1879 There are no railways or telegraphs in the Year. Colony, and the easiest communication is by water along the coast. There is regular communication every seven days by mail steamers with New Orleans, Puerto Cortez, and Truxillo; every three weeks with New York and Costa Rica; every five weeks with London and the West Indies; and monthly with Liverpool, the West Indies and Colon. The nearest point in telegraphic communication with Europe is Livingston, Spanish Honduras, whence the steamer takes one day; but the best way to send telegrams is viá New Orleans, U.S. Rates of Postage. FINANCES. Revenue. SHIPPING ENTERED AND $ $ 1880 1881 1882 1883 Letters. Newspapers. Year. 10 2 cents. countries Australia, New Zealand, Natal, Ascension,Cape The coins in circulation are principally Central American silver dollars. Accounts are kept in dollars. There is no paper currency. The 1877 currency is now regulated by the Order in Council 1881 of 15th September, 1887. The standard of value is the Guatemalan dollar, the value of which in the English market in 1889 was about two shillings and tenpence. Honduras, Chilian, and Peruvian silver coins are also current and legal tender, as well as a colonial currency of one-cent pieces, at fixed ratings with the Guatemalan dollar. Dollars are legal tender to any amount, but smaller silver coins only to the extent of 50 dollars, and the cent pieces only to half a dollar. There are no private banks in the Colony. The Government Savings Bank, established in 1846 at Belize (with branches at Corosal and Orange Walk), had, on 31st December, 1888, $40,628 deposited. Education. The schools are denominational, inspected and aided by the Colonial Government. Twenty-six 1,526,115 Table of Customs Duties. Ch. 93 of Consol. Laws. Bacon and hams, per lb., 2 cents. Beef and pork, per barrel of 200 lbs., 1 dollar. Candles, tallow, per lb., 1 cent. Candles, all other, per lb., 2 cents. Cigars, per 1,000, 6 dollars. 1877 817,015 EXPORTS. Year. To U.K. Το $ 687,550 669,885 887,425 708,800 559,983 1,349,709 792,362 Coffee, per lb., 2 cents. Fish, salted, dry, or wet, per 100 lbs. 30 cents. Hay and oats, per 100 lbs., 10 cents. Lumber, rough, except palings, per 1,000 ft., Lumber, dressed, per 1,000 ft., 1 dollar and 50 cents. Oils, mineral, per gallon, 3 cents. 1829 Superintendent Major Alexander McDonald. Oils, other kinds not in bottles, per gallon, 6 1872 Lieut.-Governor W. W. Cairns. cents. Opium, per lb., 2 dollars. Spirits, cordials, and liqueurs per proof gallon, Spirits, methylated, per gallon, 1 dollar. Tea, per lb., 123 cents. Tobacco, per lb., 10 cents. Turpentine, per gallon, 8 cents. Vinegar, in bulk, per gallon, 5 dollars. All other goods, not free of duty, and not otherwise charged with any duty, according to the invoice value, including the cost of the packages, 10 per cent. Goods free of Duty. Agricultural implements, animals living, books printed, not being account, bricks, roofing slates and tiles, bullion and coin, cane bills, cane knives and hoes, cement and lime, coal and coke, cocoanuts, drain pipes, ice, Indian corn, iron roofing, iron fencing, machinery, agricultural, marine, and maufacturing, maps and charts, palings for fences, pitch and tar, plants, seeds, and bulbs, plant or materials for railways, tramways, electric telegraphs or telephones, pumps, and other apparatus for raising water, shooks, staves, heads and hoops, for casks and rum casks, tanks or vats, timber, logwood and other dye-woods, being indigenous to the colony, tortoise shell, unmanufactured, uniform, and appointments imported by civil officers, vegotables, fresh, vessels. Excise Duty. Spirits, &c., manufactured in the colony, per proof gallon, 1 dollar. There are no export duties. Total Customs revenue for 1888, $150,239.84. Administrators of the Government of British Honduras. 