Commissioner's Report 1908
Grand Bahama I have the honour to Submit for the information of His Excellency the Governor the following reports of my district for the year ending Dec. 1908 Finance Grand Bahama not being a port of entry has no direct import or export revenue. The only revenue derived is from King’s fine Liquor Licenses Postage fees stamps Trade Some trade has been carried on with Miami Fla Via Bimini by one of our vessels. Labourer[s] 24 in number have gone over to Fla in search of work. In her return back foodstuff as imports – shingles and lumber Sponge The industry has gone down considerably to the great discomfort of many agents and owners of sponging craft, but has revived somewhat in November. Turtle By the Capture of our vessels seven in number by Cuban Revenue Cutters on their way homeward from Pedro bank has caused a depression in the trade. They not only lost the shells gathered but all other fishing gear was seized also. Sisal Sisal in being extensively cultivated through out the whole island. The fibre is prepared by hand cleaning about 50 or 60 acres have been planted this year, 4000 lbs of fibres have been sent to market at the rate of 1 1/2d & 1 3/4d per lbs from the various district. Water Cay district leading the crowd in the trade. / Bark About 500 lbs of log wood bark had been gathered and sent to Market at the rate of 1 1/2 per lb. this new industry is carried on in the Eastern district, Freetown and High Rocks. Cotton An experiment in the cultivation of Sea-island Cotton has been conducted by a few planters together with the A. R. J. and proved a success. Cotton has always been cultivated on this island in days gone by when the price was the meagre rate of 2d lb by the old islanders. Nowaday the present farmers are too dilatory to carry on the industry. Georgia cotton can be seen in many old fields growing profusely. Onions A very good crop of onions has been harvested in the district of 8 Mile Rocks Barnett’s pt. Smiths pt. and Golden Grove. At the first shipment in April the prices was a good 2d per lbs but it went down in May in consequence of the market being glutted. No more shipment was made until July when a fair price of 2 1/2d to 3d per lbs was obtained. Stock Raising This industry is moving on by leaps and bounds. Every person who can buy a heifer calf. During the year 40 head of beeves have been sent from the various districts to Nassau Market where a liberal price had been obtained. If this state [of] things continue Grand Bahama will become again what it had been in days of youre—A stock raising land./ Friendly Society There are three Societies formed to aid the sick and furnish decent burial at 8 M. RocksSett pt and Smith’s pt. Total number of members 98
Public Roads Roads have been improved and extended making travelling on foot more practicable than heretofore. Very much remains to be done to this large island in order to make efficiency. Shipping (Coasting) Entered from the port of Nassau and other ports 68 Vessels, 698 tons, 449 men. Cleared 78 vessels 1152 tons, 695 for Nassau and the great Bahama Bank. There are 19 other crafts (spongers) in the district of Carrion Crow harbour and Water Cay which I have no control over in the way of entering and clearing. Crime There had been seven cases on the Criminal side of the Magistrate’s Court reported during the year. All were of police regulation. 4 were fined, 2 dismissed for the want of proper evidence, and 1 bound over to keep the peace. Education There are 3 schools in the district. 1Bd school situated at 8 Mile Rks and 2 Church of England schs. The 8 M. R. sch number 180 on the register with an annual attendance 192 days average 92 In consequence of the down pour of rain / Education Continue In July Sept & Oct. the number of days have fallen off this schools has been regularly and punctually open and is progressing fairly well. Schools are wanted at Settlement of Freetown, High Rocks and Sweetings Cay Ch schools are scituated at Smith’s pt East dist., and Settlement pt West dist. These dames schools have done much good among the Village boys and girls by imparting to them the rudiment of education. Postal Statistics Letters received at the dist. post office during the year. Climate Rainfall 69.96. No of days which the rain fell 74. Highest reading of Barometer 30.03 lowest 29.07 Highest temperature 89o lowest 55o. The first quarter of the year was very dry. Rain begun in April and continue to October the potatoe fields rotted down by reason of the flood. Grand Bahama appear to be in the track of every storm. We escape this year thanks to God the Cyclone that wreaked the Windward Islands. We had a small brush from N.E. on 1st Oct. Settlement Point and Water Cay had the worst of it./ Public Health and Sanitation Malarial fever, Diarrhoea and the Flu [?] were prevalent during the year. The latter is an epidemic in every district I visit this troublesome disease is present. General Remarks A government relief of 12 barrels of grits to the famine stricken Settlers of the Eastern district have been sent in August. Revenue Custom
Imports The following are the principal articles imported during the year via Nassau and Bimini Imports
Export to Nassau
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