Oct. 12.—The new Parish Church Bell which had been imported to replace the one which had done duty for nearly sixty years, was rung to-day for the first time. The old bell was erected in 1831.

Oct. 21.-Mr. Henry Kirke, Police Magistrate of Georgetown, Demerara, who had been acting as Attorney General of Jamaica during the absence of the Hon. H. H. Hocking, sailed in the R. M. S. "Don" to resume his duties in the former colony. Mr. Bancroft Oughton, Barrister-at-Law, was appointed by the Governor to act as Attorney General for the period which might elapse between Mr. Kirke's departure and Mr. Hocking's return to Jamaica.

Oct. 27.-Commencement of the annual Civil Service Competitive Examination for Third Class Clerkships in the Civil Service. The examination was conducted under the superintendence of Mr. J. L. Middleton of the Schools Department. The number of vacancies to be filled was 16, for which 22 Candidates competed.

Nov. 1.-Opening of the new premises of the Women's Self-Help Society in Church Street by the Bishop of Jamaica. The date chosen for the Ceremony was the 11th Anniversary of the establishment of the Society by Lady Musgrave.

Nov. 12.-Opening of the St. Catherine Local Exhibition by the Governor. Nov. 14.-The Hon. H. H. Hocking, Attorney-General, returned to the island after a lengthened absence rendered necessary by the state of his health.

Nov. 19.-Manchester Local Exhibition opened at Porus by the Governor. The Exhibition included several exhibits from the Balaclava District of St. Elizabeth. Nov. 23.-Harvest Festival at the Parish Church, Kingston. Although not uncommon in the country districts, this was said to be the first service of the kind held in Kingston. The three services of the day were attended by large congregations; the Church was decorated with much taste.

Dec. 2.-The Governor visited St. Ann's Bay for the purpose of opening the Local Exhibition in that town. His Excellency leaving town by an early train travelled by way of the famous "gully" road to Ocho Rios, and thence along the coast of St. Ann's Bay, visiting the Roaring River Fall en route. His Excellency after opening the Exhibition and attending the luncheon at St. Ann's Bay, returned to King's House the same evening.

Dec. 3-4.-Naval and Military manoeuvres at Kingston and Port Royal. The general idea of the operations was that a Cruiser was supposed to arrive at Port Royal at night on the 2nd December, reporting to the Commodore that three hostile ships were making for Port Royal. The York and Lancaster Regiment, the West India Regiment and the Kingston, Spanish Town, and Old Harbour Volunteer Militia took part in the defence.

Dec. 8-Competition at the Norman Range between teams of the Volunteer Militia for the Challenge Shield presented by Sir Henry Blake. The contest resulted in a victory for "A" Company of the Kingston Volunteer Militia. The other teams which took part in the competition were the Kingston Mounted Rifles, "C" Company of the Kingston Infantry Corps, the Trelawny Mounted Rifles, the St. Mary, the St. Elizabeth, the Portland and the Old Harbour Corps.

Dec. 17.-Visit of the Governor to Port Antonio to open the Portland Exhibition.

Dec. 19.-Meeting of Mr. Geo. L. Foster, Canadian Finance Minister, with the Jamaica Society of Agriculture and Commerce at the Merchants' Exchange. The object of Mr. Foster's address was to emphasize the advantages which would accrue from the establishment of closer trade relations between Jamaica and Canada.

Dec. 31.-Inspection of the Kingston Volunteer Militia by the Governor on the Race Course.

1891-Jan. 1.-Reduction of the rate of postage on letters to the United Kingdom from 4d. to 2 d. per half ounce. The rate to the United States and Canada had been similarly reduced some months before.

Jan. 6.-Publication in a Supplement to the Gazette of Mr. Osbert Chadwick's Report on the proposed system of drainage of Kingston. The report entered fully into the relative advantages of the different systems of removing the sewage of towns, and in speaking of the scheme proposed for Kingston Mr. Chadwick stated-" In Kingston there is no pre-existing system to hamper the designer. All the

elements of success are present; and therefore a system of sewers may be confidently recommended."

Jan. 19.-A fracas occurred between the Military and Police at Fletcher's Land, Kingston. There had been considerable ill humour between the two bodies for some days previously, which had manifested itself in fights between individual soldiers and policemen. On the 19th January, however, a preconcerted attack was made by soldiers on the Police Station at Fletcher's Land. The station was wrecked, and on the arrival of a relieving force of constables under Inspector Wedderburn they were met with volleys of stones and bricks, one of which knocked Mr. Wedderburn down. Order was restored by the arrival of a picquet from Camp, but not before some of the combatants on both sides had been severely injured. The ringleaders among the soldiers were subsequently punished, as were such constables as were found to have exceeded their duty.

