MASAYA MARKET.

For many years anterior to the date of this report, Masaya possessed worse market facilities than Granada. It did not have even the corridors of buildings, like its sister city, for the congregation of its market people. They usually congregated in the plaza, under the shadow of the principal church, and there, in the wind and rain, sitting or standing upon the bare ground, awaited their patrons. The matter of a market was considered by the Nicaragua Company (limited), an organization of English capitalists who have varied interests in this Republic, with headquarters in London, and to it is due the edifice that now adorns the city of Masaya.

This structure is very similar in design to that of Granada, and covers the same extent of surface-2 acres. It is entirely completed, and has sixty-four rooms that can be used as stores. There is a large covered way through the center of the building, which is in part for the accommodation of butchers and for the sellers of fruit, salt, and vegetables. The courts of the markets are surrounded with corridors, giving plenty of space for stalls. In the courtyards, are spaces allotted for carts. As in Nicaragua, many vendors come to market with sugar, salt, and plantains and sell direct from their carts, instead of selling from stalls. In connection with the market is a large public kitchen, where the market restauraters can prepare and cook food.

It is the intention of the management to soon introduce water into the building and add public baths.

The edifice was constructed at a cost of $106,000 in gold. It is built of volcanic stone taken from a quarry not far from the site of the market. As this stone is very black, the structure presents an appearance of great antiquity, and if it possessed an altitude greater than one story, would resemble more a castle than a market. The roof is surmounted with a parapet that extends around the entire building. At the main entrance, are two large, iron open-work gates painted dark blue and lined with gold. The market has four entrances, and on each side, there are handsome iron bracket lamps. Throughout the entire structure, in the stores and in the corridors, the floors are laid in Portland cement. The monthly income is $1,150, and the expenses $300.

GRANADA TRAMWAY.

The street railway of Granada was projected about one year ago, and cars were run over the line for the first time in September last. The persons composing the company are citizens of Nicaragua, and, I believe, all residents of Granada. Originally, the idea of a tramway in the city was that of a foreigner, the same gentleman who conceived and carried into effect the Rivas street-car

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73 line. After the company was organized, this foreigner disposed of his interest to the syndicate that now owns the line.

The length of the route is 1 mile 300 yards, extending from the railroad station to the market. The rails and the cars are of American manufacture, the first costing $5,000 and the latter $3,000 in gold. For laying the track, the sum of $3,000 was expended. It cost to bring the cars and rails to the city of Granada from New York, via San Juan del Norte, the sum of $2,000. An expenditure of $2,000 has been made for the purchase of land for the erection of a car shed and necessary offices, which will be erected at a cost of $1,000. Twenty-four mules now comprise the number of animals in service; these animals were bought for $60 per head.

Besides the sums mentioned, the company has expended the sum of $1,000 for incidentals and $1,500 for the rights held by the organizer of the enterprise. The total amount expended in organizing the company and constructing the line, to date, has been $24,740 (soles).

Originally the company was organized on a basis of thirty-five shares, valued at $500 per share. Since beginning and completing the line the company has been compelled to issue five more shares at the former valuation, so that there are now forty shares, representing a capital of $20,000 (soles).

The daily income averages from $13 to $15. On holidays, the earnings reach the sum of $50. The employés number seven, and the daily expenses are about $10.

The cars are the usual pattern denominated in the United States "bobtailed,” though here they use two animals and employ both conductor and driver. According to the opinion of many, the company made a mistake in not having selected open or summer cars, which would be preferable in this tropical clime. At the present time, all the cars run one way, that is, the three cars leave the railroad station at about the same moment and change at the market. This necessitates delay, and in consequence the line is not as popular as it might be. The fare is 5 cents. This innovation has compelled the hack-owners to reduce their fares from 20 cents from the station to any part of the city to 10 cents, and from 30 cents from any part of the city to the station to 15 cents.

MASAYA WATERWORKS.

These works have been in operation since September 1, and were commenced about two years ago. The originators of this enterprise are foreigners, though a large portion of the stock is owned by Nicaraguans. The estimated cost of the plant is $130,000.

The point from which the water is derived is known as Tincuantepe, distant from Masaya 16 miles, and elevated above the city 800 feet. Around the fall of Tincuantepe, the scenery is very picturesque. The water is pure, wholesome, and clear as crystal. At Nindiri, a small Indian village, 11⁄2 miles from Masaya, the company has built an immense reservoir, with an elevation of 140 feet, capable of holding 600,000 gallons. From Nindiri to Masaya, there is a pressure equal to 500 pounds to the square inch.

