56. The military and the garrison are proportionately as strong here as in other places, the want of men being a general complaint. However, in order to meet this defect in some way, 34 of the military men who came here with me are to remain, and also the three men whom I left at Manaar and appointed to that station. I therefore do not think it necessary to employ any more oepasses, [76] especially as we intend to reduce the number of these people in Colombo to a great extent, so that if they are really required, which I cannot see yet, some of them might be sent here. At present we have nothing to fear from the Sinhalese. We are on good terms with them, and it would be inexcusable to employ any new men whose maintenance would be a heavy expenditure. Strict discipline and continual military drill are very important points, specially recommended to the attention of the Dessave.
57. Public Works.--Care must be taken that no more native artisans are employed than is necessary, as this means a considerable daily expenditure. The various recommendations on this subject must be observed. The four old and decayed Portuguese houses, which I found to be in a bad condition, must be rebuilt when circumstances permit, and may then serve as dwellings for the clergy and other qualified officers, [77] but orders from Batavia must be awaited. Meantime I authorize Your Honours to have the armoury rebuilt, as this is indispensable.
58. I agree with the recommendations with regard to the horse stables, and also think that they could very well be supervised by the Chief, and that it is undesirable for private overseers to be employed for this purpose. The stable outside the fort has been brought into readiness, and it may now be considered for what purpose the stable in the Castle could be utilized.
59. It is well that the floor of the hospital has been raised, but the floor of the back gallery is also too low, so that it is always wet whenever it rains, the water both rising from the ground and coming down from the roof, which has been built too flat. It is also necessary that a door be made in the ante-room and the entrance of the gallery, in order to shut out the cold north winds, which are very strong here and cause great discomfort to the patients. I also think that the half walls between the rooms should be raised by a half stone wall up to the roof, because it is too cold as it is at present for such people. These and other improvements are also recommended to the attention of the Dessave.