377 
as Notwithstanding = gloomy picture which we have had to 
draw of the condition of St. Lucia, the island possesses certain 
ravage mo eet if judiciously developed, may in time restore it 
to ast, a moderate degree of prosperity, but the Colony 
ite, in a very special Meet careful and prudent as well as 
strong and resolute eemper during the coming years. The 
miae k of a coaling station at Castries is a point in its 
favou The number of vessels calling at the port has risen 
fear 233 in 1887 to 435 in 1896. The quantity of iae Aie 
has risen in the same time from 17 ,(98 tons to 44,816 to 
361. The most important measure to be taken for the vlt of 
St. Lucia is the settlement e the people on the land. "There is 
already a large number of persons who cultivate small plots, but 
increase 
should be provided for the benefit of the small settlers, and 
arrangements made for giving them instruction in agriculture. 
This instruction can best be given in connexion with the Botanic 
Station, the operations s of which should be extended in the way 
we have indicated in the case of the other islands. More suitable 
land for the purpose of experimental cultivation in Tuc 
with the Botanic Station is very much required. St. Lucia will, 
of course, share in the benefits of the scheme for facilitating 
communication between the different islands which we have 
recommended, if that scheme should be approved. 
362. There is a law which provides for compulsory MU us 
but the law is a dead letter, and could not be enfor The 
general system of education for the children pan to be 
defective, the defects being, no doubt, largely due to want o 
money,and to the fact that the great mass of the population Por 
ong a Ermo apane whilst the teaching is given in English. 
only r mend that npn attention should be given i» 
the diatona | vitem of the Colony, and reforms introduced as 
money can be made available. It would bea great gain to the 
people if they could be taught to speak English, and gradually 
weaned from the use of the present patois. It must take a very 
long time to carry any such reform into complete effect, but the 
matter should be ste adily borne in mind, and the educational 
system so devised as to facilitate the change. 
vii.—ST. VINCENT. 
363. We reached St. Vincent on the evening of EN e 
llth of February, and took evidence publicly there on the 
13th, and 15th. We examined 33 Topea out of a large aio: 
that ‘offered themselves, and we received in this island an unusual 
number of letters and petitions, alleging distress amongst 
labouring class, with a eee proportion of direct requests 
for pecuniary assistanc 
. The area of St. vise is 83,115 acres, and of the small 
islands tite. with it 10,872 acres. The total area of the Colony 
is, therefore, 93,987 acres, of which one-third is worthless. There 
