Tales from way back when…

Cost of underwear moves up
AN INCREASE in the price of men women, boys and girls underwear has been slapped on. This is the result of certain proposed amendments made by the Financial Secretary at yesterday’s meeting of the Legislative Council.

He moved four motions, one of which he asked the Council to approve of the supplementary estimates for the month of October 1956.

He also asked the Council to approve the supplementary estimates (development) leading to increases in prices of underwear of adults and children.
(Guiana Graphic: December 8, 1956)

Etwaroo wins marathon in record time
-Only seven finish gruelling 26-mile race
BERBICIANS took first and second places in the second road Marathon Race yesterday from Atkinson Field to the Seawall bandstand in Georgetown.

Third, fourth, fifth and sixth places went to Sandbach Parker’s team.

First was S. Etwaroo, an 18-year-old lad of Port Mourant.

He received the B.G. Amateur’s Athletic Association and Cyclists Union Annual Road Marathon Trophy presented by S. Davson and Company Limited.

The gruelling race started at 5am, and Etwaroo did the 26-mile, 385-yard distance in a record time of 2 hours, 51 minutes and 21 seconds, beating the time of three hours and one minute set up by Clem Fields at the first marathon in 1955.

Second was G. Ramnarine ,19, of Whim, Berbice; 3rd W. Das; 4th O. Lashley; 5th H. Ishmael; 6th M. Leesman, all of Sandbach Parker. Seventh place went to A. Chee-A-Tow of Uitvlugt.

Eight prizes were made available, but of 18 starters, only seven finished.

The toughest race in the world was too much for the others.

Winner of the first marathon, Clem Fields was unable to take part in the race because of an injury.

Before receiving the trophy, Etwaroo recalled that this was his third victory in long distance running.

He had been successful in two fifteen-mile events at Rose Hall and Georgetown.

He remarked: “I finished the race quite fresh, and I a sure I could have done the distance in a shorter time.”
(Guiana Graphic: December 10, 1956)

And here’s to 1960
B.G. went gay to welcome the ‘sixties’ at midnight on Thursday.

Thousands spent the last moments either in churches or at dances, rolling up the ‘fifties’ carpet.

Large crowds — in search of more spirited fun — passed the old year tramping around the city to the beat of steel band music.

It is estimated that a record number of people were away from their homes during the first hour of 1960 than any previous year.

To the sentimentalists, it is a symbol of unusual activities in B.G. this year.

The customary tooting of the horns of cars and other motor vehicles ‘zig-zagged’ about the Stabroek Market Square started two minutes before midnight to break the New Year.

The traditional ‘ringing in of the New Year’ was celebrated at all clubs and hotels.

At some dances, the lights were turned off while sweethearts grabbed each other tighter… dancing to the strains of ‘One Minute To Mid-Night’.

Then as soon as it was 1960, steel bands, orchestras and juke boxes played ‘Auld Lang Syne’ and brisk pieces to welcome the New Year.

The halt, the lame, and the blind prayed with their fellow Christians to usher in a hopefully bright and prosperous New Year.
(Guiana Graphic: January 2, 1960)

‘Choke and rob’ boys make early New Year attacks
THE ‘choke and rob’ gangs have begun their ‘campaign’ for the New Year.

Three men have already been attacked.

Samaroo, of Windsor Forest, was walking in Lombard Street early yesterday morning when four bandits robbed him of $5 and a packet of cigarettes.

Barney Persaud, of Mon Repos, was in Hazel Street on New Year’s night when $75 was stolen from his pocket.

Robert Cummings, of 452 West Ruimveldt Housing Scheme, said he was in the Scheme the same night when five men ran him through.

He was robbed of $5, all the money he had.

Detectives are also investigating two reports of break and enter and larceny which occurred during the holidays.

The Brown Betty Snack Bar at the Metropole Cinema was one of the places entered.

Articles valued at $202 were stolen.

Oswald Bracket’s house, at 249 Lodge Housing Scheme, was broken into and $90 in cash and jewellery stolen.
(Guiana Graphic: January 3, 1960)

Man murdered in notorious ‘Federation Yard’
Byron Bovell, 27, of 134 Regent Street — Federation Yard — was stabbed to death last night.

Police said that Byron and another man of the notorious yard were involved in a fight.

Bovell received stabs about the body, and died at 8:30 at the Georgetown Hospital.

The Police are looking for the assailant.
(Guiana Graphic: January 4, 1960)

Man attempted to ‘beat’ train, and lost
A MAN who attempted to beat a railway crossing and lost out was yesterday morning further penalized when Magistrate Akbar Khan fined him on a careless driving conviction.

But because Oscar Miller nearly lost his life, and had his car completely wrecked, Mr. Khan imposed the lenient penalty of $7.50.

Inspector Alexander, who prosecuted, told the Magistrate that Miller drove his car north along Middleton Street and attempted to get across the railway crossing before a ‘goods train’ which was approaching from the east.

But he did not make it.

The engine struck the car and pulled it for about forty feet before tossing it against a nearby sign.

A female passenger in the car sustained a fractured leg, and Miller escaped with his life.

But according to Mr. Eddie Triumph, who represented Miller, the engine had no light and his client did not spot it until he was atop the railway track.

He pleaded with the Magistrate to be lenient under the circumstances.
(Guiana Graphic: January 7, 1960)

Church wine thief jailed
– gets five years
THE FRENCHMAN who became drunk and fell asleep after stealing communion wine from the Roman Catholic Presbytery was jailed for five years yesterday.

Maurice Georges entered the Sacred Heart Presbytery on Main Street  on the night of September 22 and stole brandy, wine, beer, bacon, tea, macaroni, biscuits and cheese.

Yesterday morning he pleaded guilty to the offence, and told Justice Bollers at the Criminal Assizes: “I have nothing to say why sentence should not be passed on me.”

The Frenchman was discovered sleeping in the building with his booty next to him.

Georges came to B.G. in 1941.

Since then he has chalked up 26 convictions for dishonesty.

Justice Bollers told Georges that he is a nuisance to the community.

And he added: “Since you came into the country, you have been living a life of crime. It may be that you have not served a long enough sentence. You are sentenced to five years.”
(Guiana Graphic: January 13, 1960)

B.G’s mineral wealth satisfies Canadian ‘scout’
WITHIN A few weeks, a group of Canadian financiers will decide whether or not they will invest money to get at this country’s mineral wealth.

Canadian businessman, Mr. Melvin Simpson, who was sent to B.G. from Toronto by the group of financiers to investigate the possibility of investing in B.G’s mineral resources, will return today fully satisfied with local prospects.

Mr. Simpson said that there is a shortage of certain materials in Canada, whic
h B.G. has.

It is in this respect that he was sent to have discussions with the Geological Survey Department of the Lands and Mines to get a true picture of the possibility of exploring for minerals.

Mr. Simpson said that he is now in a position to answer any questions he may be asked by his principals in Canada in respect of B.G mineral wealth.
(Guiana Graphic: January 13, 1960)

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