the number of Wesleyans in the island as 20,229; ministers seventeen, and churches thirty-seven. The census of 1874 states the number of Wesleyans as 35,702, and the number of churches as forty-two. At present Newfoundland is constituted a separate Conference, with a president, and is divided into three districts-St. John's, Carbonear, and Bonavista. The total number of ministers is fortynine, and of churches forty-four.

Congregationalism in Newfoundland dates from the year 1775, when a church was formed under the Rev. John Jones. He had been originally a soldier in the artillery stationed in St. John's, and having been led to engage in religious work, his ministrations proved so acceptable that on his discharge from his regiment he was ordained in England to be minister of the church in St. John's, which had been planted under his auspices. His labours extended over twenty-one years. He died in 1800. The single church thus organised has maintained itself ever since, and has always sustained a high character for usefulness and zealous Christian work. Its ministers and members have liberally aided other denominations, and shared in efforts to advance the best interests of the community. There are now, in addition to the church in St. John's, a congregational church at Twillingate, another at Rendell Harbour, Trinity Bay, and two mission stations in Fortune Bay. The census of 1874 gives the number of congregationalists in the island as 461. Of late years they have taken an active part in education in proportion to their numbers, having in operation five elementary schools, with an average attendance of 207, and expending $884 per annum in the support of these schools.

The first Presbyterian church was organised in 1842. Previously the Presbyterian residents of St. John's had worshipped with the members of other Christian churches, but they then formed themselves into a distinct body, and

erected a church, which was opened for public worship on December 3rd, 1843. Their first minister was the Rev. Donald A. Fraser, a man of considerable gifts and attainments, whose labours were cut short by death in 1845. The congregation numbered about five hundred persons, some of the most intelligent, influential, and wealthy residents being members. The causes which had led to the disruption of the Established Church of Scotland at length produced a division among them; and the portion sympathising with the Free Church of Scotland separated in 1848, and erected a second Presbyterian church, which was opened for worship in 1850. In 1855 a third Presbyterian church was erected in Harbour Grace. In 1876 both the Presbyterian churches in St. John's were destroyed by fire. The two congregations being now under the same ecclesiastical jurisdiction, namely the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Canada, resolved on union, which was effected in 1877. On the 18th of June, 1878, the corner-stone of St. Andrew's church was laid. It is a handsome structure, and was completed at a cost of $40,000, and opened for worship on the 30th of November, 1879.

In addition to the foregoing, there is a Presbyterian church and mission station at Little Bay Mine, also a mission church at Bay of Islands. The total number of Presbyterians, according to the census of 1874, is 1,168.

CHAPTER VI.

THE POST-OFFICE, CONSTABULARY, LIGHTHOUSES, BANKS, ETC.

The mail service-Cost of the postal department-The police force -Thirty-two lighthouses and beacons-The light dues-Bank statistics.

POSTAL communication between St. John's, Britain, and America is maintained by the Allan Line of steamers which touch at St. John's fortnightly, on their outward and homeward voyages between Halifax and Liverpool. During three winter months these steamers omit calling at St. John's, and run direct between Liverpool and Halifax. A fortnightly steamer during those months runs between St. John's and Halifax, carrying passengers and mails. There is thus fortnightly mail communication throughout the year with Britain and America.

Local postal communication between St. John's and the various towns, villages, and settlements is maintained by coastal steamers, waggons, boats, and messengers. During summer communication is maintained between St. John's and the principal northern ports by a fortnightly mail steamer, which connects, during part of the season, with the Labrador mail steamer at Battle Harbour. In winter there is an overland mail monthly. Another coastal steamer

runs fortnightly between St. John's and the southern and western ports during the year. A steamer plies on Conception Bay during nine months of the year.

In the post-office, St. John's, the staff consists of the postmaster-general, four clerks, an assistant-clerk, and mail agent for Labrador, two assorters, and two letter-carriers. There is also a superintendent of the money-order office. There are throughout the island twenty-six postmasters and ninety-two way officers. The annual cost of the postal department is $28,334.

The constabulary consist at present of one general superintendent, one sub-inspector, four head-constables, twelve sergeants, ninety constables, and six cavalry, including a mounted sergeant.

The force is organised, equipped, and disciplined in every respect similar to the Royal Irish Constabulary; and, properly speaking, it is a military as well as a civil force, being thoroughly drilled in the use of arms, etc.

This force was first organised after the withdrawal of the military in 1871, by the late general-superintendent, Mr. Foley, selected by the Home Government, who died when the force was only in its infancy. The present general-superintendent, Mr. Carty, who was also selected by the Home Government, and succeeded Mr. Foley in 1873, has carried out the organisation so successfully that, at the present moment, the Newfoundland Constabulary is a splendid body of men, and considered far superior to any other force in any of Her Majesty's colonies, and second only in efficiency, zeal, and intelligence to the Royal Irish Constabulary.

The constables are drilled and instructed in their various police duties at Fort Townsend, which is the headquarters; and the best and most efficient men are always selected for the out-harbour stations, which number at present thirtyfour.

The force is increasing in numbers from year to year, and the greatest confidence is placed in their zeal and efficiency by the inhabitants of the colony in general, so much so that almost every settlement in the colony is loudly demanding their services.

The permanent force at St. John's consists of fifty men; and on all public occasions a guard of honour is furnished from the force of cavalry and infantry.

The annual cost of the magisterial and police department is $64,702.

The coast of Newfoundland is now well lighted, and every year witnesses an increase of lighthouses and other valuable means of securing the safety of its large seafaring population. At present there are thirty-two lighthouses and beacons, and four fog signals at the most dangerous. points around the shores. During the last eight years the Government have erected no less than seventeen lighthouses and fog alarms, with other appliances for preserving the lives and property of the people, at a cost of $86,100. The erection of all these thirty-two lighthouses has been the work of the last forty-seven years. In 1813 a lighthouse was placed at Fort Amherst, at the entrance of St. John's harbour. No further effort was made to light the coast till 1835, when the local Legislature passed an Act for the erection of a lighthouse on Cape Spear, five miles south of St. John's, and for another at Harbour Grace. Cape Bonavista lighthouse was built in 1843; Cape Pine in 1851; Cape Race in 1856; Baccalieu in 1859; Cape St. Mary's, 1860. In 1872 a powerful steam whistle was placed at Cape Race; in 1877 a powerful siren trumpet at Cape St. Francis; and at Cape Spear a compressed air trumpet. These are sounded day and night during the continuance of thick weather or snow-storms. A 32-pounder gun is placed at Fort Amherst, and discharged every hour during daylight when the cape is enveloped in fog.