482 
PKOCEEDLN'GrS OF SECTION E. 
roads, though in the mountainous country these are only suitable for 
footmen and horsemen and for pack transport. 
The railways, which now belong to a syndicate, had in 1893 a • 
completed length of about 100 miles, and are being steadily extended. 
The electric telegraph goes all round Jamaica, and to all places of any 
importance in the interior. 
Labour is not as cheap as might be expected, and is said, taking 
all things into consideration, to cost more in Jamaica than in England. 
An imported coolie, besides quarters and medical attendance, receives 
Is. per day; and the negro labourer, from Is. 6d. to 2s. per day near 
Kingston, and rather less in the country districts. There is, in fact, 
often a scarcity of labour for the estates. 
The defence of Jamaica, naval and military, is provided for at the 
expense of the British Government, except as respects the cost of a 
force of volunteer militia of 530 men, which is maintained by the 
island. The military force amounts to about 1,500 of all ranks, of 
which about two-thirds are negroes, and costs about £106,000 a vear. 
The great harbour of Port Koval, with its curious natural breakwater, 
is defended by batteries, and is an important coaling station of the 
Empire. There is a naval commodore, dockyard, naval hospitals, and 
depot ship ; and besides annual visits from the fleet, Jamaica has 
usually one or two vessels of war in port or on its coast. 
I have not time to describe the two interesting dependencies of 
Jamaica. One— the Turks and Caicos Islands group — is situated 
between 21 degrees and 22 degrees of north latitude and 71 degrees 
and 72 degrees 37 minutes of west longitude, and about 400 miles 
from Jamaica, and has a population of 4,750 ; and the three islands of 
the Caymans are between the meridian of 70 degrees 44 minutes 
and 81 degrees 26 minutes west and the parallels of 19 degrees 
44 minutes and 19 degrees 11 minutes north. The Grand Cayman 
is 178 miles from the nearest point of Jamaica. The population of 
this group is 4,322. 
I have been compelled to omit information on many points, as my 
paper is of too great a length without them. I have described, at all 
events to a certain extent, an important British possession, of the 
future of which I am very hopeful. When we consider the difference 
between the Jamaica of 100 years ago and of to-day, I feel sure that 
we may expect great things in two or three more generations. The 
Jamaican of to-day is a loyal subject ; has usually attended school ; 
is generally a supporter of some church ; is very law-abiding, as is 
shown by the small ratio of crime as compared with many other 
places; and is kind-hearted and hospitable. He is still inclined to 
superstitions, which have come down through many centuries of 
barbarism, but I firmly believe lie is improving in this respect; and 
I look hack upon five years spent among Jamaicans with grateful 
recollections. Nor can I close without calling attention to the fact 
that a great mixed race is increasing in Jamaica, many of whom are 
highly educated, and hold positions of importance and trust. This 
class is already very numerous, and in the course of time will probably 
he leaders to a great extent of all important movements in the West 
Indies ; and I am happy to number among them many friends of 
superior education and ability, and who are deservedly respected by 
all who know them. 
