288 



TRINIDAD : THEN AND NOW. 



useful body of men, and which will, I fear, remain 

 secrets until doomsday. Next, it is alleged against 

 you that " robberies of every description are fre- 

 quent but their detection the exception and not the 

 rule ; " and " that prostitution, drunkenness and 

 profligacy parade themselves in the broad light of 

 day throughout this city, unnoticed, unpunished and 

 unchecked. ' 7 



I think there are at the present time under the 

 charge of my friend the superintendent of the gaol 

 some who could tell a different tale. Lastly, your in- 

 efficiency at the recent calamitous fire is urged 

 against you. I think it probable that there is some 

 foundation for this charge at all events. No two 

 bodies of men differ more completely in their drill, 

 training and organization than firemen and police- 

 men ; and it may be that you failed for the same rea- 

 son that a tailor would fail in an attempt to make a 

 horse shoe, or a farrier who tried his hand upon a 

 dress coat. When the next fire happens, I trust that 

 both the newly constituted fire brigade (who have 

 my best wishes), and the police will be found equal 

 to their respective duties. 



But it may be that some of your detractors base 1 

 their opinions upon the fact that the more serious 

 class of crimes, such as larceny, embezzlement, false 

 pretences, etc., so frequently escape detection ; in 

 this town in particular. There I must myself assume 

 the character of complainant. I protest in turn 

 against the "inefficiency" of prosecutors, who having 

 set the law in motion will not be at the trouble of 



