SAN FERNANDO. 305 



"that a reservoir might be formed by embanking the open 

 extremity of the Coulee ravine, and thus collecting a considerable 

 amount of spring and surface water. The feasibility of this 

 plan is an engineering question ; but it may be remarked that 

 the porous nature of the subjacent gravel would render careful, 

 perhaps expensive, cementing necessary to prevent leakage. - " 

 I am far from pretending any engineering knowledge, but I have 

 always been under the impression that the gullies around the 

 San Fernando hill might be embanked, and thus made into 

 reservoirs. I deeply regret that the experiment has not been 

 made at the Coulee ravine : had it been successful, how easy to 

 supply San Fernando with water ! Some of the gullies opening 

 at the base of the hill might be embanked in succession, and the 

 springs and wells there existing properly controlled, so as to give 

 a sufficient supply of wholesome water, and, as I imagine, at a 

 reasonable cost. It is objected that the porous nature of the 

 gravel would render the undertaking nugatory; but careful 

 cementing would act as a remedy. I am very much mistaken 

 if they will not be compelled ultimately to adopt the plan here 

 suggested. 



A tramway having been established between the Mission or 

 Princestown and the Cipero landing-place, the Borough Council 

 of San Fernando thought it a profitable undertaking to connect 

 the tramway with the wharf, through the town. Unfortunately, 

 the work was conducted by incompetent persons, and turned out 

 an unpaying concern. The deep trench they were obliged to cut 

 through the borough has, ever since, been a source of anxiety 

 respecting the safety of adjoining buildings, and will, in the 

 future, I fear, give occasion to repeated expenses, unless measures 

 are adopted to prevent the impending evils. The Government 

 has been induced to take over the San Fernando tramway, in the 

 expectation of being able to work it to advantage in connection 

 with the railway, which has just been opened to the public. The 

 terminus is on the wharf. 



San Fernando is about thirty-two miles south of Port-of- 

 Spain ; a daily communication, excepting Sunday, exists between 

 both towns by means of a small steamer ; the passage is three 

 hours ; the cabin fare one dollar ; steerage passengers pay fifty 

 cents. The sea is very shallow off the town, as also along the 

 neighbouring coast, except at Pointe-a-Pierre, and vessels are 

 u 



