarding buildings should be introduced to
regulate the height of plinths, ventilation of rooms, position of privies, &c.
40. The necessity for a mutton market has been shown, and a proper
slaughter-house should be provided and milch cattle stables should be erected, as
the milk from animals kept in the filthy condition they now are must be very
unwholesome. Should the Municipality erect cattle-stables around a market in
the centre for the sale of milk, they would soon pay for the cost of the building.
41. A greater number of municipal privies should be provided. The exist-
ing private privies do not supply the wants of more than 5,500 persons at the out-
side. It would be easy to count the number of visitors to the public privies
during any 24 hours, and then calculate the amount of night-soil every day de-
posited on the surface of the town. No great expense need be incurred in their erec-
tion. The trench latrine system might be adopted in suitable places, and in others
a simple paved surface screened off and divided into partitions would suffice. I
was glad to see the public privies open, as the smell is quickly dissipated; but there
should be one such within easy reach of the people's houses, otherwise the calls of
nature are more imperative than the orders of the police, and the private com-
pounds and streets will be defiled.