298 TRINIDAD. 



When they became aware of the determination of the 

 Government to check squatting, they sent to the acting 

 Governor, Mr. Rush worth, a memorial, in which they represented 

 their case fairly enough, alleging that they had had the undis- 

 turbed enjoyment for many years of their holdings, acquired in 

 some instances by inheritance or by purchase from former occu- 

 piers, pleading long occupation and the payment of ward rates 

 for a number of years, as some justification for their belief 

 that they were in legal possession. While declaring their 

 inability to pay the whole amount of the value of the lands 

 occupied by them, they expressed their readiness to pay for 

 the same by annual instalments, to extend over a period of 

 four years, under such restrictions as might be imposed upon 

 them. 



After some hesitation, the following arrangements were 

 made : — In justice to the bond fide occupiers, the holdings were 

 not put up for competition. To those who preferred to pay by 

 four equal instalments, the land was sold at £2 per acre ; those 

 who were prepared to pay cash, or within the year, were allowed 

 to purchase at the rate of £1 an acre. 



Such among the squatters as had cacao plantations were 

 entirely dependent for the necessary supplies for the support of 

 themselves and families on merchants in the town, who made 

 advances against the coming crop. This incident greatly aided 

 in settling the question. Those merchants and others who had 

 advanced money, finding that the Government was prepared to 

 make arrangements with the squatters, readily advanced the 

 purchase-money, in order to secure their debt and prevent the 

 holdings passing into other hands. 



Many actually occupied a larger extent of land than they 

 had declared; so that the Government judged it necessary 

 to have nearly all the lots re-surveyed. The whole affair was 

 conducted with prudence, firmness, and forbearance; and great 

 indulgence shown throughout to the squatters, especially to 

 those who had families, and evinced their readiness to comply 

 with the law. In less than five years, the whole district was 

 formed into a prosperous ward. Only two persons, having 

 declined to comply with the orders of the Government, were 

 ejected from their holdings. 



The success which accompanied the measures enforced at 



