, 1874-01-17

The coffee growers are reaping q splendid har-
vest, now that coffee has advanced so much in the
English market. It is regretted, however, says
Calls News Letter, that unworthy means are
adopted in some places to restrict the market
price to 20 s. per 100 lbs, and it has even been
represented to the small growers that the
Colonial Bank will not discount the bills of any
buyer who pays more than this. Officers of the
Bank have, however, declared that no such do
cument has emanated from the establishment,
restricting the market value of coffee, as has been
represented to the small growers.
MORE ABOUT EDUCATION.
Another examination of candidates for admis-
sion to the College has been even more ridiculous
than the former, of which we gave an example
in our last extracts of Jamaica News. Lads of
fifteen years of age, says the News Letter, upon
whom large sum have been expended and who
have been the recipients of medals and prize
books-who have figured in the newspapers as
little wonders-have failed to come up to College
standards, while others with silver medals for the
classics, have been utterly incapable of taking
their places in counting houses, simply because
the practical und useful portion of these boys
studies have been neglected for that which is
more snowy. One boy believed that Jamaica
was an island in the Mediterranean The College
examinations will expose this condition of affairs,
and hence, says the News Letter, comes one
half Of the vituperation which is so necessarily
hurled against it by a few disappointed indivi-
Observation-Disclosures.
The same paper recommends Sir John Grants
plan for securing the services of an able indivi-
dual as Inspector General Of Schools. The APP
pointment ought to be appreciated in the Colony,
if we are to Judge of the ability of the present
Chief Inspector of the Schools from his report,
in which he exomplities a rather objectionable
deficiency in grammar, as illustrated in the
"News Letter.
Two prisoners were convicted of burglary and
sentenced to eight years penal s%ervitude. The
,-l ...L,1 Il oA4D,4;o, u +Io (Novck - +ho =,
trepid conduct of the policeman who was instru-
mental il their capture, and recommended him
as deserving Of special reward, which the judge
promised to notice.
The Colonial Standard devotes a couple of
columns to i~nvecuves against Sir John Grant, and a
bite r lament over the appointment of his successor
falling on Sir William Grey, a brotherin-law of Sir
John. 1t represents the country on the mouth ola
volcano, but it declares that the country is prepared
for the worst. A vigorous effort, it says, must be
made to have things as they should be, and it declares
there is only one step open for this, and that Sir
John will wisely retire before that step is taken.
For Sir William Grey it predicts, that in getting
away from Jam aica, he may not be so fortunate as
Sir John.
Mr.. Farrar, the Engineer sent out from England
to construct new Water Works for Kingston, is Just
dead, and, while the 'News Letter. highly praises
his work and declares that he died from over-devotion
to his profession, the STANDARD" pronounces it a
mismanaged undertaking, its erections costly and
iIl-considered many of them, it says, have been
swept away by a s%prinkling of rain, while the quality
of water supplied to Kingston, only in %driblets, is
infamous.
The rainfall in Kingston in 1873 exceeds by 10
inches that of 1872.
The Cable fleet started about the 10th for Holland
Bay, where it will lay the "shore end" and proceed
on with the deep sea Cable to Puerto Rico. They
EXPECT to complete the work within a week, when
Cable communication between Jamaica and st. Tho
mas will be %re-opened.
ANTIGUA.-The Bill for imposing a rate on property
for ecclesiastical purposes has passed into law also
the medical Relief Bill, which imposes a tax of one
shilling per ~hogshead on sugar, and one shilling on
houses in Towns and Villages and provides for the
regular sanitary inspection ofthese settlements.
DEMERARA.-The Committee of the Planter Asso-
citation have passed a resolution in favour of imposing
an Export Duty on Produce, to defray the expense Of
introducing new immigrants. 1t was rumoured that
Mr.. Scott would not return to the Government Of the
Colony.
HAYT1-Mr. Stephens, an English Engineer, has
lately arrived, and proposed to supply Port-au-Prince
with 100000 gallons of clear and good water daily
from the river. The proposition has met with favour
from the inhabitants, who were suffering from the
bad quality of the water supplied them. The cost of
living has increased Of late, aud money was very
scarce. House rent had gone up; houses formerly
renting at $50 pr. annum, now bring 800. Coffee
was bringing a high prce-from $18 to $40 pr. cwt.
From the 18th to the 26th Dec. no less than
1892. 996 lbs. had been shipped.