, 1875-09-01
NO. 70.

S3NS &ArROb
give an increased prosperity to the island,
and thus enable the proprietors to bear
easily the increased taxation necessary to
carry out effectually works on q scale
calculated to render the island secure
against all the horrible evils of its fixed
periodical d~roughts. Until such prospect
" arrived, a loan, raised on the guarantee
of the island, might enable the Commits
sioners to begin these works, and then,
subsequently, out Of the increased prospect
ty a sinking fund might be made to pay oft
the loan negotiated.
The criminal labour Of the country
might Be usefully employed in the con.
struction of the dams across these %ravines,
and these, when constructed, would serve
as bridges, thus rendering the various
parts of the island the moro easily accessl'
bic. The Commissioners, had they the
time, might easily procure a vast amount
of information in respect of the water sup
ply to some Of the large towns in Great
Britain and elsewhere; but the English
nevspapers from time to time will have
given, to those who take an interest
in sanitary matters, an ample knowledge
of the means adopted for obtaining such
supply. Glasgow is now supplied with
an ample quantity of pure water, brought
by artificial means from Loeb Katrlne.
Liverpool, finding her supply drawn from
her red sandstone formation inadequate has
also gathered an additional supply from a
surface fall, collected In a reservoir many
miles ~'istant from the town. India, too, Is
reaping the benefits arising ffomthe employ
ment Of artificial means for the irrigation
of her lands. In the neighbouring colony
of Berbioe o prospectus has been issued Of
the " Grand East Coast and Gauge Canal"
for providing
/. Inland water communication.
3. Drainage of the lands on the line.
8. An ample supply offresh water for the
navigation and the irrigation of the
estates and farms.
4. For the purpose of forming a good
road on the banks of the canal.
We have here an example for our en-
enlargement in a country not SO subjected
to drought as our island is.
Finally, we are we'll assured that the
heavens are liberal in their supply, and
that even the annual rainfall of Barbados
in dry seasons is in excess OF what It's
population requires.
We have q broad margin 20 work upOn,l IL
we are disposed to undertake the enterprise.
Our labourers are often sadly distressed for
lack of water. At all times they are sub
iected to much labour to procure it. Thete
are seasons when even our cattle suffer
from the want of water. Tdis should not
be-, not a man nor beast should ever want
for water. 1t is q matter of cost, and when
such advantages are proposed by the outlay.
we cannot but think that the funds will
be forthcoming, especially when we con-
slider that the Introduction of the improved
mode of making sugar by the vacuum pan
is dependent on an ample supply Of water.
We conclude this report by quoting
the words of q reviewer of Sir William
Muir's financial statement for India 3
"The temptation to extend the rail way
system and to cover the country with a
network of irrigative canals is intensified
by the fact that the main difficulty Of the
famine was the deficiency in the means Of
transit, as its immediate cause was the
absence of means for artificially watering
the crops"
Signed) CHARLES POKER.
II. Il. Jones.
j. E. PILaRlM.