( 73 ) 
their interstices and thus to contaminate good water, the water, if any 
serious doubt exists about its purity, should be boiled, and stored in 
some clean place where dust canrot fall into it; the tank or jar must 
be covered. 
Speaking generally the deeper the well the better, and if any hard 
stratum exist in hills in the vicinity, artesian water may perhaps be 
struck at a reasonable depth. 
Pure streams from the hills are probably the soundest water in 
this country, aqueducts of bamboo 'are cheap, and can be made over 
long distances satisfactorily. Always inspect the catchment area. 
> 
All the rivers of this country are polluted to some degree, and if 
river water is the only possible source of supply it must be filtered 
and boiled. That portion of the river near the lines should be divided 
into three parts : (i) An upper reach for the drinking and cooking 
water ; (2) A middle reach for watering cattle ; (3)' A lower reach for 
washing. 
If rain water is the only source £>f supply it should be stored in 
large underground tanks as at Gibraltar and other unfortunately 
situated stations. 
* * ^ 
All tanks and w r ells should be protected from the entrance of 
surface flood water, unless the surface over which the water flows is 
above reproach, if, on the addition of 4 ozs. of permanganate of potash 
to an ordinary-sized well, the w r ater does not become and remain pink 
for about an hour, the water .must be looked upon as doubtful, and 
measures should be taken to further purify it or to have it analysed. 
The permanganate should be mixed in a bucket before being poured 
into the well. - ■ 
2. Ventilation. The question oPventiJation involves little extra 
expense, as obviously the less we place between ourselves and “ God’s 
good fresh air” the less it will cost us in houses, and yet the better 
we shall be, the present Kuchi is wrong in principle — by the present 
Kuchi I mean the one which has a straight attaped back, a short roof 
behind and a longer roof in front, under which is a verandah where 
cooking, etc., is performed — its chief mistakes are : — 
(a.) The roof is not high enough as a rule. 
(6.) There is not sufficient ventilation above nor below, in 
front nor behind the cubicles or sleeping rooms. 
(c.) The verandahs, being also kitchens, frequently are the 
receptacle for all sorts of rubbish. 
After mature consideration and ample proof of its benefits I now 
believe that there is but one ideal type of lines which is advisable in the 
best interests of both employer and coolie, namely the lines which 
consist of a simple roof on supports, under which the cubicles are built, 
