218 Timehri. 
I mention it, as nothing struck me more forcibly than the cheerfulness with 
which the scheme was accepted by many without examination of the cost, and 
the recklessness with which the very idea was rejected by others without the 
most cursory examination. Two phenomena were prominent in the discussions, 
first, a high degree of optim'sm as to the possibilities of the interior in those 
whose lives had been spent among its rivers and savannahs (I do not think 
I am indiscreet in mentioning among those Mr. Michael McTurk, C.M.G., 
lately Protector of Indians, a recent accession to this Society); secondly, an 
unfathomable depth of pessimism and scepticism in those who had never 
left Georg town except for a carriage drive or a steamer excursion. 
This colony should not rely solely on eit her the enthusiastic optimists or 
the invincible pessimists. The careful collection of the data should be the 
aim of those whose interests are involved, also the scientific examination of the 
financial aspect of any scheme. No scheme acceptable on other grounds should 
be rejected summarily on the assumption that we cannot afford it until it i 
clear that we can do better elsewhere or that sound finance does not justify 
our acceptance. Actuarial and financial experience is not scarce in the colony. 
Nothing should be done or be allowed to be done in a corner. 
Witp-cat Company PROMOTING. 
But if the country is to be opened up on a large scale by any big scheme of 
construction the matter must be dealt with on business lines ; a certain amount 
of risk and expense are unavoidable. Largesums of money can only be raised 
on known conditions—either through the attractive demonstration of resources 
which can be promptly marketed or by the securing of the capital permanently 
or during the initial stages of development. No one face to face with the 
experience of the Demerara Railway will favour any demand for a permanent 
guarantee. But we must not fancy that capital is only waiting the oppor- 
tunity to pour into this country to complete any accepted scheme. Capital- 
ists, in Great Britain at all event:, are neither philanthropis's nor reckless 
gamblers, and we are handicapped here by an evil, if undeserved, reputation as 
to clima’e and by lack of prestige due to the vicissitudes of our staple product. 
More recently we have begun to suffer from wild-cat company promoting in 
which the escutcheon of this conservative colony has been dragged through 
the financial gutters of New York and London. Any proposals purporting 
to emanate from this country will be carefully and sceptically scrutinised for 
many years to come. 
The question resolving itself into one of price, it remains for us to ascertain 
whether we can arrange for one which in labour, land and money we should as 
a community be willing to pay. I think the Society can congratulate the 
present Governor, Sir Frederic Hodgson, in having committed the Govern- 
ment and the Legislature to the initial stages of an attempt to tackle this 
problem. 
It would clearly be to the advantage of those financially interested in this 
colony to take hold of the problem and protect themselves by solving it in a 
manner compatible with their interests, They should see that at every stage 