1786 Superintendent Col. E. M. Despard. C.B.' 1874 Administrator Captain Mitchell, R.M. (acting) Governor, Sir R. T. Goldsworthy, K.C.M.G., Caretaker of Grounds, "Chang," $252. Colonial Secretary and Auditor General's Department. Chief Clerk, P. B. Wright, $1,100 to $1,250. Treasury and Customs Department, &c. Colonial Engineer A. W. Baber (acting), $2,500. Clerk, W. L. Engström, $600. Foreman of Works (vacant), $780. Keeper of Cemeteries, Jos. Clarke, $300. Engine Driver, Dredger, J. Collins, $480. Keeper Half-Moon Cay Light, J. Martin, $480. Medical. Colonial Surgeon, C. H. Eyles, $2,250, and private practice. District Surgeon, Corosal, C. J. Lyons, $1,000, and private practice. Ditto, Orange Walk, E. Lambkin, $1,000, and private practice. Ditto, Stann Creek, F. E. Gabb, $500. Gaols. Gaoler, Belize, A. W. Hood, $1,450. Constabulary. Commandant, A. E. Kershaw, $2,000. Markets. Clerk, Belize, K. H. Williams, $500. Foreign Consuls. Denmark, C. A. Metzgen Norway and Sweden, Alex. Williamson. Spain (Vice-Consul), J. M. Fronski. Guatemala, C. Melhado (acting). Honduras, J. E. Mutrie. Nicaragua, Jas. Arthur. Ecclesiastical. Anglican Clergy, The Rev. Hugh Nethercott, Rector, St. John's. The Rev. H. Marlow Ward, M.A., The Rev. E. Dodd Tinling, Curate, Roman Catholic Clergy, Father S. D. Pietro, S.J. (Superior). Free Church of Scotland, The Rev. J. Jackson. Wesleyan Methodist, The Rev. W. Tyson, Superintendent. Baptist, The Rev. J. Bryan. No church is established, nor any grants made. BRITISH NEW GUINEA. Situation and Area. New Guinea, the largest island in the world if we exclude Australia, lies some 80 miles to the north of Queensland, between 0° 0' and 12° 0' S. lat., and between 130° 50′ and 154° 30′ E. long. Its greatest length is 1,490 miles, and its maximum breadth 430 miles; its area being about 234,768 square miles. The island is now divided between Holland, Germany, and this country; the area claimed by The boundaries of the Colony are as follows:Great Britain being about 88,000 square miles. E. long, eastward as far as East Cape, and thence The S. and S.E. shores of New Guinea, from 141° N.W. to 8° S. lat. in the neighbourhood of Mitre Rock, together with the territory lying south of a line from Mitre Rock, proceeding along the said 8th parallel to 147° E. long., then in a straight line N. W. to the intersection of 6° S. lat. and 144 E. long., and continuing W.N. W. to the intersection of 5° S. lat. and 141° E. long., together with the Trobriand, Woodlark, D'Entrecasteaux, and Louisiade groups of islands, and all other islands lying between 8 and 12° S. lat., and between 141° and 155° E. long., and not forming part of Queensland; and including all islands and reefs lying in the Gulf of Papua to the north of 8° S. lat. Description. The northern coast of the island is generally hilly, and the mountains stretch away from it inland, rising in some cases to a height of 13,000 or 14,000 feet. The south coast also, to the east of Torres Straits, presents similar features, and a great mountain range appears to stretch across the island approximately along the 4th parallel of latitude. To the west of Torres Straits the south coast is low and swampy, no hills being visible. Over a great part of the island dense forests appear to prevail, clothing the mountains to a height of several thousand feet with timber of enormous height, covered and matted together with a dense undergrowth of brushwood, ferns, and lycopodiums. The coco palm grows every where, and the sago palm abounds on the south coast, and its produce forms a considerable part of the exports of the island. Figs are also common, and ginger, cardamum, betel, pineapple, nutmeg, cotton, and other smaller growths are found. The bulk of the population is of the pure Papuan type, of a sooty brown colour, medium height, and general appearance somewhat negroid. At various points of the coast however the intermixture of of Polynesian and Malayan blood has modified the native Papuan physically and mentally, and the coast tribes as a rule are superior in resources and civilization to those of the interior. Some of the tribes in the north-west, in the Arfak mountains and elsewhere, are very degraded, and with barely the rudiments of social organization; and cannibalism and head-hunting are practised here and there throughout the island. During 1889 the Administrator explored many of the islands on the East Coast, and also ascended the Owen Stanley Range, the crest of which he found to be 13,121 feet high, and named Mount Victoria. A mountain which was named Mount Albert Edward was also discovered to the north of