New-York tribune., 1890-06-29
A TROPICAL WORLDS FAlR
ORGANIZED BY OLD JAMAICA'S WIDE
AWAKE GOVERNOR.
rRox a, OCCASIONAL ooERKsroNDESr OF THE TRIBUNE

| SuecN OF the Antilles, are i1dk!hS D'r N''"'N
keep up with the times in this respect Iiry cApco'
to make quite a good show at thc Chicago faf' as
they did at the New Orleans Exposition. but III the
meantime they propose 10 have grand exhibition o'
their own. and the project seems 10 be atuacuHs
consde able attention among merchants ana manu-
facturers in the United states This ISLAND Is ia'l
becoming Americanizcd in its commercial aspect anu
in other ways. too, and the inhabitants look on INC
change with much satisfaction. few years ago
its future was overcast Great Britain had practl-
cally deserted the people in their commercial pur-
suits. and We; would not allow them 10 seek closer
relations with the United states, as they desired
The natives became apathctc. and the planters ana
merchants giving up in despair and leaving thc
country. But a few energetic Americans saw the
great possibilities of the country, and invested con
siderable capital, in money and brains in various
attempts 10 develop its resources. To-day many OF
the principal industries Of the island in the hands
Of Americans. It's railroad built and operated by
the Government, is now owned by New-lork syn
dcatc il has American electric light and telephone
companies. American hotels. and great many enter
prsing. energetic Americans among its business pop
ulation while largely increasing number of Amerl-
tourists here IN the winter to enjoy
the unrivalled climate and scenery Of the country.
The Jamaicans have awakened 10 appreciation OF
the wealth they possess in their lovely Isle OF
Springs and they want 10 show the world what
sort Of country they have and find ont what the
world do In helping them TO develop its resources.
one great object OF the Exhibition is To seek closer
relationship with the United States. America Is
nearer to Jamaica by several thousand miles than
Great Britain is and is their natural market both
for buying and selling. In the last five years the
import and export trade with tho United states has
more than doubled. and I'm many important items the
entire trade of the island is with America. The
people have turned 10 the United States with new
hope and the most prominent people here. including
OF fba Icri- -I,fu- apxou
to foster closer relations with the great Republic
The idea of the jamaica Exhibition Of 1891 orig
mated with the present Governor Of the island sir
Henry A. Blake. lie Is most capable and cncr-
gctic man. and has made every effort possible 70
become closely acquainted with every district Of the
island and every detail Of its resources. lie has
only been the island very short time, but has
attained the reputation all classes of the in
habtantS OF being the best Governor the island has
ever had lie formerly Governor Of the Ia
hamas and also Of Newfoundland, during which time
he became we'll acquainted with Americans. and h
has q great regard for thcm and their country. This
Exhibition is his pet scheme, and he is furhering IL
interests by every possible means.
This city, the capital Of the island. which has
population Of over 10000 and is the most important
city in the British West Indies. chosen FOR the
site, and Exhibition matters form the one great
absorbing topic Of interest among all classes. Every
one IS working hard. and far everything points
70 the great Of the project. The Exhibition
is 10 be opened some time IN January, 1-0I that
being the most pleasant time Of the year hcrc when
the skies are always blue, and the glorious tropical
sunshine makes every day perfect The temperature
here in Kingston is rarely over 20 degrees - de
erccS at midday the hottest days in the winter
months while in some Of The towns and villages I'm
the mountains it often falls to 80 degrees. The
mornings and evening, here dclicou-ly cool
strong breeze blowing of tho .ca in The early part
IF flowers and spices, coming down over the noun
aims at night with uuvary.ng regularity. The Ex
lbitiCn viii remain opcn for several months. but
Just how long has not yet been decided. 80 public
money is be used in carrying the project, cx
cpt that about 81 1000 ha, been voted enable -hc
several public Departments 10 make exhibits. iut
otherwise it ha, the hearty support and cooperation
II the Government. The funds have bccn furnished
~ subscribers 10 guarantee fund. and ahort
$4,000. sum considered 10 be moro than enough
or all purposes. long since secured
The site chosen j. on high ground Just outside of
he limits Of the city proper. and about two uil',
rom the steamship piers. The race course is imnc
lately in front OF the erVund,. and better
lightly location cond not be desired. The roof
which 10 be quite feature II the
Exhibition bmld'us,. will command magnificent
Jews Of the vicinity. On the -lopng ground 10 the
OGth j. the city. picturesque mas, II white hol
uncovered in bright green foliage and brilliant |
lowering trees. aud beyond the land locked harbor
nd the parking water, OF The Caribbean SEA dotted
With little green key and white coral r'c's. ON the
lorth ard east, and almost oyeiShadowmg the |
rounds. Is the ofty and rugged range Of the Bluc
Iountains the sides thicky covered with stately |
ocoanut palm, and all manner Of tropical Vegcta
ion while the Lguahca Plain. covered with SUGAR !
