Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1899 American Edition.djvu/592

 244 THE BRITISH EMPIRE: — WEST INDIES Hatton(J.) and Harvey (M.), Newfoundland: Its History and Present Condition, Ac. 8. London, 1883. Hind, Explorations on the Coast of Labrador. 2 vols. 8. London, 1863. Pedley (Charles), History of Newfoundland. 8. London, 1863. Prowse (D. W.), A History of Newfoundland. 2d. ed. London, 1897. Roberts (C. G. D), The Canadian Guide Book. Pt. I. Eastern Canada and Newfound- land. 8. London, 1892. Willson (W. B.), The Tenth Island. London, 1897. St. Christopher, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Sombrero, Tobago, Trinidad, Virgin Islands. See West Indies. WEST INDIES. The British West Indian possessions fall into six groups, which are noticed separately, while the statistical results are ex- hibited in general tables for convenience of comparison. The groups are — (1) Bahamas, (2) Barbados, (3) Jamaica with Turks Islands, (4) Leeward Islands, (5) Trinidad with Tobago, (6) Wind- ward Islands. BAHAMAS. Governor.— Sir Gilbert T. Carter, K.C.M.G. (2,000Z.), assisted by an Executive Council of 9, a Legislative Council of 9, and a representative Assembly of 29 members, electors requiring to have a small property qualification. A group of twenty inhabited and many uninhabited islands and rocks off the S.E. coast of Florida. Area, 5,450 square miles. Principal islands — New Providence (containing capital Nassau), Abaco, Harbour Island, Great Bahama, St. Salvador, Long Island, Mayaguana, Eleuthera, Exuma, Watling's Island, Acklin's Island, Crooked Island, Great Inagua, Andros Island. Total population (1881), 43,521 (11,000 whites); in 1891, 47,565. Births (1897), 2,141 ; deaths, 1,178. Population of New Providence, 11,000. There are (1897) 43 Govern- ment schools with 5,777 pupils on the rolls, and average attendance of 3, 894'1, and 11 aided schools with attendance of 958 pupils ; Government grant, 4,500Z. ; 31 Church of England schools with 1,766 enrolled pupils ; 28 private schools with 706 enrolled pupils. In 1897, 1,771 persons were con- victed summarily, and 12 in superior courts. Sponge-fishing produced 90,111?. in 1897 ; shells, pearls, and amljergris were also obtained. Fruit culture is on the increase ; in 1897 pineapples were exported, valued at 24,58H., including preserved pineapples. The orange crop (1897) was valued at S,S98l. Fibre cultivation is rai)idly spreading. In January 1893, over 20,000 acres had been planted out with sisal plants. In 1897, 4,371 lbs. of cotton were exported, valued at 761. The total land granted in the colony amounts to 347, 976^ acres. A joint stock bank came into operation on June 1, 1889. The Post Office Savings Bank receipts in 1897 amounted to i,157l. Ss. lid.; and in that year, 173,068 letters, 3,483 post-cards, and 113,456 papers passed through the Post Office. BARBADOS. Lies on the E. of the Windward Islands. Governor.— Sir James Shaw Hay, K.C.M.G. (3,000Z. and 6001. table allowance), with Executive Council, Executive Committee, Legislative