, 1891-01-10

provision is also made for the establishment
of q Cove rnnent Grammar School and the
new Head Master Mr.. Hancock is expected
to arrive by the next mail. MIR. Hancock
appears to be we'll suited for the post and
his wife holds high certificates, 50 that q
school for girls will also be established. Mr..
Hancock is qualified also to give practical
instruction in the Laboratory, and / propose
that classes in Agricultural Chemistry
should be opened. For this purpose I ask
q vote of e1OO to open q small Laboratory.
The Presidency makes from IL, 900 to
10000 tons of sugar annually and tits worthy
of consideration whether the services of q
trained agricultural and analytical chemist
should not be secured. If you consider it
desirable | shall be happy to bring the mat
ter under the consider alton of the Secretary
of State.
The question as to whether it will be pos
sible to proceed with public works of
improvement next year to be paid out of
revenue depends on the decision as to the
mode of defraying the cost of the Leper
Asylum. If a portion of the cost is ID deferred,
it would be desirable to carry out the fol.
lowing works Of utility.
Besides these there are other Public
Works which would in ordinary course be
paid out Of moneys raised on loan. I refer
to the Public Treasury and Government
OGuC0 II 1AC1Od60 Va UH0 WdGSE SUPPLY, UL6
extension of the Prison accommodation by
erecting another. story on the present build
ing, and the completion of the Public
Library.
I shall be glad to receive your views as
regards the Treasury Buildings and for an
expression of your opinion as to the best
course to be adopted,
! ask you to pass the resolution declaring
that the water and land necessary for extend
ing the water sup ply to Tabernacle and the
surrounding distri cts are required for pub
lie purposes.
The question of q Steam Ferry between
Basseterre and Oharlestown, Nevis, has been
much discussed both in this Council and
else where, and those who we're opposed to the
und ertaking have laid their views before the
Secretary of State. After full consideration
I an authorized to proceed with the work,
and / hope that as in the case of the estab-
lishment of the Telephone, which in like
manner was very strongly opposed, it will be
found that the Steam Ferry may supply q
great public convenience.
At the last meeting of the Council / asked
you to consider the question of the extension
of the Town of Basseterre, the principal
Tow OF the Presidency. Since that time I
have received q petition numerousiy signed
objecting to the proposed extension on several
grounds. | have given the most careful
consideration to the several reasons adduced,
but after weighing them / believe the propo-
sal put before you is the one best calculated
to improve the Town. The extension of the
Tow in this direction was recommended by
Capt. Alexander, r.. E.. for the reasons he
cogently set forth. The Medical men best
acquainted with the district consider the
top and slopes OF the hill referred to we'll
suited for the extension in a sanitary point
of view and one portion of the ground is the
only suitable site for a Botanic Station within
. reasonable distance of the Town. / would
repeat again that the small portion of land
formerly used as q burial ground is to be in
no way disturbed, but til proposed to lay it
down in grass with shade trees.
D.. ] have effected improvements in the sur.
roundings ct ST.. Johns, Antigua. The
Government have acquired A acres Of land
near Roseau in Dominica, which are being
laid out for the convenience Of the Inhabi-
tants of the Town and Island, and the Botanic
Station there will soon become one of the
most lovely spots in the West Indies. I am
'endeavouring to improve the Town of Ply
mouth in Montserrat and receiving pleasant
cooperation from all classes there. ( should
be very glad to carry out the improvement
of the Town of Basseterre, and by using the
natural advantages of the situation make it
what it ought to become-a very fine Town.