Jan. 24.-Arrival of the North American and West Indian Squadron, under the command of Admiral Watson of H.M.S. Bellerophon. His Royal Highness Prince George of Wales, K.G., who, on behalf of his father, the Prince of Wales, was to open the Exhibition on the 27th January, was in command of the "Thrush," one of the vessels of the Squadron.

Jan. 27.-Opening of the Jamaica International Exhibition by His Royal Highness Prince George of Wales, K.G. The day's proceedings had been carefully arranged and were punctually carried out. At 9 o'clock a m. the Prince, accompanied by Admiral Watson and several Officers of the North American and West Indian Squadron, landed at the Market Wharf, where he was met by His Excellency the Governor and Staff, a large number of Naval and Military Officers, the Heads of Public Departments and many prominent citizens. Through streets crowded with sightseers and lined by Regular Troops and by the Volunteer Militia, the Royal Party proceeded in carriages to the Town Hall, where a loyal address of welcome was offered by the Mayor and Council of the city. His Royal Highness then proceeded to King's House, when he became the guest of His Excellency the Governor. The hour fixed for the opening ceremony at the Exhibition was one o'clock; shortly after that hour the Prince, accompanied by the Governor, arrived at the building where he was received by the Executive Committee and the General Manager. After several presentations had been made to His Royal Highness in the reception room, a procession was formed and proceeded to the dais under the central dome of the building where the opening ceremony was performed. The ceremony was an exceedingly brilliant one and has perhaps never been equalled in the history of Jamaica. Before leaving again for King's House the Prince made a tour of the building, and visited the several Courts on the way, the Commissioners of the several countries being presented to His Royal Highness. In the evening there was a grand display of fireworks on the grounds of the Exhibition, at which the Prince, His Excellency the Governor and a distinguished party from King's House were present. All the arrangements, both in the city and at the Exhibition, were carried out without a hitch, while the enthusiasm of the crowds, the admirable behaviour of the people and the perfect weather, all tended to enhance the success of a day which will long be remembered in the annals of Jamaica.

Jan. 28.-Grand State Ball given at King's House by His Excellency the Governor, at which Prince George of Wales, Admiral Watson and Officers of the North American and West Indian Squadron, the Commanders and Officers of the several foreign Ships of War then in harbour and many distinguished guests were present. A special feature of this occasion was the brilliant and beautiful illumination of the King's House grounds.

Feb. 10.-Departure on leave of absence of the Hon. Neale Porter, C.M.G., Colonial Secretary. Mr. James Allwood, Assistant Colonial Secretary, was appointed to act as Colonial Secretary during Mr. Porter's absence.

Feb. 24.-Opening of the Session of the Legislative Council, with the usual ceremony. His Excellency the President in his opening address reviewed the year which had elapsed since the preceding session, referring inter alia to the opening of the Exhibition, the completion of several bridges in the Parishes of Portland and St. Thomas, the taking over of roads by the Public Works Department under

the provisions of Law 17 of 1890, the building and completion of Hotels under Law 27 of 1890, the construction by the Railway Company of the first section of Extension-12 miles—and the apparent increase in the general prosperity of the Island. Referring to the finances of the Colony, His Excellency announced a probable surplus on the transactions of the financial year to end 31st March, 1891, of £172,000, and estimated a surplus at the close of the year 1891-92 of £100,000. His Excellency concluded his speech by referring to the Laws which the Government proposed to introduce during the session, among the more important of which may be mentioned, The Volunteer Militia Law, The Pensions Law, The Resident Magistrates Law Amendment Law, The Parochial Boards Law Amendment Law, two Immigration Laws, and a Law relating to Secondary Education.

Feb. 24.-Opening of the first "Teachers' Institute" ever held in Jamaica at the Collegiate Hall, Kingston. The opening meeting, which was presided over by the Hon. Thomas Capper, Inspector of Schools, was attended by some 650 teachers and students preparing to be teachers. An additional feature of interest was the presence of Dr. Dickenson, Secretary of the Massachusetts State Board of Education, and of his colleague, Mr. Boyden, who had come to Jamaica for the special purpose of being present at the Institute. During the time the Institute was in session Dr. Dickenson delivered lectures daily on the principles and methods of Teaching, while Mr. Boyden followed up the lectures by teaching designed to exemplify the principles. The attendance at the lectures and other sessions of the Institute kept up to the last. Special arrangements were made for the admission to the Exhibition of the persons attending the Institute, who largely availed themselves of the advantages offered them.

