Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1913.djvu/1213

 DUTCH WEST INDIES

1091

kilogrammes; rice, 1,993,700 kilogrammes ; maize, 1,323,300 kilogrammes; rum, 797,800 litres ; and molasses, 164,100 litres.

In 1910 the export of gold, mostly alluvial, was 1,055,528 grammes, valued at 1,446,073 guilders. Several com.panies liave been started for crushing operations.

In 1910 there entered 240 vessels of 210,998 tons, and cleared 243 ships of 215,391 tons. Imports and exports : —

Year

Imports

Exports

1907

6,903,608 guilders

5,888,567 guilders

190S

7,036,847

6,033,369

1909

7,215,932

, 6,559,470 ,,

1910

7,424,698 ,,

I 8,815,447

The communication between several districts of the colony is carried on by vessels and small steamers.

British Consul at Paramaribo and Cayenne. — G. Hewett, Vi('e-Cons>'l at Nickcrie. — Chr. Spence.

Curacao.

The colony of Curacao consists of the following islands : —

Squai'e

Population

Miles

Dec. 31, 1910

Curasao

210

32,585

Bonaire

95

6«383

Aruba

69

9,357

St. Martin ^. . ..

17

2,871

St. Eustache ....

(

1,325

Saba

5

1,948

403

54,469

1 Only the southern part belongs to the Netherlands, the northern to France

There is a Governor, assisted by a Council composed of a vice-president and three members, nominated by the Sovereign. There is also a Colonial Council consisting of thirteen members nominated by the Sovereign. The different islands, except Curacao, are under officials called 'gezaghebbers, ' nominated by the Sovereign. In 1909 there were 45,578 Roman Catholics, 6,483 Protestants, 670 Jews. Schools in 1910 about 35 with about 5,621 pupils.

The revenue is derived from import, export, and excise duties, taxes on land, and some indirect taxes. In the Budget for 1913 the revenue is estimated at 677,752 guilders, and the expenditure at 1,017,901 guilders ; the difference is supplied by the mother-country.

The militia (Schutterij) of the Isle of Cura9ao consisted at the end of 1910 of 20 officers and 240 men ; the garrison of 8 officers and 173 men. A vessel of the royal navy is always cruising and visiting the different islands. In Aruba gold and phosphate of lime are being worked under concessions.

The imports of Curasao in 1910 were valued at 3,162,310 guilders; the exports of Curasao and the other islands at 1,716,886 guilders. The chief products are maize, beans, pulse, cattle, salt, and phosphate of lime.

There entered the ports of the different islands in 1910, 3,478 vessels of 912,612 English tons.

British Consul at Curaqao. — J. Jesurun.

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