THE BAHAMA ISLANDS 561 



profit.^" These regulations further produced and fostered disputes between 

 holders of allotments. Jealousies existed between those on Grand Cay and 

 those on Salt Cay. Objections were made to being subjected to commission- 

 ers who were local men. The position of the commissioner became unde- 

 sirable and odious."" Complaints were made that the number of the shares 

 was too great. New arrangements were necessary. The liberated classes 

 were entitled to come into the possession of head-rights in their own name, 

 and justice demanded that they should be allowed to have their right. 



Changes were undertaken in 1837 in order to meet the demands of the 

 day. All free persons above the age of twelve years were given rights to 

 full shares, those under twelve to half shares. Apprentices were each granted 

 one-sixth of a share. The tenure of the holdings was increased to five years."^ 

 At the second quinquennial distribution the negroes would receive full shares 

 with the rest of the inhabitants. The commissioners were authorized to 

 appropriate the proceeds of 10 per cent of the shares to the general improve- 

 ment of the ponds."' 



Introduction of Long Leases. 



Discontent with these regulations was general. The people at tlie Turks 

 Islands were not content wath the government given them by the Colony of 

 the Bahamas. They liked the regulations of their salt ponds no less than 

 their whole connection with the Bahamas. Complaints were so general that 

 changes occurred again before a redistribution of the ponds, under the five 

 year tenure, was allowed to take place. It was desirable to institvite some 

 regulations by which the shareholders would be induced to make some outlay 

 of capital on improvements. The increased subdivision that had occurred in 

 the old system Avas most objectionable. Experience with the longer leases in 

 the other islands had been satisfactory,'" and the Colonial Land and Emigration 

 Commissioners recommended in 1840 that two-thirds of the improved ponds 

 should be granted for twenty-one years, and that the remaining one-third be 

 granted in smaller lots on leases not exceeding ten years. They recom- 

 mended that a minimum price be fixed for lots of the same size, and that the 



"="' Ds., S. St., 1843, No. 127, also Cockburn to Stanley, No. 127. 

 "'•> 4 Vic, 20 preamble. Cockburn to Russell, No. 29. 

 '" 7 William IV, 11. Ds., S. St., 1843, No. 127. 

 ^= Cockburn to Glenelg, No. 2 <1838). 



•"^-Ds., S. St., 1844, No. 35. Also Sess. P., 1840, 33, p. 69 (143). Report of 

 the Colonial Land and Emigration Commissioners. 

 36 



