is 324 square miles. It is of volcanic formation and very rugged and mountainous. The hills are covered with forest, the highest elevation being Chance's Mtn. (3,000 feet) in the southern part of the island. Plymouth, the chief town, with a population of 1,730, is on an open roadstead on the south-west coast. It is a port of registry, and had, on 31st December, 1935, 5 sailing vessels, total tonnage 91 tons net. Year. Montserrat was colonised by the Irish in 1632; 1933 the French took it in 1664, and levied heavy imposts on the inhabitants; it was restored to England in 1668. It capitulated to the French in 1782, but was restored to the English in 1783. Montserrat possessed a Legislative Council and Assembly as early as 1668. In 1861, these were replaced by a single Chamber of eight elected and four nominated members. By an Act of the Legislative Assembly, dated 24th Dec., 1866, and confirmed by Order in Council 26th Feb., 1867, this Chamber was replaced by a Legislative Council of not more than six nominated members. By Act No. 2, of 1902, which rescinded these Acts, the number of members was limited to four. Ordinance No. 4 of 1909 repealed No. 2 of 1902 and limited the tenure of office of the members of the Council to three years. Ordinance No. 2 of 1911 amended No. 4 of 1999 and increased the number of members to six. Ordinance No. 18 of 1922 amended No. 4 of 1909 and increased the number to eight. Unofficial representation on the General Legislative Council of the L.I. has now been provided for. The cultivation of sugar, once the staple industry of the island, has declined, and Sea Island cotton, tomatoes, onions and limes are now the principal products. Among the other exports may be mentioned lime oils, lime juice, cotton-seed oil, cattle and vegetables. There are twelve denominational schools with 2,839 scholars. The roads of the island have of late years been much improved, and drained by masonry culverts and surface drains; and every year progress is made in these respects. On 7th August, 1899, the island was devastated by a hurricane; and again on 28th August, 1924, and 12th September, 1928. There is telephonic communication throughout the Island; a Wireless Station was erected in 1925. The island is considered to be one of the most healthy of the Antilles. The average rainfall at the Grove Botanic Station, taken for 35 years, is 61.75 inches. 1928 1932 1934 1935 1936 1937 Year. 1928 Civil Establishment. Commissioner, T. E. P. Baynes, O.B.E., 7007. and 1007. duty allowance; furnished residence. Commissioner's Clerk and Clerk of Councils, H. H. Fraser (Junior Clerk). Treasury Department. Treasurer, The Commissioner (ex-officio). Assistant Treasurer, C. R. Meade, 3501. Senior Clerk, J. E. R. Knight. Judicial Department. The British islands (about 32 in number) include Tortola, Virgin Gorda, Anegada, Jost van Dykes, Peter Island, Salt Island, and all others not in the possession of the United States of America. The total area of the British colony is about 58 square miles. A lighthouse is maintained by the Board of Trade on Sombrero, which was first included in the Colony in 1904. The Americans possess St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix. A civil government and courts of justice were established in the Virgin Islands in 1773. In April, 1867, an Ordinance was passed to amend the Constitution of the Virgin Islands. It was enacted that a Legislative Council should be Magistrate, Registrar and Provost-Marshal, The constituted, to consist of the Colonial Secretary Commissioner (ex-officio). Prison Department and the Colonial Treasurer, and not more than three unofficial members, to be nominated by the Administrator of the Government. This Ordinance was repealed May 1st, 1902, since when the Officer in charge of Prison Discipline, the Assistant Governor of the Leeward Islands ordains the Superintendent of Police. laws. There is also an Executive Council. The chief town is Road Town, Tortola, popula tion (1921) 437, which is a port of registry, having, on 31st December, 1935, 8 vessels, registered total tonnage, 77. Road Town, which is well built and clean, is provided with well stocked shops and stores. There is a small modern Hospital with a European Matron in charge. The cultivation of Sea Island cotton, once the principal industry of the Virgin Islands, abandoned in consequence of the low prices, has been recommenced on a small scale. A small quantity of sugar is made for local consumption, also rum. The percentage of trade with the United Kingdom and other parts of the British Empire and the principal Foreign countries is 15%, 5% and 80% respectively. Under the Customs Educational District Officer, H. H. Fraser (is also Tariff the preferential rate charged on imports Clerk to Commissioner). Public Works Department. Superintendent of Works and Roads, The Commissioner (ex-officio). Inspector of Works and Roads, G. V. La Barrie, 2501., travelling allowance 50%. Telephone Department. Superintendent of Telephones, G. V. La Barrie. Agricultural Department. Curator, W. E. Bassett, 2501. by 121. 