་ St. Catherine's, A. C. Pringle, 500%. Roman Catholic Church. Bishop, The Right Rev. A. Butler, 2,500. for support of the Church. Wesleyan Missionary Society. Superintendent of British Guiana Branch, Rev. D. Wright, 1,7161. for support of this Mission. Consuls. United States of America, Consul Philip Figgelmedy. Vice-Consul Jas. Thom officer then administering the Government of Jamaica (Mr. Darling), appointing him to be Governor, and to Mr. Seymour, the then Superintendent, appointing him to be Lieut.-Governor of the Colony of British Honduras; these arrangements taking effect from the 12th of May, 1862. By letters patent, bearing date the 2nd Oct., 1884, the officer administering the government was appointed governor and commander-in-chief of the colony of British Honduras, thus severing the relationship which had formerly existed with Jamaica. The Constitution of the Colony was regulated by a local Act of 1870. By this enactment, a Legislative Council was established, consisting of five official, and not less than four unofficial members, to be named by the Queen, or provisionally appointed by the Lieut.Consular Agent in Berbice, T. H. Governor, subject to Her Majesty's approval. The Cameron. son. German Empire, Arthur Weber. France, Henri Ledoux. Sweden and Norway, Jacob Henry de Jonge. Spain, Edward M. Wight. Portugal, Manael F. Camacho. The Netherlands, Elias D. Oliviera. Republic of Venezuela, Elias D. Oliviera. 14004 BRITISH HONDURAS. British Honduras is a colony on the east coast of Central America, bounded on the north by Yucatan, on the west by a straight line drawn from the rapids of Gracias a Dios on the River Sarstoon, to Garbutt's Falls on the River Belize, and thence due north to the Mexican frontierbeing the western boundary, as defined by the Convention of 1859 with Guatemala-on the south by Guatemala, and on the east by the Bay of Honduras. The coast was discovered in 1502 by Columbus, and its early settlement is supposed to have been effected from Jamaica, by adventurers, who were attracted by the fine timber (logwood and mahogany) which grew on the banks of the Hondo and other rivers. From that date until 1798, when the last attempt to establish the sovereignty of Spain over the territory was defeated by the inhabitants, aided by a ship of the Royal Navy, the Spaniards made frequent but ineffectual attempts to expel the woodcutters by force of arms; and treaty after treaty was concluded, which had little other effect than to stimulate the enterprise of the settlers by the recognition, thus step by step accorded, of the footing they had gained for themselves in Central America, without, in the first instance, any thought of territorial aggrandisement, but solely in pursuit of the industry which their fortunes were embarked. Such, in brief, is the political history of the settlement in its earlier days, and the only subsequent events of external significance which need here be noticed, are the definition, as above, of its general boundaries (of which a survey has been partially executed); the frequent border troubles, connected with the revolt of the Indian population of Yucatan against the Spanish inhabitants, the result of which has been that the Indians are now de facto in possession of the country to a considerable distance north of the Hondo; and the quarrels of the Ycaiché and Santa Cruz tribes of Indians, in which it has been involved. In response to a memorial from the inhabitants, and as a matter of internal regulation, it was determined in 1861 to place the settlement in every respect on the footing of a colony, though subordinate to the Government of Jamaica, from which it is distant about 660 miles. A commission was accordingly issued to the official members are the Chief Justice, the Colonial Secretary, the Senior Military Officer (if of or above the rank of major), the Treasurer, and the Attorney-General. The Lieut.-Governor is President of the Council. There is also an Executive or Privy Council, consisting of the Senior Military Officer, the Colonial Secretary, the Treasurer, the Attorney-General. (If below the rank of major the Senior Military Officer ranks last.) The area of the Colony is 7,562 square miles, including Albion Island in the River Hondo, (about 26 square miles), and the Cays, 212 square miles, a large portion of the latter being mangrove swamps without any soil. In its physical outlines it resembles other parts of Central America, the land being flat and swampy throughout the greater portion of the coast line, and gradually rising as the interior is approached, from the Savannah, through the Pine Ridge, the Cahoon Ridge, and the Forest, to the central mountain zone. The The northern district, of which the Hondo forms the natural boundary, is but little raised above the sea; but towards the south the character of the country becomes more elevated, until in the Cockscomb Mountains a height of some 4,000 feet is attained. That district of the Colony remained until 1879 wholly unexplored, when it was traversed by the Colonial Secretary, Mr. Fowler, from Garbutt's Falls on the Belize River, at the western frontier, to the sea coast south