WEST INDIES' 66s 



Indians brought to the Colony under indenture, and 622 who returned to India after 

 the expiration of their indenture. The birth rate was 31.8 per thousand, and the death 

 rate 20.5. The health conditions show steady improvement. During 1911 there were 

 only two fatal cases of yellow fever, and twelve cases of plague. 



Cocoa and sugar represent the chief products of Trinidad. Coconuts also 

 engage widespread attention, and this remark holds good with regard to rubber, large 

 areas being planted under Castilloa, Funtumia and Hevea brasiliensis. During 1910-11 

 7376 Ib of rubber, valued at 1395, were sent out of the Colony. Fruit, principally bananas, 

 is cultivated, but the progress of this industry was arrested during 1910-11 by the uncer- 

 tainty (now remedied) as to the continuance of a regular steamship service providing cold 

 storage. Minor industries are greatly encouraged in Trinidad by means of the dis- 

 tribution of plants and seeds from the Botanic Stations, at reasonable rates. 



The establishment and progress of the oil industry represents one of the most striking 

 developments within recent years of industrial activity in the tropics. The most 

 important borings are located in the South-western portion of the island, in the vicinity 

 of the celebrated Pitch Lake, which for many years has provided immense quantities 

 of asphalt exported largely to Great Britain and the United States, a principal source 

 of the Colony's economic wealth. The use of oil fuel in the British Navy promises to 

 enhance the importance of Trinidad as a British possession. During the financial year 

 1910-11 considerable advance was made in the industry, drilling being commenced on 

 private lands at five centres. An aggregate depth of 15,347 feet was drilled, the 

 number of wells in progress being 22. Thirteen have yielded fair results. Since 

 prospecting commenced a total depth of 32,972 feet has been drilled, the number of 

 wells being 44. The area affected by approved licences comprises 78,237 acres. 



In addition to the oil and asphalt industries, maniak mining is carried on, and limestone 

 quarries are worked. The manufacture of sugar and rum and molasses is an important 

 characteristic of the colony's industry; apart from the quantity exported, about 8,000 tons 

 of sugar (valued at 135,000) and 335,045 gallons of rum (valued at 29,000) were manu- 

 factured for local consumpcion in 1910-11. Also five million coconuts were used locally in 

 the manufacture of 85,000 gallons of oil, valued at 16,000, nearly all of which was con- 

 sumed in the colony. 



Imports were valued at (1909) 3,288,826, (1910) 3,343,011; exports (1909) 3,218,092, 

 (1910) 3,467,588. The increase in imports in 1910 as compared with 1909 is made up of 

 30,743 under raw materials (principally coal and lumber) and 83,719 under manufactured 

 articles (chiefly machinery for the oil fields), less a decrease of 6,657 under live stock, food, 

 etc. The growth of the coaling business of Port of Spain, the capital, is a striking feature of 

 the Colony's trade. In 1910, 80,067 tons were imported (as compared with 23,235 tons in 

 1906-07) ; 44,295 tons being supplied to vessels (as against 6,703 tons in 1906-07). The value 

 of machinery imported in 1910 was 122,788, as compared with 52,676 in the previous 

 year. The raw material chiefly imported is coal, patent fuel, manure and lumber. The 

 chief importing countries were: the United Kingdom, 936,427; United States, 860,903; 

 Venezuela 233,086; Canada, 134,609. The principal exports were: cocoa, 1,230,097; 

 sugar, rum and molasses, 743,969; coconuts and copra, 85,358; fruit, 19,952; asphalt, 

 179,146. The chief countries taking the exports were: United States, 919,047; United 

 Kingdom, 599,240; France, 483,211; Canada, 354,484. 



The revenue in 1909-10 was 853,565, and in 1910-11, 948,383; the expenditure 

 (1909-10) 863,253, (1910-11) 927,033. The revenue for 1910-11 was the largest ever 

 collected in the colony, the chief increases being under customs (67,340) and licences (24,- 

 770). As regards expenditure, the recurrent expenses amounted in 1910-11 to 843,050 as 

 compared with 798,262 in the previous year, whilst the extraordinary (public works, roads 

 and bridges) amounted to 83,984 as against 64,991 in 1909-10. The surplus balance was 

 104,925 on March 31, 1911; assets totalling 606,630 and liabilities (exclusive of funded 

 debt) to 591,705. The funded debt stood on the same date at 1,051,093, and the sinking 

 funds at 174,426; a loan of 450,000 has also been authorised by Ordinance. 



The' elementary schools, exclusive of private schools, numbered 263 on March 31, 1911, 

 Government schools totalling 53, and assisted schools 210. The assisted schools are as 

 follows: Roman Catholic 79, Anglican 51, Presbyterian Canadian Mission 56, Wesleyan 

 12, Moravian 12. Children on the rolls totalled 47,661, the average daily attendance stand- 

 ing at 27,083. The expenditure on elementary education from public funds amounted to 

 51,111. Practical agriculture and nature study are taught in nearly all primary boys' or 

 mixed schools. Secondary education for boys is provided from public funds at Queen's 

 Royal College (Port of Spain), and two affiliated schools, St. Mary's College (Port of Spain) 