10s. to 4001., and transport allowance 501.; free quarters. Agricultural Assistant, S. A. Schouten, 2501. by 127. 10s. to 400%., transport allowance 311. and house allowance 361. VIRGIN ISLANDS. The Virgin Islands were discovered by Columbus in 1493; they consist of a cluster of islands to eastward of and adjacent to Porto Rico; the largest in the group belonging to Great Britain is Tortola, which is situated in 18° 27' N. lat., and 64° 39′ W. long. These islands, so far as they are British, became so in 1666. from Empire countries is in general two-thirds of the general rate. A large area of land in the Virgin Islands is well adapted to coconut cultivation, and the existing trees are quite free from any serious insect or fungoid pests. The peasants own and cultivate most of the land in small plots for subsistence. They also raise cattle, and catch fish. They take their produce in small boats to St. Thomas, and this constant sailing among the reefs and currents which surround the Virgin Islands makes them the finest seamen in the West Indies. They are a hardy, intelligent race, remarkably distinct from the inhabitants of the neighbouring islands. Their trade and intercourse is with the Virgin Islands of the U.S., and to a smaller extent with San Domingo and St. Martin. The currency consists largely of foreign money, which circulates at the varying rates of exchange. The climate is more healthy than that of the other West Indies, and the heat not so great. The average annual rainfall at Road Town is about 54 inches. The birth and death rates per 1,000 in 1936 were 38 20 and 18 1 respectively. Large quantities of fibrous plants (agaves and bromelias) grow wild everywhere in Tortola. The mail communication is weekly by Government motor launch to St. Thomas. Mails are also despatched to St. Thomas nearly every day, letters for Europe being usually sent via Porto Rico and New York weekly. 1930 1931 1,568 1932 1,318 3,545 4,539 9,402 1933 1934 1,857 2,426 1935 1,539 2,776 1936 1,987 2,995 2,017 Registration Department. Registrar General of Births, Deaths and Marriages, Civil Marriage Officer, The Commissioner (ex-officio). Post Office Department. Postmaster, Hon'ble C. McA. Stevens. Agricultural Department. | Agricultural Instructor and Curator, Botanic Station, W. C. Roy, 250l. and quarters. MALAYA: STRAITS SETTLEMENTS. Malaya comprises the Colony of the Straits Settlements, the Federated Malay States of Perak, Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Pahang, and the Unfederated States of Johore, Kedah, Kelantan, Trengganu and Perlis. Malaya is also regarded as including the State of Brunei, in the island of Borneo, of which the Governor of the Straits Settlements is High Commissioner and which, like the Malay States in the Peninsula, is in treaty relationship with Great Britain. The Straits Settlements comprise Singapore, Penang, Malacca, and Labuan. The first three were transferred from the control of the Indian Government to that of the Secretary of State for the Colonies on the 1st April, 1867, by an Order in Council, issued under the authority of an Act of the Imperial Parliament (29 & 30 Vict. c. 115). Labuan, a separate Colony since 1846, was incorporated with the Straits Settlements as part of the Settlement of Singapore in 1907, and became a separate Settlement in 1912. Situation and Area. Singapore is an island about 26 miles long by 14 miles wide, containing an area of 220 square miles, situated at the southern extremity of the Malay Peninsula, to which it is joined by a causeway across the Straits of Johore, which are about three-quarters of a mile in width. There are a number of small islands adjacent to it which are included in the Settlement, which now comprises also Christmas Island and the Cocos Islands. The seat of Government is the city of Singapore, at the southern point of the island, in lat. 1° 17′ north, and long. 103° 50′ east. Penang comprises the island of Penang and Province Wellesley. Penang island is about 15 miles long and 11 broad, containing an area of 110 square miles, situated off the west coast of the Malay Peninsula in 5° N. latitude, and at the northern extremity or entrance to the Straits of Malacca. On the opposite shore of the mainland, from which the island is separated by a strait about 2 to 10 miles broad, is Province Wellesley, a strip of territory forming part of the Settlement, about 11 miles in width, and extending 31 miles along the coast, including 10 miles of territory to the south of the Krian river (vide infra), the whole containing an area of 290 square miles. |