(A look at some of the stories that made the news ‘back-in-the-day’ with CLIFFORD STANLEY)
Three coins in the fountain
AT THE Rio Cinema, formerly Capital Cinema, Albouystown
Tonight at 8:45pm; tomorrow at 5 & 8:45pm.
The love story behind the love song that’s sweeping the nation. The man Dorothy wants is too clever; the man Jean wants is too poor; the man Hassie wants is too rich. What happens when three American girls do what the Romans do….You will know when you see: ‘3 Coins in the Fountain’ in colour, and the wonder and magic of CINEMASCOPE on our 30-foot giant curve screen.
(Guiana Graphic: January 8, 1956)

Radio: Up the Demerara River
AT 7:30 o’clock on Monday evening next (January 9,1965), listeners will be taken on a short radio visit ‘Up The Demerara River’ in a broadcast intended to reflect some aspects of life along the sixty-odd mile section of the river, which is navigable by ocean- going vessels.

The programme will spotlight the ‘steamer terminus’ of Wismar (which, as far back as the 1760s, was mentioned as being a sugar estate), the old ‘District Headquarters’ of Christianburg (where in the late 1880s the Scottish family of Pattersons operated the only sawmill in the colony ever worked by a water wheel), and the bauxite town of Mackenzie where the first bauxite centre in these parts was established in 1916.

‘Up the Demerara’ will be illustrated with suitable folk music, and will also bring to the microphone many personalities of the District, including a boatman, a village story teller, a sportsman, a school teacher, and a worker in the bauxite mines.
(Guiana Graphic: January 8, 1956)

Road blamed
THE RUGGED condition of the road was blamed by a taxi driver for the defective condition of his car.

The driver, Moon ‘Lil-Boy’ of Mahaica, pleaded guilty to eight charges of driving a defective vehicle.

The Police said that among the eight defects on Lil-Boy’s car were worn kingpins and bushings. Both hand and footbrakes were also found to be useless.

The examining officer penned in his report this note: “Driving a vehicle in this condition is more dangerous than walking with a loaded gun.”

Lil-Boy had been driving his car along the Bel Air Public Road when he was stopped by a traffic cop who felt that something was amiss.

Lil-Boy’s lawyer, Mr Kenneth George, told Magistrate Harold Bollers that the bad condition of the East Coast Demerara road had contributed in large measure to the condition of Lil-Boy’s car.

Magistrate Bollers however felt that the car was in bad condition. He imposed a fine of $25.
(Guiana Graphic: January 8, 1956)

Lad dies after train accident
SEWDIN, an 18-year-old paralytic of Non Pareil Estate, died on Saturday night at the Public Hospital Georgetown after an accident at the railway crossing at Non Pareil.

It was reported that Sewdin was standing at the Crossing when he came into contact with the 6:30pm East Coast train.

He was conveyed to the hospital with injuries to the body, and died about an hour after.
(Guiana Graphic: January 9, 1956)

Country news from Rose Hall…
One loan after another, but DC has a few queries

ROSE HALL is seeking a loan of $25,000 to develop the Swamp and Reef Sections.

The District Commissioner, however, points out that the Local Authority will soon face repaying a large loan to pay for the drainage pump to be put down, and the maintenance.

The District Commissioner, consequently, will be grateful to the Authority for answers to the following questions:

Has the Local Authority considered that increases in rates and taxes will have to meet both loans for the drainage pump and maintenance, and now the $25,000 now applied for?

Does the Local Authority feel that proprietors will not be too burdened with annual repayments for both loans?

Will development of Swamp and Reef Sections bring additional revenue? If so, how much, and how soon?

A special meeting will be called to discuss these questions. The District Commissioner will be present.

All these matters were decided at the first statutory meeting of the new Village Council, held on Tuesday last.

Presiding was the Chairman, Mr HP Benn.

Others present were Messrs Mattai; GT Trim; BA Branco; O Baichan; and Miss O Alexander (Councillors); and Messrs Ganga Persaud; Deputy Chairman, Harilall; and F Lewis, overseer.
(Guiana Graphic: January 10, 1956)

What price love…
Disfigured by him, she still begs for him

A MAN who slashed his reputed wife five times with a razor, stood at the dock in the Assizes yesterday while the young woman pleaded with Justice Miller: “Do, Sir! Have mercy on him!”

The woman, Leena Cottle, was scarred, for life, on the chest and hand, yet when the judge enquired again what she meant, she replied: “I hope, Sir, that you will not press him too hard.”

