'Transactions of the Bombay Geographical Society, from September 1850 to June 1852. Edited by the Secretary. Volume X.' [‎263] (396/458)

BAIN IN SCINDE—JULY AND AUGUST, 1851.
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the defective line, rather than to abandon all which had been already
done, and to commence de novo.
Kurrachee, 25th } I have &c.,
August, 1851. / (Signed) Walter Scott, Lieut. Col.,
(True Copy.) H. B. Elms,
Assistant Commissioner.
No. 381 of 1851.
General Department, Public Works,
To the Superintending Engineer, Scinde, Kurrachee.
Sir, — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter No.
1078, dated the 7th instant, and accompaniment; and to report that
with the exception of the Sukkur Chowry, which is built on ground
impregnated with salt, and an old building at Khanghur, no serious
damage has been done by the rain to the public buildings in Upper
Scinde. What injuries have been brought to my notice have resulted
from the destruction of the wooden spouts by the white ants, and the
sinking of the terrace roof, which breaks the plaster near the walls.
I attribute the small extent of damage to the extraordinary tenacity of
the clay of which the walls are built, I believe that it would require
such rain as has not occurred in Upper Scinde within the memory of man,
to destroy the mud walls of buildings, which are regularly kept in
repair.
2. —This appears to be corroborated by the fact, that the clay walls
of old, roof-less Musjids, are to be seen in various parts of the country
—the great age of the walls being distinctly proved by their decayed
basements.
3. —The first of the evils viz., the destruction of the wooden spouts
by the white auts is at once met, by using earthen ones, which, I think,
you will have observed, I have mentioned in some of my late designs.
The second evil, has no cure, but in the reconstruction of the roof on a
different principle.
4. —The extent of the damage to public works cannot yet be ascer-
iained, but I am happy to report that nothing has occurred of a very
serious nature. A flood from the Bholau pass inundated the outpost