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Students admitted members of the Law Society-- Law Society Benchers-- Sheriffs-- Masters-in-Chancery-- VICE ADMIRALTY COURT Surrogates-- CIRCUIT COURT The Southern Circuit Court is held at Burgeo, Harbor Briton, Burin,
Great Placentia and Ferryland, every autumn. TERMS OF COURT Central Circuit Court-- Sessions after Term-- Supreme Court-- Sessions after Term--The first Monday in February, March, April, and
July, and to continue for a period not exceeding six days. COMMISSIONERS FOR ISSUING MESNE AND FINAL PROCESS AND SUBPOENAS Returnable into the Supreme and Circuit Courts, for taking affidavits,
and recognizance of Bail in any Suit depending in said Courts. Central District-- Northern District-- Southern District-- COURT OF CIVIL AND CRIMINAL JURISDICTION FOR LABRADOR This Court is held under the provisions of an Act of the Local Legislature
and is summary in its character. The people congregating on the Labrador are generally very peaceable;
but, in the excitement at the at the height of the herring fishery,
disputes often arise consequent upon a system of fishing called barring
which are by this Court summarily settled, and which otherwise might
be the cause of much useless litigation. The Court is only held during
the summer season, and the judge occupies, jointly with the collector,
the vessel employed as Revenue cruiser on the Labrador. The number
of cases adjudicated upon rarely exceeds twenty. DISTRICT COURT, ST. JOHN'S This is a Court of summary process, having jurisdiction in civil cases
to the extent of $40. The judges are police magistrates, ex-officio,
with all their jurisdiction and authority. All constables and police
officers are under the supervision of judges of this Court. STIPENDIARY MAGISTRATES Trinity Bay-- Bonavista-- Twilingate-- Ferryland-- Placentia and St. Mary's-- Grand Bank-- Burin-- Fortune Bay-- La Poile-- JUSTICES OF THE PEACE Central District-- Southern District-- Northern District-- St. George's Bay-- Labrador-- NOTARIES PUBLIC; St. John's-- Harbor Grace-- Carbonear-- Twilingate-- Bay Roberts-- Burin-- Ferryland-- Fogo-- Brigus-- Placentia-- COURT HOUSES St. John's-- Harbor Grace-- Ferryland-- The Court houses of Harbor Grace and Ferryland are in the same buildings
as the gaols. GAOLS St. John's Penitentiary-- Harbor Grace-- Trinity-- Ferryland-- Placentia-- Burin-- Bonavista-- Twillingate-- Harbor Breton-- Brigus-- Greenspond-- These buildings called gaols are hardly so in the proper sense of
the word, being (with the exception of Harbor Grace) merely lock up
houses for the temporary confinement of prisoners sentenced in the
Magistrates' Courts, or awaiting trial before a Superior Court, when,
if the sentence is for a lengthened period, criminals are removed either
to St. John's or Harbor Grace. CORONERS St. John's, Harbor Grace, Bay de Verde, Trinity, Greenspond, Ferryland, Bay Bulls, Bonavista, District of Twillingate and Fogo, Harbor Breton, South Side of Trinity Bay and from Split Point to Caplin Cove Brook
in Conception Bay, Brigus, Carbonear, All coroners are ex-officio justices of the peace. POLICE INSPECTORS OF WEIGHTS AND MEASURES; PUBLIC HEALTH Health Officers-- Health Wardens for Town and District of St. John's-- William C. Simms, M.D., medical officer to Board of Trade, for sick
seamen, Port of St. John's. CHURCH HISTORY; The Church of England in Newfoundland has a history reaching to the
time of Queen Elizabeth. During her reign the Church was suffering
much from dissension, and to guard as much as possible against any
injury to the Church just rising in Newfoundland, the Queen in her
commission to Sir Humphrey Gilbert giving him the absolute rule over
the island, made special provision that no law should be enacted to
her prejudice, Early in the 18th century the Society for the Propagation
of the Gospel in Foreign Parts was established and shortly afterwards
the first missionary was sent to St. John's and the first church built
(1703). In the year 1839 there were only eight missionaries, a number
quite inadequate to the requirements of the people. This was in great
part to be traced tot he incomplete organization of the Church which
up to that time had no Bishop residing in Newfoundland. In that year,
however, the Right Rev. A.G. Spencer was appointed by letters patent
Lord Bishop of Newfoundland, succeeded in 1844 by the Right Rev. Edward
Feilds, also appointed by royal commission. Since its erection into a separate see the Church has made considerable
progress, but not such as it altogether satisfactory. Besides the scattered
nature of the population and the consequent difficult of access to
a people widely parted, and the poverty of the country, obstacles common
to all denominations, there has been and is still an incompleteness
of organization and action which has hindered the Church in her works.
She exists solely as a voluntary organization, without any common bond
of action, and without any corporal character (except in so far as
the bishop is a corporation). A visitation of the clergy of the diocese was held during the past
summer in St. John's, and the necessity which exists to find some means
for the election and support of a Bishop in the voidance of the see
by the present incumbent, was brought before them. The present bishop
received his appointment from the Home Government, and also a certain
portion of his support, but neither will this method of appointment
be again adopted nor the amount continued. Lay delegates from the several
deaneries were invited to meet the clergy for consultation, and it
was determined that a diocesan synod should be formed, to meet for
the first time in the June of 1870. This, it is hoped, will give a completeness of organization to the
Church, and result in much good.; The clergy of the diocese are, for the most part, maintained as missionaries
by the Society of the Propagation of the Gospels in Foreign Parts,
whose grant to Newfoundland amounts to 4,785 pounds sterling. Within
the last three or four years the bishop has succeeded in collecting
a sum of between 6000 and 7000 pounds for the endowment of the dioscesan
missionary college which has been heretofore supported by the parent
society, and it has not been determined to raise another fund for the
endowment of the bishopric. The history of the Roman Catholic Church in Newfoundland exhibits
considerable progress in the face of great obstructions and disabilities,
social and political. It was first established in the island in Ferryland
by Sir G. Calvert in 1623, and it was not many years after that Placentia
was visited by the bishop of Quebec who left there some French priests
to carry on the work of the Church. From the year 1762 to 1784 the
Roman Catholic Church was not tolerated in the island, and the ministrations
of the Church were only obtained from priests who visited Newfoundland
in disguise and at considerable risk. In 1784 Dr. O'Donnell was appointed
as bishop of Newfoundland, sixty years before the first bishop of the
Church of England. In 1856, at the request of Dr. Mullock, then bishop,
the island was divided into two sees, Harbor Grace and St. John's,
and during the past year another see has been created, that of Placentia.
