, 1894-06-20
JAMAICA NEWS.
(Jamaica Cleaner, 28th May

months holiday after his e%Xertions during the
past months as President Of the Legis-
lative Council. There bein9some doubt as
to whether the Governor wiz return to ia
maica, his term of service having almost ex-
pired, a considerable number OF valedictOry
addresses have been presented from various
public bodies throughout the island, cVegra-
t~ulating him upon the success Of his admin
i~stration and wishing hin God speed.
Lady Blake has not been forgotten in these
tributes and thanks are rendered to her for the
part which she has played in making the IS
land known by her writings and none tho
less for the genial donhomie which has endear-
ed her to the general public.
After a sitting of two months the LeglSla-
tive Council has adjourned, sine die, and
with one or two exceptions, the members have
left town for their homes. Looking back
upon the work of the session, a slight feel
ing Of disappointment creeps over one. Not
that the two months eloquence has been en-
tirely without result, for some excellent
measures have been passed, but when the
recent election promises are remembered
and the radical reforms in taxation, educa-
ton and all the other matters which were
pledged, it reminds one of the mountain III
labour which brought forth a mouse. A good
deal Of recrimination has passed across the
table and we hope, in future, this will be
avoided and that the privileges of members
will not be abused by gentlemen taking adj
vantage of their position to use language
which they dare not utter elsewhere.
Following the example of some Of tho sis
ter colonies, the Legislative Council have
decided that thirty British policemen shall
be drafted into the constabuiary force, not
so much for the sake Of augmenting the M
merical strength asfor training purposes and
giving illustrations in thief-catching. The
subject has frequently been discussed in these
columns and 1--WE shave invariably advocated
the introduction of freSh blood into the police
force with the idea of introducing more
modern methods and Of notwithstanding
the natives-who simply require teaching-in
their duty. If due care be exercised in the
selection of the men and proper means be
taken to allow them to use their discretion
instead of being tied down by hard and
fast rules and regulations as heretofore, great
good will undoubtedly result and we trust the
already low criminal statistics will be fur
Their reduced.
The centenary of the introduction of Free
masonry into Jamaica was celebrated yestcr-
day and the public interest manifested OF
the occasion was abundant proofOf the pow
or of the Craft in this island. The special
service in the Parish Church, where even
standing room could not be obtained, and the
banquet were Of great interest. The MEM
bers in their regalia presented a fine spectacle
and there can be no doubt but that one inn
mediate effect will be the enrolment Of q
large number of recruits.
A slight mystery attended the departure OF
the United States man-of-war "New York.
which left this port on Tuesday last after
sixteen days stay in the harbour. On the
previous Saturday a cablegram was received
ordering her to the Cayman Islands to pur"
chase the "Kearsage'' relics but on Monday
morning the order was countermanded and
she left on what is alleged to be a cruise.
We understand that her real destination is
Colon and probably the Bluefields difficulty
has something to do with her sailing. While
in the harbour, she was very much admired
and although the allegation in the American
press of her instability and usefulness caused
a little sensation, the interview with Com
mander Philip by our reporter proved that
they we're entirely without foundation.
The new railway extension to Port Anto-
MO will be commenced towards the end Of
this month, the contractors for the work be-
ing already in the island and everything i'll
readiness for the start. The construction of
the new line will be far less difficult than
the old as there are about 80 miles level run
ming out of the 81 contemplated. The Sec