DE VEItTEUIL — PORT-OF-SPAIS - . 
Ill 
“Dry River,” a deep ditch, being itself a receptacle for all 
sort of filth from the adjoining tenements, is a permanent 
source of insalubrity to the town. 
As a summing up I will say that Port-of-Spain is shel- 
tered East to North from wind ; it is sheltered from the 
Caroni swamp by the eastern, and from the Diego Martin 
swamps by the western spur; it is, however, exposed to 
the westerly wind which sweeps over the marshy shore of 
the plain on which it stands. There is no obstacle to a free 
circulation of air ; pluvial water is quickly carried off, and 
there exists every facility for a thorough drainage of the 
court-yards. The only parts of the town that are damp are 
portion of Corbeau-town, the “ Grand Jardin,” and both 
sides of the Dry River close to the sea. The area of Port- 
of-Spain may be estimated at 448 acres ; and the number 
of the inhabitants being 20,000, we have only 44*64 inha- 
bitants to the square acre, or a comparatively small popu- 
lation, each individual having 325 square feet. The pre- 
sent supply of water is abundant. With so many advan- 
tages, Port-of-Spain ought to be one of the healthiest towns 
in the West Indies. It is really a matter of regret that the 
regulations that have made it what it is should have become 
obsolete, and the Governor who will revive them will be- 
come entitled to the gratitude of coming generations. 
Even under the Spanish rule Port-of-Spain was governed 
by a corporation styled the “Illustrious Cabildo.” In the 
year 1853 it was constituted a Borough and was divided 
into 5 Wards. The Borough Council consists of 15 mem- 
bers, of whom one is elected Mayor every year. The powers 
of the corporation are very limited. Under section 51 of 
the Municipal Ordinance the Borough Council has power 
to make bye-laws for the good rule and government of the 