A college is maintained at St. John's for the education of missionaries,
and for the use of members of the Church generally, and convents and
schools are supported in all the large settlements (with Roman Catholic
population) throughout the colony. Their cathedral at St. John's is
a very large and fine building, and with the adjacent college, convents, &c,
cost nearly $500,000. The whole organization of the Church, with its
bishops, clergy and convents, is supported by voluntary contributions
raised in the colony. The foundation of Methodism in Newfoundland seems to have been coincident
with, rather than resulting from, the religious excitement which at
the time of Wesley's preaching agitated the Church at home. About 1776
a species of revivals took place under one of the missionaries sent
out by the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts,
which, though originally made in the Church without any idea of establishing
a new sect, through the force of circumstances came to be the nucleus
of the present Wesleyan body. In 1786 the first Wesleyan ministers
were sent out, and in 1796 the number of the members of the connexion
was given as 200. In 1800 there were two missionaries and 500 members; since then this
body has increased in a greater ratio than any other religious body,
and it now has 19 missionaries and a population attached to the connexion
of 28,990. Their missionaries are paid by the parent society to which is sent
the contributions of the island. CROWN LANDS; The island of Newfoundland never having been surveyed, it is impossible
to say exactly what may be the extent of land available for settlement.
As far as it is known the largest portion of the interior does not
offer the same inducement to the agricultural settlers as the more
accessible portions near the coast. Great marshy savaunahs abound on
which thousands of deer pasture, but it would appear as if these vast
meadows were the result of immense accumulations of bog and peat, in
some places between seventy and one hundred feet deep, and not generally
of a character to induce any attempt at cultivation. It will remain,
however, for the future to prove how far they may be capable of use
as grazing ground for cattle and sheep. On the banks of the rivers, streams, and lakes with which the country
is in every direction intersected, capital land is found, where, with
a climate far more genial than enjoyed in these Eastern shores, it
may be expected that thousands will find a home. To these lands, though,
as yet, there are no regular means of communication; the rivers and
lakes with which the country abounds, perhaps to me extent o one third
of its area, of course offer great facilities for the development of
a system of intercommunications, but their usefulness depends to a
great extent upon the construction of roads and bridges. Those constructed
heretofore keep altogether near the coast, running from settlement
to settlement, made merely to satisfy the convenience of the inhabitants
without any idea as to the opening up for settlement of the vast country
lying inside. But besides this great unexplored territory, there are
large tracks of land lying seaward, which being readily accessible
offer the greatest inducements to settlers, either for agriculture
or for lumbering: these are situated mostly at the bottoms of the great
bays which the coast line is broken up-- Codroy Valley These valleys are, for the most part, well wooded, producing large
pines, juniper or tamarack, yellow birch and other valuable timber;
in the valley of the Humber this is especially the case, where the
timber is of large growth, only awaiting the lumberer's axe to supply
a means of wealth to the colony. Lumbering has been carried on here
to a small extent and 900 logs were brought down the river in the winter
of 1868, one of which was sawn into 2000 fee of board. In Trinity
Bay a large tract of very fine land lies almost unoccupied about Smiths
Sound, Random Sound, and Island, &c., well wooded, with capital
timber quite suited to ship building. In Clode Sound, Freshwater Bay, along the course of the Terra Nova
Brook in Bonavista Bay, a great quantity of he good land lies undisturbed,
and even unsurveyed, awaiting the axe and plough of the settler. In Green Bay, the land about the Exploits River and Halls Bay is in
every respect adapted for settlement, and is as yet all but unoccupied.
The river is navigable for small steamers or vessels for twelve miles
up its course, and with portages as far as the Grand Pond on the western
side of the island. The country is well wooded with pine, birch, juniper, &c.,
of large growth. Water power is available throughout the country in
sufficient force to supply any demands that may be made upon it, and
can be generally obtained in places easily accessible from the sea.
The climate of these portions of the country, as well as of the interior,
is far more suited to farming and other outside business than that
found on the eastern and south-eastern shores; and the fogs which so
often hang close to these coasts are not seen. The amount of land under cultivation is very small considering the
period that has elapsed since the settlement of the island. Since 1830
but little over 3000 grants have been issued, containing about 40,000
acres. The fisheries offer attractions that agriculture cannot put
forward; the excitement of chance, the shortness of the busy seasons,
the large amounts that are often made, sometimes three or four hundred
dollars in a month, are quite sufficient to deter from the more laborious
if more sure way of making a livelihood by agriculture. The fisheries,
however, are fond to be inadequate to the growing requirements of the
population, and as a consequence, the cultivation of the soil has received
a considerable impetus during the last years. The provisions of the
Land Act are of the most liberal nature, as far as settlers are concerned,
and for all land may be obtained by grant at an upset price of 2 shillings
per acre in any part of the colony, the applicant paying for its survey
and five shillings for his grant. For the benefit of those desiring
to settle permanently upon the land, either for lumbering or farming,
an Act was passed in 1869, 23 Vict., cap 3 by which any one wishing
to cultivate land may, upon application to the governor, obtain a license
to occupy fifty acres and anyone wishing to erect a saw mill a license
of two hundred acres with a frontage of one-third on a river, and not
more than 200 years upon the coast; after the expiration of five years
the settler, if he have cultivated two acres or have a saw mill in
operation for three years, may obtain a grant in fee for the amount
of land held by him under license, paying 5 shillings for the grant,
besides the cost of survey. For the further encouragement of agriculture
an Act passed in 1866, by which under rules to be adopted by the governor
in council any poor person desirous of settling upon crown lands and
cultivating the soil is secured in the payment of a bounty of eight
dollars for the first acre cleared, and six dollars for each succeeding
acre until six acres are cleared, when a free grant is given of the
amount reclaimed. "In no other colony is such a boon held out to the
poor man--a free grant of land, the best that can be found, and from
six to eight dollars for clearing it." The following are the rules
and regulations adopted by the governor in council for the carrying
out of the act just mentioned, 29 Vict., cap. 5, 1868. 1st. Surveys, under the general superintendence of the Surveyor General,
by such persons as the Governor in Council may approve of, and under
such instructions as from time to time may be given, shall be made
