POPULATION. 1 5 



death rate (33'0 per 1,000) being below that of Dublin, and 

 only slightly in excess of that of Paris and Ne.w York. 



The healthiness of Belize, and of the country generally, as 

 Mr. Belt noticed with regard to Greytown, is no doubt due to 

 what appears at first sight an element of danger, viz., the perfect 

 flatness of the ground. " Where there are hills, there must be 

 hollows, and in these the air stagnates ; whilst here, where the 

 land is quite level, the trade-winds that blow pretty constantly 

 find their way to every part, and carry off the emanations of the 

 soil." Many instances could be given of other towns similarly 

 situated, possessing what, may be termed a healthy climate, for 

 the tropics, and evidently arising from the same causes. 



The harbour of Belize is approached by a somewhat intricate 

 passage, amongst the coral reefs>, which abound in the offing .; 

 but it is generally well sheltered, and has a secure anchorage. 

 A project is in contemplation to extend and improve the harbour 

 by erecting a pier and tramway in accordance with suggestions 

 made )py Mr, Siccama, sent out specially for the purpose, and 

 subsequently approved by the Secretary of State. Should these 

 improvements be carried out, Belize will become an important 

 port in this part of the world, and greatly extend the commercial 

 interests of the mother country amongst the Central and South 

 American Eepublics. , 



The total population of the colony in 1881 was 27,452. 

 Of this number 375, or less than 2 per cent., were returned as 

 white, and 27,077 as coloured or black. 



The Europeans, for the most part, are described as birds of 

 passage, business or duty calling them there for a time ; and 

 very few appear to have entertained the thought of making 

 permanent homes in the colony. Some American (white) 

 settlers in the south are, however, an exception. The bulk of 

 the inhabitants known as Belize Creoles are negroes, no doubt 



c; 2 



