Quote Originally Posted by Mary Anne View Post
Another question: The senior Mr. Quilter is listed as a 'conductor' in the Department of Public Works -- what is a 'conductor' in this context? and what Dept of Public Works -- the Indian Civil Service?
Have you checked out the FIBIS database at
search.fibis.org/frontis/bin/index.php (put https:// in front) ? It has some references, taken from The Times of India of 1885 and 1890, to J.H. Quilter of the Military Works Dept.

There's a useful glossary at indiafamily.bl.uk/UI/Dictionary.aspx (put https:// in front) which explains what a Conductor was:
"The higher of the two appointments within the Warrant Officer rank in the East India Company or Indian Army, the lower being that of Sub-Conductor. Conductors and Sub Conductors worked mainly in the Ordnance, Commissariat and Public Works Departments. Conductors were eligible for promotion to the higher grade of Departmental Officer."