of ungranted and unoccupied waste lands most suitable for agriculture,
in the several electoral districts. 2nd. For the purposes of settlement the said land shall be apportioned
in lots, not exceeding fifty acres each lot, and having not more than
200 yards frontage on the coast or shore where so abutted. 3rd. Licenses by the Surveyor General shall be issued, according to
priority of application, to persons qualified by law to hold grants
of land, who may desire the same for permanent settlement; which licenses
shall be upon condition of the cultivation of at least two acres within
five years: and on performance thereof a grant in fee may issue; and
to a poor settler no charge shall be made for cost of survey, license,
or grant. 4th. To every poor settler who in the opinion of the Governor in Council
shall come within that definition by the Act, shall be paid from the
Public Treasury eight dollars for the first acre and six dollars for
each of five acres thereafter of land aforesaid in any of the districts,
cleared, tilled, and reduced to cultivation by such settler. 5th. That every such settler who may intend to cultivate as aforesaid and apply for the said bonus, shall give notice in writing of such intentions to the Surveyor General, if resident in St. John's, and to the nearest stipendiary magistrate, or Deputy Crown Surveyor in this district
who shall respectively as soon as practicable, satisfy themselves of
the bona fide character of the application and enter the same in a
book to be kept for that purpose, and such Stipendiary Magistrate of
Deputy Crown Surveyor shall forewith report particulars of such application
to the Surveyor General to be filed in his office. 6th. That when the land shall be cultivated according to the meaning
of the Act, the application for bonus shall give notice thereof to
the Surveyor General or Deputy Crown Surveyor of the district who shall
record and certify the same under his hand; and on the production of
such certificate at the office of the Colonial Secretary the party
shall, with the approbation of the Governor in Council, be estimated
to receive the said bonus, as the case may be, and for every such certificate
the officers granting the same, other than the Surveyor General, shall
be titled to a fee of one dollar. 7th. There shall in the first instance be reserved for each electoral
district a fair proportion, according to population, of the sum granted
for each year for the purposes of the Act; which if not availed of
in whole or in part in any district may be applied in any other district
for bona fide claims within the year, as may be hereafter be determined
on. Since these regulations were adopted in 1866, between four and five
hundred have taken advantage of their provisions, and have cleared
between six and seven hundred acres, the bonuses on which amounted
to $4 713.97. Heretofore this Act has not been availed of to anything
like the extent anticipated, the amount allowed by the Act being $20,000
per annum, but the number of applications for the bonus this past spring
has been considerably over that made any other year, and gives the
hope that people are being awakened to the necessity of possessing
cultivated land as an adjunct to the fisheries, if not as an exclusive
means of living. EDUCATION On the educational system of Newfoundland it is hard to write with
commendation; the principle at its root is not such as to ensure thorough
vigor, and, being so, perhaps the result is not worse, if not better,
than could be expected. The whole cost of education is practically
(though perhaps not intentionally) defrayed by the Government out of
the general revenues of the Colony, and this without any power being
vested in it to compel any return commensurate with the outlay. That
which people obtain without much cost to themselves is, as a rule,
but little appreciated, and one can but regret to find that, in spite
of the zeal and liberality, perhaps one might say profuseness, of the
Government in its promotion, education in Newfoundland has but proved
the truth of the assertion. The Government having assumed the responsibility
of paying and managing, a spirit of weak dependence has been fostered,
creating an amount of apathy and indifference which the promoters of
education have the greatest difficulty in contending with. The honor of having been the first to make any attempt towards the
Public Instruction of the Colony belongs to Governor Gambier, who arrived
in the Colony in 1802. With the co-operation of the clergy he raised
a fund by voluntary subscription which was appropriated for the support
of two free schools in St. John's, in proportion to the relative number
of Protestants and Roman Catholics. Education though, in these early
days of Colonial history, seems to have made but the smallest progress,
and it was not until the year 1823 that nay comprehensive plan was
adopted to bring the Colony under educational influences. About that
year a number of English merchants interested in the trade of the Colony
formed themselves into an association for the establishment of schools
in the Island of Newfoundland, and to the Newfoundland School Society
are the inhabitants indebted more than to any other cause for what
little advancement education has made. They established schools in
all the principal settlements of the Colony number in 1845, between
30 and 40, and having an attendance of 3129 children, nearly half of
the number of children then attending school in the whole Island. Since
that time, this society has kept schools in operation in all the districts
of the Island, aided by a small vote of $2,000 from the Government.
Their schools number now, 1869, 18, with an attendance of 2100 scholars,
generally the best schools in the Island of an Elementary character,
their school in St. John's is used in most cases as the Normal training
school for teachers, selected under the provisions of the Education
Act by Protestant Boards of Education. In 1836, the first Act was passed by the Local Legislature for the
encouragement of education. In appropriated 2100 pounds for the purposes
of the Act, distributed thus:
|
| 1869 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grant | Scholars | Rate per Head | ||
| Church of | England | $1846.16 | 24 | $76.96 |
| Church of | Rome | 2769.24 | 6244.66 | |
| Wesleyan | 923.08 | 67 | 13.71 | |
| General | Protestant | 692.30 | 3519.78 | |
| 7153.88 | 243 | 29.44 |
And $1267 on account of Normal grant for training masters.
Excluding Normal grant
| 1849 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Grant | Scholars | Rate per head | |
| $2929.08 | 19 | $154.26 |
The academy at this time is as undivided. This table exhibits a considerable increase in the value received
for amounts expended for the academy, but still the average cost of
each pupil to the colony is much higher than it ought to be; taking
the amount which each branch of the academy draws on account of the
training of masters in addition to the general grant, the rate per
head would not be far short of the $47--and this expended, as a rule,
upon children whose parents are quite in a position to pay the whole
cost of their education. In 1851, the grant for elementary education was increased to 7,500
pounds and still further added to in 1853, when it was fixed at 7,880
pounds. This sum, however, restricted as it was by conditions under
which it was granted, did not seem sufficient for the wants of the
colony in educational matters and in 1858 it was thought it advisable
to re-cast the Educational Act of the colony and still further to increase
the amounts thereunder voted, which were then fixed at 10,525 pounds.
