176 



TKINIDAD : THEN AND NOW. 



Maraval village during the rainy season frequently 

 could not be accomplished because the traveller 

 would have to pass twice through a winding river, 

 which after a heavy shower became a roaring torrent, 

 thus forcing on him the alternative of either waiting 

 until the river went down or returning to begin his 

 journey another time ; and yet this, which was allowed 

 to continue for more years than one can remember, 

 was lately easily diverted by lengthening the road 

 by not more than 50 yards. The Maracas road after 

 passing to the north of St. Joseph is another example. 

 This winding river could easily have been avoided 

 in four places. The Caura valley road is another in- 

 stance. One has to cross this winding river eight 

 times in two miles and yet every one of them could 

 be and were at one time avoided by a diversion. 

 This diversion was made, but so badly that it was 

 only fit to be used by either pedestrians or mounted 

 travellers. 



My first drive into the country after my arrival 

 was made in the company of Mr. L. M. Fraser, at that 

 time Inspector-Commandant of Police. We went by 

 the eastern main road to Arouca. It so happened 

 that this road was, for the first time in its existence, 

 receiving a coat of metal, or, as it is familiarly called, 

 macadam. When we got a short distance beyond the 

 1 e toll gate 9 ' — there was a toll gate in those days 

 — we saw carts dumping road metal down on what 

 was called the natural soil, without the slightest 

 foundation, and even then so thinly as to make me 

 exclaim : — " Why don't they lay them down one by 



