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to Khonoma; road upkeep and bribery; Christians-Ancients conflicts; settlement of water supply problem |
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8/6/1926 To Khonoma. I think that some of the contracts given out on this road have been rather unnecessary. As I have the most credible authority for stating that the Overseer gets -/2/- in the rupee on contracts on this road there is naturally a temptation to spend all he can, but as a matter of fact the slip this side of Paona is going to eat every pice that can be saved on all the other miles, so he had better confine himself to justifiable expenditure - that his days may be long in the land. |
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Much talk at Khonoma about Christians and gennas. The Christians having gone to the fields on a genna day recently the millet has begun to die mysteriously, though it was looking extremely well before. It is true that something has happened to the millet. It is not a visible insect, but looks like too much sun, which under the circumstances is impossible, also it is affecting the lower leaves which are turning yellow whereas the sun would probably catch the top first. However there was a full dress case at the Inspection bungalow without any definite result. The Christians are willing to segregate themselves but not so far as to cross water, and without that there can be no separation of gennas say the Ancients. The Christians are also reasonably accomodating in the matter of observing genna but want a definite and explicit list. This the Ancients cannot give as the number of days for any given genna appears to be exceedingly variable in Khonoma, probably depending on dreams and omens. So for the present the matter rests here. The Ancients will make a list and they will try to come to an agreement with the Christians. |
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If they cannot both will have to come in to Kohima later. There are only 8 houses. |
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I also got a settlement of the water supply problem and promised the village that if there was any spare piping suitable for their purpose which was not wanted they should have it, but it isn't very likely. They will probably be a few lengths short on the new line. The price ought to be raised by the house-holders who have caused the re-alignment. When the water falls in the old place and when Merhema have found me a new site for the school which I can accept, then they can reoccupy their old house site now occupied by the school. |
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I found a variety of wild strawberry on the road new to me and quite unlike the common red variety. This one starts red and turns white when ripe and has a very delicate flavour. The other has none. |
