Meteorology.
Lines and
huts.
Drainage.
Water-supply,
Diet.
EASTERN FRONTIER DISTRICT.
217
was occasioned by the non-arrival of the steamer which was to take it to Chuttuck ;
from Chuttuck the journey was performed in country boats. Reaching Cachar on the
14th February, the regiment proceeded to occupy the lines vacated by the 3rd Native
Infantry, and sent detachments to the outposts of Monier Khal, Noarband, Jheereeghat and
Mynadhur. The strength of these detachments during the first few weeks was : Monier Khal,
51 men ; Noarband, 40; Jheereeghat, 24 ; Mynadhur, 26. The detachments were subsequently
reduced, Monier Khal and Noarbund to 31 men each ; Mynadhur and Jheereeghat to 17 men
each.
III. Topography. —The topography of Cachar itself, and of the outposts of Monier Khal and Topography,
Noarband, has been fully described in former reports. At the outpost of Mynadhur, the stockade
is situated on the highest part of a long, narrow ridge, running north and south, parallel with the
river Barak, and forming its bank on the same ridge ; and to the north of the stockade are situated
the huts occupied by the coolies employed in the Mynadhur tea garden. The ground in the
immediate neighbourhood, which slopes gently downwards in every direction, is cleared and under
cultivation ; but beyond this on every side are ranges of hills, those to the west rising to a height
of three thousand feet and everywhere covered with the dense forest jungle. The stockade is
oval in shape, its sides facing nearly north and south; in its interior, on a slightly raised founda--
tion, is the sepov barrack. When visited in April, the condition of this outpost was in every
respect most insanitary ; the trench around the stockade was almost filled with decaying vege--
table matter ; the mud walls of the barrack were rotten, and the thatch roof leaked in many
places ; the only ventilation was through a small door at either end, and a few small windows
along the sides near the roof; the interior, with a cubic space of only 6,755 feet, was occupied
by 39 men. It can readily be imagined that when the men were all present, the overcrowding
was excessive and the odour of the place disgusting. The water-supply, too, was very bad, being
derived from a small, narrow rain stream containing large quantities of the salts of lime, and
rendered unpleasant to the taste from its being impregnated with decaying vegetable matter.
Of course, this state of affairs was not allowed to continue long; new and commodious quarters
were built for the sepoys, the trenches were cleaned out, and the water-supply somewhat im--
proved by small wells being dug near the stream.
The outpost at Jheereeghat is situated on the right bank of the Jheeree river, opposite to
the Manipur country, and to one of the Manipur guards situated on the left bank ; here
there is no stockade, but a commodious barrack occupies the summit of a mound, which itself
forms the top of a small hill which forms the bank of the river. When visited during the
rains, the barrack was found to be capacious, well ventilated and clean ; but the drinking water
was of bad quality, and the detachment, though relieved every month, was most unhealthy
— n e a r l y a l l t h e m e n s u f f e r i n g f r o m f e v e r .
IV.
Meteorology.—A thermometer is the only meteorological instrument belonging to the
hospital. The year was chiefly distinguishable for the long continuance of the rainy season
and the unusually large rainfall of 141 inches.
V.Lines and huts.—The same as described in former years; they are at present undergoing
the annual repairs. There are only 12 half-company barracks, with an average space per man
at head-quarters of 36 superficial and 377 cubic feet. This, of course, is not enough; but
a never very high temperature, the prevalence of winds during the warm, rainy season, and
good natural ventilation rendered the atmosphere fairly pure even during the night when the
men were all present.
VI. Drainage.—From the natural elevation of the site on which the lines are built, the drain-
age is good, and, with the assistance of small superficial drains, water is prevented from lodging
in the vicinity of the barracks even during the most rainy weather. The drainage of canton-
ments is far from good. To the south-east of' the sepoy lines is a large jheel, which has been the
receptacle for a large portion of the sewerage from the sudder bazar, which flowed into it and
passed thence in close proximity to the north-eastern portion of the sepoy lines over the lower
part of the parade ground on its way to the river. At the end of the rains, when the jheel am
parade ground began to dry . up, the smell emanating from the concentrated sewerage was most
offensive and perceptible at a considerable distance. To remedy this evil, a large drain is now
being dug to the south of cantonments, which will drain the jheel and thus remove a very
great nuisance. To the north-west of cantonments a culvert has been closed up, and a con
- s i d e r a b l e p o r t i o n o f t h e s t a t i o n d r a i n a g e p r e v e n t e d f r o m p a s s i n g o v e r t h e p a r a d e g r o u n d .
VII. Conservancy and latrines. —As in former years, the lines are kept clean by the regi- conservancy
mental sweepers. The latrines are the same as those described in the report for 1874; the one in and latrines.
common use among the men answers admirably. The hospital latrine during the early part of
the year worked badly, notwithstanding the liberal use of the disinfectants and frequent removal
of excreta; the stench was intolerable, both in, and for a considerable distance around, the build--
ing. Pucka work, such as formed the floor trench and receptacle, appears to me to be most un--
suitable for buildings of this kind, owing to the great absorption which takes place. Moreover,
ventilation was bad, and the trench at the back closed in, with the exception of a small open--
ing at either end. Latterly a great improvement has been made by substituting tarred gumlas,
opening out the building and removing the wall from the back of the trench, exposure being
prevented by a mat screen placed a few yards from the latrine.
VIII.
Water-supply.—Obtained from pucka wells ; is abundant and of good quality ; for
washing purposes, the tanks in the vicinity of the lines were used.
IX. Diet,—As in former years, the men continue to diet themselves, though the physique
of the men has greatly deteriorated during the year: it is to be attributed to climatic causes and
X.
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