HISTORICAL SKETCH. 469 



embryo measure, and has been gradually developed into a com- 

 prehensive mature scheme which, I believe, leaves little room for 

 further improvement. 



With regard to the management of the crown lands, great 

 hesitation may be said to have prevailed since the abolition of 

 the Court of Intendant. This court, as existing under the 

 Spanish Government, was assisted by the Surveyor General or 

 Commissary of Population, a well-organised department. It 

 was finally done away with in 1868, and an Ordinance passed 

 "for regulating the sale of crown lands.' ' Regulations were 

 made at different times, lastly by our present Governor, Sir 

 Sanford Freeling ; they are, in my opinion, well digested and 

 comprehensive. 



In all countries the construction and maintenance of public 

 roads are subject to fixed rules. It was not so in Trinidad ; for 

 many years they were left in the hands of incompetent persons 

 having no notions of civil engineering ; road boards, either 

 central or local, were established with certain powers, and soon 

 after changed, because they were unsuccessful in their efforts to 

 perform the work to the satisfaction of the tax-payers. The 

 roads of the colony have been lately placed under the charge 

 and superintendence of the Director of Public Works, and the 

 direction of qualified officers. It is to be hoped that no more 

 important changes will be required. 



