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office has been such as would have taxed the mind and energy of the best tried
statesman to steer the ship of administration in safety to its port of destination.
The skill, patience, and resolution with which Your Excellency handled every
administrative problem during those exceptionally trying years will long bo remem-
bered in the annals of Bombay, and Your Excellency's characteristic sympathy for
all classes and communities will transmit Your Excellency's name to posterity as
that of one of the most benevolent and sympathetic Governors who ever held sway
in Western India.
Yonr Excellency on the occasion of Your Excellency's visit to this Hospital in
April last expressed ''that it would be a pity to pull down these beautiful groups of
buildings." We, benefiting ourselves by this noble bint, have ever since, with the
assistance of the indefatigable Sirdar, been endeavouring our best to turn this Institution
into a permanent Epidemic Hospital for the general public by constructing substan-
tial wards, and it is gratifying for us to bring the fact to Your Excellency's kind
notice that five such wards and a dispensary are now ready and the question of
building more for Hindus and others is under consideration. The healthy, isolated,
beautiful, and central position which this Hospital commands is one of the most
cogent reasons in support of its being turned into a permanent Institution. From
the very commencement we were convinced that for a hospital of this description the
best site would be outside of the highly congested areas of the City, and philanthro-
pic citizens like His Highness Sir Sultan Mahomad Shah Aga Khan, K.C.I.E.,
Sir Dinshaw Maneckji Petit, Bart., Mr. Naoroji Maneckji Wadia, C.I.E., Sir
George Cotton, Knight, and others who have already rendered material assistance to
this Hospital, will no doubt further place buffering humanity and the general public
under their obligation by responding generously to any future appeal for help.
This Institution owes a great deal for its efficiency and popularity to the ladies
who have travelled thousands of miles in the cause of humanity, putting their own
lives into jeopardy, to nurse the unfortunate victims with commendable sympathy,
devotion, and .tenderness. Great credit is also due to the Chief Medical Officer,
Dr. L. B. Dhargalkar, and to Dr. Santoji Ramjee, the House Surgeon.
We avail ourselves of this opportunity to express the keenest sense of gratitude
which we entertain towards Sir Andrew Wingate,the Honourable Mr. Snow, C.I.E.,
the Honourable Mr. Woodburn, Mr. Harvey, Mr. Du Boulay, Lt.-Colonel
AVilkins and Major J. P. Barry, I.M.S., for the excellent services rendered to this
Hospital and for the keen interest they have always evinced in its welfare. Our
grateful thanks are also due to Messrs. Vincent, C.I.E., Kennedy and Gell for
lending us the services of the Sirdar, and cheerfully giving all possible assistance
whenever required. We wish Your Excellency and Lady Sandhurst ban voyage
and offer our heartfelt pray erg to the Almighty for your long life, success and
prosperity. May He shower upon Your Excellencies His choicest blessings !
We be<r to subscribe ourselves as Your Excellency's gratefully.
President.
Kushaba Chapaji Kale.
Members.
Dhondiba Hanmantrao Barde.
Kaghunath Babasaheb Maltip.
ISadashiv Sakharam Hande.
Appvji Sadashiv Dongre.
Tukaram Satwaji Hande.
Ivamji Ghamaji Rukare.
Hon. Treasurer.
Tukaruin Juvaji Chowdhari.
Hon. Secretary.
Vithalrao Krishnaji Yandekar.
Bombay, 1th February, 1900.