APPENDIX C
Officers in Charge of the Andamanese
by George Weber
The Officers in Charge of the Andamanese were also, in practice, Heads of the Andamanese Home. They reported as assistants to the Superintendent of Port Blair. The appointed officer was required, in addition to his normal duties and for no extra pay, to look after the Andamanese as well as keep a sharp eye on them and their affairs. The Homes were designed to help the natives and their orphans, feed them and nurse them when sick - but soon turned the original purpose on its head when they became one of the main agencies for spreading disease. They were reorganized almost out of existence in 1905 when the number of Assistant Superintendents was reduced to two. At that time most of the tribes who had used the Homes were nearing extinction and officers to look after them were no longer needed. The Homes were never formally dissolved, however, and occasionally revived briefly, such as when Mr. Bonington took charge again in 1931. He was - unusual for an official during the inter-war years - interested in and cared for the Andamanese.
The last traces of the Andamanese Homes disappeared in the Japanese invasion of March 1942.
We are giving here the names and duty periods of only the important early officers and disregard temporary absences on leave, sick leave or for other reasons.
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1863-1864 |
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1864-1874 |
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F.E. Tuson |
1874-1875 |
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1875-1879 |
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1879-1900 |
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P. Vaux |
1900-1902 |
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C.G. Rogers |
1902-1903 |
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M.C.C. Bonington |
1903-1905 |
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