(A look at some of the stories that made the news ‘back-in-the-day’ with CLIFFORD STANLEY) 

The prophet wagged his tongue
by PugageePungcuss
WHEN AH memba ‘Ol’ Time ‘Tory’, water come in me eye.
One of the most excruciatingly laughable Georgetown Police Court scenes I have ever witnessed occurred when a fair-sized snake was unexpectedly introduced in Court.
Suddenly, the Court loafers were seen to have split themselves into two distinct camps, each section, in wide-eyed terror, trying to get as far as possible from a Portuguese vendor of ‘curiosities’ who was nodding drowsily on a front bench, with a snake coiled around his forearm.
That the reptile was very much alive was obvious, for it was wiggling its split tongue so energetically that a youth in the dock, charged with some commonplace offence, the penalty of which was not death from snake-bite, after a backward look of horror, solemnly commenced to climb over the rail of the enclosure.
“Bring that man here, but not too near,” said Papie Hill, the Magistrate , indicating the ‘snake charmer’.
The bailiff transmitted the order, but stubbornly remained immobile.
“Why have you brought that dangerous reptile to Court ?” This from ‘His Worship’, in the act of rising slowly as man and snake drew near.
“I suppose you are working obeah!”
“Not such a thing,” answered the vendor of strange products of nature. “Dis snake is as loving as a woman.”
“Wha’ she name?” the Magistrate asked, regaining his courage and dignity, resuming his seat, and lapsing into creolese as was his wont when disposed to be friendly.
“Not she, he,” the man said. “He name Jeremiah, sah!”
Straightaway, the prophet wagged his tongue most formidably.
“You kin pat he head an’ see fo’ yuhself he don’t bite humans,” the curio dealer continued encouragingly.
Whereupon, the very worthy Magistrate was understood to say something in an undertone, which might easily have been incorrectly understood to mean: “I’d be damned if I will get out the Court with your so-and-so snake!”
Jeremiah wagged his tongue.
As man and reptile went forth, people rushed to left and right to give the precious pair plenty of room.
At the foot of the stairway, Mr. Luiz Martins, the Portuguese interpreter, was dozing on a chair tilted back against a balustrade.
He opened his eyes with an interrogative expression, and saw the snake an inch or two distant.
With a mighty bound, the startled interpreter got to his feet, and made an uncommonly fine sprint across High Street.
Jeremiah wagged his tongue!
(The Daily Chronicle: April 5, 1939)

PHG fire alarms…
Two laundry maids jump through windows
NURSES and porters at the Public Hospital Georgetown brought into play the special training given in fire-fighting when, on Thursday afternoon, they successfully combated fire which broke out in the laundry in the northern section of the compound.
The stove in the bottom flat was being used for drying articles that were being washed, and it is stated that on becoming overheated, several ‘pieces’ burnt rapidly.
Soon, the interior of the flat was a cloud of smoke.
There was rush among the laundry women.
Some made their escape through the door, while two jumped through the window and were hurt.
(The Daily Chronicle: April 6, 1939)

Thin blood ruins your chances of success
IN THE race for success, you may have seen your comrades — ordinary fellows all, you believe — pass you on the upward climb to fame and fortune, and perhaps you have wondered — if that thin blood of yours ever gave you the power to wonder — WHY?
The answer is simple: In all instances, the upward-climbing individuals were men in whom the blood flowed thickly, pure and strong.
YOU HAVE BEEN LEFT BEHIND, AND WILL CONTINUE TO BE LEFT BEHIND IF YOU DO NOT PURIFY AND THICKEN YOUR BLOOD.
To accomplish robust deeds, you must be robust. YOU CAN’T BE ROBUST WITH THIN BLOOD.
Rector’s Blood Purifier is the ideal blood invigorator. Take it regularly and say goodbye to thin blood. Rector’s Blood Purifier. “If its Rector’s it’s reliable.”
(The Daily Chronicle: April 8, 1939)

Unlawful possession of twine and cycle repair outfit
JOHN Bowen (18), of 243 South Road and Bourda Street, was placed on a bond of $50 or 12 months (costs $1)  or three days by Mr. C. R. Browne, Acting Magistrate, at the City Police Court  on Thursday.
Bowen was charged with the unlawful possession of two heads of twine and three tins of ‘Dunlop Cycle Repair Outfit’.
Bowen was challenged by P.C. Benjamin, and failing to account satisfactorily for possession, he was charged.
The Police prosecuted.
(The Daily Chronicle: April 7, 1939)

Plantation Orangefield changes hands
ORANGEFIELD, the property of Mr. Thomas Earle, has changed hands, the new owner being Mr. Hardy of Bookers Hardware, Georgetown.
Mr. Earle, who is well advanced in age, lives at La Grange, and was for many years a member of the now defunct Board of Agriculture.
Orangefield, situate  on the north bank of No. 1 Canal, is about seven miles from Vreed-en-Hoop, and was at one time a flourishing estate.
The principal crops grown are coffee, cocoa and citrus fruits, and it is widely known that oranges from Orangefield were noted for their distinctive flavour.
When Sir John Harrison was Director of Agriculture, and there were agricultural shows in the country, many were the prizes won by Mr. Earle for the products grown on his estate.
It is understood that the new proprietor intends to expand the cultivation of citrus crops.
Recently, Mr. E.B. Martyn, Government Botanist, visited Orangefield.
(The Daily Chronicle: April 10, 1939)

Delinquent girls home
THE COMMITTEE inquiring into the advisability of establishing a home for delinquent girls travelled to Mahaica yesterday afternoon and inspected the Lady Denham Home which has been suggested as a model.
All the members of the Committee — Mr. P. W. King (Chairman), Hon. J .I.  deAguiar, Major J. Austen, Mr. A. R. W. Robertson, Mesdammes A.G. King and S.H. Bayley and Miss Gertie Wood — and the Secretary, Mr. J.S. Talbot, made the trip.
They went through the home and saw the layout and organization.
(The Daily Chronicle: April 13, 1939)

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