(A look at some of the stories that made the news ‘back-in-the-day’ with CLIFFORD STANLEY) 
Know Your Country
Buy the Guyana Year Book 1963, 190 pages; 50c a copy: Who’s Who in Guyana; History of Amerindians; The story of Eldorado; Review of Industries, Sport Events of 1962, Communications, Trade Union Movement, Education System, Tourist Attractions, Budget, Imports and Exports.
(Guiana Graphic: January 1, 1963)
Wismar man traps snake with two heads
MR. SONNY Boodram of the ‘Valley of Tears’ at the foot of Wismar Hill, has caught one of the strange little elusive snakes known in the district as ‘Acoushi Mamma’.
The snake has two heads, and has been given the peculiar name because of the fact that it lives in holes in which Acoushi ants have their nests.
It is also believed to be poisonous.
Old-timers in Wismar who delight in telling of their days in the ‘bush’ and  of this country’s many beautiful and deadly snakes, have said that the ‘Acoushi Mamma’, normally two feet long, can stretch to more than double its length.
Mr. Boodram amazed onlookers by the ease with which he handled the reputed deadly reptile in its efforts to free itself.
(Guiana Graphic: January 7, 1963)
Traffic Chief hopes for a safe 1963
TRAFFIC CHIEF Fred Peterkin, in reviewing the year 1962, said yesterday that “it was a very disappointing year for road traffic in B.G.”
There have been 81 road deaths, and this figure equals last year’s all-time record.
Superintendent Peterkin said: “We have seen a continued trend of reckless and inconsiderate driving habits, as well as a marked rise in the number of private and other vehicles operating illegally.”
He declared: “This state of affairs has contributed mainly to the high rate of accidents, and more particularly…Fatalities.”
He pointed out that the statistics show that the chief causes of accidents are excessive speed, driving under the influence of drink, improper overtaking, and defective vehicles.
He stressed:  “If we are to remedy our faults in 1963, it will be necessary for us to pay attention to these causes, and to generally be alive to others on the road.”
He gave the assurance that as far as the Traffic Department was concerned, “we will continue our programme of education in this respect, [and] will intensify Road Safety Training in the schools and among young people.
“Enforcement will continue on a more systematic scale, in that the enforcement programme will attack the problem in a more direct way; our chief objective will be those offences which are the chief causes of accidents.
“The parked vehicle will also come in for attention because of the congestion which retards the normal flow of vehicles.
“These are our hopes and ambitions for 1963,” he pointed out, “but we can never hope to achieve anything without your help and co-operation on the road,” he added.
He also took the opportunity to wish road users “a Safe New Year” on behalf of the Traffic Department.
(Guiana Graphic: January 1, 1963)
Record rainfall on Old Year’s Day
THE SUDDEN and unusual rainfall which the people in Georgetown and environs experienced on Monday night was the heaviest to have been recorded in many years on Old Year’s Night.
According to statistics obtained from the Agricultural Department, one inch and 89 parts of rain fell between 8:57 o’clock on Monday night and 8 o’clock yesterday morning.
From 8 o’clock yesterday morning to 2 o’clock in the afternoon, only 18 parts fell.
But this sudden rain did not prevent thousands of families attending the traditional Old Year’s Night celebrations.
Some people used cars, others umbrellas and weather coats, while some others just did not care.
(Guiana Graphic: January 2, 1963)
End of the line
THE REMNANTS of the defunct Wismar-Rockstone locomotive service were buried in an eight-foot grave on Saturday last in the precincts of the Sprostons Steamer Stelling at Wismar.
The locomotive service was originally owned by Hamilton Sawmills, but was subsequently taken over by Sprostons Limited.
(Guiana Graphic: January 2, 1963)
Mother must pay $7.50 for ‘defiant; son
A PROBATION Officer told Magistrate Horace Mitchell that a mother “was simply callous and reluctant to  appear beside her son” who was charged with disorderly behaviour.
But shortly after Mr. Kenrick Williams had made the remark,  the woman, Angana Davidson, a mother of 10, walked into the courtroom and appealed to the Magistrate to give her son “a last chance.”
The boy had appeared in court on five previous occasions, and the probation period had not yet expired.
The Magistrate had threatened to send him to the Essequibo Boys’ School after hearing the Probation Officer’s report in which it was said that the lad’s mother had no control over him, and he was always wandering about the city.
“There is no restraint over his conduct, and he is defiant in his attitude,” the report added.
However, in the view of the appeal by the mother, who promised to exercise “greater influence,” the boy was reprimanded and discharged, while the mother was ordered to pay a fine of $7.50 or go to jail on his behalf for one month.
(Guiana Graphic: January 12, 1963)
Ghost in the ward?
A NURSE at the Georgetown Hospital has refused to work unless she is removed to another ward — because she claims she saw a ghost prowling in her ward.
The incident occurred about 3:30am last Monday. The nurse, who was solely responsible for the supervision and care of 47 child patients, reported to the Night Sister that for a fleeting moment, she had seen a familiar figure of a person long dead leading a dog through the ward.
She said she was sitting near the door and did not see anyone enter, but made the observation because of a noise she heard.
She began to get goose pimples and became scared when a child in the ward, disturbed by the noise, pointed to her and said: “Nurse, nurse, there’s a man sitting next to you.”
She was given a porter to stay with her the rest of the night.
She requested a transfer from the ward, but the request was turned down and she has stayed away from work since Tuesday.
The incident has caused nurses in the hospital to ask for at least two persons to be on duty in the children’s ward annexe.
They point out that it is the last medical block in the hospital, and it adjoins the medical observation ward.
It is also housed over the mortuary.
On one occasion, two nurses were forced to jump through windows when they were attacked by a mental patient who had escaped.
Meanwhile, the Medical Employees Union is investigating the matter.
(Guiana Graphic: January 20,1963)
Man loses hand in dynamite blast
ARNOLD Drakes, a shopkeeper of Apaiqua, Mazaruni, who was flown to Georgetown after a dynamite accident, had his right hand amputated at Georgetown Hospital.
It is said he was destroying dynamite which had been carelessly left behind by a tributor, when the explosion occurred.
The hand was partially severed  at the wrist.
It was later amputated during an emergency operation at the Georgetown Hospital.
(Guiana Graphic: January 23, 1963)
(Clifford Stanley can be reached to discuss any of the foregoing articles at cliffantony@gmail.com or by telephone: 657-2043)