, 1891-03-07
6 A V ;.
8trisiiaasia8 81. GRIM.
Saturday, 9TH March, 1891.

dry, and during the past week colo anu ury
ncrtherly and northeasterly winds have been
blowing, and have had in most places a parch-
ing effect. The country near Frederiksted
looks the worst. Al that end the fall for
January was 81 lines and for February 124
lines. In all parts of the island, however,
we see extensive stretches Of young sprouts or
open land, the former looking very we'll under
the influence of the light showers of the past
ten months, and should we get a favourable
change next month prospects for the crop OF
1892 will begin to look hopeful.
His Excellency Vice-Governor Jirs arrived
from St. Thomas by the schooner "Vigilant"
on Wednesday morning, and left again yester-
day afternoon.
The Humane Society of St. Thomas held
it's sixth annual meeting in the Apollo Theatre
on the Goth of last month. From the report
presented on the occasion we learn that a show
of cart horses and donkeys had been held, and
O number of school children had been induced,
by the offer of prizes, to write competitive
ESSAYS on the subject of kindness to animals.
With regard to the intended "Home for Des-
titute children it is said in the report, that
the President (Mr. J. B. Laing) would state
it's position. which he did in the course of his
speech, as follows:
an reference to the proposed Home for
Destitute Children he expressed regret that
it was not yet an accomplished fact, and dwolt
on the necessity for some such institution.
He explained, that after expanding $500 in
purchase and 1920 in repairs for the pro
bertv which the Society holds, there remained
a debt of 1900. The property was now yield
ing an income of sos per annum, and 1.-THE
building was rented out the yearly income
would be about $240.
Gin the worst case, therefore, there would
be a small amount available for the purpose
of aiding destitute children but he express
ed the earnest hope that the public in st.
Thomas would yet put the Society in a posi-
ton to pay off the debt resting on the pro-
perty, and provide funds for maintaining a
Home, thus enabling the Committee to carry
out their original intention in purchasing the
Home
If all this is not very satisfactory, it is ct
any rate very much more than has been done
bv orr St. Croix Society for the Prevention Of
Cruelty to Animals, which, after doing a few
useful things, appears now to be dead, or if
not dead, then in a very deep sleep, for we
have heard nothing of it for a long time past.
What has especially tempted us, however,
to refer to the Society's Report is the reference
which is therein made to the starting of an
Agricultural and Industrial Society"
The passage reads as follows;
"Under the auspices of this Society an at
tempt was made at holding an Agricultural
Show, which took place at Niskey on Goth
December last; the result was in every way
a success, and the thanks of this Society and
also of the Community are due to the Revd.
Forster, for without his kind assistance such
a result could not have been obtained. We
are glad to be in a position to state that
all the preliminary steps have been taken to
start an agricultural and Industrial Society"
to which we heartily wish success, as we
feel sure that such a Society will be able
to do much in initiating the Minor Industries
of this island and bettering the position OF
the small proprietors, to whom in o great mea-
sure the Island will have eventually to look
for its prosperity. We hope therefore that the
Society will receive influential and liberal sup
port"
AS ST. Thomas has been known solely as q
commercial place for a long time past, there Is
at first sight something apparently incongru'
GUS in the inhabitants trying to encourage
agricultural efforts; but to those who know
the actual present state Of affairs there and the