20 PORT BLAIR 



On the summit stands the pleasant-looking residence of the 

 Chief Commissioner ; the church, and the barracks (architecturally 

 modelled on Windsor Castle) for European troops ; both the latter 

 built of a handsome brown stone quarried on the mainland. 

 Below these come the mess, containing a fine library and some 

 beautiful examples of wood-carving executed by Burmese convicts ; 

 then the brown -roofed bungalows of the Settlement officers, all 

 bowered in tropic foliage, amongst which graceful palms and 

 traveller's trees stand prominently forth ; and lower still, near the 

 sea, are the treasury, commissariat stores, and other Government 

 buildings. The whole place — in itself of much natural beauty — is 

 kept in most perfect condition by a practically unlimited supply 

 of convict labour. 



At first sight, it seemed an altogether delightful spot to find 

 in such an isolated corner of the earth ; but its melancholy aspect 

 is quickly and forcibly brought home to one by a visit to the jail 

 on Viper Island, and by the continuous presence of the convicts, 

 who are rendered conspicuous by their fetters, or neck-rings, 

 supporting the numbered badges by which the wearers are 

 distinguished. 



As usual with our countrymen, " when two or three are 

 gathered together " in distant portions of the world, plentiful facilities 

 for outdoor amusements have come into being. There are cricket 

 and tennis grounds — the latter both concrete and grass — near 

 which a band of convicts discourses very fair music several times 

 a week. There is a sailing club too, and nearly every Saturday 

 throughout the year races for a challenge cup are held in the 

 breezy harbour, at which a score of various craft are often found 

 competing ; and the Volunteer Rifle Corps has some thirty 

 members, who compete with gun and revolver for a numerous 

 list of prizes and trophies. Good salt-water fishing is to be had 

 with the rod, for fish in great variety are everywhere abundant ; 

 and on the mainland, near Aberdeen, golf and hockey are 

 played. 



With all this, it is probable that the gentler sex find things 

 somewhat dull at times, for shopping, in the feminine sense of 