This is the Act now in operation, and under which the whole school
system of the colony (if it may be called a system) is regulated. The
following is a slight outline of its visitors. Sec. 2 provides that out of the 10,025 pounds, 9525 pounds shall be
divided in ratio of populations between Protestants and Roman Catholics,
5,113 pounds to Protestants, 4,412 pounds to Roman Catholics, to be
expended 4,752 by Protestant Boards and 3,667 pounds by Roman catholic
Boards for the support of elementary schools in the different districts
of the colony. Sec. 3 provides for the expenditure of 1000 pounds for commercial
schools in the principal settlements of the Island: 26 in all, including
a school for Presbyterians in St. John's. Secs. 4 and 5 provide for the appropriation of 695 pounds out of the
grant to Roman catholic schools, for the support of convent schools,
to be paid to the bishops of St. John's and Harbor Grace. Sec. 6 and 7 define the boundaries of the respective boards, Protestant
and Roman Catholic. Sec. 8 gives authority to governor to appoint Boards. Sec. 10 gives power to governor to fill up vacancies in Boards. Secs. 11 and 12 provide for the internal management of boards, giving
them power to make by-laws (subject to approval of governor) and directs
annual meeting and transmission of returns to governor. Sec. 13, the places at which the annual meetings are to take place. Sec. 14 vests all school property in the Boards making them corporations
to sue and be sued in the name of the chairman. Sec. 15 establishes the scale of fees to be paid. Each child learning
alphabet, &c., 2 s. 6d. per year, writing and cyphering 5s, other
branches 7s, 6d, navigation 10 s. additional, and provides a mode of
recovery by warrant of distraint from justice of the peace. Sec. 16 enacts that the Protestant Boards for districts in which Newfoundland
School Society schools are established shall pay to the society for
the support of these schools certain sums amounting to 500 pounds,
and Sec. 17 that schools under the Wesleyan Methodist connexion should
be similarly treated to the extent of 250 pounds. Sec. 18 enacts that out of moneys under the control of the Roman catholic
Boards for St. John's and Harbor Grace 550 pounds shall be given for
the support of convent schools and the orphan asylum school, St. John's,
and St. Patrick's free school, Harbor Grace. Sec. 19 gives power to Board in one district to assist Board in another. Sec. 20 provides that the course of instruction should be reading
writing arithmetic, English grammar, and where required, geography,
history, and navigation, and any industrial employment directed by
the Boards. Sec. 21 votes 200 pounds to be proportionally divided between Protestants
and Roman Catholics for repair of schools and for providing books,
maps, &c. Sec. 22 enacts that no grant be made for erection of school houses
unless inhabitants contribute an equal amount. Sec. 23 provides that no religious instruction be given objected to
by parents. Sec. 24 makes provision for the training of teachers, 400 pounds to
be expended for Protestant and 380 pounds for Roman catholic teachers,
each scholar to receive 25 pounds per annum, whilst training; and no
more than two scholars from any one electoral district to be paid for
two at the same time. Sec. 25 provides that teachers shall be educated, in Protestants at
either the church of England academy, the Wesleyan academy, or the
principal school of the Newfoundland School Society and if Roman Catholics
at the Roman catholic academy. Sec. 26 votes 400 pounds for the inspection of schools, and sec 27 enacts that two inspectors be appointed one Protestant and
one Roman Catholic. And 28 provides that all moneys voted in the Act shall be paid quarterly. The amounts appropriated under this act and under preceding mentioned
acts for the formation of academies, out of the general revenue is
larger than that enjoyed in any other country from the same source.
The following able will exhibit this in a marked manner:
|
| Country | Population> | No. of Schools | No. of Scholars | Percentage of Scholars to Population | Education Grant out of General Revenue | Rate per head/Population | Rate per head/Scholars | Salary of Masters |
| Great Britain | 24,600,000 | 9,340 | 1,147463 | 4.66 | $3,288,969 | $0.18 1/2 | $2.85 | $820 |
| France | 37,382,225 | 80,915 | 4,963,457 | 13.28 | 1,040,762 | 0.02 1/2 | 0.21 | 165 |
| Prussia 1857 | 18,491,871 | 25,643 | 2,828,692 | 15.28 | ||||
| Holland 1857 | 3,298,137 | 4,203 | 456,202 | 13.33 | 200 | |||
| Massachusetts 1860 | 1,231,066 | 4,759 | 230,894 | 62 | 649* | 0.05 3/4 | 0.27 | 706 |
| Ontario 1868 | 1,726,980 | 4,890 | 330, 807 | 19.15 | 303,675 | 0.17 1/2 | 0.91 | |
| Nova Scotia | 384,696 | 1,458 | 72,141 | 10.95 | 146,585 | 0.38 | 2.08 | 90 |
| Newfoundland | 138,670 | 321 | 18,441 | 7.48 | 64,868 | 0.47 | 3.52 | 120 |
* State Revenue This return though exhibiting Newfoundland as pre-eminent in her encouragement
of education, also places her pre-eminent for the poor results of her
expenditure. And it must seem strange that with such liberal encouragement
there should be so much to regret in the educational status of the
colony. A solution of the difficulty is found in this, that where everything
is done by the state or Government there is extravagance on one side
and local apathy on the other; and this is fully borne out as far as
Newfoundland is concerned, for it has been noticed that, according
as successive Legislatures increased the educational grant, the voluntary
contributions of the people decreased in perhaps a greater ratio. To
ensure the greatest amount of benefit from the Government vote in aid
of education it would seem to be a necessity that in conjunction with
it some system of local rating should be adopted which, in developing
the forces of local interest and influence, would tend to place education
in the prominent position which it ought to occupy. But besides this "apathetic
indifference exhibited by the people to everything connected with education" (to
quote from the report of the inspector of Roman catholic schools) there
are other causes at work, some of them a necessity from the peculiar
employment of the people, to retard the progress of education, 1st.
The difficulty of intercommunication through the lack of roads. 2nd. The scattered nature of the population which would require five
schools where one would be sufficient for the number of children attending. 3rd. The nature of the employment of the people, compelling them in
the fishing season to make use of all available labor even that of
children of tender years, in the "making" and curing of the produce
of the voyage. 4th. Their poverty, which compels them to keep their children from
school, in severe weather, from the want of necessary clothing. 5th. The poor salaries which are paid to the teachers, and as a consequence,
the meagreness, as a general rule, of their attainments. These causes,
and many besides, offer great opposition to all endeavors to improve
the educational system of the colony; but it is to be hoped that some
of them are capable of removal through judicious legislation, and that
others will yield to the ameliorating influences of time, as the condition
of the people improves. Consequent upon the taking of the census in
1869 it has been found necessary on account of the greater increase
of Protestants to re-distribute and to equalise, in proportion to the
denominational division of the population, the grant for education,
and during the past session of te Legislature a vote of $6,133 was
added to it, so that the re-distribution might be made as little inconvenient
as possible. This will make the education grant of the colony for 170
about $72,000, equivalent to about $4 for each pupil education. Urgent
need exists for the thorough revision of the educational system of
the colony, and it has been under contemplation to introduce at the
next session of the Legislature some measures tending to this object.
