DE YEB.TEUIL— PORT-OE-SPAIX. 
109 
portion of the 4th. section are crowded with such structures. 
It is, in many respects, a matter of regret that the erection 
of such unsightly, miserable constructions was not dis- 
couraged, and that the regulations concerning buildings 
were not, and are not, enforced. It was about the time o>f 
emancipation that these constructions began to rise on al- 
most every disposable lot in town. Part of the Woodbrook 
estate was then laid out into parcels to suit purchasers ; 
but many of the houses erected on those plots are now in a 
state of decay, and but few of the owners are in a position 
to repair them. Some speculators taking advantage of the 
unfortunate disposition of the freedmen to retire from rural 
occupations* undertook to erect, even in the centre of the 
town, barracks for their accommodation. These barracks 
generally consist of one or two rows of rooms separated by 
board partitions, the upper part being of lattice' work, so 
that a communication is established between all the rooms. 
To each room there is a door and window opening on the 
court-yard : no common kitchen, and but one privy or cess- 
pools for the inmates. The cooking is carried on in small 
fire-pots placed at the entrance of each room. Nothing can 
be more at variance with hygienic rules than such construc- 
tions ; overcrowding, foul air and filth are the result. 
Port-of-Spain is abundantly supplied with water from 
the Maraval river and the St. Ann’s ravine. The daily 
quantity delivered from the former is 2,000,000 gallons, 
and 800,000 from the latter. From these two springs 1498. 
private houses, besides the Governor’s residence, get their 
supply, as also the Colonial Hospital, Royal Gaol and other 
public establishments. In addition to the foregoing, two 
public baths, one for men and the other for women, a wash- 
house with 137 troughs ; the shipping and gulf steamers are 