March 4.-To-day in the Legislative Council the Acting Colonial Secretary presented the Estimates for the financial year to end 31st March, 1892 The revenue for the period was estimated at £531,490, and the expenditure at £603,564, But with the large surplus available at the end of March, 1891, of £172,151 it was considered that there would still be a balance of £99,998 at the end of March, 1892. March 25.-The Select Committee of the Legislative Council to whom had been referred the Bill entitled the Immigration Finance Law, 1879, Amendment Law, 1891, presented their report. The financial proposals of the Committee differed to a considerable extent from those of the Bill. Accordingly on 7th April the Attorney General, who had moved that the Report of the Committee (with a certain modification as to the number of immigrants to be annually introduced) should be adopted, obtained leave to withdraw the Immigration Finance Bill, and in pursuance of the Report of the Committee obtained leave to introduce a new bill with the same title, which gave effect to the Report of the Committee, and at a later period of the session became Law (14 of 1891). On the same date (25th March) the Select Committee on the Immigration Protection and Regulation Law, 1879, Amendment Law, 1891, presented their Report. The Bill, after having been considered in Committee of the whole Council, passed on the 23rd April (Law 20 of 1891).

April 9.- In the Legislative Council the following resolutions on the subject of Education, slightly modified from their original form, were carried on the motion of the Hon. W. B. Espeut, member for Portland and St. Thomas :

1. That this Council is of opinion that it is desirable that a Central Board of Education should be created and entrusted with the supervision and conduct of everything connected with the Primary Education of the people.

2. That it is expedient for the Government to secure, so far as is possible, that every child of not less than 6 and not more than 14 years shall be thoroughly instructed in reading, writing and arithmetic, and that grants of public money in aid of Primary Schools should be limited to pupils of those ages, and be based only on results actually obtained in the three subjects mentioned: Provided that grants-in-aid on a reduced scale may be made to efficient Infant Schools or Kindergartens.

3. That no School fees should be collected from pupils between the ages of 6 and 14 years, and that where reasonable facilities exist in towns and villages, a system of compulsion, so far as is practicable, should be enforced.

April 9.-Debate in the Legislative Council on the sale of the West Street premises by the Government to the Atlas Steamship Company, Limited. In November, 1890, the Government entered into an agreement with the Atlas Steam

ship Company to sell to them certain premises at the foot of West Street, Kingston. The consideration was £1,000 and the erection by the Company on the premises of the Government occupied by the Internal Revenue Department of Rum Stores and other buildings of equal capacity with those existing on the West Street premises. Early in the session the papers in connection with the transaction had been laid on the table of the Council at the request of the Hon. W. B. Espeut. On the 21st March the Governor addressed a Message to the Council on the subject, in which the following passages occurred "it has been represented to me and I am advised that a sale of Government property for other than a strictly pecuniary consideration, to be paid into the Treasury, is beyond the power of the Governor without the consent of this Council. I feel that I have no other course open

to me than to commend the matter to your consideration that you may, if you see fit, give the necessary authority for carrying the agreement into effect." The debate took place on the following motion of the Director of Public Works :-" That this Council having considered the terms of the agreement with the Atlas Steamship Company referred to in the Message of His Excellency the Governor of the 24th March is willing to validate and confirm the same in so far as it is an agreement for the sale of Government property for other than a strictly pecuniary consideration to be paid into the Treasury." The Council, by the unanimous vote of the elected members (the votes of the ex officio and nominated members not being taken) rejected the motion and passed the following amendment, moved by the Hon. J. P. Clark:-"That this Council regrets its inability to validate and confirm the agreement made with the Atlas Steamship Company, Limited, dated 20th November, 1890, for the sale of the West Street premises, and is of opinion that this, or any similar subject, should not be dealt with without the consent of the Legislative Council. April 9.-Publication in the "Gazette" of an Order of the Governor in Privy Council dissolving the City Council of Kingston for "having persistently made default in the performance of the duties legally imposed upon them." His Excellency under the power conferred by Section 51 of Law 16 of 1885, appointed the Hon. Lieut-Colonel Chas. J. Ward, Custos of Kingston, to be " the person to exercise the powers and perform the duties of the Mayor and Council" until a new Council should be elected.

April 13.-The Legislative Council, on the motion of the Hon. Michael Solomon, C.M.G., granted £2,000 to His Excellency the Governor for the reception and entertainment of His Royal Highness Prince George of Wales and other distinguished visitors during the Exhibition Season.

April 23.-The Governor addressed a Message to the Legislative Council and submitted papers and correspondence relative to a question raised by Mr. George Levy of Kingston, as to the legality of Messrs. T. L. Harvey and Wellesley Bourke retaining their seats as members of the Legislative Council. Mr. Levy had urged that under the terms of the Queen's Order in Council of the 19th May, 1884, the seats of these gentlemen had become vacant on the ground that, since their election, they had remained for a period of a month and more, parties to a contract with the Government, they having been at the time of their election and from thence up to the time of the sale of the Railway to the Railway Company, Solicitors to the Jamaica Government Railway; and further, on the ground that as agents for the London Guarantee and Accident Company they (Messrs. Harvey and Bourke) had held contracts with the Government in respect of their having guaranteed the fidelity of certain public officers. The Message was referred to a Select Committe of the Council. (See 28th April).

