Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1899 American Edition.djvu/584

 240

THE BRITISH EMPIRE: — HONDURAS, BRITISH

estates. British Guiana is rich in gold. Mining commenced in 1886, and in the 10 years 1886-1896 the returns amounted to 2,796, 300Z. ; the returns for 1895 were 122,936 oz. ; 1896, 123,759 oz. ; 1897, 126,702 oz. ; 1898, 125,080 oz.

—

1893-4

1894-5

1895-6

1896-7

1897-8

Imports Exports ,

£ 1,920,710 2,358,918

£ 1,668,750 2,039,901

£ 1,443,553 1,769,500

£ 1,341,710 1,899,457

£ 1,282,976 1,783,764

Value of imports subject to duty (1896-7), 1,067,220Z. ; duty free, 274,490Z.

Chief imports (1897-98): Flour, 139,107/.; tissues, 156,120Z. ; rice, 95,933Z. ; machinery, 73,381Z. ; manures, 72,597Z. ; fish, 45,859Z. ; coal, 36, 451 Z. ; hardware, 28,336Z. Chief exports : Sugar, 1,023,523Z. ; molasses 9,821/. ; rum, 132,586Z. ; balata, 30,957Z. ; rice, 21,385Z. ; gold, 456,436Z. for 125,080 oz.

The value of imports and exports are in general determined by declarations subject to scrutiny, but for exports of sugar, rum, and molasses the average prices for the year are taken- as obtained from the secretary of the Planters' Association in the Colony. The values are accurate so far as they relate to imports subject to ad valorem duty ; in other cases they are not so reliable. Quantities are ascertained by the Customs officers. The countries re- corded as those of origin or destination are those disclosed by declarations or shipping documents, and may not be the prime origin of imports or ultimate destination of exports.

Imports from Great Britain (1897-98), 740,878Z. ; from British possessions, 145,506Z. Exports to Great Britain, 949,015Z. ; to British possessions, 42,062Z.

In 1897-98 the total tonnage entered and cleared was 621,198. The registered vessels belonging to British Guiana in 1898 were 16 steamers of 1,238 tons, and 116 sailing vessels of 5,065 tons ; total 132 vessels of 6,303 tons.

Railways, 39f miles ; 450 miles river navigation ; good roads. There are 70 post-offices, of which 42 are telegraph offices, 36 money order offices, and 22 savings banks. There are about 546 miles of post-office telegraphs and cables, and a telephone exchange in George Town and New Amsterdam of 610 miles, with 514 subscribers.

Currency : British gold and silver coin with a small circulation of 'guilders,' 'half-guilders,' and 'bits,' local coins.

References : Blue Book of the Colony, and Colonial Report. Annual.

Report of tlie Council of the Institute of Mines and Forests on the Gold and Forest Industries of British Guiana. Georgetown, 1S98.

British Guiana and its Resources. fAuthor not naincd.] 8. London, 1895.

Bronkhxirst (H. V, P.), Descriptive and Historical Geography of British Guiana and West India Islands. 8. Demerara, 1890.

Crookall (Ij.)j British Guiana : Work among Creoles, Coolies, &c. London, 1898.

Im Thurn (E. F.), Among the Indians of Guiana. 8. London, 1883.

Kirke (H.), Twenty-five Years in British Guiana. London, 1898.

Rodway (J.), History of British Guiana. 4. Georgetown, 1893.— Handbook of Britisli Guiana. Georgetown, 1893.— In the Guiana Forest. London, 1894.— Guide-Book for British Guiana. Boston, 1S9S. See also under Venezuela.

HONDURAS, BRITISH.

Governor. — Colonel David M^ilsoii, C.M.O. (8,748 dollars), assiste<l by an Executive Council of four official and three unofficial members, and a Legislative Council consisting of three official and five unofficial members.