The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1890-05-11

varying from 81 to 4? miles. 1t Is DIVIDED into
the : north side " and the " south side A." BY 9
which extends for its entire length. The only
railroad line is on the south side from Kingston
the eapitai; to little town called Porus. dis.
B Both those points we're unl@pOrt,S AMI
Important points, aud those have attained
t hhe importance simply because 4 the peo-
centrate their business and traffic there 1t
was managed by the Government aud oper-
ated IN very dull, lifeless manner. The
than the south side but the towns and ports
there have no means of communication with
the horse roads. Railroad extension has ofte Il
been demanded, but the Government while
admitting the urgent necessity for y; resret;;
ted they could not recommend IL as 1t would
entail too greet drain on t3e I
other Central American American railroads.. Became In.
terested In Jamaica. and made an offer to pur-
chase ca the RAILROAD and with It large amount
dition that the railroad should BIO extended to
the north side. The planters and peasantry
favor Of selling tho road: Although some on
position was developed by an ultra English
sentimental grounds, the railroad was, sold
and q lew months ago Mr.. Wesson took pos
session Of il and OF one-thirtoenth OF the entire
Island ut the same time.
An experienced American railroad superin:
tendent WINS placed In charge OF the road and
the change OF ownership and management
was at once apparent. The speed OF the trains
was materially increased and the entire work.
ing 81 the SystSR very much ipr0yed Work
is now being pushed rapidly forward. These
are TO connect all the principal towns, and to
tap all the important districts.
About two years ago a Telephone Exchange
was started In Kingston. city OF some 10000
after hard struggle il snceS9ded IN Seeomine
well established. Now most excellent service
exists. connecting nearly all the, business
residences In the CITY and suburbs. The head
offices Of the company are In the United States.
and the local manager is an American.
Kingston was for some years lighted with gas
or the Government said 1t was lighted. and as
the Government suppled the gas it claimed to
and operated the gas works. The inhabitants
complained necessarily about tho wretched
the Legislative Council declared the concern
to be In q state OF hopeless bankruptcy. Some
few months ago an electrical expert. repre-
senttnR an American company. arrived in
Kingston and organized q local company with
an American long resident on the island rs
The enterprise is now a big success Tnstaiia-
tons have been made In the public buildings.
resdencos and hotels, and even in several Several
Under PRONUNCIATION; The company he's more
been erected and an American engineer is in
charge Of t. The eompany will also supply
u
street cars by electricity.
Jamaica would be a paradise, for tourists and
invalids In the winter season. but for the fact
thing in the way Of hotel accommo datlon The
scenery Of the island is superb 1t has a eli
mate varying from 65' In the mountains to $50
at sea level: Its mountain sceneury is mag
nihcent, and 1t has beauties by the sea shore
posd to Within ew Gy niles eoo pc
while tho wealth OF tropical vegetation is be-
wilderinG and enchanting. Blu; opo must DO
not consider such prosaic matters as iood and
lodging for the accommodations t. be found
are poor and Unsatisfactory. II a party OF
three we're to ask for accommodation at q
lodgings" some OF the resident family would
have to give ur their beds.
consideration OF these matters led some
Americans to organize an American Hotels
tainG hotels throughout the island. The
first hotel is now nearing completion. 1t is
located about five miles out Of Kingston. in the
completed and is &C 'upied by the large num-
Der Of American residents and, visitors in the
about seventy:ilye rooms. it, manager is an
American. well known in New York and at
Coney Island the cooks, head walters. and all
the principal employees are from New York.
and the way things are done at the hotel is
revelation TO Jamaicans.
The present Governor OF the island Sir
Henry \. Blake, is DESTROYS that more Ameri-
cans should visit the country, AS Governor OF
became well acquainted with Americans and
he wants their energy and thrift in Jamaica.
The hotel scheme is y favorite ono with him.
and he has proposeI that in order to promote
its objects all mat erial imp ported for construc-
tion OF the hotels should be Tree Of duty. and.
similarly. all furniture and fittings. and all
horses, carriage- and other property for them
should he free OF all taxes for IL number Of
years. He is anxious TO see American hotels
built all over the island
Tho island is rich in valuable woods mahog-
any. cedar and the like. but little orno use has
ever boen MADE OF this wealth. An American
recently started II sawmill in ono Of the richest
spots OF forest land and the success Of his VEN
ture is ono of the mGryeS of the district.