, 1890-11-12

extreme beatty and gre 1t capabilities of the
Island. Of the area of 4, 1913 square miles,
but GAG square miles are fat. The remand
err is mountainous, and in the East the blue
Mountains attain the height of 1000 feet.
The mountains are composed OF white and
yellow limestone, carbonaceous shales, gra-
Mite and cOngt0merate rocks, with alluvial
valleys. The climate is pa ticularly healthy
if ordinary pr. cautions necessary in the tro.
pies are observed. and while in the noun
famous interior the temperature ranges from
60 deg to IS deg. even the topical t, mper-
azure OF 80 deg. to - deg. mar the sea level
is asSuaget by the sen breeze during the
day, an the cool Ian breeze that at night
flows Town from the hills.
With such variety ct temperature, aspect
and soil, the range of production is very
wide and the Island offers excellent invest
mrnts for agriculturists with comparatively
small capital.
The Attempt at Fibre Culture.
Attempts nave been made to Introduce the
cultivation of the Pita plant now being SO
extensively planted in the Bahamas. | have
no doubt that this will grow over a great
portion Of the white limestone country, and
may be a valuable addition 10 the resources
OF the Island, as it is even less liable than the
su gar cane to injury from possible hurricane.
LII CStulOIGIauu dllOl OllCl N6StGEu pttlSi~
es a considerable area has been placed under
rice, and crops Of very good quality have
been reaped. As Jamaica imports over seven
millions Of pounds Of rice annually this culti-
walton may attain very large proportions.
1t will be observed by the table of imports
and exports that the Importation of m@nufac-
tured goods from the United Kingdom has
decreased by rs per cent Of the total imports
while those from the United States have IN
creased by So per cent, and from Canada by
2.6 per cent. | observe that the importation
of leather boots and shoes from the United
Kingdom has decreased from E41,4G6 in 1888
to 937 ,06j Ia 1889, while the importation of
those goods from the United States has in
creased from G3,903, to e. 3 6. In the same
period the exports to the United Kingdom have
increased by 2. 9 per cent OF the whole, while
those to the United States have decreased by
7 per cent.
Formation Of New Companies.
Many Companies have been formed during
the year among which Is d Fruit Trading
Company composed entirely OF small settlers.
Tle future of this company will be instruc-
tive as sho wing what power of active CO.
operation in BUSINESS affairs exists among the
black people. \ Saw Mill Company has
been formed in Manchester, aud the founda-
ton stone was laid of the first large hotel
ever built in Jamaica. This hotel is now
rapidly approaching completion and will l
have no doubt attract MANY visitors to ia
maica, from which travellers have hitherto
been repealed for want OF proper ~accommoda-
ton, But the most important event of the
year was the passing OF the Jamaica Railway
Company's Law by which the existing lines,
a good a 1 paying property, were handed
over to an American Syndicate on certain
conditions laid down in the Law, one of
which is the building of extensions to Mon
tego Bay and Port Antonio, { distance of l25
miles. In the passing of this Law | was a
passive instrument as the conditions were
arranged before | assumed this Government.
In my opinion it would have been more pru.
dent for this Government to have made the
extensions, but the Syndicate have Shown
their anxiety to perform their part Of the
contract faithfully, and the extensions must
b. Of immense service to the Island.
The Militia Force.
The Militia Force was reported to be in q
fair state Of efficiency especial interest was
taken in musketry practice, and certificates
of prof cheney in different branches of militia
~ knowledge were granted to four Officers.
The numbers of all ranks at the close OF the
year weru 618 on the active and 1O6 OH tho
supernun1erary lists
The Exhibition.
In September, 1889, just before the close
of period treated of in this Report, the first