Drainage.
Conservancy.
Water.
Diet.
Clothing.
Duties.
Hospital.
201
EASTERN FRONTIER DISTRICT.
III. Topography.—Tezpore, the station at which the regiment passed the greater part of
the year, is situated on the right or north bank of the Bramapootra, in latitude 26°34' north,
and longitude 92°46' east, and is 278 feet above the sea level.
It is the principal station of the Durrung district, and is placed on an elevated plateau of
irregular shape and considerable size. The soil consists of rich, red, heavy loam, and in many
places large rounded boulders of granite appear on the surface. The river Brahmaputra runs
at the foot of the low hills edging the plateau, and wherever it washes the soil from their base,
masses of granite and granitic rock are exposed.
Tezpore des-
cribed.
The plateau is intersected by several small ravines or nullahs which contain water during
the rains, and are either occupied by rice khetts or jungles during the remainder of the year ;
they constantly remain damp. Several of them, however, have lately been converted into tanks
by builds thrown across them, and are thus rendered more sightly and salubrious. On the
south of the station runs the Brahmaputra, on the other three sides grass jungle and rice khetts
come close up to it. On the north and east the plateau ends abruptly, and the Mora Bhosoli river
runs past on this side, emptying itself into the Brahmaputra about 14 miles from the station.
On the west the plateau slopes gradually off into the jungle. The foot hills of the Himalayas
are distant about 20 miles in a northerly direction. The climate is generally cool, the
highest temperature in the shade last year being 98°, and the mean about 75°. The rains cool
the air, and there is generally a breeze following the stream of the river, that is from the east.
Rain fell during 10 months of the year on 149 days to the amount of 79 . 38 inches.
On account of its comparatively high site and proximity to the river the climate is not
unhealthy for Europeans, although the tenacity of the soil renders it damp. It is one of the
most picturesque stations in Assam, both from the river and when on shore, and it is green at
all seasons of the year. It is the site of an ancient city, and numerous sculptured granite
stones, many of them of great size, apparently the remains of ruined temples, are scattered
about over the whole station and neighbourhood.
The soil and climate are very well suited to the cultivation of tea, and there are many
Productive gardens at distances of from 4 to 15 miles.
Topography of
Tezpore.
Rice is the only crop commonly cultivated by the natives for food. The coarse silks
known as eria and moonga are also cultivated, and form the common clothing of the people.
V. Lines, huts.—The lines are situated about 1 mile from the river on high ground. They
consist of five rows of huts, which, on the arrival of the regiment at Tezpore, were in bad repair
and were besides not numerous enough to accommodate the whole wing of the 16th, which
was more numerous than the detachment usually quartered there. Each hut was about 20 feet
long and 12 broad, about 5 feet high at the wall and 10 at the ridge pole ; each was divided
into halves by a partition, and opened out at either end on to a road. It was assumed that
they could contain 3 men in each end, but on the representation of the commanding officer,
backed by a report of Surgeon Stewart's, shewiug that it would be exceedingly unadvisable to
have the men so overcrowded, especially in case of any epidemic, permission was obtained
and two new barracks, each capable of containing 70 men, were built. The numbers in each
hut were thus reduced to 4, or sometimes 3, and overcrowding obviated. The lines are
situated close to the bazar, which is on their south and west ; to the north and east they are
open, and look over the parade ground and open country. The huts are built of grass and
bamboos, and the walls are plastered with mud.
The new barracks, each 120 feet long by 20 feet broad, are built of grass on a wooden
framework ; on either side is a machan raised two feet from the floor for the men to sleep
on. In plan they are identical with the hospital, of which a sketch is given. From their con-
struction air passed freely through them, and if they had a fault in point of ventilation, it was
that they were too airy, and inclined to be cold. They are placed in an open maidan to the
north-east of the old lines.
The drainage is favorably reported on, and the conservancy of the lines
well attended to. No latrine arrangements exist, neither is the trench system
applicable during the rainy season, which lasts from May to December. The
water-supply is obtained from the Brahmaputra it is unlimited in quantity,
and when allowed to settle becomes a very clear, good drinking water.
XI. Diet—The quality of the provisions supplied by the Commissariat has been good.
The bazars are very badly supplied, especially at Tezpore, and all the extra articles of food
which the men purchased for themselves were very dear and difficult to get. This price of
provisions has led to the local regiments in Assam having a special allowance of 2 Rupees
8 annas a month for food; the 16th did not receive this allowance, and they had 3 Rupees
8 annas deducted from their pay for the Commissariat rations, namely attah, dhall, and ghee.
Specimens of food were shewn to the medical officer nearly every morning. In spite of these
disadvantages the men are, as a rule, very well nourished.
The clothing is suitable to season, and the duties have been light. Number
of nights in lied, 9.
XI V. Hospitals.—On the arrival of the 16th at Tezpore, the only hospital was a brick
building, which, although it was in every respect suited for its purpose and in good repair, was
not large enough for the sick of so large a body as the 16th (right wing). At the same time,
therefore, as the new barracks were in course of construction, a new hospital was sanctioned
c 2