Whatever scheme may be adopted, it is to be hoped that some return
commensurate with the very liberal expenditures will be obtained and
that education to that which it occupies in the sister provinces. Return of Schools in Newfoundland supported or aided by Government
for the years 1864 and 1869
|
|
Desc of Schools |
No. of schools |
No. of children attending |
Expense |
School Fees |
Remarks |
|
Colonial and Continental Church Society's Schools |
19 |
1969 |
8732 |
460 |
This includes grant from Home Society |
||||
|
20 |
2100 |
8232 |
560 |
This includes grant from Home Society |
|||||
|
Academy |
1 |
33 |
1846 |
800 |
|||||
|
1 |
24 |
1846 |
1072 |
||||||
|
Commercial School |
1 |
28 |
92 |
-- |
|||||
|
1 |
19 |
92 |
12 |
||||||
|
Grammar School |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
|||||
|
1 |
33 |
180 |
-- |
||||||
|
Total |
21 |
2080 |
10670 |
1260 |
|||||
|
23 |
2143 |
10170 |
1584 |
||||||
WESLEYAN
|
Schools under the Wesleyan Methodists |
11 |
601 |
1648 |
528 |
|
A |
13 |
717 |
2220 |
556 |
|
Academy |
1 |
110 |
923 |
1080 |
|
1 |
67 |
923 |
800 |
|
|
Commercial School |
1 |
37 |
92 |
-- |
|
1 |
31 |
92 |
24 |
|
|
Grammar School |
-- |
-- |
-- |
-- |
|
1 |
44 |
526 |
-- |
|
|
Total |
13 |
748 |
2663 |
1608 |
|
16 |
859 |
3761 |
1180 |
|
Academy |
1 |
40 |
692 |
650 |
|
1 |
35 |
692 |
600 |
|
|
Presbyterian School |
1 |
57 |
184 |
360 |
|
1 |
70 |
184 |
336 |
|
|
Elementary Boarding School |
122 |
5747 |
17779 |
-- |
|
139 |
6341 |
20961 |
1312 |
|
|
Grammar School |
1 |
50 |
923 |
368 |
|
1 |
55 |
923 |
552 |
|
|
Commercial School |
6 |
185 |
1384 |
-- |
|
5 |
216 |
883 |
92 |
|
|
Total |
131 |
6029 |
20962 |
1378 |
|
147 |
6727 |
23593 |
2892 |
|
|
Total of Protestant Schools |
165 |
8807 |
34296 |
4246 |
|
186 |
9729 |
37524 |
5656 |
|
Academy |
1 |
107 |
4315 |
1712 |
|
1 |
62 |
4656 |
1204 |
|
|
Convent Schools |
12 |
1460 |
4961 |
-- |
|
14 |
2066 |
5422 |
-- |
|
|
Commercial Schools |
8591 |
2076 |
50 |
|
|
7 |
341 |
1580 |
50 |
|
|
Roman Catholic Boarding Schools |
104 |
4690 |
14404 |
480 |
|
111 |
5941 |
17274 |
500 |
|
|
Other Schools |
2 |
330 |
1323 |
-- |
|
2 |
302 |
1323 |
-- |
|
|
Total |
127 |
6278 |
27079 |
2342 |
|
135 |
8712 |
30255 |
1754 |
|
|
Total # of Schools in the Island |
292 |
15798 |
61374 |
6486 |
|
321 |
18441 |
67779 |
7416 |
This is the amount paid as salaries only
This is the amount paid as salaries only
Comparative Statement of Education in Newfoundland for the years 1845, 1849, 1859, 1869.
|
Year |
Population |
Schools |
Scholars |
Proportion of Population at School |
Cost |
Rate per head |
Proportion of General Revenue |
|
1845 |
96,506 |
111 |
6,483 |
7 |
85,109 |
5.50 |
13 |
|
1849 |
104,000 |
196 |
9,235 |
9 |
23,668 |
2.56 |
11 |
|
1859 |
122,638 |
248 |
12,743 |
10 |
67,288 |
7.20 |
10 |
|
1869 |
146,536 |
321 |
18,441 |
12 |
64,868 |
3.52 |
9 |
GEOLOGY OF NEWFOUNDLAND Of the Geology of Newfoundland little was known until within the past
four or five years; without proof to the contrary it had generally
been assumed as of the most chaotic nature, and repeated experiments
in mining seemed to justify the assumption. Silver, lead, copper, iron,
plumbago were found scattered about, almost in profusion, but every
working made it appear as if these appearances were fragmentary and
superficial. The interior of the island being uninhabited, trackless, and obscured
by woods and morasses, and the coast often inaccessible by means of
surf and the boldness of the cliffs, it became a difficult matter for
science to disprove the chaotic character of Newfoundland. In 1865
Mr. Murray, a gentleman of well tried experience in connection with
the Geological Survey of Canada, was requested to undertake a similar
survey of this island, and it might almost be said that all that is
known of the lithographical structure of Newfoundland, is the result
of his labors, carried on in face of the greatest difficulties a surveyor
could have to contend against, having first to map the topography of
the country before attempting to lay down its geology. From Mr. Murray's researches we learn that in Newfoundland the lower
formations predominate, whilst the secondary are also found largely
exhibited; throughout the peninsula of Avalon and for a great distance
westward from it, it is supposed that there are no more rocks of a
more recent date than the lower members of the Silarian system. The following have been recognized and their distribution followed
out to a certain extent. They are mentioned in ascending order. 1. Laurentian The Laurentian series forms as it were, the substratum of the island,
spreading itself abroad in great waves or undulations, in some places
depressed into deep hollows an in others elevated into mountain ranges.
It is exhibited most largely in what is termed the long range, running
from Cape Italy to Canada Ray, and it is supposed that the principal
ranges of hills and mountains from one side of the island to the other
will be of this system now got up by a series of parallel anticlinals.
These elevations with their corresponding depressions point about N.N.E.
and S. S. W., and give to the island its peculiarity of geographical
and topographical structure. On the flanks of these ranges and in the
hollows are collected the other geological series of the island resting
sometimes conformally and sometimes unconformally upon each other.
The rocks of the Laurentian series generally consist of gneiss and
mica slate, intersected by dykes of greenstone and Feldspathic veins. The
Intermediate has been found to overspread the peninsula of Avalon (Laurentian
rocks intruding in several localities) and further north it is found
largely exhibited in the peninsula between Trinity and Honavista Bays,
and in the islands of the latter bay. The whole formation is intersected
by numerous veins of quartz, the larger of which run parallel with
the stratification; these quartz veins are often impregnated with ores
of copper, frequently of the grey or variegated sulphurets, lead or
iron, and sometimes all three together. This formation has been supposed
by Mr. Murray to be the equivalent of the Cambrian system of England
and the Huronian of Canada. The Lower Silurian is largely distributed in Newfoundland, but no
member higher than the upper part of the Quebec group has been recognized;
this, however, is displayed in great force in many parts of the island.
