387 
450. Asin Antigua, the population is dependent upon the sugar 
maie the products of which are prac deos the only export 
the nd 18 
island. 82 the value of the sugar ex Yoon was 
283, 1087., of rum 3, 980/., and of i lis "36, 373l., making a total 
of 54617 I D rrespon s were suga 
325 f n 1896 the co ding figure ug 
M er rum 1,856/., molasses 7 pee making a total of Mets 2451. 
451. The an of sugar manufactured is almost entirely 
muscovado. The amount in 1882 was 18,601 tons, and in 1896 
14,822 tons, the difference in quantity being due to difference in 
seasons, rather than to any diminution of the area under cultiva- 
tion. From 1884 to 1896 an average of about 400 tons of vacuum 
pan sugar was manufactured on one estate chiefly for local 
consumption. 
452. At present the only markets for the Pree produced are 
the United States, and, to a small extent, Cana 
457. We inquired as to the reason of this zr bad between 
St. Kitts and Nevis as to the ownership of land, and find that it 
is ulis is bak estates in Nevis having been broken up and 
sold in sm ots in previous years. Mr. Roden, the District 
Migretrate of Ne evis, stated e duse peasant proprietor's land was 
"eimi CHE deem the e 
460. We desire to attent the evidon given 
by Mr. Kortright, the Em of Public Works, with 
reference to the idea of the mountain lands. In 
Seething the upper lands. It would be very desirable to 
ake measures to prevent the deforesting of land above a certain 
altitude. Some of such lan ad is no doubt included in the area 
returned as cultivable. T 
466. If there is no improvement in the sugar trade the revenue 
in St. Kitts will fall very considerably. Neither the official staff 
nor the general pue ene fena can be very suddenly reduced 
in view of the impending distress, and for some years deficits 
may be POSES 5g volti us and even to increase, During this 
period St. Kitts-Nevis, as ie as Antigua, must be dependent 
upon the British Governmen 
467. We desire, however, : ro the opinion that there is 
room for some economies in the Government of St. Kitts-Nevis, 
and that efforts ptg p dide to approach to a more simple and 
inexpensive for f Government throughout the Colony of the 
Leeward I RP s Ret that which it has been deemed necessary 
or desirable to maintain in the days of their greater prosperity . 
14687 ; D 
