TRINIDAD : THKN AND NOW. 



187 



The sale of Crown Lands, so freely offered and 

 availed of within the last 30 years, for the purpose of 

 growing cocoa and rubber plantations, in so many 

 places originally jungles, has necessitated the exten- 

 sion of old and the formation of new roads so as to 

 make these places accessible, and that this has been 

 done is admitted by all who travel over them. 



There is, however, still one drawback and that is 

 the want of a few comfortable hotels in remote 

 though accessible places where tourists could break 

 their journey for a day or so and thus be able to visit 

 places situated on branch roads, many of which are 

 delightful spots, or take refreshment and rest for a 

 few hours ; these hotels could also be used as a health 

 resort. At the present moment I have six such places 

 in my mind's eye — apart from Macqueripe Bay — viz : 

 Balandra Bay and point ; Matura Bay at a place dis- 

 tant about a mile and directly opposite the present 

 village — the most healthy place in Trinidad — Man- 

 zanilla point just over the Le Branche river ; Mayara 

 point ; Guayaguayare (Galeota point) and Moruga. 

 I suppose this will come in time, and when it does 

 Trinidad will become more prosperous Then than 

 Now, thus reversing what I have been describing. 



There is another equally serious drawback to 

 the improvements that have been made, and that is 

 either the entire diversion of roads passing through 

 or bridging the rivers. I am afraid till this is done 

 Trinidad will lay itself open to the accusation of 

 being non-progressive. The health of Port-of-Spain 

 has been improved and established on a better basis 



