RIVER SWIM
(Guyana Chronicle March 2, 1980)
PIRANHA aquatic club will sponsor a “double crossing” of the Demerara River today to coincide with their first anniversary celebrations.All clubs affiliated to the Guyana Swimming Association have been invited to participate.
The race starts at 1230 p.m. at the Georgetown Stelling, proceeds to Vreed-en-Hoop and back to finish at the Georgetown Stelling.

DePEANA QUITS AS CCWU’S GENERAL SECRETARY
(Guyana Chronicle March 6, 1980)
The General Secretary of the Clerical and Commercial Workers Union (CCWU) Mr. George DePeana has resigned his position from the union but has retained his membership.
A letter to that effect has been sent to the President of the CCWU, Gordon Todd.
Mr. DePeana had been granted several years of absence from his desk by the union because of his appointment with the International Organisation.
Mr. DePeana assured the CCWU that he would always make himself available whenever possible if the union needed his assistance.
Meanwhile the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the CCWU’s Credit Union is to be held on Sunday March 23 at the Union’s Headquarters at Murray and Waterloo Streets, Georgetown.
The AGM had to be postponed on several occasions because the organization was awaiting the audited copy of the report.

“EXORCIST” ON $1,000 BAIL
(Guyana Chronicle March 8, 1980)
A man who claimed he could remove evil spirits from the body of another man has been placed on $1,000 bail by Chief Magistrate Owen Fung-kee-Fung on an indictable charge of obtaining money by false pretences.
Surupaul Singh of Providence is accused of obtaining $200 from Raj Ramnarine on February 20, 1980 by falsely pretending that Ramnarine was possessed by an evil spirit and he could remove it.
Police are alleging that the offence was committed at DEMICO House on Croal Street.
Singh will again appear in Court on April 11th.
PROPHET TO OPEN RELIGIOUS COMPLEX
(Guyana Chronicle March 15, 1980)
Self-proclaimed prophet Hakim Ally aged 17 of Weldaad West Coast Berbice says that he is hoping to establish a religious complex in the village.
Hakim Ally who claims to have psychic powers after being kicked by a horse plans to establish a Hindi school, hospital and temple at Weldaad “very shortly”.
He said he will be teaching at the Hindi school.
Ally said that the book he is now writing “The Book of Love” is nearly completed and will be out shortly.
Ally has also denied that he chased a priest Deonarine from his home some time ago.
He said he would like Narine to visit again so that they could have a “good talk”.
FOUND WITH 37 BOTTLES OF RUM
(Guyana Chronicle March 17, 1980)
A man in whose house Police allegedly found 37 bottles has been placed on $500 bail by Senior Magistrate George McLennan at the Vigilance Magistrate Court.
Mukti Nauth of Lusignan East Coast Demerara pleaded not guilty to a charge of having more than two pints of rum on premises not licenced to store alcohol.
Nauth was charged when Police on information received raided his home.

GMA WILL SHOW WORLD WHAT GUYANA CAN DO
(Guyana Chronicle March 18, 1980)
Guyana manufacturers will have an opportunity to show off their products at a World Trade Fair to be held in Miami United States in August this year.
‘Guyana Manufacturer’s Association (GMA) Executive Secretary Jairam Karan , welcoming the opportunity said however that while they are available, manufacturers were hamstrung by the foreign exchange problems to purchase materials.
He felt that efforts should be made to release more foreign exchange in order that manufacturers could purchase their raw materials.
He added that these opportunities could help to earn foreign exchange for Guyana.
Cde.Karan pointed out that during last year they had successful representations at the Barbados Trade Fair, the London Impo-Expo and the Suriname Trade Fair where they were able to obtain orders.
“This opportunity once again to show off our local products at the International level is most welcomed but participation would depend largely on the manufacturers being able to obtain foreign exchange to purchase raw materials,” he said.

TAKE HIM AWAY
(Guyana Chronicle March 20, 1980)
Around 9 a.m at the Strand New Amsterdam a man was seen kicking and cuffing a woman.
A crowd soon gathered but no one intervened.
As the kicking and cuffing continued, a Policeman moved in.
However the man spotting the approaching Policeman began embracing the woman pretending that it was just a big joke.
The onlookers however shouted to the Policeman:”Take him away.”
The Policeman promptly held the man and took him to the New Amsterdam Police Station.
A Police spokesman said that the matter was being investigated and a charged was likely to be laid.
A woman who witnessed the incident said: “After taking so much punishment–cuffs and kicks-the woman still showed signs of strength and courage; some men can be very cruel indeed.”

JAIRAM AND HIS TREASURE HUNT
(Guyana Chronicle March 21, 1980)
The area between Plaisance-Better Hope foreshore on the East Coast Demerara has become a virtual treasure spot and antique hunt for Jairam Mohabir.
He said that he has been collecting Dutch antiques and coins on the foreshore for the past three years when the tide is low.
At present his collections boast a wide variety of silver and copper coins.
Among them are one 1908 half penny piece , one 1914 one penny piece, one 1916 half penny piece and one silver half crown dated 1916, he said.
In July last year he sold a 1734 gold coin marked V.D.G Port Algrex 10 a.n.n.b.s for $100.00 to a close friend.
Two months later he sold a 1709 silver coin marked colony of Essequibro and Demerara on one side for an undisclosed sum and added that he gave away a half penny copper coin to someone close to him.
He always has a market for his antiques especially among interested individuals and the City’s “Thrift” Shops.
Prices range between $10.00 and $35.00 for a bottle or jug depending on the condition.
“I will continue searching for coins because one day I might find a very old one,” Mohabir said.

BY THE LIGHT OF THE MOON
(Guyana Chronicle March 25, 1980)
After almost a century, “moonlight bands” will again become a regular feature at the world famous Botanic Gardens.
Starting from this Thursday the Guyana Police Band will entertain crowds at the Bandstand for one hour starting from 7.30 p.m. according to Adrian Thompson.
It is proposed that the Band will play every Thursday night during the moonlight season only.
The man behind the revival of this unique entertainment –bands playing during the moonlight season- is Cde Thompson himself the Botanic Gardens Committee Chairman.
Records of the Botanic Gardens showed that in 1883, the Militia Band, forerunner of the Guyana Police Force Band, began playing in the gardens to large crowds.
One curator in his annual report, wrote: ”As a recreation the band is much appreciated; it is a pity that the services of this band or some other band cannot be obtained on Sunday afternoons.”
He continued: “The largest number of carriages that entered on one day was 103 on Easter Monday when the Portuguese Band obtained permission to play here and about 3,000 pedestrians passed.”
In those days the Band used to play from 8 p.m. to 10 p.m..
The Gardens Committee is responsible for activities intended to restore the Gardens to its former beauty.
Mr. Thompson emphasised that while the Botanic gardens was there mainly for education and stimulating interest in Botany, it could also be used for recreational activities.”

(Clifford Stanley can be reached to discuss any of the foregoing articles at cliffantony@gmail.com or cell phone # 657 2043).