April 23.-The Council passed the following resolution :

That this Council authorizes the Governor to contribute £1,000 out of General Revenues towards meeting the cost of new buildings to be erected by the Mico Trustees, on His Excellency being satisfied that the site, extent and situation of the new buildings are suitable for accommodating and educating eighty students for the position of teachers of a Primary School, such education to include, as soon as possible, physical and industrial training; and that this Council will contribute yearly £2,250 for the maintenance and training of not less than 60 students in addition to the 20 students trained at the cost of the Trust Funds.

The necessity for making some such provision for the training of Teachers arose

from the fact that the Government Training College at Spanish Town had been closed at the end of 1890.

April 26.-The Legislative Council passed a Bill abolishing the Export Duties. The Governor addressed a message to Council asking for £2,000 towards the expense of preparing "a representative collection of the products and industries" of Jamaica for Exhibition at the Chicago "World's Fair" to be held in 1893. At the next sitting of the Council the sum asked for was unanimously granted. April 28.-In the Legislative Council the Acting Colonial Secretary presented the report of the Select Committee to whom had been referred the Message of His Excellency the Governor in reference to the claim of Mr. George Levy that the seats of Messrs. Harvey and Bourke should be declared vacant. The Committee based their finding on a ruling of the Supreme Court in the case of " Deleon vs. the Director of Public Works" in which the Court held that the position of the Director of Public Works with regard to the Railway was not that merely of a servant of the Government having the management of a branch of the Government business, but that "the same principle that applies to the case of trustees or other public bodies entrusted by Law with the duty of carrying on a particular undertaking applied to the Director of Public Works in relation to the management and carry. ing on of the Railway." In their report the Select Committee say-"If the Director of Public Works held the position assigned to him by the Court, it appears to us to follow that his contract was not the contract of the Government, and that a person contracting with him did not contract with the Government. Conceiving then that we are bound to defer to the ruling of the Supreme Court in the case adverted to, we report that, in our view, Messrs. Harvey and Bourke were not, according to the principles laid down by the Supreme Court, parties to a contract with the Government, and have not vacated their seats."

April 29-Prorogation of the Legislative Council.

May 1.-Election of Members of the Mayor and Council of Kingston. Most of the members of the Council which had been dissolved by order of the Governor were re-elected.

May 2.-Closing of the Exhibition at 11 p.m. Between thirteen and fourteen thousand persons were present at the brilliant display of fireworks which had been provided; the departure of the Governor when the hour for closing arrived was the occasion for a burst of enthusiasm on the part of the crowds in the building. The number of persons returned as having visited the Exhibition from the 27th January -the day of opening-to the second May was 302,831.

May 20.-The Kingston Improvements Law, 1890, brought into operation by Proclamation of His Excellency the Governor.

May 21-Publication in the Gazette of the names of the gentlemen appointed under section 4 of Law 31 of 1890 to be Commissioners for carrying out under the orders of the Governor the objects and provisions of the Kingston Improvements Law, 1890. The following were appointed :-The Hon. James Allwood, Acting Colonial Secretary, the Hon. James Richmond, Acting Director of Public Works, the Hon. C. B. Mosse, C. B., Superintending Medical Officer, the Hon. Wellesley Bourke, His Worship James Ogilvie, Esq., M. D., Mayor of Kingston, F. B. Lyons, Esq., the Hon. Lt. Col. C. J. Ward, C.M.G., A. H. Pinnock and Simon Soutar, Esqs. Colonel Ward, Custos of Kingston, was subsequently appointed Chairman of the Commission. Appointment by the Governor of the Hon. Geo. Stiebel, C.M.G., the Hon. Lt. Col. C. J. Ward, C.M.G., the Hon. Thos. Lloyd Harvey, Francis Belinfante Lyons, L. P. Branday, R. S. Haughton and H. W. Livingston, Esquires, to be a Committee "to bring the business of the Jamaica Exhibition Commissioners to a close and to wind up the affairs of the Exhibition.

May 25.-Celebration in Jamaica of Her Majesty's Birthday.

June 2.-His Excellency Sir Henry Arthur Blake, K.C.M.G., Captain-General and Governor-in-Chief left the Island on leave of absence. The administration of the Government was assumed by Major-General Wilsone Black, C.B., the Senior Military Officer for the time being in command of Her Majesty's Troops in the Island. Hon. Lt. Col. C. J. Ward, C.M.G., appointed Commissioner for Jamaica at Chicago Exhibition.