In his journey across the island Mr. Cormick noticed almost in its
very centre the singularity of the mineralogical apparatus. "All the
highest parts of the ridge were of this metallic rock and were extremely
sterile." "The other rocks seen were noble serpentine, stratite or
soapstone, verdantique and other magnesian rocks." In this description
Mr. Murray sees all the conditions of the Lauzon Division of the Quebec
group, the metalliferous belt of North America, and considers that
here occurs its nearest outcrop going from east to west. On the north-east
coast this division is plainly shown, and it is to that part of the
island that mining efforts are at present principally directed. The
calciferous portion of this system is well marked on the east side
of the island, at Canada Bay and Hare Bay, and on the western side
along the coast from Port au Port to Cape Norman. The Upper Silurian has not been, as far as noticed, developed to any
great extent; its presence is indicated in White Bay by the presence
of Farosites gothandica and other characteristic fossils. The Devonian Of the Superficial drift Mr. Murray remarks that the facts collected
are too meagre and unsatisfactory to allow the hazarding of any suggestions
relative thereto. To the north-west of Halls Bay, accumulations were
remarked of sixty feet in thickness, consisting of stratified clay,
sometimes of a reddish and sometimes of a drab or bluish color gravel
and sand containing modern marine shells. ECONOMIC MATERIALS BUILDING STONE LIGHT HOUSES A light house fund, the proceeds of light dues paid in the colony,
is maintained separate from the general revenue, for the construction,
repair and support of Colonial light houses. And light houses are built
in those places most necessary, according as the state of the fund
warrants the expenditure. Two of the below mentioned light houses were build at the cost of
the Imperial Government, namely, those at Cape Race and Cape Pine,
and the former is maintained by a light due of one-sixteenth of a penny
levied by the Imperial statute and collected at all ports of Great
Britain and Ireland on vessels arriving fro ports in American, north
of New York. The same rate is levied under similar restrictions on
all vessels arriving in Newfoundland, but the amount here collected
in very trifling. The lights of Galantry Head and South entrance to
St. John's are supported and maintained by the French government. A
light house is in process of construction at Ferryland, but it will
not be exhibited before 1871. Fort Amherst light at the entrance of St. John's--A light was first
established at this station in 1813; in 1850 a new house, lantern,
and apparatus were erected. The light burns at an elevation of 114
feet, is produced by a treble argand burner placed in the focus of
an annular lens of the fourth order, and in favorable weather can be
seen 16 nauticalmiles. When Cape Spear is enveloped in fog, a heavy
piece of ordnance is also discharged at this Fort every hour during
daylight, to assist vessels in making the harbor. It is situated in
lat. 47.33.54 N., and long. 52.40.18 W. Cape Spear light--This light was first exhibited on the 1st September,
1835;it is produced by seven argand burners and silvered reflectors
burning at an elevation of 264 feet--it revolves, shewing a bright
light, every minute, and in favorable weather can be seen 26 nautical
miles. It is situated in 47.31.11 N lat., and 52.36.59 W. longitude. Cape Bonavista light--Situated in lat. 48.41.55 N. long. 53.5.20 W.;
is a revolving light, showing alternately every 90 seconds a white
and red light. It is produced by 16 argand burners and reflectors,
burns at an elevation above the sea of 150 feet, and in favorable weather
can be seen 18 nautical miles. By keeping this light open with Cape
Largent, it will carry you clear of the Flower Rocks; first exhibited
11th September 1843. Cape Pine light--This tower is of iron, built by the Imperial Government
in 1849-50, and first put in requisition on the 1st January 1851. It
is a fixed white light, has 12 argand burners and reflectors--elevated
above the level of he sea 314 feet--situated in lat. 46.37.4N, and
in long 53.31.45 W In a favorable state of the atmosphere it can be
seen 26 nautical miles. George Hewitt, keeper; Thomas Doran, assistant. Harbor Grace Beach beacon and light--First exhibited 11th September
1850; stands on the Point of Beach at the entrance of Harbor Grace.
It is a double light, as a distinction from Harbor Grace Island light,
one being placed above the other preserving that appearance for six
miles, exceeding this distance up to ten miles the two lights appear
blended into one. In sailing into Harbor Grace with a fair or leading wind, bring the
Beach beacon to bear W or W by S, and keeping the light or building
a little on the starboard bow it will bring you clear of the bar, on
which at low water there is not more than 8 feet of water. It is situated
in lat 47.41.28 N, and in long 52.12.33 W; elevation above the sea
level 40 feet; in clear weather it may be seen at a distance of 11
nautical miles. George Brown, keeper. Green Island light at the entrance of Catalina Harbor, Trinity Bay.--Situated
in lat. 48.30.16 N., long. 53.2.40 W. This is a fixed white light,
burns at an elevation of 92 feet above high water, and in favorable
weather will be seen from E.N.E., seaward, to S. W., 15 nautical miles.
Vessels bound Northward by keeping this light open with the North Head
of Catalina until Bonavista light opens with Cape Le Jean, will give
the Flower Rocks an ample berth--or when coming from the Northward
and bound for Catalina, by giving the N. Head a moderate berth, you
will clear the Brandies Rocks by steering for Green Island light. It
was first exhibited in 1857. Peter Woods, keeper; Henry Roper, assistant. Cape Race light--Exhibits a revolving white light from sunset to sunrise.
The light will be visible to seaward from N.E. by E. round by the S.
E. and S. to W. The light is elevated 180 feet above the mean water
level of the sea, and may be seen in clear weather 19 nautical miles
from a ship's deck. The tower is striped red and white vertically.
