Immediately downstream of the off-take of a channel, there is, unless the water flows in without any appreciable fall, much oscillation of the water. For this reason the gauge is frequently fixed some 500 feet down the channel. This is anything but a good arrangement. The gauge-reader’s quarters are close to the off-take and he will not keep going down to the gauge. Moreover an official coming along the main channel cannot see the gauge. The gauge should be close to the head and in a gauge well where oscillations of the water are reduced to very small amounts. The upstream gauge requires no well.[25] [25] For further details as to gauges see Appendix G. All gauges should be observed daily, in the morning, and the reports sent by canal dak, post or wire at the earliest possible moment. This should be rigidly enforced. The register should be posted and laid before the Subdivisional Officer daily with the least possible delay. It is only in this way that the Subdivisional Officer can keep proper control of the water, and detect irregularities. Sometimes trouble arises owing to the gauge reports not coming in regularly. The suboverseer can be made responsible for seeing to this matter as regards all the gauge readers in his section. Gauge readers often reduce the supply in a branch or distributary at night for fear of a rise occurring in the night and causing a breach. This is to save themselves the trouble of watching at night. They are also bribed to tamper with the supply and run more or less in any channel or keep up the supply for a longer or shorter time. All regulation should be rigorously checked by the suboverseer, zilladar and Subdivisional Officer. Irregularities can be speedily detected if proper steps are taken such as going to the regulator unexpectedly. The watermarks on the banks can also be seen. If any man is found to have delayed entering a gauge reading in his book or despatching the gauge report it is evidence of an intention to deceive. The suboverseer or zilladar should be required to enter in his note-book all the checks he makes and the Subdivisional Officer should see the entries and take suitable steps. There was formerly a general order in the Punjab that the Subdivisional Officer should write the gauge register with his own hand. Such an order is not now considered necessary nor has the Subdivisional Officer, now-a-days, time to comply with it. The register should however be written by the clerk carefully and neatly and not be made over to anyone else.