338 



TRINIDAD : THEN AND NOW. 



Imperial Post Office. Such a man was found in Mr. 

 Bulmer, a gentleman of varied experience, who had 

 been selected by the Imperial Government to estab- 

 lish a proper postal system in Cyprus, after that is- 

 land had been administered by England under the 

 Treaty of Berlin. Mr. Bulmer having completed his 

 work in Cyprus was sent to Trinidad to reform and 

 improve the Post Office here — and it wanted both. 

 He soon began to establish a proper system all over 

 the country, but want of sufficient funds crippled him 

 for many years. He, however, persevered until by 

 slow, but sure, degrees he laid the foundation for the 

 splendid system that now obtains. Small rural 

 offices were established in every accessible part of 

 the colony, and indeed in many places that were then 

 almost inaccessible. A larger building was purchased 

 for Port-of-Spain and when altered the Post Office 

 was transferred to it. A new office was built in San 

 Fernando and in course of time improved offices were 

 established in La Brea, Cedros, Couva and Chagua- 

 nas. Soon after Mr. Bulmer retired the present Post- 

 master-General succeeded in getting the present up- 

 to-date offices in Princestown and Sangre Grande. 



As circumstances permitted the control of the 

 rural post offices were taken from the police. I be- 

 lieve Matura is the only one now remaining. A good 

 class of sub-postmasters and mistresses — many much 

 under paid for such a responsible position — was ap- 

 pointed ; letter carriers were allocated to rural dis- 

 tricts and letters were delivered at nearly all over the 

 country as well as in the more favoured towns. Post 