It stands close to the old beacon, which has been cut down. The light
house is in lat. 46.39.30 N., long 53.4.30 W., and was first exhibited
in 1856. Michael J. Hally, keeper; George Simms, assistant; James Simms, 2nd
assistant during winter months. Dodding head, Great Burin Island light--This light was put in requisition
on the 3rd August 1858 and is exhibited every night from sunset to
sunrise. It is a revolving cato-dioptric of the second order, producing
a brilliant white light every minute with intermediate flashes, at
intervals of twenty seconds, burning at an elevation of 430 feet above
the level of the sea, and in favorable weather can be seen 29 miles--situated
in 47.0.26 north latitude, 55.8.43 west longitude. Offer Wadham Island light--Was first exhibited on the 4th October
1858 and is lighted every night from sunset to sunrise--The light is
a steady, fixed lens-light, burning on a circular Brick Tower 100 feet
above the level of the sea, and can be seen in a favorable state of
the atmosphere 15 nautical miles. Situated in latitude 49.36.0 north--longitude
53.45.6 west. Baccalieu Island light--This light is exhibited every night from the
going away of daylight in the evening to the return of daylight in
the morning. The light house is situated on the northern end of the
Island. Latitude 48.9.51 north, longitude 52.47.50 west--the tower
is of brick, the keeper's dwelling a square building detached from
the tower, painted white with the roof red. The light is a cato-dioptric
first class Holpohotal revolving white light, shewing a flash every
twenty seconds. It is elevated 443 feet above high water, and can be
seen in clear weather 30 nautical miles, and a lesser distance according
to the state of the atmosphere.--When the southern end of the Island
bears N. N. E., the light will not be visible when nearer the Island
than 8 miles. It was first exhibited in 1858. Cape St. Mary's light--Was put in requisition on the 20th September,
1860; it is a revolving cato-dioptric light of the first order producing
alternatelly every minute a brilliant red and white light burning at
an elevation of 300 feet above the level of the sea, and will be seen
in a favorable state of the atmosphere 26 nautical miles from a vessel's
deck; situated in 46.49.30 N. lat., 54.11.34 West long. The tower is
of brick, and on each side of which stands the dwellings of the keeper
and assistant, the sides of which are painted white, roofs red. St. John's--Two red lights are exhibited every night from sunset until
sunrise, intended as leading marks for vessels entering the Narrows.
The lower light on the roof of the Custom house--the other 400 yards
in the rear, on a white post, within a few yards of the N. E. angle
of the Congregational church, and 180 feet above the level of the sea.
These lights will be readily distinguished from any other lights in
the town; and keeping them in a line bearing N. W. 3/4 W., will lead
in the largest vessel clear of all danger. To serve as leading marks
also during the day, the pediment of the Custom house has been painted
white; this is to be kept in line with the upper lantern, also painted
white. Exhibited 1st September, 1863. Brunet Island light, Mercer's Head, Fortune Bay.--First exhibited
27th June, 1865. It is a powerful, flashing white light, and attains
its greatest brilliancy every ten seconds. It burns at an elevation
of 408 feet above the level of the sea, and in clear weather may be
seen at a distance of 35 miles, and be visible in every direction from
North round East and South, to W. N. W. Mercer's Head is a bold headland,
and situated in long. 55.59.30W., and lat. 47.16 N. Harbor Grace Island light. The fixed light for many years past exhibited
at Harbor Grace Island, in Conception Bay, was discontinued on the
1st December, 1869. The light at that station is now revolving, showing
in every direction two white flashes, followed by one red flash. The
interval between each flash in attaining its greatest brilliancy will
be 30 seconds. This light, in a favorable state of the atmosphere,
will be seen 25 nautical miles. It is situated in lat. 47.42.45 N.,
and long. 53.8.15. Ferryland light recently constructed. Galantry Head, Island of St. Peter's--The fixed light on Galantry
Head, Island of St. Peter's, since the 10th August 1862, has been replaced
by a flash light, with intervals of twenty seconds, and by one red
flash after two white flashes; situated in lat. 46.45.30 N.; long.
58.27.0 W.; elevation above high water 64 metres. Distance at which
the light is visible 18 miles. The light is hidden at the northward
by the high land of St. Peter's. Light at the South entrance, St. Peter's--Since 1st October 1862,
the entrance of the harbor of St. Peter's, called South Channel, has
been marked by two small fixed lights, one of which is a white light
illuminating three-fourths of the horizon, and placed on the battery--and
the other a red light, on the plain at the north of the town. The white
light has an elevation of 11 metres, and is visible 6 miles. The red
light is elevated 19 meters, visible 3 miles distance. The line connecting
these two lights indicates the Middle Channel. The position of the red light has also been so determined that as
soon as it is seen on the left of Cape Eagle, vessels coming from Columbier
in beating into the N. E. entrance will have nothing to fear from the
shoals of Cape Rouge. Light Dues--One shilling per ton on all vessels entering any port
or harbor of the Colony, except coasting, sealing, or fishing vessels;
but not to be levied more than once in any one year. Sealing and coasting
vessels--Six pence per ton on registered vessels of 40 tons and upwards,
fifteen shillings per annum on all vessels less than 40 tons. The 19th Vict., cap. 5, sec. 5, enacts-- "that no greater sum than
25 pounds sterling shall be in any year levied for light dues on any
steamer or vessel entering any port of this colony; and no steamer
plying between Europe and any port of North America, and entering any
port of this colony as a port of call, shall be liable to pay any light
dues or other port charges except pilotage." MINES AND MINERALS Within the last few years, mining explorations have been carried on
to a considerable extent, and hopes have been raised by the marked
success which has attended one of the mining enterprises that Newfoundland
may yet become the Cornwall of Britain in America, as pre-eminent for
her mines and minerals as she has been and is for her fisheries. Under
the Act. 23 Vict., cap. 3., to make provisions for the disposal and
sale of ungranted and unoccupied Crown Lands within the Island of Newfoundland,
and to make rovision for granting Mining Licenses, Leases, and Grants, &c.,
it was enacted that the "Governor may issue licenses of search for
three square miles," giving the exclusive right to the land licenses.
