488 TKINIDAD. 



same disadvantages as the old propietary body of the island, will 

 be ultimately roused to a sense of their own interests, and adopt 

 some better system for the management of their properties. The 

 following would be, in my opinion, the best and most advan- 

 tageous, both for that class of proprietors and for the general wel- 

 fare : The manager should become a participator in the net 

 profits of the estate : but, as it would be but justice to insure to 

 him a regular maintenance, he should also receive a small fixed 

 salary say of 500 dollars in addition to 10 per cent, of the net 

 proceeds. Under this system, the manager would have the sole 

 and entire superintendence of the property, except in such cases 

 in which material changes should be required, such as alterations 

 in the general disposition of the buildings, apparatuses, &c. He 

 should be allowed to procure his supplies at the lowest rate, 

 instead of drawing them from the attorney's store. The attorney 

 would be furnished with the pay-lists and all other accounts ; he 

 would ship the produce and pay the necessary duties and expenses 

 thereon, as also all amounts due by the manager in service of the 

 property, after being furnished with authentic vouchers. The 

 manager would prepare a detailed estimate of probable expendi- 

 ture for the ensuing twelvemonths from the 1st of July, each 

 year. On the other hand, he should be entitled to demand and 

 receive exact accounts of the sales and proceeds of produce. 



This plan is simple, just, and safe. The manager, placed in 

 this position, will have the same interest in the estate as the pro- 

 prietor himself. Some prospects will be thus afforded him of im- 

 proving his condition by industry ; he will be encouraged to settle 

 himself comfortably in marriage, and may, eventually, become a 

 proprietor in his own right ; also, in case the absent proprietor 

 should be desirous of parting with his estate, he could safely enter 

 into an advantageous arrangement with his former manager. 



Now it is evident that the absentee proprietor cannot adopt 

 the proposed plan if the class of managers, generally, do not offer 

 sufficient professional guarantees. The formation of an agricul- 

 tural school, and certificates delivered by the "Central Committee," 

 would afford such guarantees ; and the adoption of the proposed 

 plan would also be a powerful inducement to the youth of the 

 colony to improve themselves in the science of agriculture and the 

 art of husbandry. 



