'ANNUAL REPORT OF THE ADMINISTRATION OF THE BOMBAY PRESIDENCY, FOR THE YEAR 1862-63’ [‎64r] (123/266)

APPENDIX TO JUDICIAL REPORT.
some of the deductions from which are sufficiently obvious to have already become the
basis of endeavours at improvement in the sanitary and conservancy arrangements of the
Island. But the essential condition by which these Returns, instead of a mere index of
tendencies, might become a safe and unerring guide in tracing the progress of disease and
the influence of remedial measures, has been wanting. The absence of an accurate
Census of the population introduces an element of doubt and uncertainty into all the
inferences from the Mortuary Returns, which deprives them of much of their value. Dr.
Leith in a Memorandum dated 4th June 1862, embodying the general results of several
years’ experience, states— u Year after year has passed without the looked-for Census,
and disappointment has been felt at the comparatively little practical good that has
resulted from the elaborate tables; yet the accumulated facts have been far from useless,
and they are yet available for abundantly more extensive application when trustworthy
Population Returns are procured. From Bombay being insular, the actual number of
deaths in it can be ascertained with great precision,; and as regards also the number of
deaths in different localities, and among different races, the Returns are worthy of
reliance ; by means of these, therefore, the two attempts that were made at an enumera
tion of the inhabitants were readily proved to be failures, and they will be useful as to
check on any future Census.”
Dr. Haines, who succeeded Dr. Leith in the Charge of the Mortuary Registry,
dwells (in his Report for 1861) no less emphatically on the necessity for an accurate
Census as the necessary and only safe foundation upon which the materials supplied by
the Death Returns can be built up into a truly scientific structure. In paragraph 13
of the Report he urges as the only effectual means of carrying out this object the passing
of an Act, rendering it compulsory on every householder to give the requisite informa
tion, and authorising the infliction of a penalty for wilfully giving a false return.”
The Bombay Association, which was consulted on the propositions for a Census,
recognised both its desirableness and the necessity for a Legislative Enactment in order
to make it effectual. They also approved generally of the method by which, in the
accompanying Draft Bill, the objects sought are proposed to be attained. Ine Munici
pal Commissioners, as they have offered no remarks on the Draft Bill, which was for
warded for their opinion, and which was drawn up by their Chairman, may be presumed
assent to its provisions.
Although the immediate object of the present Bill is to furnish Government with
requisite legal powers for taking an accurate Census of the Presidency The name given to each of the three divisions of the territory of the East India Company, and later the British Raj, on the Indian subcontinent. lown alone, yet
it has been thought desirable to make its terms sufficiently general to include any Town
or District, a Census of which may hereafter become necessary or desirable. In the
progress of improvement accurate statistics become an essential element in the calculation
upon which the Legislature and the Executive have to proceed in the performance of
their gravest functions, while the gradual decrease amongst the Native population of
ignorance, prejudice, and distrust, affords room for the hope that ere long a general
Census may be obtained at recurring periods as accurate and applicable to as important
uses as the decennnial Census of the United Kingdom.
No difficulty therefore, it is apprehended, will be found in obtaining,the assent of
the Council to a Bill which at the least possible cost of trouble and inconvenience to
the public, promises to confer early and important benefits upon the population of Bombay.
This Bill was passed by the Council of the Governor of Bombay, and has been
submitted for the ; assent of the. Governor General.