'REPORT on the Working of the Line of Communication AND ON THE Withdrawal of the British Military Mission IN EAST PERSIA, 1919-20. GENERAL STAFF INDIA. [‎65v] (141/168)

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canvas troughs and paulin storage tanks as the daily flow was not sufficient
to supply columns in addition to garrison, though more than sufficient for
garrison alone
Hukhi Surek .—Water supply here when work was started was from springs
and was poor both quantity and quality. However, by opening up the existing
springs and digging to find otners the quantity was greatly improved and
ample water obtained. Paulin storage tanks were necessary, however, as the
daily flow at first was not sufficient for a column though towards the end it
improved very much and was sufficient for a column in itself.
TTwmff.—The supply here was from springs and in spite of all efforts could
not he increased. Supply was only about 1,800 gallons a day at commencement,
but improved as the temperature dropped up to about 2,800. Storage by
paulin tank was started a long time before withdrawal commenced, but after
“a” Column of the Meshed garrison had passed it became necessary to stop
the camels drinking at this halt. This was the only stage on the line where
limitations were necessary. At all other places the storage preparations and
improvements to supply enabled all animals to be watered.
Jarrika .—Water supply was from wells. These became exhausted on.
pumping but recouped quickly. Storage was made in paulin tanks and supply
was sufficient.
Lowar-I- Ab .—Supply from springs This place also had a flow of ajiout
1,800 gallons a day when work started, hut by opening up the springs great
improvement was made and by storage in paulin tanks all columns could he
fully watered.
Hurmuk .—The water supply here had previously been improved from
about 12,000 gallons a day to about 50,000. All that was necessary was addi
tional troughing, and this was partly provided by zinc troughs which were
available at Huzdap and partly by putting beffie plate in the overflow
stream. Supply of drinking water was from wells and animals watering from
springs.
Shamedar .—Water supply here was from springs up a long narrow nullah
about f mile from the road. The flow was not good and the sanitary condition
of the nullah was very bad. By opening up the springs the flow w'as improved
and the water was piped down to near the road thus avoiding congestion in
the nullah and fear of cantamination of the water. Storage in paulin tanks
lad to be undertaken as daily supply never exceeded 7,500 gallons.
* Notf.— On this lire ti e quality of the water rruch improved as greater demands wers made on it and
purging tendencies were decnased.
Si&tan Line .— Only small columns had to be considered on this line and
so storage on large scale was cot necessary.
There were only 5 halting places and of these the two nearest Sistan, namely
Chilling and Lutak, were well supplied with w ater by tubes and ft was only
necessary to facilitate distribution. The other halts were :—
Chah’Mohamed-llaza .—Two additional wells had to he sunk here and
storage by paulin tanks used. The existing water hole was in a very bad
state and was improved into a well also.
Tasuki.— Two additional wells had to he sunk and the existing well cleared
and storage provided with paulin tanks.
Naicar-Chah .—Two new wells had to he sunk and storage provided. Yield-
of wells was very poor and a large storage tank was necessary.
GENERAL.
All halting places.
1. To avoid contamination, waste of w r ater, wiatting of ground and to
facilitate distribution to men, at every halting stage on the line of march
except at Rui-Khaf, masonry tank of approximate 2,000 gallons capacity was
built and fitted with short projecting lengths of pipes furnished with bibcocks.-