A RARE event that is exciting botanists has just occurred at Britain’s famous Kew Gardens.
Specimens of an extremely rare insectivorous plant called Heliamphora Nutans, found only on Mount Roraima, have just come into flower.
The plant, which lives on the insects it traps in its leaves, was collected this year by Mr. Adrian Thompson, Deputy Director of Land Development in BG during a special exhibition.
(Guiana Graphic: December 28, 1960)

‘Big Top’ lions bring out armed cops
A GROUP of armed police were rushed to the Parade Ground scene of the Caribbean Circus yesterday after two lions escaped from their cage.
However, they did not go into action.
Shortly before their arrival, the growling beasts had been caught by lasso-wielding ‘Papa Ormandos’, his son Otto, and daughter Manuela. 
The roaring lions caused quite a commotion during their 15 minutes of freedom.
As they broke loose, people and schoolchildren scampered off in various directions.
Several of the attendants and others working with the ‘Circus Caribbean’ vanished immediately as the growling lions, ‘Tiger’ and ‘Castro’, roamed around.
The ferocious five-foot animals strolled around in the enclosed circus compound biting everything in their path before they were captured.
The lions escaped shortly after three o’clock.
An attendant, it is said, had opened a door in the barred lions’ cage to give them water when they escaped.
The attendant just had enough time to jump out of the way and at the same time slam back the door close.
Shouts of “Lions on the loose” went up immediately,  and schoolchildren, who usually gather outside the Circus compound every afternoon, scampered into hiding.
Cyclists in the area put added pressure on their pedals, and other people ran through the Promenade Gardens.
An enraged giant chimpanzee also caused some confusion when he tried to break out of his cage.
He and the caged but roaring escapists were quieted by Gossing, the circus boss, who arrived on the grounds shortly after the incident.
(Guiana Graphic: October 4, 1960)

Gold slump hits country
-Jewellers forced to import
THE DEMAND for gold in this country has become so great that local jewellers are importing the precious metal and paying Government 23 per cent duty on an ounce.
Although the world market price for gold reached a sensational peak last week gold jewellery was being sold here early this year for more than 20 per cent above the world market price.
Since the closing down of the BG Consolidated Goldfields,  and with the country’s gold production dropping considerably, porkknockers,  a top city jeweller said, have been selling their gold at about 20 per cent above the world market price for refined gold.
The standard world market price has been 250 shillings an ounce, but the jewellers here claim that since a number of countries were buying up vast quantities of gold reserves, this has caused the world market price to skyrocket.
The world market price went up to 290 shillings an pounce in recent weeks, but came down again yesterday up to 262 shillings an ounce.
Top jewellers are now much concerned over the situation, since they feel that other unscrupulous tradesmen will take advantage of it.
(Guiana Graphic: October 28, 1960)

Beauty in Berbice
BERBICE BEAUTY Queen of 1960, Bernice Ganpatsingh, and the runner-up, Brenda French modelled at the Rose Hall Community Centre two-day fair at Canje recently.
Other models included Lilleth Madramootoo, the 1959 queen, and Rosy Hunter, who is tipped to be Miss Berbice of 1961.
This year’s annual Berbice contest has been fixed for December 29 and 30.
(Guiana Graphic: October 16, 1960)

Atlantic drama youth says…
‘We had given up all hope’
CLINGING to steel drums, four desperate seamen spent over eight hours in the Atlantic, fatigued and stiff with cramp after their vessel sprung a leak and sunk early Saturday morning.
As the weary chilling hours dragged by, their hopes of being saved waned and was just about all gone when the ‘MV Torani’ loomed into sight.
Joseph Beckles 18, youngest of the lot, said that after the ill-fated ‘Lady Adela’ sprang a leak, Captain William Wilson left to get a pump.
The crew, he related, waged a courageous battle to keep out the invading ocean, but the ‘Lady Adela’ sank about 4am Saturday.
Basil Evans of James Street Albuoystown; Julius Garraway of 11, Princess Street; Clifton Duncan of Alexander Village; and young Beckles of 46, Norton Street, Wortmanville lost all their belongings.
Yesterday, Joseph, telling of their harrowing experience, said: “We kept on kicking up and paddling with our hands until we became exhausted.
“It seemed as though no help would come as the time went by.”
The ‘Lady Adela’ left Georgetown around 8 o’clock on Friday night with a load of stone from Toolsie Persaud for Berbice.
Around 11 o’clock, the captain discovered their plight and immediately pumping operations started.
At about 1am, with the situation getting worse, Captain Wilson joined a passing fishing vessel and told his crew he was going for a pump.
The men kept up a continuous struggle until the ship went down.
The Torani rescued  the seamen around 12 noon about seven miles from Georgetown on Saturday.
On the ship, the men were treated and given tea and taken to Berbice.
They were brought back to the city yesterday.
Today, it is expected that the Harbour Authorities will carry out an investigation into the mishap.
(Guiana Graphic: December 12, 1960)

RSPCA campaign
THE ROUTE for tomorrow, Wednesday, by the RSPCA van collecting dogs that are not wanted will be Stabroek, within Water Street, Croal St, D’Urban Race Course and Hadfield Street.
(Guiana Graphic: October 4, 1960)

Barclays opens office at Mahaicony
WHEN Barclays Bank new office at Mahaicony opens tomorrow, it will bring to 16 the number of such bank offices in this country and the second to be opened this month.
Full banking services are available at the new office at Mahaicony, on the East Coast of Demerara, from 10am to noon on Mondays and Wednesdays.
(Guiana Graphic: November 13, 1960)

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