, 1877-01-03

onl5 sligh thy rufied by q feud about The
American silver coin which, being greatly
deprecated, had become o nuisance. The
prompt action of the Government and
Council, aided by several prominent
citizens, soon rid US of it. But another,
and this time o real, excitement was in
store fer US. August was calm and dry,
and 90 was the beginning OF September, but
on the 12th and 18th of that month, we
were visited by one Of those violent atmos-
pherio disturbances, not IN in
this part Of the world, O hurricane or oys
clone, from which we had so long been
spared, chat even thas experienced person
8ge, the Oldest inhabitant. only knew OF
then from hearsay, and it cannot be de-
MED that in o great many cases, this long
exemption had gradually led to the neg
lecs Of precautionary measures. The
destruction Of property was considerable,
but yet not 30 great as Que would be led
70 suppose from the fury Of the wind aa
evidenced by the destruction Of trees. The
blow was not accompanied with as much
rain as ssaush storms generally are In
50 far as she gauges could be relied on, IL
would appear that the average for the
whole island was rather less than 25 lines,
but after the gale, the frequent small show
ere that fell, gradually restored the bat
tered caneiolds. The following months
were, however. not as favourable as
ID was hoped they would DO after
a hurricane like that, which is gene
rally followed by good rains, so that,
at the present moment, no one can say if
We will reach even an average crop. The
buildings in town and country that were
either partially OF wholly destroyed ere
by this time nearly al restored, except 10
thOss parts Of this town whero the havoc
was the greatest, principally in tbs poor
est part of Free Gut" Occasions
like This afford a scope for the charitable,
and it Is pleasing to observe that they
have boen nobly at work also this time.
Besides what has been done in individual
cases, The Committee of Roliof has, we
understand, made collections which, insult
foient as they]must needs be FOR such pur.
poses as restoring the houses even OF the
very poorest, yet give proof OF Che will TO
do all that can b. done. In tho present
Bankrupt stase Of the Treasury it has not
bosn considered possible to afford any re-
lief to the sufferers from that source.
A few days after the hurricane, His Ex.
ccllancy, the Governor, returned from bis
mission, but difficulties in the way Of
Che local subscription for shares In the
Factory made him postpone his visit to
this Island till that matter was finally set.
tied. Ia the middle OF October he arrived
here, and immediately held a meeting
with the Colonial Council, In which he
explained his mission, which he also did
the same day TO a large ~assemblags OF
inhabitants Ia Government House, on
which occasion be was handed acongratu-
lstory address on his safe return from bis
a~ll.important and successful mission.
At the same time as the Governor,
came tho Committee, appointed by the
Minister Of Finances to control the cree.
ton of the Factory,i and the conductors
and engineers Of the Company. The
fret Juice Station 10 gradually rising from
che ground, and preparations are being
made for che Others, as we'll as the Law.
ing down Of the pipes etc. The frsa
machinery is expected abous April next.
Upward of two years ago His Excellsn.
OF the Governor laid before the Council
q Draft of Ordinance for the reduction
and concentration OF the Military, ia
order to effect . saving in that de-