Report of Society's Meetings. 183 



The Secretary read the advertisement calling the pre- 

 sent meeting. 



The chairman stated that it was unfortunate that the 

 meeting was not a larger one, as the matter was very 

 important. Up till lately there had been no scarcity of 

 labour in the colony, but during the last twelve months, 

 what with the wet weather and the gold fields, there 

 seemed to be a great necessity for additional labourers. 

 Everybody was grateful for the prosperity of the gold 

 industry, but it would never do for the sugar estates to 

 suffer on that account, and therefore some steps must be 

 taken to get a supply of labourers from outside. There 

 were also other industries to be supported, such as the 

 banana and fruit cultivation, which would be a great bene- 

 fit to the colony if properly carried out. They had met 

 to consider what steps should be taken, and he would 

 call on Mr. Rodriguez to give his views on the prospe6l 

 of obtaining labour from Madeira and the Azores. 



Mr. Rodriguez said that good labourers could be pro- 

 cured easily if they were guaranteed reasonable wages, 

 under engagements for one or two years. Under such 

 arrangements a great number had already gone to Bra- 

 zil, and other emigrants were now going to Africa. 

 The conditions under which he believed they could be 

 procured were as follows : — 



Wages Single Men ... Si8 oo per month 



do Married Men, without children ... 19 oo do 



do do do with do ... 20 00 do 



do Women above 15 years ... 15 00 do 



do Boys from 12 to 14 do ... 12 00 do 

 Dwelling houses, well ventilated, rent free. Medical attendance 

 and hospital, free. Free education for the children. A piece of land to 

 grow vegetables, free. 



