What's that I see in the garden at Buitenzorg?

What's happening?

A huge water pit has been found! Found? It has probably been there since the beginning when the building was built. I was curious as to why a large piece of plywood lay on the ground under the shop window and what would be under it. How long has that wood been there? I don't know. Could it be moved and the "gound" used for the garden?

Water. Lots and lots of water. How does it get in? What was the main reason for this being constructed right next to the wall of the building? Who else knows about this? So an idea was suggested to pump out the water, which would be better for the building, and fill it with sand and dirt. So a pump was brought over. After a few hours of pumping out the water with an electric pump there seems to be a bottom to this "well".

Looks in good condition. Could there be anything stored there for safe keeping during the war? Was there a hand pump used to get water for the horses? Is ther another opening?

The water that was pumped out didn't go to waste. It was sprayed over the garden and let to flow towards the new hedge and big old trees.