, 1874-06-17

er of the amendment had stated that he had
introduced the matter partly for discussion it
is therefore the duty of every Member having
any practical experience on the subject, to ex-
press his opinion, and he would therefore say
a few words on the matter. The honorable
Member touched on springs and the killing of
springs by cutting down trees. Now, he has
much experience in this respect. At the Es-
tate Diamond, when managing it, he found a
nice, rich spring, which on being sooOped out
further, has since been able to supply not only
that Estate, but also Adventure, with water /;
and not a tire is about the spring, simply some
low growing bushes and bull ruSheS; a wind
mill has been built there, and the spring sunk
deeper it has never been without water. He
mentioned other instances all showing that
trees have NJ influence on springs he knew
other cases where springs have not been killed
because trees were Gu down in their neighbour
hood. It is his opiaion, that where a spring is
naturally, it will continue TO the end of time.
He was glad to see the Chairman of the C0un-
ell interesting himself in this matter, to assist
the Country. But he must maintain, that
every thing has been done and is being done bv
planters to plant trees and to protect them. lie
had been On an Estate where he planted Thib t.
Trees on an area "0fnoarly 40 acres; an4heis now
always planting on his own property. Plant
erS are not against trees. But the planters have
no protection their paintings are injured and
destroyed, and no adequate penalty is inflicted
on the people, because there is no law for it.
But trees sometimes grow 50 that tbey to q
gre ! t extent destroy canes, in such cases they
must be cut down. He might admit there
might be some truth in trees keeping moisture
IN the soil therefore, on almost all estates you
will find trees planted where they can be.
1st Member for Frederiksted's Country Dis
trict Fleming had always been in the habit
of planting trees; sometimes they succeed,
sometimes not; but it is to be deplored that
many are cut down again by other people, and
a great deal more persisted by the dry weather.
There is a gutter from Beoks Grove to Hogens-
borg it has never been dry till now still no
trees have been cut down. The spring and
we'll at Williams Delight have given out, but
the trees are all there It'll his opinion that
trees do attract clouds, and if the land in East
End were covered with vegetation, we would
not suffer from SO much dry weather. But ii
would scarcely be Of any use to plant trees
now, tor there is no water to give them we
would have to await till rain comes. He
agreed with the honorable Members that thanks
are due to the honorable Chairman, but it is
drpIOrable to see the enormous deficiency in
the Budget better to postpone it now, and
bring in a Money Bill when a society that
could use the amount has been formed.
End Member for Frederiksted (FaJer) said
that we might have the same experience in this
case as often else a measure is proposed, it is
declared to be all very well, but still Members
say let us postpone. The last honorable
Speaker is in favour Of the proposal, but says
let US wait till better lines. But if We agree
that the prop1sal will be to the interest of the
Island, why should it be postponed till we get
rain II we accept the proposal now, we could
prepare and be ready by the time rain comes.
He should say, let US 60 to work now, and not
wait till rain or better times come. Some time
ago the Council voted a large sum, $4,000 for
Central Factories at q time when our prospects
were very poor.-We have certainly seen bad
years, but then W. may also expect 10 see good
years again The matter brought before the
Council by the honorable Chairman has attract
ed a good deal Of attention outside; and it was
quite correct that it should come in here but
then it would be also quite correct that the
Council should accept it. 1t must be borne in
mind, we have here no question Of additional
salary, or pension, Or any of these wants, that
are generally unfavourably received but here
is only question of a very small amount for a
thing that might be Of vast benefit. There is
no distinct proposal for the wa in which the
money is to be used but We have heard a great