the Owen Stanley Range. The southern aspect of the range was found to be drained exclusively by the Vanapa. The country was found to be full of slate and quartz, but with no trace of gold, and too rough for cultivation. History. The island was first discovered in 1511 by Antonio de Abrea, and was occasionally touched at by the early navigators, but no settlement was made until the Dutch annexed some parts of the western coast in the 18th century, as adjuncts to their Batavian Colony. In 1793 the East India Company formally annexed the island, and formed a small post at Geelonk Bay. This was however soon abandoned. During the present century the coasts have been explored by Dutch, British, and German navigators, and several explorers have penetrated into the interior, but owing to the great natural difficulties to be overcome only a short distance from the coasts has been reached. The whole island to the west of 141 E. long. is claimed by the Dutch as suzerains of the Sultan of Tidore, to whom the tribes along the coast were accustomed to pay tribute. The acquisition of the remainder of the island by this country was long advocated by Australian statesmen, and the growing influence of France and Germany in the Pacific Ocean, coupled with the establishment of a penal settlement by the former in New Caledonia, created considerable alarm lest a country lying so near the shores of Australia should pass into the possession of a foreign power. To prevent this the Government of Queensland annexed the country, on the 4th of April, 1883, but this pro ceeding was not ratified by the Imperial Government, and consequently fell to the ground. The Intercolonial Convention held at Sydney in Nov. and Dec., 1883, passed resolutions urging the annexation of Eastern New Guinea, and undertaking to recommend to their respective legislatures to provide for defraying, in proportion to population, a part of the cost of maintaining the protectorate. Upon this the Imperial Government decided that if one or more of the colonies would guarantee 15,0002. a year they would appoint a high commissioner for the south-eastern part of New Guinea, and take steps for establishing his jurisdiction. The various colonies readily agreed to contribute their quota of the sum required, and on the 6th November, hoisted the British flag at Port Moresby, and 1884, Commodore Erskine, in H.M.S. "Nelson," proclaimed a protectorate over the south coast dary was finally fixed by arrangement with and the adjacent islands. The northern bounGermany. to malarial fever. General Sir Peter Scratchley was appointed Special Commissioner for the Protectorate, and arrived in 1885, but succumbed shortly after He was succeeded by the Hon. John Douglas, C.M.G., formerly Premier of Queensland. At the Colonial Conference in 1887, the Colonies of Queensland, N.S. Wales and Victoria undertook to guarantee 15,000l. a year for the cost of administering the territory, on the would be declared over it, and by the Queensland understanding that Her Majesty's Sovereignty British New Guinea Act, 1887, that colony undertook the necessary payment and the territory was formerly annexed by the newly appointed Administrator, Dr. (now Sir W.) Macgregor, 4th Sept., 1888. The constitution of the colony is regulated by Letters Patent of 8th June, 1888, under which the government is carried on by an administrator, with the advice of an executive council nominated by the Crown, and a legislative council also nominated by the Crown, and consisting of not less than two persons beside the administrator. The correspondence of the administrator with the Secretary of State passes through the Governor of Queensland, and by an order in Council of the 17th of May, an appeal lies in certain criminal and civil cases from the courts of the colony to the Supreme Court of Queensland. Industry. Persons desirous of exploring the country or trading must apply for permits. Vessels trading to New Guinea must proceed to Port Moresby or Samarai, the only ports of entry. No firearms, explosives, or spirituous liquors may be imported, and no settlement or acquisition of land is allowed. The white population numbers about 700, principally engaged in mining and in connection with