592 



GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS 



of money orders issued and drawn were 2228, representing an amount of 

 money, equal to 3299 7s. 6d. The following table will indicate the amount 

 of business conducted by the Nassau Postoffice : 



STATEMENT OF LETTERS RECEIVED AND DESPATCHED AT NASSAU POSTOFFICE 

 FROM 1st APRIL, 1902, TO 31st MARCH, 1903. 



Total number received 223,358 



Total number despatched 165,730 



Total 389,088 



IMPORTANT INDUSTRIES. 



As there are no mines in the Bahamas and no manufactories, 

 aside from small pineapple preserving interests, the people of the Islands 

 depend principally on the sponge-fisheries and agriculture for their livelihood. 



THE SPONGE-FISHERY. 



This is considered the most important industry in the Bahama Islands. 

 In order to gather the crop of sponges during the fiscal year of 1901-2, 265 

 schooners of from five to forty-three tons burden and 322 sloops of from one 

 to sixteen tons burden with an aggregate tonnage of 5952 tons were engaged. 

 Attached to these there were 2517 open boats, while 291 in addition were 

 engaged in the industry along the shores of the Islands. The large sea-going 

 vessels were manned with 5517 men and boys, and the smaller boats along 

 the shore with 445. In clipping, sorting and packing the sponges for export 

 258 men and women were employed. The method of securing and preparing 

 the sponges for market is simple. A sponging schooner cruises over the 

 shallow banks where the sponges grow and sends out its small boats with a 

 man and boy in each. The man lies in the bow of the boat with a water-glass 

 in one hand and a long sponge hook in the other. The boy stands in the 

 stern to scull and guide the boat. As soon as a sponge of the proper quality 

 and size is discovered on the bottom, the fisherman drops his hook, and by 



