Árdís - 01.01.1956, Page 21

Ársrit Bandalags lúterskra kvenna
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There are larger colonies in larger caves in the Northern Range,
but here the bird can be seen more easily than anywhere else in
Trinidad.
There are more than 17 different species of humming birds in
Trinidad and that is possibly the reason the early inhabitants called
Trinidad “Iere”, “Land of the Humming Bird”.
Cocoa occupies the same position in the Trinidad economy as
wheat in Canada. Most cocoa growers belong to the Cocoa Producers
Association (C.P.A.) which is a marketing cooperative, makes an
advance of 90% of the local market price, pools all its sales and
divides the proceeds each June 30th.
Cocoa is not refined in Trinidad. The finished product would
not keep. And if it was possible, markets would have to be found
and then compete with well established enterprises.
The export of coffee used to be a monopoly in the hands of a
few merchants in Port of Spain and as a result the prices were very
poor. The late Dr. Wright was instrumental in having this changed
with the result that the growers received a much fairer price and
could export it themselves if they wished.
We were loathe to leave Mrs. Wright, I, for one, could have
stayed a month, and can truthfully say that one of the highlights
of our visit to Trinidad was meeting her and seeing her luxuriant
plantation. I am only sorry we didn’t have the pleasure of meeting
Dr. Wright who passed away only two weeks before we arrived in
Trinidad.
Tobago
The last weekend of our stay in Trinidad was spent with the
family in Tobago (the legendary Robinson Crusoe Island).
Tobago is 26 miles long and 7% miles wide and lies 20 miles
off the northeast coast of Trinidad. From Port of Spain, Tobago can
be reached by boat in nine hours or by air in 20 minutes.
The population consists of 30,000 negroes and a handful of
whites. Its inhabitants rely on agriculture and stock raising for their
livelihood.
Tobago is unique, it has remained in its virgin state since it
was ceded to the British in 1814, except for a few guests and hotels
which accommodate the visitors. The climate is a little cooler
(80 deg.) than that of Trinidad owing to its location being directly