Page:Professional Papers on Indian Engineering Volume 2 (1865).pdf/335

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No. LXXIV.

PUNJAB RAILWAY INSTITUTE.

Designed and Built by Edwin E. Baines, Esq., District Engineer.

The Chief Engineer (J. Harrison , Esq.) and the late lamented Agent, R. W. Stevens, Esq., of the Punjab Railway , in April 1863, taking into consideration the rapid increase of European employés on the Company's works at Nowlukha, Lahore, deemed it advisable that some rational place of amusement and instruction should be formed; accordingly, instructions were given to Mr. E . C . Baines, the Engineer of the district, to prepare a design and estimate, and these having received sanction, the works were commenced in the autumn of 1863, and were available for the members' accommodation at the commencement of the ensuing hot season.

The arrangements consist of a Reading-room , 30 X 21 feet, with small Book-room , and Khansamah's room attached, surrounded with a verandah 8 feet in width ; in the rear is a commodious Swimming Bath, 44 x 27 feet, provided with two small dressing-rooms.

The bath gives a depth of 10 feet of water, one half of which will be supplied from the adjacent rajbuha naturally, and the remainder from a well. The bath can easily be flushed out, being connected by a sluice with the Company's culvert.

The Institution is supported by about eighty members. The table is well supplied with books and periodicals. The estimated cost was Rs. 12,571-3-3. The executed cost, Rs. 11,352-6-3.