HINTS TO TRAVELERS

Best Visiting Time.-The "season" in Nassau extends approximately from January 15 to April 1. The climate is moderate, and there are few cloudy days. Social life is active at this time; sports and amusements are offered in great variety. Prices are at their peak during the season, and hotel costs are a difficult problem for the average commercial traveler. Out of season (May to December) the large hotels are closed, and accommodations are difficult to find. A few small hotels and cottages are open and rates are fairly reasonable, but much higher than in towns of the same size in the United States.

Clothing.-Men's tropical clothing may be obtained at moderate prices, but formal wear and medium-weight suits are not very satisfactory. White dinner jackets or mess jackets are usually worn in lieu of the usual black tuxedo.

Hotels.-Principal hotels (daily rates in parentheses) of the Bahama Islands are: British Colonial, Nassau (from $12 up, American plan); Fort Montagu Beach, Nassau (from $9 up, American plan); Royal Victoria (from $8 up, American plan); Prince George, Nassau (from $5 up, European plan); Lucerne, Nassau (from $1.50 up, European plan); Charlotte (from $1.50 up, European plan).

Holidays. The chief holidays (which are those usually observed in Great Britain) are: January 1, New Year's Day; Good Friday; May 24, Empire Day; June 9, King's Birthday; August 4, Bank Holiday; October 12, Columbus Day; November 11, Armistice Day; December 25, Christmas. Stores are closed at noon on Fridays throughout the year, except in the winter tourist season when a cruise vessel is in port; in such case, they remain open until 5 p. m.

Currency, Exchange, and Banking.—The currency system of the Bahama Islands is that of the United Kingdom, and Bank of England notes are legal tender, as well as the gold and silver coins. American currency is accepted everywhere. Many prices are stated in dollars, particularly during the tourist season. The Royal Bank of Canada has a branch at Nassau. There is a Government Savings Bank at Nassau.

COMMERCIAL CENTERS

NASSAU. Capital and chief town of the Bahamas; population, about 20,000; on New Providence Island. The channel and turning basin permit steamers of 25-foot draft to go alongside Prince George's Wharf. Nassau is 145 nautical miles from Miami, Fla., and 960 nautical miles from New York. Chief industries: Preparation of sponges and sisal for export and growing of tomatoes for winter market. Nassau owes its im

portance largely to its very pleasant climate, which makes it a great pleasure resort. The business is chiefly retail trade of fair volume.

ABACO ISLAND.-Distance of 116 miles from Nassau; population, about 4,500. Principal industries: Lumbering, fishing, and agriculture. Reached by schooner from Nassau.

ANDROS ISLAND.-Lies 20 nautical miles from New Providence; reached by schooner from Nassau. Principal products are sponges and pineapples.

BARBADOS

Area. Barbados, most easterly of the Caribbean islands, is in latitude 13°40′ N. and longitude 59°37′' W. Area, about 166 square miles; greatest length, 21 miles; and greatest width, 14 miles.

Topography. A deep valley divides Barbados into two unequal parts, the northern part being the larger. Near the center of the northern half is Mt. Hillaby, 1,104 feet, highest point on the island. Many of the island's numerous valleys are quite fertile. Small streams are numerous, but none are navigable. Climate. Barbados has an equable climate-moderate temperature, with a constant breeze; oppressive weather occurs only in the summer and autumn. September to November are the least agreeable months on the island, owing to heavy rainfalls at that season.

POPULATION AND INDUSTRY

Population. The population of Barbados, nearly 200,000, is largely (93 percent) Negro. Most of the European element is English. The prevalence of low wages among the large Negro population tends to keep purchasing power at a low level.

Chief Economic Activities. All business in Barbados hinges on the sugar crop. There are 33 important sugar factories and more than twice as many smaller ones. Production of cotton, which was formerly important, is now a secondary industry. An increasing tourist trade reaches its height during the winter, but maintains a fair level throughout the year.

TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNICATION

Steamship Service. The "Good Neighbor" ships have begun calling at Barbados every other week on their south-bound trips to the east coast of South America, stopping at nearby Trinidad. The principal steamship lines calling regularly are as follows: From the United States.-American Republics Lines; American Caribbean Line; McCormick Steamship Co. (from San Francisco); Aluminum Line (from New Orleans); Booth Line; Canadian National Steamship Co. (from Boston); Furness Line's Bermuda West Indies Steamship Co.; Ocean Dominion Line; Canadian Transport Co. (from Canada).

From Europe.—Hamburg-American Line; Royal Netherland Steamship Co.; Harrison Line; Compagnie Generale Transatlantique.

Air Service. The Dutch K. L. M. Line calls at Barbados three times a week. Only the two principal runways of the landing field at Barbados have been completed, but regular service has been started. This new service will be of value only in connecting Barbados with Trinidad, although the planes usually come from Curacao and return there via La Guaira. Pan American Airways planes fly several times each week in both directions between Trinidad and Miami.

Postage. First-class letter rate is 5 cents to or from the United States. South-bound air mail is 10 cents additional, but north-bound air mail is 20 cents additional.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

No special registration of commercial travelers is required in the Colony. Duty must be paid on samples, but this payment is refunded when the samples are reshipped under customs supervision. Commercial travelers may also have to pay the trade tax, which is imposed on all persons doing business in the Colony; and they must obtain a license, valid for 6 months, for which the charge is 5 pounds sterling.

HINTS TO TRAVELERS

Directories and Guidebooks.-The West Indies Year Book (published by Thomas Skinner of Canada, Ltd., Montreal) is an authoritative directory for Barbados.

Best Visiting Time. January to May, the dry months, are most popular for visitors from the North. The only disagreeable season (owing to excessive rainfall and lack of trade winds) is the early autumn.

Clothing. Tropical-weight clothing is desirable the year round. Sun helmets and white wear are not necessary.

Hotels. The principal hotels, in the order named, are the Marine, Ocean View, Windsor, Royal, Hastings, and Balmoral, all of which are located in Hastings, about 2 miles from Bridgetown. The highest daily rate is about $7 (U. S. currency) per person for room with bath, American plan, during the crowded winter season. Summer rates are usually about half the winter rates.

Holidays. As Barbados is a British Colony, the holidays are those of Great Britain. Those principally observed are: January 1, New Year's Day; Good Friday; Easter Monday; Whitmonday; Victoria Day, May 24; August 5 and October 6, Bank Holidays; Christmas, December 25.

Currency, Exchange, and Banking. The English penny is established at 2 cents Barbadian currency, the shilling at 24 cents Barbadian, and the pound sterling at $4.80 Barbadian. Thus, Canadian and American dollars fluctuate in exchange

value, based on the London price. Three banks conduct business in Bridgetown: namely, Barclays Bank (Dominion, Colonial, and Overseas); Canadian Bank of Commerce; Royal Bank of Canada.

CHIEF COMMERCIAL CENTER

Bridgetown. Only large town in Barbados. Together with its immediate suburbs it has a population in excess of 50,000. The climate is warm, rather than hot, owing to the almost constant trade winds. There is a good boat service; a few taxicabs, and numerous cars with chauffeurs, are available for hire.