of Deep River. country proved to be a succession of valleys and hills, from 1,200 to 3,000 feet above sea level. The westerly portion was an open undulating grassy country, forming magnificent pasturage lands. Towards the coast it was all forest, which was full of valuable timber. No inhabitants were seen, but ancient Indian ruins, consisting of large stone buildings, were discovered. Game abounded in places, whilst in others no sign of any form of animal life was met with. The soil generally was rich, but a few rugged spots were encountered. Some fine gold-bearing quartz veins were discovered, and other indications of minerals were noticed. The Pine and Cahoon Ridges afford abundant pasturage for cattle, and the higher grounds would doubtless produce, at altitudes varying from 600 to 2,000 feet, as marketable a quality of coffee as any that is brought for export from the neighbouring Republics. For the present, however, and until more capital and labour shall have been introduced, and in the absence of roads, it is to the rich virgin soil of the valleys and lower plains that the settlers must look for remuneration from their agricultural pursuits. Upon this soil the most luxuriant crops of sugar are being grown from cane that will ratoon for years. There seems to be no tropical product to which the climate and soil are not adapted. In the forests and wilds are found the cedar, rosewood, bullet-tree, fustic, lignum vitæ, sapodilla, Santa Maria, ironwood, red and white pine, india-rubber and gutta-percha trees, and the sarsaparilla, cochil neal-cactus, Agave or Pita, indigo, and many other useful plants or shrubs. The cocoanut flourishes, as does the Cahoon palm and the ground-nut, locally known by the name of Pinder (Arachis hypogaa), so extensively grown in and exported from Western Africa, which produces an oil equal to olive oil for domestic purposes, and is also excellent as fodder for horses and cattle; and there are the usual varieties of tropical fruit, cereals, and vegetables, plantains, maize, yams, casava, cocoa, and tobacco, to contribute to the food and enjoyment of the people. The cultivation of fruit (bananas and plantains), and its shipment to New Orleans, is gradually extending, and proving remunerative to planters. Fruit trees, spices, and cocoa are being planted, and promise a new field of development. The climate, though damp, is, for the tropics, healthy. Visitations of malignant fever or cholera are of rare occurrence, and an equable temperature, with a prevailing sea-breeze, is experienced throughout the greater part of the year. Land may be purchased from the Crown at 4s. the acre. Revenue. Expenditure. 1884 51,866 53,585 Public Debt, nil. Cigars, per 1,000, 6 dollars. 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., 1 dollar. Lumber, dressed, per 1,000 ft., 1 dollar and 50 cents. Oils, mineral, per gallon, 3 cents. Oils, other kinds not in bottles, per gallon, 6 cents. Opium, per lb., 2 dollars. Spirits, cordials, and liqueurs, not exceeding the strength of proof by Sykes' hydrometer, and in proportion for any greater strength, than strength of proof, per gallon, 2 dollars. Spirits, methylated, per gallon, 1 dollar. Tea, per lb., 12 cents. Confectionery, jewellery, plate and perfumery, according to the invoice value, including the packages, 15 per cent. 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 The population on 5th April, 1881, was reported and tiles, bullion and coin, cane bills, cane knives as follows: 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, uniforms and appointments imported by civil officers, vegetables, fresh, vessels. 1797 Superintendent Colonel Thomas Barrow. 1800 Superintendent General Sir Richard Basset. 1805 Superintendent Lieutenant-Colonel Gabriel Gordon. 1806 Superintendent Lieut.-Col. Alexander Mark Kerr Hamilton. 1809 Superintendent Nugent Smyth. 1814 Superintendent Major George Arthur. 1822 Superintendent Major-General Allan Hampden Pye. 1823 Superintendent Major-General Edward Codd. 1829 Superintendent Major Alexander McDonald (acting). 1830 Superintendent Lieutenant-Colonel Francis Cockburn. 1837 Superintendent Lieutenant-Colonel Alexander McDonald. 1843 Superintendent Colonel Charles St. John Fancourt, K.H. 1851 Superintendent Philip Edmund Wodehouse. 1854 Superintendent William Stevenson. 1857 Superintendent Frederick Seymour. 1861 Superintendent Frederick Seymour. 1864 Lieut.-Governor J. Gardiner Austin. 1867 Lieut.-Governor J. R. Longden. 1872 Lieut.-Governor W. W. Cairns. 1871 Administrator Lieut. Col. Harley, (acting). Head Printer, L. W. Laing, 1207. Assistant Printer, B. Casher, 721. Apprentice, P. Sebastian, £14 88. Inspector of Schools, J. Jackson, 1007. Messenger, £60. Treasury and Customs Department, &c. Keeper of Powder Magazine, S. Haynes, 60%. Postmaster, Orange Walk, T. Perdomo, 127. Judicial Department. Chief Justice and Judge, Vice-Admiralty Court, Attorney General and Advocate in Admiralty, C. R. Hoffmeister, 4007., and private practice. C.B. Registrar of Supreme Court, &c., F. H. Parker, 4007. Clerk to ditto, C. W. Bristowe,1507. Official Administrator, H. C. Usher (fees). Interpreter, Carlos Woods, 1307. Crier and Messenger, 55l. 48. 