The mains are of 3 and 4 inch iron pipe. The principal main is laid on Monibo street. Few mains as yet have been laid on the side streets. This company was organized with a capital stock of $126,000; that is, thirty shares, at $4,200 per share. The piping was purchased in the United States. There is every indication to believe that the enterprise will prove a paying one. Masaya has a population estimated at 16,000, and is on the line of the national railroad running from Managua to Granada.

MASATEPE WATERWORKS.

Masatepe is a small village, about one hour and a half's ride from Masaya, and has within and around its confines a population of 10,000. The source of the water supply is Lake Masaya. This lake lies 300 feet below the town of the same name, surrounded, excepting on the western side, by precipitous cliffs, down which three or four rocky paths have been cut. In order to reach a proper level, the water is pumped from the lake to a height of 1,020 feet. The length of the main, that is, from the lake to Masatepe, is 3 miles.

A company was organized to construct these works on a basis of one thousand shares at $25 per share, and it is estimated that the plant cost $25,000.

LEON WATERWORKS.

On the 7th of July last, a concession was granted by the city of Leon to a company for the introduction of water and the erection of the necessary works. A company has been organized, with a capital stock amounting to $107,500, divided into two hundred and fifteen shares, at $500 per share. The municipality of Leon has subscribed for six shares. It is believed that the works will not cost less than $120,000.

The water is to be taken from the Rio Chiquita, distant about half a mile from the city. It is understood that the company, will lay about 13 miles of piping between now and the early part of next year.

The enterprise should be successful, as it has a greater population to draw from than any other portion of Nicaragua. The inhabitants of Leon are supposed to number 40,000.

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75

SAN ANTONIO SUGAR REFINERY.

Upon this enterprise I have already reported, but as the management has made some improvements since that report, it is proper to revert to it again.

The company has just lately purchased a mile of portable railway, costing $5,000 in gold. This machinery was bought in the United States, because it comes free into this country under the reciprocity treaty and because it is superior to all others. The company has also added electrical machinery to its already perfect sugar-refining plant. Electric lights will be placed in the main. building and in the houses set apart for the officers and employés.

The San Antonio Sugar Company is the most important undertaking in Nicaragua, and, I believe, in the whole of Central America. Their object is to revolutionize the sugar industry of these countries, which their capital and extensive plant will well enable them to do.

The gentleman who has charge of the purchasing department of this concern assures me that American pumps and boilers take the lead of all others.

to the needs of the city.

PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS.

The business men of Granada are now considering the advisability of improving their water system. At this time the supply is very limited and inadequate This system will be improved if the gentlemen who have the new venture in hand can induce the old company to dispose of its interests. It is believed that the old company will sell. As soon as the transfer is consummated, the new company will proceed to expend $60,000 in improving the water system and $40,000 for electrical machinery. I am assured that the city of Granada will be lighted by electricity not later than the middle of the year 1893.

Besides the tramway that runs from the station to the market in Granada, it is proposed to construct another from the cemetery to Lake Nicaragua. Those interested in the project have estimated the cost to construct the line at $50,000 (soles).

The young men of Granada are considering the proposition of erecting a hippodrome, where there can be racing and a place for athletic games of all kinds. It is proposed to construct public baths on the shores of Lake Nicaragua, in Granada.

Capitalists of Leon are considering the suggestion to build a tramway through the principal street and to the railroad station.

WILLIAM NEWell,

Consul.

Chapter IX.

RELIGION AND PUBLIC INSTRUCTION.

Nicaragua is a Catholic country, and the constitution recognizes this fact by declaring:

ARTICLE 6. The religion of the Republic is the Roman Catholic Apostolic. The Government protects its practice.

No person is molested, however, on account of religious ideas. Public instruction has been under the immediate and direct control of the Government ever since 1877, and that it is fully alive to the importance of the work is proved by the fact that it expends upon it 8 per cent of its income. Señor Gamez, in his Noticias geográficas, etc., says that the Nicaraguan Government expends for this purpose no less than $18,883.28% per month, or $226,599.38

per year.

Besides the schools supported by the Government, there are others supported by the respective municipalities, and others exclusively private, or established and conducted by private enterprise.

When Señor Gamez wrote (1892), there were 263 Government schools, with 303 teachers, and an attendance of 16,554 pupils; 10 municipal schools, with 15 teachers and 871 pupils; and 37 private schools with 95 teachers and 1,895 pupils; total, 310 schools, 413 teachers, and an attendance of 19,320 pupils.

In addition to the primary schools, there are two "intermediate,” or rather high, schools for boys, and one of the same character for girls, having together 51 teachers (42 for boys, 9 for girls), and an attendance of 1,441 pupils (724 boys, 717 girls).