172 



TRINIDAD : THEN AND NOW. 



year. I claim no particular virtue for Trinidad over 

 any of the neighbouring colonies, but as I have lived 

 here continuously for over 37 years and have wit- 

 nessed the great strides it has made I can speak with 

 certainty about it. 



One more word and I am for the present done 

 with this part of the subject. The climate of the West 

 Indies may, at first, appear to be trying to people of 

 more northern climes, but if they will insist on 

 wearing out their old warm clothing as " being good 

 enough for the place," what is to be expected ? 

 With suitable clothing and mild exercise this incon- 

 venience can be easily avoided and the cool nights 

 will compensate for the extra heat of the days. The 

 trade winds which blow almost continuously at cer- 

 tain periods of the year can be delightfully enjoyed 

 sitting in the broad open verandahs of either private 

 houses or hotels. 



I have seen too in later years the sugar estate of 

 Woodbrook abandoned and rented in lots to tenants 

 to build just as you please. Later streets were formed, 

 better cottages built, and it is now fast assuming the 

 appearance of a good suburban residence for the 

 better class of mechanics, store and shop assistants. 

 It is a valuable property, about to be transferred by 

 purchase to the Town Board for the sum of £85,000.* 

 When this is done it will enable that Board to effect 

 improvements that could not be done by private 

 owners. I remember being present when the whole 



* Since this was written it has been purchased by the Town 

 Board for £85,000. 



