46
In general the Ghi has been satisfactory, but the acidity of the finished
product has been high in certain cases. The limit of 11 points is not exceeded,
but it is considered that a 9 point limit should be aimed at before the products
leave the Centre. This will allow for a slight rise during storage to the specifi
cation of 11 points which should not be exceeded before issue of the Ghi.
The number of samples was 3,973. There were 3 rejections for high acidity
and the average figure for acidity was high this season. 23 samples had to be
re-heated, 30 samples retreated and 3 samples were completely rejected for dirt
alone and 3,917 samples were finally accepted.
B. ACCOMMODATION.
A sum of Rs. 10,42,989 was provided during 1938 for improvements to
existing and provision of new quarters for British personnel, and Rs. 3,10,110.
was expended on improvements to existing or provision of new dining halls
and cookhouses. Much remains to be done especially in the provision of
dining rooms and cookhouses ; but where money has been available very
definite improvements have been made.
Work has actually been carried out at 8 stations in Northern, 2 in Eastern
and 6 in Southern Command and at Karachi in Western Independent District.
Owing to criticisms of the types and structure of new accommodation to
the effect that many of the newer types of quarters were much hotter than the
old types of buildings, temperature experiments have been carried out during
the year on both types of buildings. The results were very inconclusive and
the trials are being repeated during 1939 in three distinct phases throughout
the hot weather months. One fact which appears to have been established is
that the orientation of the building has a definite effect on the temperatures
within that building and the consequent comfort therein, rather than the
actual structure of the building, within reasonable limits.
In Commands the, following points have been noted : —
Eastern Command .—New married quarters have been constructed at
Ranikhet and Calcutta, both much needed, and new married quarters and a
School provided at Chakrata. Dining halls for troops have been made at.
Dulikhet (Ranikhet), Allahabad and Muttra.
Western Independent District.—The Quetta reconstruction Scheme goes
on apace. The new barracks of British and Indian troops are very good. Those
for Indian Troops, of a new Jack-arch pattern, are excellent and could with
advantage be copied in many other stations. The quarters of officers and other
ranks, British and Indian, are very satisfactory on the whole. All buildings
here are being built of shock-proof construction, composed of reinforced
concrete, separated, box-like sections with " crumple sections " between each
solid section. The lay out of barracks and quarters has been carefully planned
and the modern Quetta Cantonment is a vast improvement on many of our
older Cantonments.
As a contrast at other stations, many old buildings are still in use and
though cracked and draughty, appear to be healthy ; perhaps their very airi-
ness is a blessing in disguise.
In Northern Command many of the old type of barracks are cold and dark,
but are cool in summer. The standard of comfort is lower than that of British
troops in the United Kingdom and Colonial stations. For Indian troops,
barracks have been structurally much improved during the past 20 years and
are now with minor exceptions reasonably satisfactory. offering relative
standards of comfort better than those occupied by British troops. Barracks
and quarters in many hill stations still leave much to be desired.