The New York herald., 1869-06-19
BELIZE.


bad Sueaf Cr0p-6ocial and Political Az
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Econsuy.
BELIZE, Hon., May 81, 1889.
Contrary to expectation and in the face OF all pre-
cedent we have had abundance OF rain during the
month OF May. This has retarded the manufacture
OF sugar and may reduce the quantity exported.
The weather has again become fine. and 1t appears
as though it would last through the month OF June.
Should this be tho case we may export 1900 tons this
year but the present prospects that the yield OF
every plantation has been over.estimated. For rea-
not known 10 the writer the sugar planters who
have come here from Louisiana have not bee taken
with the prospects which had been led TO believe
were so hatterlng. IL may be our labor IL TOO eX-
pensve. as no lands can be richer. Wniie the cane
Will ratoon here for twenty years, 1t grows larger
and yields more and richer juice than IN any portion
OF Louisiana.
His Excelency the Lieutenant Governor and his
lady gave grand bali ON the evening OF her
Majestys birthday. The whole world Of Belize
was invited and provisions for large number of
guests were made; but the attendance was very
SMALL IL Is said 1t was because OF so many deaths
IN the colony The officials and their families and
friends were the attendants. The Legislative Az
sembly is stil in session. They meet only to adjourn
to distant periods, evidently not liking their work.
Perhaps it is from the same causes which pro-
tracted the session OF IS OF nom January to Decem
"SAs ''<''-tnc VA popWuAAy VI tAlC uSdnNIcs iutIO
duced by the government. But be the reason what
II NAV fancy the slim attendance at the ball. and
the do nothing In the Assembly are attributable to
one and the same canse. Mr.. Longden is q
new man, and oil are very reluctant to break with
him, but the high antcipations which were raised
when Mr. Austin was removed, and be sent here,
nave not been realized.
He has recommended or proposed nothing to ger us
out of our embarrassment, or to reduce our heavy
sor These are the questions which are in the mouths
OF the community. Meanwhile che community suffer,
ana the poor are distressed by their taxes, and a
general dread hangs on the minds OF all who have
known the colony in days gone past. fear the
homes sometime previously entertained of q large
immigration to this colony from the Southern States
are TACT dissOving INTO the air.
AT the rate our exodus has been going on for the
three last trips OF the New Orleans steamer by the
LIST OF January next she will have taken many
to be- and would not If the owners OF lands pursued
the right policy 1t clearly their interest to give the
lands to all actual settlers, for it Is only by large
increase OF our population thai the millions Of
OF our uncultlvated lands can be made pro-
ductive, and until those lands are cultivated
might, may say ought, to be pursued
vH cut down our expenditures at least One-half.
and thus reduce the taXes but that subject,
III its enectS and so easily accomplished, VIII not
nnd any sympathy in the home government or with
the officials and but little In the minds OF English
men, who have pride in paying high salaries.
But there IS room now for hope, as the Secretary
Tor the Colonies has begun retrenchment the army
and navy Our troops are TO be reduced TO 100 men,
ana the morning and evening guns are to be dscon-
fring-a sum estimated at $1,000 per annun
sugar IS scarce and a small lot sold by the Pro-
vost Marshal at auction last week brought i've to
six and half cents cash.