PORT-OF-SPAIN. 287 



are of one or two storeys high. In the lower, or commercial part 

 of the town, they are pretty regularly and closely built, but are 

 more scattered in the upper part, many houses having large lots 

 attached, which are planted with trees or flowers. These dwellings 

 being low, and almost hidden amidst the foliage of the scattered 

 shrubberies, gives a peculiar, and, in some parts, a rather rural 

 aspect to the town. The view of Port-of- Spain, from the harbour, 

 is not imposing, as the ground on which it stands is not more, on 

 an average, than 25 or 30 feet above the sea-level. Vessels 

 anchor from half a mile to one mile and a half, or two miles, from 

 shore ; goods are landed in flats, and so smooth is the water that 

 all kinds of lumber are made into rafts, and towed to the 

 wharves. 



The town of Port-of- Spain is built on a light soil, which permits 

 an easy and quick filtration of the surface-water to the sea. The 

 lower or southern part of the town known as Marine-square 

 consists of land which has been made, or recovered, from the sea 

 within the last forty years. It is effectually protected to the east- 

 ward, against the effluvia from the great Caroni swamp, by the hills 

 already mentioned. Bordering these hills is the dry-river a deep 

 ravine almost always dry, except during some very heavy showers 

 in the rainy season. This ravine may be regarded as an almost 

 irremediable source of noxious effluvia, particularly at its mouth, 

 into which the sea-water flows at high tide, and, by its admixture 

 with all sorts of filth, creates a horrible stench. Nevertheless, 

 Port-of- Spain and its harbour may be considered as healthy. Three 

 bridges establish a communication between the town and the 

 eastern districts ; one of them has been lately built at the terminus 

 of the Royal road. 



The town of Port-of-Spain was divided, in the year 1853, into 

 five wards, each ward electing three councillors to form, together 

 with two auditors for the whole, the council of the borough of 

 Port-of-Spain. The common councillors are merely honorary 

 members, but they elect, from among themselves, a mayor who is 

 entitled to a salary of 300 sterling. Every male person of full 

 age, occupying a house rated to the house-tax at a rental of not less 

 than 20 sterling, within the borough, is a qualified elector ; and 

 every elector paying a house-rent of 75, or being possessed of an 

 annual fixed revenue household or landed of 50 sterling, is 

 eligible to the office of councillor. The revenue of the town con- 



