, 1874-07-22
G o 0 Ia l..

4lOW al . @NCNO ACGLSA Nc mp Wv ~
lowing items of news:
BARBADos.-At the meeting Of the Lcgi8-
lature on the 18th June, the Governor pro-
missed to lay a scheme and an estimate before
the Legislature for the establishment OF a syS-
TEN Of Meteorological Observations, which
will extend enquiries to other kindred and
useful branches of practical science. The
Molehead Board had under consideration a
proposition to establish a Slip Dock in Bridge
town Harbour.-The Board having considered
the proposition to construct a larger slip than
the one contemplated, found that there would
be a difficulty in getting vessels Of 500 or 500
tons to the site selected for a 400 slip, in the
Inner Basin, and that it would be necessary
to obtain some other site, in the event of a
larger slip being decided on. The positions
most eligible for the larger slip are either the
site Of the Pier-Head Refinery or a portion of
Cavan & Co.'S premises, but the cost was so
heavy that the Board hesitated to recommend
it to the Legislature. The heavy rains had
tended much to benefit the growing crop. The
reaping of the old crop was nearly closed.
The quantity of produce shipped to date was
SO, AS hogsheads sugar I70I5 puns. 1913
hhds. 1910 brls. molasses.
Per file of West Indian" received directly
from the above Island we learn further That
the reaping of the crop is closed, and that the
shipment to the 10th instant had reached
50 96 hhds. Sugar, and including the cargo
of the Sylph, Cover 700 hhds.) ready for sea,
over $4,000 hhds. q, 169 puns. Molasses;
IS purs, and 1870 hhds. Rim.
The prospect for next year is at present very
encouraging. We have had a good June, from
8 to 5 inches rain during the month, in different
parts of the country St. Lucy's being the on
ly parish whore the young crop suffered to any
extent from the want of it. The early corn
crop has failed that planted later in June may
turn out better, if we get rain in the next few
days and if We do not, the want OF 1t Will tell
also upon the young canes. There is a good sup
ply Of American breadStuffs, several carg0es hav-
ing been reported during the last week fish is
more in demand. Business is dull, and a feel
ing OF dependency prevails, arising from the
number of failures amongst the retail dealers,
and pecuniary embarrassment moro or less eX-
hibited in every class.
The discussion in the Assembly on Tuesday
on the state of the finances, in reply TO the
Governors speech showed how much this feel
ing operated with honorable members An
amendment was carried by a large majority
to the effect, that the excess of revenue over
expenditure during last year, amounting to
some ee5, 900, was no proof of the prosperity OF
the country, as it arose from the continuance
of an additional tax upon imports, which OPP
pressed trade, at the same time that the plant
ers were suffering from the low price of the
staple produce in foreign markets. The Coun-
Gil in their reply-which has been presented
carefully avoid the subject, finding others upon
which they can more consistently reciprocate
the congratulatory and encouraging view Of
our affairs, taken by his Excellency in his ad-
dress.
By a return published in the Gazette from
the Emigration Agent, it appears, that during
the last six months, from LIST Jany. to 30th
June, there had been 274 emigrants from Bar
bados; and in the same period 1892 of the
same class had returned to Barbados. Of the
former 265 went to Demerara, s to Trinidad,
/ to st. Vincent. Of the latter, there were
S12 who returned from Demerara, 1877 from
Trinidad, 113 doubtful, and 80 from other
parts. These figures show that by far the
largest portion of our emigrants find employ
ment in Demerara, and that they go back
wards and forwards at the end of the crop
season here they go to Demerara and else
where to get employment, returning for the
next crop season in the first months of the
year. This ought to relieve the planters of
their apprehensions of the labouring class for
saking Barbados to settle in Demerara and
2 elsewhere. The fact is, they leave Barbados
only because thew ara cOmnelled fo seek am.