774 Proposed formation of a Canal for Irrigation [No. 128. 



taken to ensure the use of its waters ; and I think this might be effect- 

 ed by the adoption of the assessment or contract system. But some 

 agreement should, I think, be entered into with the landed proprietors 

 previous to commencing upon the work, to save the State from chance 

 of loss." 



No. 160. 

 To R. N. C. Hamilton, Esq. 

 Secretary to Government, N. W. Provinces, Agra. 



Sir, — In submitting for the consideration and orders of Government, 

 the accompanying correspondence respecting the opening of a new 

 Canal near the village of Kutha Puther, in the Dehra Doon, the Sud- 

 der Board of Revenue, N. W. P. observe, that Captain Cautley estimates 

 the expense of the proposed water-course to be, 90,307, and that it will 

 yield 7,000 Rs. per annum, or about 7f per cent, the capital sunk. 



2d. At the same time it will divert from the channel of the Jumna 

 75 cubic feet of water per second, of which one-half, it is calculat- 

 ed, will be entirely lost to the volume of the stream at the Doab Canal 

 head. The whole of this water will be abstracted from the Dehli and 

 not from the Doab Canal, the head of the former lying below that of 

 the latter, and the loss will be felt during that portion of the year, 

 when the whole body of the river is used for irrigation through the 

 Canals. 



3d. Half the water then which will yield rent through the Kutha 

 Puthur water-course, after an outlay of 90,000 Rupees, would at 

 present yield a higher rate through the Dehli Canal, without any 

 outlay at all. 



4th. Hence it seems very questionable whether, viewing the ques- 

 tion as a mere profit on the consumption of a certain quantity of water, 

 it would be desirable for the Government to engage in this undertaking. 



5th. There are, however, many other questions which might influence 

 the decision, and on these the Board have not the means of decidedly 

 expressing an opinion at present. The Dhoon may perhaps become 

 a most valuable portion of British territory, from the peculiar adap- 

 tation of its soil to the more valuable products, and from the fitness 

 of its locality and climate for t]ie enterprize of British capitalists. 



