190 TRINIDAD. 



" Borough Council of Port-of- Spain. " The franchise, at pre- 

 sent, is, for electors, the occupancy of a house within the 

 borough, rated to the house-tax at an annual rental of not less 

 than twenty pounds sterling ; for councillors and auditors, to be 

 on the burgess list, and to be possessed, as absolute owners or 

 tenants for life, of some household or other estate or freehold of 

 real property assessed to the house-tax at an annual value of no 

 less than £50, or at a rental of no less than £75 per annum. 

 The council is presided over by a mayor. It appears, from this 

 statement, that the town of Port-of- Spain has been in the enjoy- 

 ment of municipal institutions since before the conquest of th< 

 island by the British forces. Similar privileges were granted 

 San Fernando in the year 1840. The qualifications for burgesses 

 are the same as in Port-of-Spain ; for councillors and auditoi 

 they are £30 and £40, instead of £50 and £75. 



When protectors of slaves were appointed, a part of the powei 

 of the commandants was transferred to those officers; in the 

 year 1834 the stipendiary magistrate superseded them in thei 

 judiciary functions ; the appointment of commissioners of roads 

 in 1846, contracted their jurisdiction within still narrowei 

 limits ; and, finally, the ' c quarters " having been consolidatec 

 into wards, in the year 1849, the functions of the commandant 

 ceased entirely; and, let it be remarked, without the slightest 

 compliment on, or remuneration for, their services, althougl 

 several of them had performed their gratuitous, onerous, an( 

 multifarious duties for upwards of twenty years, and had ex- 

 pended much of their private funds in the service of the 

 colony. 



At present the government is somewhat differently consti- 

 tuted from what it was under our first Governors ; and the 

 changes introduced are chiefly due to Sir Henry MacLeod, and 

 to his successor, the Right Honourable Lord Harris. 



Trinidad is a "crown colony," under the control of the 

 Colonial Office, the government of which is administered, locally, 

 through a resident Governor, assisted by an island executive, and 

 a legislative council. On several previous occasions attempts had 

 been made to obtain a representative form of government ; and, 

 for the last time, in the year 1853, but without success; they 

 were opposed both here and at the Colonial Office. 



Executive Council. — It consists of the Colonial Secretary, the 