Her reputed husband, Walter Morris, a 32-year-old tailor, had pleaded guilty to a charge of Wounding With Intent.

Morris and Cottle had lived together for three years as man and wife. But two days before the slashing, she left him.

She had taken her little daughter, aged four years, of which he was not the father to school at St Angela’s RC in Thomas Street on the morning of November 1 last when Morris came up.

Prosecutor, Mr GAS Van Sertima said that probably because she left him, Morris that morning walked up to Leena, and before slashing her, said: “I got you here.” That, Mr Van Sertima said, showed premeditation.

But Morris said that it was nothing of the sort; there was heated talk.

Justice Miller, however, wanted to know why he had to walk with a razor, a lethal weapon like that.

Morris said he was going to work that morning and took the razor to sharpen it.

Not satisfied with the answer, His Lordship asked: “Why you went to that school, and in the presence of the small girls, created such terror?”

Morris: “Please, Sir, I am asking for mercy. We are still living together up to now.”

Because of the plea by Leena, and the fact that Morris had no previous conviction, His Lordship said he would give the matter some consideration.

Morris was sentenced to nine months imprisonment.

As he was taken from the dock to begin his sentence, Leena stood looking sadly at him.
(Guiana Graphic: January 11, 1956)

Stop or pay
MAGISTRATE Harold Bollers has increased the penalty for not stopping at major roads in the City.

Yesterday morning, the Magistrate imposed fines totaling more than $75 on cyclists who did not observe the major road rule.

His maximum fine was on Herman Thomas, of 69 Fifth Street, Alberttown, for careless riding.

He was fined an additional $7.50 for not stopping at the major road at Third Street.

A girl who pleaded guilty to a major road breach was fined $10.00.

Towards the end of last year, Mr Bollers announced his intention of stepping up fines on cyclists for the offence of not stopping at major roads.

He commenced doing so from yesterday.
(Guiana Graphic: January 12, 1956)

Behind the wheels
By The Walking Man
I never imagined it was so tough

This driving business is rather rough.

Beside the driver I calmly sat

And tried to form a friendly chat.

The things I saw I hate to repeat

How people scampered about the street.

Frightened kids, crazy jaywalkers, wild cyclists.

‘twas a nightmare of thrilling turns and twists…..
(Guiana Graphic: January 10, 1956)

‘Walking Man’ becomes a sad man
MAGISTRATE Bollers yesterday imposed a fine of seven dollars and fifty cents on ‘The Walking Man’, BG’s popular humorist.

‘Walking Man’ was certainly in no humor. He left the Court a sad man.
(Guiana Graphic: January 12, 1956)

Not As A Stranger
-4 million read this story
‘NOT AS A STRANGER’, which opens tomorrow at the Plaza Cinema through United Artistes release, is a screen adaptation of one of the best selling novels of all times.

Morton Thompson’s 948-page book dealing with the loves, the aspirations, the heartaches and the triumphs of a doctor, has been read by an estimated four million people, and is still selling at a tremendous rate.

Stanley Kramer, who produced ‘Not As A Stranger’, also makes his debut as a director.

The stars of the picture are Olivia de Havilland, Robert Mitchum, Frank Sinatra, Gloria Grahame, Broderick Crawford and Charles Brickford.

The large featured cast is headed by Myron McCormick, Lon Chaney, Jesse White, Harry Morgan, Lee Marvin, Whit Bissell and Mae Clarke.

Lucas Marsh, the dedicated bedeviled doctor hero of ‘Not As A Stranger’, is played by Bob Mitchum, who, currently a freelance after being under contract for ten years, is taking advantage of his new freedom to pick and choose only those parts he wishes to play.

“But,” he says, grinning, “I didn’t choose the Lucas Marsh part. Like every other leading man in Hollywood, I went chasing after it.”
(Guiana Graphic: January 12, 1956)

Why should it happen to me
WHEN YOU curse your luck; when you think life has done you down,remember this story from Ottawa. It was sent by Reuters last night.

The son of Lieut. ‘Curly’ Moysihan, a Fire Brigade Officer, was knocked down and killed by a car.

So, the family went to live in a secluded part of Ottawa.

Yesterday, Lieut Moysihan attended another funeral — that of a niece.

While he was away, fire broke out at home, and his wife and three daughters were burnt to death.
(Guiana Graphic: January 13, 1956)
Clifford Stanley can be reached on any of the above at cswcb@yahoo.com or 592-657-2043.