146 Timehri. 
accurate knowledge of the economics of the business displayed in the 
carefully compiled document he showed me. 
INTERCOLONIAL TRADE. 
It is worth noting at this point that the extent of the trade between our 
colony and our neighbour astonished me. From Springlands a crowd of passen- 
gers passed over to Nickerie and a large number went on to Paramaribo. We 
had a full ship in the matter of cargo, which included 30 ox 40 cattle, some of 
them, by the way, looking more ready for a nursing home than an abattoir, 
several score of pigs of all sizes, mostly of the greyhound colonial type—it 
occurred to me that possibly the sporting Dutchmen use them for coursing 
labba—an4 at Nickerie we shipped 150 bales of balata for transhipment at 
Paramaribo. A suspected item of our cargo was a contraband balata man, who, 
it was supposed by the Nickerie authorities, had secreted himself and his 
debt of a few hundred guilders in the recesses of the hold. About this I can only 
say that they did not find him. 
I met with the greatest courtesy at Nickerie from Messrs. Sprostons’ agent 
in particular, and from the officials I came into contact with, and carry with 
me pleasant memories of the visit. 
PARAMARIBO—AN | UNFORTUNATE CONTRETEMPS. 
My arrival at Paramaribo on Sunday morning was signalised by a somewhat 
awkward happening, causing me some discomfort and inconvenience. The 
stage from steamer to stelling, which, in that splendidly trustful way we have 
in the tropics of leaving minor details to Providence, had not been secured, 
slipped from the ship as a portercarrying my town kit stepped on it. The 
boy landed on his back on the stage fortunately, but the box took a little voyage 
in the Surinam river to the detriment cf my best blacks and sundry linen 
contents. It gave me occasion to test the efficiency of the Paramaribo 
laundryman and nothing could have been more obliging and prompt than the 
management of Smith’s Hotel and the washer they patronise in repairing, as 
far as possible, the aamage done. 
The sail up the river to Paramaribo was not without inte1est, the bar and 
channel are well marked with lights, beacons and buoys, comparing in this 
respect verv favourably with the other Guiana rivers with which I am 
acquainted, including the Demerara 1iver. A new lightship has recently been 
imported and ¥as at the time lying in the harbour shortly to take up moorings 
on the bar. The view of Paramaribo on opening up the reach beyond the fort 
was distinctly attractive. 
COMPARISON : PARAMARIBO AND GEORGETOWN. 
Somewhere, I remember comparing Georgetown to an oyster ; it presents 
quite an uninviting shell to the inspection of those who approach it ; but Para- 
maribo differs in showing some of its charms from the river. Some quite 
impressive buildings show their fagades above the sheds which line the river 
front. 
