Page:Statesman's Year-Book 1913.djvu/970

 848 FRANcli: : — Martinique — st. pierre and miquelon

There is little agiicultme in the colony; only about 8,800 acres are under cultivation. The crops consist of rice, maize, manioc, cocoa, coffee, suo-ar-cane, indigo, tobacco, and gutta percha. The most important industry is gold-mining (placer) ; the quantity of gold declared produced was in 1906, 117,470 oz. ; in 1907, 135,059 oz. ; in 1908, 131,758 oz. ; in 1909, 127,416 oz. ; in 1910, 123,168 oz. (troy). Silver, iron, and phosphates are also worked. The exports consist of cocoa, phosphates, various woods, gold, rosewood essence, and hides. In 1910, 314 vessels of 60,113 tons entered at Cayenne. The total imports in 1910 were valued at 12,213,420 francs, and the exports at 11,567,168 francs. Gold ore valued at 11,549,190 francs was exported in 1910. Cayenne is visited twice a month by mail steamers from Martinique. There are a few roads connecting the capital with various centres of population in the interior. Since 1855 Guiana has had a penal settlement for habitual criminals and convicts sentenced to hard labour. In 1910 the penal population consisted of 4,290 transported and undergoing reclusion ; 2,614 relegues, and 1,755 freed. In the local budget for 1909 the revenue and expenditure balanced at 3,497,394 francs. Theexpenditure of France (budget of 1912) was 6,422,622 francs, of which 5,893,200 francs was for the penal establishment.

The Bank of Guiana, with a capital of 600,000 francs, Avith statutory reserve fund amounting to 300, 000 francs, advances loans for agricultural and other purposes.

British Gonsid at Cayenne. — H. Fourrage.

MARTINIQUE.

The colony is under a Governor, a General Council, and elective municipal councils. It is represented by a senator and two deputies. Area 385 square miles, divided into 31 communes ; population in 1911, 184,004. The military force consists of 17 officers and 394 men. There is a law school (at Fort-de- France) with 56 students ; 2 secondary schools, with 671 pupils ; 2 normal schools with 27 pupils ; primary schools, with 16,889 pupils (including 7 private schools). Chief commercial town, Fort-de-France (population, 27,019). Sugar and cocoa are the chief ])roductions, then come coffee, tobacco, and cotton. There are 12,000 hectares under the food-producing crops. Tobacco culture is under special regulations. There are 15 sugar works and 67 rum distilleries. In 1911, sugar to the value of 485, 098^., rum to the value of 268,652Z., and cocoa to the value of 41,854Z. were exported. The total imports in 1911 were valued at 794,194i^. and the exports at 903,309Z. Vessels entered in 1911, 390 of 387,330 tons, and cleared 389 of 393,107 tons. The island is visited regularly by the steamers of French and American companies. For local traffic there are subsidised mail coaches ; and subsidised steamers ply on the coast. The colony is in telegraphic communication with the rest of the world by telegraph cables. The local budget for 1912 balanced at 5,326,390 francs; expenditure of France (budget of 1913), 1,187,534 francs ; debt outstanding, January 1, 1912 4,474,210 francs. The Bank of Martinique at Fort-de-France with a capital of 3,000,000 francs and a reserve fund of 2,001,411 francs in 1912, advances loans for agricultural and other purposes.

British Consvl at Martinique. — H. J, Meagher.

ST. PIEERE AND MIQUELON.

The largest islands of two small groups close to the south coast of New- foundland. Area of St. Pierre group, 10 sq. miles; population in 1911, 4,209 ; area of Miquelon group, 83 sq. miles ; population, 443 ; total area,