Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 218, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 September 1910 — HEALTH and SUNSHINE in JAMAICA [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

HEALTH and SUNSHINE in JAMAICA

ON A dreary November day L in company with about 130 other health and pleasure seekers, started from Paddington by the Great Western railway for Bristol, en route for the Isle of Joy and Sunshine. Dining excellently meanwhile, we were soon whisked to Avonmouth, where our ship, the Port Kingston, was awaiting our arrival, all spick-and-span to a coat of pure white, showing off her beautiful lines, looking quite fairylike, and sparkling with electric lights. By 11 o'clock we had retired to our comfortable staterooms, and soon afterwards all was quiet and ready for the voyage of over 4,000 miles.

High winds and rolling seas kept most of the ladles in their cabins for four days, but the men and a few hardy ones of the other sex who would not give up came on deck, practising for their “sea legs.” Soon the wind dropped and the sea calmed; the glorious sunshine and mild breezes ‘brought out the butterflies from below, and the spacious deck was thronged with fashionables. • Before long we were In the tropics, and soon sighted the Island of Bermuda, the fortress, guardship and wonderful dry dock well In the foreground. We were enabled to land, and enjoyed a few hours on shore and a drive over the well-kept roads, passing flourishing plantations and gardens In all directions, and being reminded of home by the FngH*h names given to the places and homesteads. The rest of the voyage was delightful beyond expression. The t<toe passed only too quickly, and the Blue mountains of Jamaica were visible early one morning. The most glorious sunrise imaginable was the reward of those who rose to greet the wonderful panorama presented to our view—a picture never to be forgotten! Immense business is done In Kingston, vh.ich rapidly recovered from the effects of the earthquake. Great emporiums are In full working order, and In more than one may be seen endless varieties of fabrics and models which would not disgrace Worth or Jay. Landed and past the customs, we “were soon on the road for “Constant Spring,”~a distance of six miles, reached In about twenty minutes by excellent motor omnibuses every few minutes to the “Constant Spring” hotel, so-called after a wonderful spring which has never been known to fall! The hotel delightfully situated, la excellent in every way, replete with comfort and, bqlng away from the heat and bustle of Kingston, it is an ideal palace "lifting to eternal summer.” Mr. Verley*s training stables are about seven miles from Kingston, near his rebuilt and enlarged mansion, which was much Injured by the earthquake. Here are also, within a short distance, the Jockey club racecourse and polo ground.

The reports and rumors published of the hurricanes and ravage caused by floods have been greatly exaggerated, yet a good deal of damage is done to the plantations, roads and bridges, and torrents of rain fall. The results, however, give work to hundreds of men, and eventually prove a blessing in disguise. It 1s believed the next two or three years will prove great fruit seasons, in consequence of the heavy rains. The Jamaica club is a fine house in a pleasant situation in Kingston, and is celebrated far and wide for its hospitality and loyalty. The homeward voyage was even more pleasant than the outward, because of the perfect weather we were labored with, and it was only when within sight of the Irish coast that the colder breezes and mist reminded us our trip was nearly at an end, and. regarding this, there was only one opinion—never had time been-passed more pleasantly or profitably from a health point of view than on this cruise to .amain and back, MOO-mileu in five weeks! Mention of the late Sir Alfred Jones, the chief of the imperial direct West Indian mall service, has been left to the last for obvious reasons. Just before starting for Jamaica a long telegram was handed to me from the founder of this and many other great undertakings. He never forgot anyone or anything, and fell a victim to his zealous work. Of Sir Alfred's somewhat sudden death the public are fully aware. It has been said no one is so good that he cannot be replaced, hot it will be very difficult indeed to

replace the one whose whole thought was the good of his country! It Is known he did much for the great causa of empire, but it may never be knows how much good he did, how he worked day and night for the one great ides of his life. He was always ready to do a kind action, and many of his noblest deeds were done to secret. The working and enterprise of the firm with which was connected can to. justice be mentioned, more especially now that the chief has passed away. Amongst the great distribution of the products of Jamaica over Europe and America none stands higher than the firm which was formed on the advice of Sir Alfred Jones, who introduced Jamaican bananas into Britain, and it worked unceasingly till he had conquered and the business became so immense that he was called the “Banana King."

W. CLIFFORD WEBLYN.