, 1885-06-03


there was no authority III the island who
possessed this influence. If there had
been, as a protector, an officer whom the
OOlieS were often accustomed to see, who
could speak to them thor Oughly in their
own language, and who they knew was
well acquainted with their customs, |
think there might nave been a great effect
produced by the visit OF such an officer to
as many of the estates as possible prior to
the festival of the Mohurrum. | think any
experienced well selected officer of Indian
experience would nave visited the estates,
and have addressed the Coolies with good
re ,ult but then such an officer would,
probably by personal inter course and by
intimate knowledge OF the coolies, have
acquired an amount Of influence over them
which could not he expected from Il gentle
man who, however jealous he may be, and
though, like present Protector, he may be
most anxious to do his duty, has not had
the advantage Of an Indian training in a
position of authority with natives, and
who cannot speak huently to The emigrants
III their w language. =
l have given anxious consideration as to
what course should be taken in the future,
SO as to avoid the possibility of such a sad
occurrence as that of last October, but |
can think ct no advisable course, except to
adhere to, and, If necessary, to enforce the
present regulation. Much as | should
regret to hear Of any collision. still less
of any loss of life, | think the evil of with
drawing the regulation would be very
great. and would probably lead to most
serious trouble in the future, | think it
would be unwiSp to cancel the regulation,
and | see no way Of modifying it, so as to
make it more acceptable TO the Coolies,
without rendering it useless.
There can he no doubt that the Coolies
feel lhri power, or rather, | should say,
have an exaggerated idea of that power,
and that concession would now be looked
on as WeakncSS-a feeling | should regret
to see encouraged in a matter where l
conceive the Coolies have no grievance,
and on which some stringent regulations
would eventually have to be issued, il the
present rules were withdrawn. AS an
additional reason for not now altering the
rules, | would ask attention to the state
mentS which bear testimony to the i'm.
proved demcanour Of the Coolies since the
Both October, and the very remarkable
opinion e. p,eSSed by a missionary who is
d%evoling his life to the benefit of the
Coolies
Every possible facility should be given
to he professions to reach water with
THEN Tazcahs, but proceedin, along the
high road should only be allowed under
license from a Magistl ate, which should
readily be given when inquiry shows it TO
he necessary, but access to the towns of
Port of spain and San Fernando should
be rigidly interdictrd.
| deeply drpIore the loss of life which
has taken place, and | should exceedingly
dcpIore any loss Of life on the same &C
count in future, but | believe the really
humane course, and one which may save
disaster in future, will be to strictly carry
out The present rule.
When it is remembered the large per
centage of jamaican negroes who joined
the rebels at Panama and Colon, and
marched, in AIMED gangs about a block
ahead Of the flames, after Colon had been
fred, and plunde ed every store, even
firing at merchants who endeavoured to
protect their property, the conclusion is
inevitable that in every case where an
open defiance of he law is shown By riot
ers public safety demands that the autho-
rites shall put down the riot at all ha-
yards, and make such an example of the
rinuleaderS rs Will not be soon forgotten.
1t is satisfactory that so fearless and able
Il gentleman as his Excellency was COM
mjssioned to probe the matter to the
bottom he has done so effectually his
report is before the British Parliament,
and The verllct rendered will undoubtedly