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EDITORIAL NOTES. In this issue we publish a commu- nication from the pen pen of our esteemed townsman Mr. E. Grigg who possesses many years of experience of cenditions in this island and during his iormer residence here was the anthor of valuable contributions to these columns. In a communication which appeared in the Avis some days ago, Mr. Grigg di- rected attention to the exigent need of a public water supply a question which vear after year has engaged the most serious consideration of those who suffer through the lack of means to overcome our primitive condition in this reveci, but whica was received no legislative at- tention to our knowledge. Today he is pointing out that a proper water-cart is necessary to combat the dust during the now more frequent dry seasons. These are really matters of high im- portance to this town, and should arouse more general interest than appears to have been given hitherto. We are glad to accept ana publish correspondence which has for its object constructive criti- cism of local affairs and feel confi- dent that the same could not but be approved by ali concerned. While it is a fact that considerable money is budget- ted every year, and improvements are not infrequently proposed on a larger or smaller scale, we fear that Christiansted and its needs are not fully considered. It is often declared that constructive criticism is to be encouraged,and even de- sirel to aid our legislative in passing on various matters on which it is not always practicable to obtain trained advice; it is, therefore, to be hopzd that the present will prove of value, and in- strumental in effecting a remedy which should redound to popular advaniage. We conclude today the monstrous piece of fiction opened in last Saturday’s num- ber. Readers will note the compliment paid to the inhabitants of an island which it is proposed to sink under the ocean or destroy by a volcano in order to improve it; the alleged visit to the insane asylum, ete. Language is not strong enough to demounce this scribbling Kitechen who does not by his writings appzar to be worthy of being received in our humblest kitehenif he should ever have the gump- tion to return to the Virgin Islands, whether'‘on purpose’’, or ‘‘by accident’’, Lowande and Gardener, a circus com- pany of repute, is expected to visit St Thomas in these days, and we take this opportunity of extending them a warm invitation to Christiaffsted where ample patronage is guaranteed. Jt°is some years since a circus has been here and they are sure to get a full house every night. The Order of the Day for a meeting of = 1 R UL X A NS the Celonial Council on Monday next, reached us too late for insertion in the present- igsue. but will bz published to- morrow. FL.OCAL. Yesterday beinge Whit Monday and a legal local holiday, the / vis was not pub- lished. The day was marked with a var- iety of observances, among which may be mentioned a Sund:y School picnic by the Moravians, the procession marching through the streets headed by the Native Brass Band. There was extensive mas querading in the afternoon, and a p.ivate dance in the St Croix Club rooms kept that quarter lively in the evening. The Native Brass Band gave a popular concert in the bandstand on Sunday night, and played many really very attractive airs. A goodiy gathering was present, The Creole sailed for St. "homas at midnight taking St. Thomas, Porto Rico, and the United States mails The non receipt of United States mall hy the Mystery on Saturday last is atri- buted to longshoremen strikes in New York through which steamers are tied up. Up rto now no official advice is re- ceived of detetion of the 8. S Guiana and she is being looked for in Frederik- sted tomorrow, unless, as rumored, she called at Newsport News for coal and is consequently delaved until Friday. The last of the Lion Man was shown to a crowded house last night. The end- ing of this interesting serial fully re- paid those who have patronized it all along." AlFootbali. The Dreadunought “Football Club was defeated by the Christiansted Athletic Association Football Club on Sunday by one goal to none. Congratulations to you Athletic boys, but the Dreadnought will be back after you in the near future to overrule your Club so that it can still remain the stromgest Football Club on the island. —Com. Correspondence Christiansted, May 15th, 21. The Edaitor St. Croixz Awvis. In the year 1493, the exact date has slipped my memory, Christopher Co- lumbus sighted this island, and named it Santa Cruz, after the fiesta that was being observea aboard. The ship being in need of water, a boat with empty casks was sent ashore to refill, from what appeared to be a river. Threading its wsy through the reefs the boat was rowed up the river as far as it could float, but the water all around was found tn be quite salt, and useless for drinking purposes. Just as the boat was about to return to the ship, some Indians were espied on the bank and the officer in charge of the boat made friendiv signs to them and eventually opened up communition, pointing to the empty casks in the boat he conveyed the need to fill them up with good water, the Indians readi'y comprehended and good naturedly agreed to fill them. The tribe turned out with their earth- enware pots and marched over to the spring that was situated between the estates now known as Concordia and Glynn. That the efforts of the Indians with their small earthenware pois, io water the ships, would be lengthy, soyon became eyident to the offlcer in charge, so having filled a couple of casks, the other empty ones were placea ashore, the Indians being instructed to il them. The boat then returned to the ship to report the situation to the Admiral. It was decided to send ashore a large empty ecask now known as a puncheon, and the Indians und~r the excitement of a present of a few colcur- ed beads, be encouraged to continue the tesk of watering throughout the night, by filling up the puncheon. This was satisfactorily accomplished, and the next day in part payment of the labours of the tribe, the puncheon was left kehind as an honoured gift. This was subse- quently put to very valuable use, a dry spell being experienced, with dease clouds of dust, speedily brought with it 2 mysterious sickness affecting the eyes and throat, especially attacking the younger members of the tribe. At a solemn meeting of the medicine. mex of all the tribes, held at the full of the m#@on, at the spring now known as Lebanon Hill Garden, called for the pur- nose of stamping out the plague, it was wisely decided to mount the old saered puncheon on runners, somewhat after the fashion of a sled, bore a hole in the puncheon, and attach a trough thereto, by splitting a piece of bamboo, and by bor- ing holes in the trough, allowing the wa- ter to sprirkle over the dusty roads around the village, thus the dnst nui- sance would b 2 abated, until the long ev- pected rains fell. The water sprinkler as tis known here today, was thus evolv- ed. This clumsy arrangement was care- fully preserved and used at certain peri- ods vearly, until t e Danes settled on the island, some two hundred vears ago, then more modern and scientific meth- ods were intvoduced. The sacred old puncheon was mounted (pon a sort of a carriage, with wheels substituted for the old runners, and aniron pipe used instead of the ancient piece of bamboo, and a pony to draw it, all was tastefully