plantations and banana groves. stretches away u !
he west to the blue haze of distant mountains. !
iciivc work ha, been IN proerc's for some time IA |
aging ont and preparing the grounds. and IN the |
Of the Exhibition buildings. All the |
umLer and most Of The other material for the nud |
ugs IS being supplied b. firms the United Stat',
nd the worA OF construction j. mainly IN the hand, |
# The Department of Public Works. The principal !
tructurc i, 70 be IN the form oi Il cross. the maiu
rm 515 feet long by Il feet wide and the trau,cpt |
SO feet long and OF the width the main hall
dome viii rise from the intersection Of the cross |
o height Of III feet. The bLildng is Moorish In |
general Gcsien and IL will be Oriental In appearance
throughout. In many respects II IS to be entirely |
lovcl the requirements Of tropical climate having
. bo largely considered and il will be- light,
TaccIl and airy cdiiicc ana open to the air "a, mach
s possible.
The gardens will be especial feature. Tho
,land has wondrous wealth Of magnificent trppi-
al vegetation. palms fruit trees. ferns and flowers
4 every description. and haa also an excellent 30
anical Department. maintained by the Government.
'Hc grounds are beng laid out a, T. present a.
much Of a Characteristic Wes; indian scenic appear
nee "a possible. There Will be abundance Of
lately ptlm,, cOroanut, date, royal pimcto,. mDui-
ain cabnage. silver thlch and every other variety,
anana t.rcs. breadfrilIt, oranges lemon, and Umr,
Ofcc cocoa, tea, and indeed every thing growing In
he island that can be used with good effect. There
VII be- avenues Of giant fern. and a bcwildcrinz
lazc OF flowers every where. Tree movers being
scd with great succc,, for the larger trees. In
raj Instances palms over forty 1cct high and weigh
~ eight and ten tons, have been successfully trans
lantcd. All manner Of vegetation grows very ran.
iiy here, often cmbarrassngly There Will be a
spe4ft ~
II over the island, and 40 effort H. being spared 40
lakc the ground, embodiment Of tropical splen
or that viii be quite exhibition In Itself
Evcryth the Island has 10 show will be exhlb |
ed and II has more 10 interest visitors for pleasure
r profit than IL pOpuary supposed by the majority
people IN other ands. There are forests of val |
able woods, cedar and mahogany and dycwoods thc
fountains are rich IN copper and other ores and tho
rOduCtiycncss Of the soil Is marvellous. but the people
eek the knowledge necessary To- dcvclOp these re |
Durccs. Many Americans have been assisting in hi, |
lrcction Of late. not wholly In planhropical spirit
erhaps. hut with great advantage both sides. Tho.
eOplc Of the island most OF whom are negroes pure
!oudcd blacks, not abOrgincs. very much behind
ne age In their methods Of agriculture of raising rrons
sls.t.