(A look at some of the stories that made the news ‘back-in-the-day’ with CLIFFORD STANLEY)
Cycles licences due February 28
THOUSANDS of dollars will be pouring  into BG’s revenue this year from the collection of licenses for bicycles.
Mr. Colin K Franker, Licences Revenue Officer, said that 50,000 bicycles are now on the road.
He is asking all persons to take out their licences as early as possible before expiration date February 28.
It will be recalled that $414,985 was collected in 1955 for both bicycles and motor vehicles.
(Guiana Graphic: January 19, 1957)

Man lies on railway line as train comes
A MAN, whose name was given as Rahim Khan, was seen stretched across the line of the approaching Berbice train, in the vicinity of Parade Street, about 3 o’clock yesterday.
The train, fortunately, was slowing down, and a conductor removed him from the line.
Meanwhile, the man who was knocked down by a train on Monday night has been identified as John Hermanstein of Supply, East Coast Demerara.
(Guiana Graphic: January 24, 1957)

BG Legion to meet February 25
WHAT SEEMS to be an ex-military showdown is the annual general meeting of the BG Legion of ex-servicemen, which will be held on Monday, February 25, at the Legion’s Headquarters, Kelly Dam, at 7:30 pm.
Members claim that the Legion is being run for the minority of ex-servicemen of World War II whose delight is games, dances, billiards etc ! and  not for the  welfare of the majority- the sick, unemployed, distressed, homeless and would be farmers.
To clarify the matter, it is planned to change part of the executive, so as to run the organization for the good and welfare of all ex-servicemen and women of British Guiana.
(Guiana Graphic: February 16, 1957)

Satisfactory half year for Portuguese Pawnbrokery
THE HALF-year ending December 31, 1956 was another satisfactory period for the Portuguese Pawnbroking Company Limited.
The Company made a profit of $23,538.65 for the corresponding half-year ending December 31,1955, an increase of $3,683.72. This has justified the Company’s policy of increasing the Capital.
These figures were disclosed at the 140th Half- yearly Director’s Report at the Ordinary General Meeting of Shareholders held yesterday afternoon.
Messrs. Carlos Gomes, F I Dias, C L De Freitas, Major CJ Bettencourt-Gomes, BEM, GF Baldwin and H W DeFreitas were re-elected Directors for the ensuing year.
(Guiana Graphic: February 23, 1957)

Working hours for barbers
Dear Mr Editor,
ON Wednesday August 31st last, at a meeting held by barbers at their Association Hall in Regent Street for the purpose of asking Government to make an amendment in the closing orders of barbershops in the City, the Union outvoted the action taken by the Secretary.
We, the Unionists, must also thank the government for the committee that was appointed, and the recommendations submitted by them.
We regret that only a few years ago, this Association was defeated on the same issue.
It is our desire that the Police Department should keep a watchful eye on all barbershops where the  owners get away with infringing the law by opening after hours.
Yours etc!
Sundyal Marks,
Secretary, Barbers Union
(Guiana Graphic: October 1, 1955)

Rail crash averted
A RAILWAY mishap was barely averted on Wednesday afternoon when the two front wheels on the engine of the express train from Vreed-en-Hoop were derailed at Blankenburg.
Workmen were immediately sent to the scene, and the wheels of the engine were replaced.
In less than an hour, everything was normal again and the train continued its journey.
(Guiana Graphic: November 19, 1955)

Guide to Botanic Gardens on sale
AN ILLUSTRATED ‘Guide to the Botanic Gardens, Georgetown’ has just been published by  the Department of Agriculture.
The Guide includes a history of the Gardens; a description with photographs of the various sections; and an article on Bird Life in the Gardens.
There is also a map of the Gardens.
The Guide costs two shillings per copy.
(Guiana Graphic: November 23, 1955)

‘Countryside Close-up’ tonight
LISTENERS  TO ‘Countryside Close-up’, to be heard over Radio Demerara at 7:30 o’clock tonight, will be introduced to the newly-crowned ‘Queen of the Counties’, Miss Olive Junor of Hopetown, Berbice, during a GIS feature which will deal with ‘Life at Hopetown’.
The programme, which  will be highlighted by a selection of Queh-Queh songs from Hopetown, includes a recorded interview with one of the oldest villagers, 80-year-old Mrs Phoebe Ferguson, familiarly called ‘Auntie Big’.
Also of special interest to poultry dealers will be tonight’s discussion on ‘The Treatment Of Newcastle Disease’ now being combated by the Agriculture Department.
(Guiana Graphic: October 10, 1955)

Fined for ill-treating a dog
GEORGE Perreira of Golden Grove, East Coast Demerara, who was charged by Sergeant Major (RC) CF Torrezao, BEM Chief Inspector, RSPCA (BG Branch) with ill-treating a dog at Enmore Sugar Factory on October 13,  was fined $10, costs $2.80, or one month in  gaol by Magistrate PM Burch-Smith at the Cove and John Magistrates Court yesterday.
He pleaded guilty.
(Guiana Graphic: October 28, 1955)

Dog shoots man?
A ONE-MAN hunting expedition ended in near tragedy at Grove, East Bank Demerara yesterday when Jagnandan’s feet were nearly shot off by his dog.
Jagnandan, a 22-year-old labourer, was hunting wild game aback Grove, but his quarry was elusive, so he decided to take a ‘breather’ at a watch house.
He rested his loaded shotgun on the ground with its barrel pointing towards his feet, but his dog, unwise in the way of guns, jumped on it and the weapon went off, severely injuring Jagnandan’s feet.
He was yesterday a patient at the Georgetown Hospital.
(Guiana Graphic: November 2,, 1955)

(Clifford Stanley can be reached to discuss any of the above articles at cliffantony@gmail.com or by telephone: 657-2043)