1872 Lieut.-Governor W. W. Cairns. 1874 Administrator Captain Mitchell, R.M. (acting). 1874 Lieut.-Governor Major Mundy, R.A., C.M.G. 1876 Administrator Captain Mitchell, R.M. (acting). 1877 Lieut.-Governor Frederick Palgrave Barlee, C.M.G. 1882 Lieut-Governor Colonel Sir R. W. Harley, K.C.M G., C.B. 1883 Administrator Henry Fowler (acting). 1884 Governor R. T. Goldsworthy, C.M.G. District Magistrates. Belize, H. C. Usher, 4007. Lands. Surveyor-General, M. J. Griffiths, 3507. Public Works, &c. Colonial Engineer, H. E. P. Cottrell, 500%. Clerk, J. Clarke, 1207. Engine Driver, Dredger, F. Kerr, 967. Keeper Town Clock, E. Craig, 307. Keeper Half-Moon Cay Light, T. Willoughby, 1207. Ditto Mangre Cay, A. Young, 601. Ditto Cay Bokel, H. Arnold, 60%. Ditto English Cay, J. Longsworth, 501. Belize Light, J. C. Murray, 361. Medical. Colonial Surgeon, A. Hunter, 450l., and private practice. District Surgeon, Corosal, G. C. Moutray, 150l., and private practice. Ditto, Orange Walk, G. S. O'Grady, A.M.S., 75l., and private practice. Ditto, Stann Creek, F. E. Gabb, 1007. Intendant, Corosal Hospital, James Roberts, 367. III.-EXECUTIVE POWER. The Executive Government and Authority of and over Canada is hereby declared to continue and be vested in the Queen. The Provisions of this Act referring to the Governor-Generalextend and apply to the GovernorGeneral for the time being of Canada, or other the Chief Executive Officer or Administrator for the time being carrying on the Government of Canada on behalf and in the name of the Queen, by whatever title he is designated. There shall be a Council to aid and advise in Inspector, Captain D. M. Allen, 1st W. I. Regt., the Government of Canada, to be styled the Queen's 3007. Sub-Inspector, F. L. Blancaneaux, 1507. 3 Sergeants, 6 Corporals, and 49 Constables. THE DOMINION. 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 Act, amongst other things, provides as follows: Canada shall be divided into Four Provinces, named Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, aud New Brunswick. The parts of the Province of Canada (as it exists at the passing of this Act) which formerly constituted respectively the Provinces of Upper Canada and Lower Canada, shall be deemed to be severed, and shall form two separate Provinces. The part which formerly constituted the Province of Upper Canada shall constitute the Province of Ontario; and the part which formerly constituted the Province of Lower Canada shall constitute the Province of Quebec. The Provinces of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick shall have the same limits as at the passing of this Act. Privy Council for Canada; and the persons who are to be Members of that Council shall be from time to time chosen and summoned by the GovernorGeneral, and sworn in as Privy Councillors, and Members thereof may be from time to time removed by the Governor-General. The Command-in-Chief of the Land and Naval Militia, and of all Naval and Military Forces, of and in Canada, is hereby declared to continue and be vested in the Queen. Until the Queen otherwise directs, the seat of Government of Canada shall be Ottawa. IV. LEGISLATIVE POWER. There shall be one Parliament for Canada, consisting of the Queen, an Upper House styled the Senate, and the House of Commons. The Senate. The Senate shall, subject to the provisions of this Act, consist of seventy-two Members, who shall be styled Senators. In relation to the constitution of the Senate, Canada shall be deemed to consist of three Divisions: 1. Ontario; 2. Quebec; 3. The Maritime Provinces, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick; which three divisions shall (subject to the provisions of this Act) be equally represented in the Senate as follows: Ontario by twenty-four Senators; Quebec by twenty-four Senators; and the Maritime Provinces by twenty-four Senators, twelve thereof representing Nova Scotia, and twelve thereof representing New Brunswick. The Governor-General shall, from time to time, in the Queen's name, by instrument under the Great Seal of Canada, summon qualified persons to the Senate; and, subject to the provisions of this Act, every person so summoned shall become and be a Member of the Senate and a Senator. Such persons shall be first summoned to the Senate as the Queen, by warrant under Her Majesty's royal sign manual, thinks fit to approve, and their names shall be inserted in the Queen's proclamation of Union. If at any time, on the recommendation of the Governor-General, the Queen thinks fit to direct that three or six Members be added to the Senate, he Governor-General may, by summons, to three or six qualified persons (as the case may be), representing equally the three divisions of Canada, add to the Senate accordingly. In the case of such addition oeing at any time made, the Governor-General shall not summon any person to the Senate, except on a further like direction by the Queen on the like recommendation, until each of the three Divisions of Canada is represented by twenty-four Senators, and no more. The number of Senators shall not at any time exceed seventy-eight. |