Tales from way back when…
Georgetown to Lethem in three weeks…
Oxford and Cambridge expedition makes first successful overland trip
THE OXFORD and Cambridge Expedition have made it. For the first time, motor vehicles have travelled from Georgetown to Lethem on the Brazilian border. On Tuesday, October 22, Nigel Newberry, leader of the Expedition, radio-phoned that the three Land Rovers had arrived safely at Lethem.

The journey, a distance of 600 miles, took over three weeks.

Full details of the trip have not arrived, but some idea of the difficulties which men, machines and equipment had to overcome is indicated by the fact that at one point, it took over eight hours to cover 400 yards.

Congratulations to the expedition, and to these products that saw them through: Land Rover; Shell Gasoline and Lubricants and Dunlop tyres.
(Guiana Graphic: October 28, 1957)

Rancher describes life in the Rupununi
FAR AWAY to the southern extremity of B.G. is the Rupununi savannahs. Life is happy to the folks who dwell there.

It is all work and play. The denizens of this outpost have little or no grouse. A little heaven obscured partially from the hustle and bustle of life that is the reputed Rupununi.

True, these goodly people do not have the amenities that we have in Georgetown. But do they care?

You talk about dancing? Take a trip to Lethem and what you see will linger in your memory for a long time.

Mr. Edward. E. Melville told me that he would not swop life at Lethem for Georgetown. “Life is too sweet there,” he said.

The burly silver-haired rancher and father of twelve is on pre-retirement leave in the City. He was in the Government service since 1928.

In 1946, he was seconded to the Agriculture Department, and at one time, helped to fight the foot and mouth disease outbreak. He is in charge of the Government Abattoir.

The famous ‘Hotel Melbro’ is owned by Mr. Melville. He, however, complains that it is not paying. The Brazilians, who were the main guests, were now using the plane service to Atkinson Field. The Hotel business is therefore at a standstill.

Talks are going on with the Brazil government about a road to Atkinson.

The natives are anxious, and are looking forward to this with an eye on commerce.

Here is Mr. Melville’s story to the GRAPHIC: “A day in the Rupununi is perhaps more interesting than a day in Georgetown. I feel far healthier at Lethem than anywhere else. Sharp at 5:30 in the morning, we are up, and the cows are milked.

“This is only done in the morning, and the milk is for home consumption. The work now starts in all earnestness. On horseback, men merrily jog on the savannahs looking for new-born calves.

They are collected and taken care of, and are the future cattle of the ranchers. If they are left on the ground, worms get hold of them, or tigers devour them and much is lost.

“Besides cattle, goats, sheep and poultry are reared, but only for home use.

It is stated at the moment that there is an increase in cattle from the coastland to Georgetown. Therefore, beef by air is reduced to twice weekly in the City.

“As a result of this, the government has permitted the export of cattle. This cannot begin at the moment.The only means of transportation is by rivers, and these are very low due to the drought. All this time, rabies are wreaking havoc with our cattle. The vaccines are, however, giving excellent results and had it not been for that, we would have suffered severe losses.

“No one can really paint a true picture of the Rupununi.  It is simply indescribable. The lovely mountains, the slow flowing rivers, the green savannahs and the cattle are all nature at its best. We play cricket and football, do spear fishing, bow-and-arrow hunting, and even big game. The most popular hobby, I must say, is dancing, which is part of our lives there. We just love it, and we are not behind in this social pastime.

“At Lethem, the central spot, the population is about 500. This includes St. Ignatiius, where the Roman Catholics and other bodies are doing a fine job. Missionaries are pouring in, but the work of the Catholics is outstanding.

“The Oxford and Cambridge expedition is right now taking cine shots of Dadanawa, where all phases of cattle work go on. The Expedition is very popular.

“Oh Yes! We are a very happy lot of people in the Rupununi. The Brazilians from the border Rio Branco territory are kind, and a friendly atmosphere prevails.

We don’t miss the cinema nor the sea-wall, nor the train.

Why should we think of another Heaven, when we are in Utopia.”
(Guiana Graphic:  November 4, 1957)

Death of Mrs Fogarty
THE DEATH occurred in Dublin on October 31 of Mrs. N.M. Fogarty, widow of the late William Fogarty who was the founder of the well-known firm of William Fogarty’s Ltd.

Mrs. Fogarty was in her 95th year, and although she only spent a short period of her life in B.G., she was always greatly interested in the firm’s activities.

A gracious and kind personality, Mrs. Fogarty was deeply religious and very well known in Catholic circles. Some time ago, she presented the pulpit in Brickdam Cathedral in memory of her three sons who predeceased her.

Her only daughter, the late Mrs. MacCarthy O’Leary, also died in 1953.

She is survived by her grand-daughter, Lady O.Connell of Lakeview House, Killarney, Eire, who was the only child of Mrs. MacCarthy O’Leary, who married Sir Morgan O’Connell Bart in 1953.
(Guiana Graphic: November 2, 1957)

Over 6,500 patrons can’t be wrong
OVER 6,500 patrons can’t be wrong when they acclaim ‘Island in the Sun’ the movie miracle of all time. Continuing its record-breaking run tonight @ 8:45 and daily at 5 & 8:45pm, at the Globe.

Charged with murder
CLARICE Joseph of West Coast Berbice was yesterday charged with the murder of Eileen Jack, a young mother who was found dead on No. 30 Village Public Road on July 30.

Joseph appeared before His Worship, Mr. L. Low at the New Amsterdam Magistrate’s Court and was remanded to prison.
(Guiana Graphic: October 26, 1957)

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