BOMBAY TOWN AND ISLAND.]
127
was and is under Government the Supreme Plague Authority in the Presidency, as well for the
centralization and concentration of control, as for the quick despatch of business. The Plague
Commissioner was shortly afterwards also appointed Secretary to Government in the Plague
Department. The first of these Plague Commissioners was Sir Andrew Wingate, who, in the
beginning, had two colleagues (Surgeon-General Cleghorn and Surgeon-Col. Hay ), also
termed Plague Commissioners : and who was appointed Joint Secretary to Government in
charge of the Plague Branch of the General Department in addition to his duties as Plague
Commissioner by Government Resolution No. 7150/50662 of 22nd December 1897. These three
Plague Commissioners toured throughout the Presidency, visiting those places where plague
was worst. The office of Plague Commissioner was for a brief period held also by Mr. A.
Cumine, I. C. S., who took over from Sir A. Wingate on the 6th June 1898.
On the 3rd of September 1898, Sir Andrew Wingate again took up the Plague Com-
missionership and Secretaryship to Government, which post he held till his departure from
India on furlough in May 1899. Mr. A. F. Woodburn, I. C. S., succeeded him.
To return to the City. On the departure of Sir J. Campbell and the abolition of the
Plague Committee in May 1898, the system described above was introduced, Mr. W. L.
Harvey, I. C. S., being appointed Municipal Commissioner, and Mr. J. H. DuBoulay, I. C. S.,
Deputy Municipal Commissioner, for plague operations. The following is a full text of the
orders :—
"General Department (Plague).
No.
3018/3397-p
Bombay Castle, 27th May 1898.
RESOLUTION OF GOVERNMENT.
His Excellency the Governor in Council is pleased to direct that the responsibility for all
plague operations in Bombay shall be undertaken by the Municipal Commissioner subject to
the direct control of the Plague Commissioner as representing Government and their expert
advisers.
To assist in the management of plague operations His Excellency the Governor in
Council is pleased to approve the appointment of a Special Deputy Commissioner, who will be
invested, under the Epidemic Diseases Act, with all the powers of a Deputy Municipal
Commissioner under the Bombay Municipal Act. Later on, it may probably be necessary for
the Municipal Commissioner to apply to the Corporation for a Second Deputy Commissioner.
His Excellency the Governor in Council is further pleased to approve the appointment
of a special medical officer for the charge of Plague Hospitals and other plague medical
duties, who will be deemed to be a Joint Health Officer under the Municipal Act and will be
invested with all necessary powers in that behalf.
It will be for the Municipal Commissioner, in consultation with and subject to the
control oí the Plague Commissioner, to maintain or reduce the existing organization and from
time to time to increase establishments as may seem necessary, subject to the general or
special orders of Government.
The Municipal Commissioner will be responsible for securing the loyal co-operation
of all officers and departments subordinate to him (whether ordinary or special) in giving
effect to any measure approved by the Plague Commissioner, and Section 522 of the City of
Bombay Municipal Act shall be deemed to govern the conduct of the Police in regard to any
such measure.
(Sd.) A. WINGATE,
Secretary to Government."