238 Timehri. 
In Lagos there is the same provision, and in the Transvaal there is a native 
Court. 
It will be seen, therefore, that due consideration is given to the people when 
they have laws of their own. 
Tn India itself of course Hindu and Mohamedan law have a recognized posi- 
tion. 
The Chinese in British Guiana are so few in number that they are hardly an 
element in the population. Few as they are, however, they have intrqduced 
gambling and opium smoking. Many are Christians and have very good char- 
acters from the ministers of their various denominations. Keen business men 
they are, shopkeepersasarule. If an influx of Chinese labour should ever come 
about it will be as well to study their national characteristics. 
The Portuguese of the colony by their thrift have done a great deal for the 
colony and for themselves. The only fault is that they keep so aloof even after 
attaining to prominent positions in “ the street * as it is called or in the pro- 
fessions or even in the Legislature. At one time Portuguese immigration was a 
factor in the colony; now there are few who come here from outside—the 
descendants of the original incomers are the ones who so worthily carry on their 
name. If the interior was opened up I should imagine a few hundreds from 
Madeira and the other Portuguese possessions might think it worth while to 
come here—they would make invaluable agriculturists if put in places where 
the climate enabled them to work on the land. 
The remaining inhabitants of the colony are the Buck Indians, an interesting 
people split up into tribes—Arawak, Caribs, Macusis, Wa rows Wapsianas 
and so forth. Fast disappearing by the touch of civilisation very little is seen 
of them in their original character. They seem to be losing their wood-craft 
and old customs also, and the time is not far distant when a real “ buck ”’ will 
be merely a tradition. 
There are reservations but not enough people to occupy them. The Govern- 
ment holds out a hand to preserve them in the way of legislation for “ Aborigi- 
nal Indians ’’ but their numbers are decreasing and will go on decreasing. 
Much has been written of them and there is still much to be discovered. They 
are however, a negl gible quantity. 
In conclusion I would simply remark that the time has come when a real effort 
must be made, if it is desired to advance British Guiana. Putting off will no 
longer do. A strong, firm and felt guiding hand at the helm of the ship of State 
is necessary. The hand of a man with broad ideas, not hampered by a desire to 
please all, but one who will form fixed opinions of his own after a careful con- 
sideration of the past, one who will give proper encouragement to would-be 
investors and whose sole aim and object will be to direct the colony and its 
people surely and steadily into paths leading towards the development of the 
undoubtedly large resources of this long neglected but still important part 
f our beloved Empire, 
