, 1874-05-02

much interest. It appears that, previous to
1878, there was no provision whatever for
granting pension to the widows and children of
deceased public officers. The report now I'M
der notice traces the steps which were ia
ken to remedy this grievous want. The cost
of living was so high, and the rates of life
insurance so heavy, that it was impossible for
a man to make proper provision fer his family
in the event of his premature death. The
thought that be might be struck down in the
midst of active life and hi wife and children
left destitute is quite enough to take the edge
off his enjoyment, and afford him much anXi-
ETY.. 1t is not necessary to enter into any de-
tail as to the particular plan adoptedin Deme-
rara. 1t seems to be based upon the usual
principles Of insurance adapted to the special
circumstances of the case. 1t was embodied
in an ordinance and approved by the Secreta-
ry of State. 1t was pleasing to notice that
in this matter the Colonial Legislature acted
with its wonted liberality, Nothing more need
be said, except to wish the fund a complete
success.
Governor Rawson's report for 1872, upon the
affairs of Barbados, is, as usual, full and inter-
esting. 1t opens as follows =" The first half
of the year 1872 was a period of anxiety and
disappointment to the planters, and the latter
half was one of growing dependency as to the
crop of the following year. The drought,
which commenced in November 1870, and
which had not interfered with the crop of 1871,
lasted through the whole of the latter year, and
reduced the crop from 1907 hogSheadS in 1871
to 80, 1877 hOgsheads in 1872, being about 100
hOgsheads less than in 1870, the smallest crop
since 1864. The hopes, therefore, which were
raised by the abundant crop of 1871 werenotonly
frustrated, but, as the drought continued month
after month in 1872 until the month of Septem-
Der, drying up the rattoons, and preventing fresh
planting for future crops, evil forebodingS be-
came general as to the crop of 1878, and fears
began to be entertained as to the consequences
Of four bad crops in five years. The difficulties
of the planters reacted upon the merchants and
upon the community generally. A deficiency
of more than a fourth n the quantity, and perhaps
of a third in the selling value of the produce
of the island, say of 350,000l. during the current
year, was no light trial, but the almost certain
prospect of an equal or greater deficiency in
the coming year was a reasonable ground for
alarm. 1t is no small evidence of the frmness
and elasticity of the planting interest, and gifts
supporters in England, that up to the present
time the former have stood their ground, and
are now hopeful Of partially recOuping them
selves in 1874, the prospects OF which are very
favourable" The Governor thinks that the
disturbance which accompanied the sale by auc-
llUn VI luO dIGICIGS lGSCuGQ lIOlI JHO NlCChCu
steamer Cuban is sufficiently important to be
narrated in detail. Some among the lower
classes in Bridgetown believed that the
wreck was q special gift of Providence to them,
and that " the conSignees and police had no right
to prevent them from profting by it," But it
certainly did not seem right to turn the sale
into a sort of lottery. The packages were sold
intact, and some persons acquired unexpected
prizes, such as jewelry concealed in bales of
cheap goods. The excitement resulting from
SOM of these prizes being drawn can easily be
imagined, and it was not lesSened by many,
who had been wildly bidding, drawing blanks.
According to the Governor, the police were
rather severely battered, and the military had
to be called out before the affair was over.
This disturbance was commented upon at a
public meeting, held a short time ago, upon the
ineficiency of the police of the island. A
memorial was addressed to the Governor, who
seemed to throw the blame, not upon the Ex-
%ecutive who are supposed to be charged with
the duty of preserving order, but upon the form
of government. His Excellency apparently
wishes to abolish representative government in
the island. 1t is even said that he went out to
Barbados with instructions from the Colonial
Office to effect this change. He asserts that
the present constitution cramps the Executive.
The %colonists of Barbados will, however, re-