Agriculture and
There were 1,012,128 acres under cultivation in 1916 17. Of this total 68,332 acres are devoted to pimento
The United States has the most important trade relations with Jamaica, furnishing a large part of the staple food supplies, and affording the best market for the island's fruit and sugar. Thus, in 1914-15, the total exports were valued at $14,522,665, the United States taking $8,847,310 in value; the United Kingdom $2,749,015, etc. Imports from the United States were valued at $6,105,755, and from the United Kingdom at $4,931,090. The total foreign business of the island in 1916-17 was $28,824, 000, of which $15,084,000 came from imports and $13,740,000 from exports. There are miles of railway, 1,135% of telegraph, including railway telegraph lines; of telephone lines; miles of electric and &Xi of steam tramways. The system of public highways, ex tending into all parts of the island, is admirable; the roads are thoroughly well built and graded, have substantial bridges, and are kept in, good repair. The total tonnage of shipping, entered and cleared, in 1914-15 was 4,306,848, of which 2,240,429 were British. During the European war the British shipping with Jamaica fell off very greatly.
Government and Education.— The execu tive authority is vested in a governor, appointed by the king. He is assisted by a Privy Council and a Legislative Council (the governor, 5 ex-officio, 10 nominated and 14 elected mem bers). For the administration of local affairs there are boards elected in each parish. Admit
tance to the lower grades of the civil service is gained through competitive examinations. The government medical service has in charge 18 public hospitals. The police system includes more than 100 stations in different parts of the island; a force of more than 1,500 men (769 dis trict constables) • several prisons, reformatories and industrial schools.. There is a local artillery militia and rifle corps besides the garrison of regular troops. Fortifications and batteries are at Port Royal, Rocky Point, Salt Pond's Hill, Rock Fort, Fort Augusta, Fort Clarence and Apostles' Battery. The judicial department in cludes a high court of justice (nine members), circuit courts and a magistrate in each parish. Public revenue and expenditure in 1914-15, the last normal year during the European War, were $4,900,850 for the former, $5,274,845 for the latter; and the public debt was $3,854,305. Public elementary schools in 1916 numbered 696; average attendance, 65,302. There are four government training colleges for teachers; several endowed secondary, industrial and high schools; a public lyceum and museum, with a valuable library, etc. Local examinations are held on the island by the University of Cam bridge. In 1870 the Church of England was disestablished and disendowed on the island.
The Cayman, Turks and Caicos Islands, and the Morant and Pedro Cays are attached to Ja maica for administrative purposes. Of these, the first group lies in the Caribbean Sea, 180 miles northwest of Jamaica, and comprises Grand Cayman, 17 miles. long, 4 to 7 broad; Little Cayman, 9 miles long and about 1 mile broad; and Cayman Brag, 10 miles long and 154 miles broad. The government is administered by a commissioner and magistrates are ap pointed by the governor of Jamaica. The popu lation of the Cayman Islands is about 5,930. The second group, Turks and Caicos Islands, situated nearly 500 miles northeast of Jamaica, geographically belongs to the Bahamas; but the governor of Jamaica exercises a supervising power over the local authorities (a commis sioner and legislative board of 5 members). Area, square miles; population, 5,615; capital, Grand Turk; products, salt, sponges, pink pearl, etc. The Morant Cays and Pedro Cays are situated, respectively, about 33 miles southeast and about 45 miles southwest of Jamaica.
Kingston, the capital, had in 1917 59,288 in habitants, a good watef-supply and system of sewerage, well-lighted streets, large shops and a street railway. The town is, however, unat tractive. Residences of the officials and wealthy merchants are built in the suburbs. Public institutions are the museum, library, co lonial offices, schools, churches, almshouse, peni tentiary, asylum and Victoria market. Four miles away is the important naval station of Port Royal, headquarters for the British West India naval forces, and a strongly-fortified place. Spanish Town, population 7,119, at one time the capital, is situated 15 miles west of Kingston. Port Antonio, on the northeast side of the island; Montego Bay, population 6,616; Savanna-la-Mar, Falmouth, Lucca. Saint Ann's Bay, Buff Bay, Port Morant, Black River, etc., are distributed among the three counties of Surrey, Middlesex and Cornwall.