the "Bêche de mer" fishery. The native population is estimated vaguely at over 150,000. Gold has been discovered at Sudest Island, and some of the other islands on the south-east, and a considerable influx of miners has taken place. The Fiji tariff is in force, with some modifications. (See p. 201.) The Administrator. F. R. Winter and A. Musgrave. The Provinces of Ontario, Quebec (formerly constituting the Colony of Canada), New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia, were by the Imperial Act 30 Vic., c. 3, formed into one Dominion. This Act was brought into force by Royal Proclamation, bearing date the 27th of May, 1867. The essential provisions of this Act are given below. The Governor-General of Canada was by Letters Patent of 1st April, 1870, appointed Governor of Rupert's Land. The admission of Rupert's Land into the Dominion of Canada after the 15th July, 1870, was provided for by Order in Council of the 23rd June, 1870, and the Province of Manitoba was erected out of this Territory by a Canadian Act, 33 Vic., cap. 3. By Order of Her Majesty in Council, dated 16 May, 1871, issued under the authority of the British North America Act, 1867, on Addresses from the Houses of Parliament of Canada and the Legislature of British | Columbia, that colony was incorporated in the Dominion, the union taking effect from the 20th of July, 1871. Prince Edward Island was incorporated by Order in Council, bearing date 26th of June, 1873, on the 1st of July in that year. By an Act passed in 1876, the portion of the N.W. Territories lying to the north of Manitoba was created into a separate Government, under the name of the District of Keewatin. By a Canadian Act, 38 Vic., cap. 49, the territories formerly known as "Rupert's Land" and the North-Western Territory (with the exception of the portion forming the Province of Manitoba), were placed under the jurisdiction and control of a Lieut.Governor and Council, separate and distinct from Manitoba. On the 31st of July, 1880, in compliance Parliament of Canada, dated the 3rd of May, with the prayer of an address from the 1878, Her Majesty issued an Order in Council annexing to the Dominion of Canada, from the 1st of Sept., 1880, such British Newfoundland) as were not previously inPossessions in North America (other than cluded in the Dominion. Constitution. The Executive Government is vested in the Crown, and is exercised by a Governor-General appointed by the Queen, assisted by a Privy seat of government, until the Queen shall otherCouncil chosen and summoned by himself. The wise direct, is Ottawa. The supreme legislative power is vested in a Parliament, consisting of the Queen, a Senate, and 80 members nominated for life by the Governora House of Commons. The Senate consists of General, and so chosen that 24 belong to Ontario, 24 to Quebec, and the remainder to the other provinces of the Dominion. The qualification for senator is the possession of property worth $4,000, age of thirty years, and residence within the province for which he is appointed. The House of Comand has been raised by additions on the accession mons consisted originally of 181 elected members, of new provinces and by the increase in population to 215; 92 representing Ontario, 65 Quebec, 6 British Columbia. 6 Prince Edward Island, and 21 Nova Scotia, 16 New Brunswick, 5 Manitoba, 4 The Territories. The basis on which the number of members allotted to each province is regulated, is that Quebec shal! always have 65, and the other provinces a proportional number according is no property qualification. Each member of the to their population at each decennial census. There of the Commons $10 a day during the session, Senate receives $1,000 per annum, and each member with a maximum of $1,000 per session. ment lasts five years if not sooner dissolved. A parliaElection is by ballot, with a franchise almost equal tends from February to May. to manhood sufferage. The session usually ex For each province there is a LieutenantGovernor, appointed by the Governor-General, and holding office during pleasure, but not removable within five years of appointment, except for provided by the Dominion Parliament, and is cause assigned. He receives a salary fixed ard |