PORT-OF-SPAIN. 273 



did not fail, at the time, to sneer at the folly and extravagance 

 of the Government, though the work was avowedly commenced 

 with the object of filling up and doing away with a long 

 swampy belt, which extended from the tolls-gate to the 

 Almond Walk, a distance of nearly half a mile, and which 

 was a permanent source of insalubrity; and had not the 

 work been completed, it is difficult to say where and how we 

 could have established the railway terminus in Port-of-Spain. 



The town is effectually protected to the eastward against the 

 effluvia of the great Caroni swamp by the hills forming the 

 eastern spur. Bordering on these hills is the Dry river — a 

 deep ravine almost always dry, except during some heavy 

 showers in the rainy season. The Ariapita or St. Ann's river 

 had primitively its course through the town, about where 

 Brunswick Square and Trinity Church now stand. In the 

 year 1787 it was diverted to its present bed by order of 

 G overnor Chacon, with a view to improve the town. It may 

 be said, however, that the object he had in view was not attained, 

 since the Dry river may, in our days, be regarded as an almost 

 irremediable source of noxious effluvia ; it is a receptacle for 

 filth. Nevertheless, Port-of-Spain and its harbour may be 

 considered as healthy. Seven bridges establish a communication 

 across the Dry river with the neighbouring districts. 



The town of Port-of-Spain was divided, in the year 1853, 

 into five wards, each electing three councillors to form, together 

 with two auditors for the whole, the council of the borough 

 of Port-of-Spain. Every male person of full age, occupying a 

 house rated to the house-tax at a rental of not less than £ZQ 

 sterling within the borough is a qualified elector; and every 

 elector paying a house-rent of £75, or being possessed of an 

 annual fixed revenue — household or landed — of £50 sterling, is 

 eligible to the office of councillor. The revenue of the town 

 consists of the house-tax, market dues, revenues from real 

 property, and licences ; total, in 1880-81, 74,427 dollars. The 

 annual expenditure is for salaries of officers, streets, charities, 

 hospital dues, lighting the town, &c. ; total, 74,271 dollars. 

 The councillors elect the mayor every year, on the 3rd of 

 November. 



Port-of-Spain is supplied with water from the St. Ann's and 

 Maraval rivers. Three reservoirs have been constructed in the 



