Tales from way back when…
Only death parted them
THE MAIN topic of discussion among residents of Plaisance, East Coast Demerara, is still the passing from this life within six weeks of each other of the late Mr. and Mrs. Thos Benjamin De Florimonte.

Mr. De Florimonte (88) died on September 21, and his wife followed him on November 3 at the age of 86.
Thus ended 65 years of married life.
They were joined together in Holy wedlock on August 13, 1891 by the late Rev. Canon P. A. Stevenson in St. Paul’s Church, Plaisance.
The couple had thirteen children, six of whom are still alive.
Mr. De Florimonte had the distinction of being the oldest member of the St. Paul’s Choir, which he served for 77 years.
He was also a member of the Village Council.
He was a boat builder by trade.
Mr. and Mrs. De Florimonte were well respected in the community, and at their funerals, the large attendances bore testimony of this.
At both funeral services, Rev. Canon W. G. Burgan officiated, assisted by the couple’s youngest son, Paul, a Reader of the Church.
They were buried side-by-side in St. Paul’s churchyard.
(Guiana Graphic: November 16, 1956)

‘Lassie’ Rolled Oats
A quick-cooking, highly-nutritive cereal rich in vitamin B, packed in 8 oz. aluminum laminated cardboardpackages. Obtainable from all good dealers. Agents: Sandbach Parker & Co. Ltd.
(Guiana Graphic: November 25, 1956)

Three hanged
THREE fishermen were hanged in the Georgetown Prison yesterday for the murder of an aged watchman  on the Lusignan Estate, East Coast Demerara, over two years ago.
They were Kowla Persaud, 58; Dil Mohamed, 22; and Fyal Singh, 23, of Lusignan.
Pooran, 24, another fisherman, who was also convicted and sentenced with them for the same offence, was reprieved by the Governor.
Sentence against him was, however, commuted to life imprisonment.
(Guiana Graphic: September 26, 1956)

God made trees to grow
A MAN who chopped down ochro and pea plants in the yard from which he was removing was yesterday morning fined $10 by Magistrate D.P. Debidin.
The man, Owen Evelyn of Craig Street, Campbelville, pleaded guilty to the charge which accused him of having cut down the trees “used for the food of Man and growing in open land.”
Evelyn told the Court that he and his neighbours were not on speaking terms, so he did not want to leave the plants standing for their benefit.
The pea trees, he said, were not bearing, but the ochro trees were.
“And you think that was good sense?” asked the Magistrate.
“To me, it was good sense at the time,” Evelyn answered.
“God made those trees grow, and you killed them,” declared Mr. Debidin, as he fined Evelyn.
(Guiana Graphic: November 10, 1956)

Fined for stealing ferns
A WOMAN who stole her neighbour’s maiden hair ferns was fined $15 and $7.50 by Magistrate D.P. Debidin on two charges of larceny.
She is Lucille Rodney of 62 David Street, Kitty.
She admitted previous convictions.
Mavis Bishop, who was charged along with Rodney, pleaded not guilty and was discharged.
Rodney was accused of stealing two plants, valued $6.00, the property of her neighbor, and secondly, with stealing another two plants valued $6.00 belonging to another neighbour.
The plants were found in her home when a search warrant was executed by the Police.
(Guiana Graphic: November 30, 1956)

New Amsterdam faces sea defence problems
THE NEW Amsterdam Town Council has taken a very serious view of the regular flooding of the foreshore along the Strand recently.
Mayor J. T. Clarke said it was a big sea defence issue affecting lands at Sisters and Glasgow on the East Bank of Berbice.
It was decided to draw the situation to the attention of the Ministry of Works.
Mr. S.G. Wreford, who agreed that proprietors of lots on the foreshore should be interested in keeping their lots solid, stressed that it was the responsibility of the Town Council to preserve the safety of taxpayers.
(Guiana Graphic: September 28, 1956)

B. G. Theatre Guild launched
A  THEATRE Guild was launched in Georgetown on Friday afternoon to foster a tradition of theatre going, thinking and acting in B.G.
The start was made at the Public Free Library by a number of interested persons.
The objectives of the non-profit body are:
To sponsor productions of both West Indian and International plays of the highest standards produced in available halls or in open-air settings of natural beauty.
To promote the writing of local plays.
Pending the building of a cultural centre, to procure mobile theatre equipment for use in existing halls.
The pioneers are Messrs. Arthur Hemstock, Chairman; A.A. Martin; and L. Searwar.
Addressing the gathering, Mr.  Hemstock said: “We aim to give you and eventually the people of other parts of the country, theatres at good standards at regular intervals; to arrange workshops and lectures.
“We aim to create a permanent wardrobe where there is now a mad scramble for each individual production.”
(Guiana Graphic: November 13, 1956)

Guianese singer doing well in the U.K.
GUIANESE baritone Thomas Anthony Baptiste, who has become very popular in musical circles in England, was interviewed last Thursday on the programme: ‘Calling the West Indies’ heard over the B.B.C.
He has made several appearances in B.B.C. broadcast programmes and television shows.
He has also played small parts in several films.
His most recent success has been a part in Noel Coward’s latest play.
(Guiana Graphic: November 26, 1956)

Bibles for prisoners
THREE hundred bibles are being sent by the British and Foreign Bible Society for use by inmates of the Prisons.
Another 300 are being forwarded to the Rev. Henry Cooke for use in his school at Grenville, Grenada.
The gifts are the first that follow on the recent visit to the West Indies and British Guiana of the Rev. J.H. Williams, Assistant General Secretary in the London Bible House.
(Guiana Graphic: November 28, 1956)

International regatta on Berbice River today
INTEREST has reached fever pitch in the New Amsterdam Community Council’s International Regatta, which will be held under the distinguished patronage of the Governor.
The programme will open with a colourful show-boat parade, and conclude with the presentation of attractive trophies by the Mayoress of New Amsterdam, Mrs. S.F. Carew, on the Transport and Harbours Department’s Stelling at Stanleytown, which will be used as the Grand Stand for the occasion.
The District Commissioner of Nickerie, Mr. H.E. Hewitt and Mrs. Hewitt, will also attend the Berbice River regatta.

Music will be provided between events by the British Guiana Volunteer Force Military Band on the Steamer Stelling, and by the Crusaders Steel Band on the Steamer.
No pains are being spared by the sponsors to provide a fitting setting for the spectacular sport, which is being highlighted by the participation of boats from Nickerie, and an excursion from there for the occasion.

Participants will be hydroplanes and speedboats from Bartica, Demerara River, Georgetown, New Amsterdam, Berbice River and Nickerie.
A special feature on the programme will be the event for the board speed boats, in which ‘Little Rocket’, a Chris Craft owned by Reynolds, and ‘H-Bomb’, owned by
Carlos Robeiro of Bartica, will clash for championship honours.

Efforts are being made to get Lou Wong and Dick Chee-a-Tow to give a water skiing display.
The swimming and bateau events for fishermen are attracting large fields.
The proceeds of the regatta will form the nucleus fund for the reclaiming of the Esplanade Foreshore for a Sports Stadium and Race Course.
(Guiana Graphic: November 11, 1957)

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