318 TIIK WATER-SUPPLY OF TOWNS IN THE TROPICS 



individual houses. In tlie third class quarters, liornes Fontaines were erected. These, 

 while quite good in themselves, were not sufficiently numerous, and necessitated the 

 presence of attendants to sell the water and the use of hoys as water-carriers, who 

 distributed the water in canvas sacks, slung over donkeys (Fig. 101, pwje 311). 



It is evident that such an arrangement presented elements of danger. A pure supply 

 ran great risk of fouling, for the donkey-boy's hands are not over clean, neither are his 

 sacks, neither is his donkey, while ho is apt to stuff up the inlet to his sacks with anything 

 which comes handy, usually a bit of filtliy rag, and occasionally even bestrides the bags. 

 There was also waste of water, and puddles formed which were churned into mud. 

 Distribution It was agreed to abolish the Homes Fontaines, and to substitute for them a sufficiency 



of stand-pipes with self-closing valves, allowing the people to take as much water as they 

 required and charging a water-rate calculated on rental. I regret to say that money for 

 this scheme has not yet (January, 1911) been sanctioned, despite repeated representations. 

 Happily, the faulty conditions prevailing have not, so far as known, caused any ill-effects 

 to the liealth of the population, but the elements of danger are present, and it is imperative 

 that the necessary funds be forthcoming without delay. 



Pending the settlement of the question, it has not been possible to substitute water- 

 carts for the donkey-bags, but had one known that there would have been such delay 

 in arranging a vital matter of this kind, one would have insisted on the provision of proper 

 water-carts in the face of financial objections. Now one can only play the importunate 

 widow, a course of action which, in public health matters in this country, usuiiUy has the 

 desired effect within a reasonable time. 



