HISTORICAL OUTLINE. 
19 
Rs yet the attempts have proved abortive. On a subject 
of this kind there is much to be said on both sides ; but 
it would be advisable to make some change in the mode 
of government. We are not, however, very sanguine 
that any great alteration will be made for some years at 
least ; but as the people multiply and grow more en- 
lightened, they will scarcely be content to be governed 
•without having any voice in making the laws which they 
are required to obey ; nor can it be expected that they 
will Avillingly pay the taxes, iii the imposition of which 
they are not consulted. 
In 1849 Lord Hanis introduced a new territorial 
division of the island, dividing it into two great sections 
■ — the northern and the southern — each being subdivided 
into four counties, each county into two districts, and 
each district into wards, according to tlieir population. 
The common boundary of the two grand divisions is 
formed by a line running from Point Manzanilla wcst- 
Avard, and following the course of the Eiver Lebranche; 
then along the summits of the Middle Eange to Mount 
Tamana; thence Avest-south-Avest to Montserrat; and 
from that point due Avest to the Gulf of Paria, south of 
Point Savanetta. 
The four counties in the northern section are — St. 
George and Caroni, St. David and St. Andre av. 
The four counties in the southern section are — Victoria 
and St. Patrick, Mayaro and Hariva. 
Thus the country is divided into many Avards. The 
duties of the Avardens are manifold. They have to 
collect the taxes, see that the roads and bridges are in 
good repair in their Avards ; from them timber on croAvn 
lands is to be bought ; and Avhen the tree is throAvn 
doAvn, cut up into boards or planks or scantling, not a 
piece can lie moA^ed AAdthout the Avarden’s permit. Thq 
Avarden is also the district registrar of marriages ; andj 
by a neAV ordinance, he is required to marry those AA’ho 
shall Avish him to do so. The salaries of the AA-ardens 
vary according to the importance, extent, and amount of 
c 2 