Such as license holds good for two years, at the end of which period
a grant may be issues on application, of one square mile, provided
that if within two years from the issue of the grant mining operations
shall not have commenced, the grant shall revert to the Crown. Under
this Act the following regulations have been adopted by the Governor
in Council:-- I. An application for a License of search 9which can continue in force
for two years only, and can cover only three square miles) shall be
made in the form of a petition and filed and registered in the Surveyor
Generals' office; and such petition shall describe generally, but with
sufficient certainty, the situation, extent, and boundaries of the
land over which the search is to extend; and with such petition there
shall be deposited with the Surveyor General, for the use of the colony,
the sum of five pounds sterling. II. An application for a grant or lease of mineral land (which cannot
exceed one square mile) shall be made in the like form and be filed
in the same office, and shall contain an accurate survey, made by a
Government surveyor at the expense of the petitioner, of the land required,
with a description of its position and boundaries; and shall disclose
the names of any present occupants, if any; whether any part of the
land has been, or at such time be, under cultivation or improvement
of any kind, and if so by whom made, and to what extent, and whether
any other person has any right, interest, or claim in and over the
said land, or is possessed of any part thereof. With such petition
a sum of ten pounds sterling shall be deposited with the Surveyor General
for the use of the colony, and the same shall be accompanied by a certificate
from the Surveyor verifying such particularsas relate to the occupation,
possession and state of said land, and the absence of claims upon it
by other parties. III. Every petition shall be deemed to be fixed, so as to give the
Applicant a prior claim to what he seeks only from the time of the
payment of the deposit money. IV. Every application for a grant or lease of mineral land shall be
advertised by the applicant in the Royal Gazette for one month previously
to such grant or lease being issued. V. Every grant or lease shall contain a reservation of a royalty of
five per cent upon all gold and silver, and (after five years) of two
and one half per cent, on the gross produce of all other mines or mineral
worked on the land, or obtained therefrom, and a reservation to the
public, if considered advisable by the Governor and Council of the
beach or sea shore, to the extent of 100 feet from high water mark,
for the purposes of the fishery, and it shall be subject to a condition
that the lease or grant shall be forfeited if the mines and minerals
therein mentioned be not actually and effectually worked within two
years from the date of the grant, or if the working thereof be intermitted
or the period of two years at any time, or if the royalty be not paid
and shall contain provisions for affording free access at all reasonable
times to the Surveyor General and his agents, to inspect and see the
state of the works, and the quantity of minerals raised or worked;
for the keeping of true books of account by the grantee or lessee of
all such minerals, which books shall always be open to the inspection
of the Surveyor General or his agents, and for the determination of
the moment of the royalty from time to time payable in manner hereafter
mentioned. VI. The royalty reserved by any grant or lease shall be delivered
to the Surveyor General or his agent upon the land quarterly, or may
be compounded for at such rate as may from time to time be agreed upon
between that office and the grantee or lessee.VII. A map of Newfoundland,
showing all mineral grants, leases and licenses of search, with the
dates thereof shall be kept in the Surveyor General's office, open
to inspection on payment of one shilling. Under these regulations, licenses have been issued and grants taken
up; all of these are upon the coastline and for the greater part on
the shore and islands lying between Cape John and Cape Freels. It is
in this portion of the island that the Lauzon division of the Quebec
group of rocks (which has been termed the Metalliferous belt of America)
has been most fully traced out by the Government geological surveyor;
and it is here that the principal mining operations have been carried
on, viz., at Tilts Cove and Burton's Pond. The ore worked is, in both
instances, copper, found in conjunction with fine serpentines, though
at Tilt Cove, nickel has also been worked with great profit, from a
lode or vein, and sold for 80 pounds per ton. Applications on the south coast, and more especially in Placentia
Bay, have been principally for lead, and it is in this section that
the La Manche lead mine is being now worked. Free grants or licenses
have been issued for the western shore of the island, owing to the
treaty rights which the French possess on that portion of the country.
The limits of these rights have been repeatedly debated and discussed,
but without much conclusion being come to upon the question; for while
it is evident that the French cannot possibly possess any territorial
jurisdiction in Newfoundland, it is equally plain that by treaty they
need suffer no interference or interruption with their rights of codfishing,
which of course involves the use of the shore. With this difficulty
unsolved, the Home Government, until lately, positively forbade any
licenses being issued for that portion of the island (termed the French
shore) but a sort of compromised has been affected whereby at present
both licenses and grants may be obtained for land lying one mile from
the high water mark. This is hardly satisfactory, but until the meaning
of the treaties has been mutually agreed upon, anything more can hardly
be expected. This shore seems rich in many articles of great economic
important, and gypsum, marble, limestone, coal, iron and petroleum
await the enterprise of the capitalist. In Trinity Bay, one grant of
land has been made for the purposes of a slate quarry, and very considerable
progress has been made in opening it up; the slate is of excellent
quality, obtainable in the largest sizes, and is described by the Welsh
quarrymen who are engaged in its working as equal to any obtained from
the celebrated quarries in Wales. NATURALIZATION OF ALIENS. On the application of any Alien resident in Newfoundland the governor
may issue letters patent under the great seal of the island, naturalising
such aliens, who thereupon or as soon after as he shall have taken
the oath of allegiance before a judge of the Supreme Court, (which
must be done within ten days from the issuing of letters patent) shall
become entitled to all the rights, privileges, and immunities, and
subject to all the liabilities of a natural born subject of Her Majesty
(under Act 19, Victoria, cap 20). CURRENCY. The Act. 26, Victoria, cap 18, entitled "An Act for the Regulation
of the Currency", provides that the denomination of money in the currency
of the colony shall be dollars and cents, and that all public accounts
shall be paid, and monies received, in such currency. The system has
been based upon the value of the sovereign, which is fixed at $4.80,
all parts of the sovereign being a legal tender after the like rate,
and according to the proportion they respectively bear to the sovereign;
thus the shilling English passes for 24 cents, the florin for 48 cents,
the half-crown for 60 cents, while the English half-penny is equivalent
to one cent. A colonial coinage has been minted under the Act, consisting
of cents in bronze, 5 cent, 10 cent, 20 cent pieces in silver, and
2 dollar pieces in gold. The standard of fineness is the same as that
used for British coins and their intrinsic value bears the same proportion
to the current value as British coins respectively bear to their current
value. On this Act, the Master of the Mint has remarked that the creation
of a new distinction between the currency of two neighboring British
colonies may be regretted, but Newfoundland cannot well be objected
to for adopting a decimal system of the dollar so much in harmony with
the Imperial coinage as to admit of being worked by British coins,
and which of all the decimal systems of coinage appears to be that
which would be introduced with least difficulty into the Mother country
itself
|
| Current Value of Coins in Newfoundland | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Spanish | Doubloon | (gold) | $15.05 |
| " | Half | " | 7.75 |
| Mexican | Doubloon | " | 15.35 |
| " | Half | " | 7.60 |
| All Quarter of Doubloons | (gold) | 3.80 | |
| All Eighths | 1.90 | ||
| All Sixteenths | .95 | ||
| 20 | Franc pieces | (French) | 3.60 |
| 10 | " | " | 1.80 |
| 5 | " | " | .90 |
| Spanish | Sovereign | (120 Reis) | 4.80 |
| " | " | (40 ") | 1.80 |
| 20 | Dollar Piece | (American) | 19.70 |
| 10 | " " | " | 9.83 |
| 5 | " " | " | 4.97 |
| 2-1/2 | " " | " | 2.46 |
| 1 | " " | " | .98 |
| 3 | " " | " | 2.95 |
| 1 | Dollar piece (American) | silver | .93 |
| 1 | Franc piece | " | .48 |
| 5 | " " | " | .91 |
| 1 | Dollar Spanish or Mexican | (silver) | 1.00 |
| 1 Florin | .48 | ||
| 1 | English Shilling | .24 | |
| English Half Crown | .60 | ||
The entries have been transcribed as
they appear in the 1871 Lovell's directory.
Over the years, many of the names have become
colloquialized or spelled differently.
Traqnscribed by Mike Tierney
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