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

100% increase in Parker pen sales
(The Daily Chronicle: June3, 1934)
SALES IN foreign countries in Parker pens has increased 100 per cent during the first months of this year.
The Parker Vacumatic pen is without doubt responsible for this big increase in our business,” Mr. F.W. Matthay, Export Manager of the pen company on a visit to B.G. disclosed.
He added: “I am not surprised in the least. The marvelous thing about the Vacumatic is that no longer a rubber sac is used.”
This is quite a boon, especially in the tropics, as the sac is not likely to last as long as it would in a colder climate.
Thus, by eliminating the sac, it is more advantageous for writers in warm countries.
Another feature about the pen is that although the bar appears solid, it is transparent.
It also works on the new filling principle – the vacumatic filling mechanism.
It is interesting to note that ‘The Daily Chronicle’  are local agents for the Parker pen company,  and are also doing a brisk trade with the Parker ‘Vacumatic’ pen.
Mr. Matthay was entertained by Mr. C.N. Delph , Manager of The Daily Chronicle, after his arrival.

Young Arawak  dies under tragic circumstances
(The Daily Chronicle: May 23, 1934)
A YOUNG Arawak, Augustus Hernandez, met a most tragic death on Saturday, May 12.
Hernandez had been employed with a prospecting expedition in the Barama, and on Saturday morning, he, a friend named Jacinte, and two other men left for Mabaruma Hills where he resides.
But they had not reached further than the one-mile pole when Hernandez complained of feeling ill, and along with Jacinte, he sat down alongside the road, the other two men continuing their journey to the compound at Mabaruma.
Later in the day, these two men returned to Morawhanna, and while coming down saw Jacinte and Augustus apparently asleep on the roadside.
It was not until about 3 o’clock that another party of men going up to Mabaruma saw them still sleeping and got curious and went to awaken them.
Jacinte awoke dazed, but his friend was dead.
The matter was reported to the Police immediately after, but it was not until Sunday morning that the body could be removed, as both the lorry and the ambulance had broken down along the way.
It was learnt that barely two weeks ago, Hernandez got bitten by a Tarantula spider while  working in the Barama, and nearly died on that occasion as it was only the timely aid of several Indian remedies  used that pulled him through to some extent, but it was noticed that he could hardly take his meals, and that he was unable to walk any distance.
Those who worked with him believe that his death was the direct result of the bite from the Tarantula.

Boat accident at Big Camaria Falls
(The Daily Chronicle: May 23, 1954)
WHILE returning to Georgetown, Mr. A.E. Horne, mining engineer of Canadian gold interests in B.G., and a party met with an accident at Big Camaria Falls, Cuyuni River on Saturday afternoon around 1:30.
The boat in which the party, numbered fourteen, was travelling struck a rock and swept, stern-first through the Falls.
Several men were thrown out of the boat, but, fortunately, none lost their lives.
One or two escaped with only cuts and bruises.
Mr. Horne has, during the past six weeks, been surveying properties in the Aranka District held by Mrs. P.J. Willems and Hon. E.M. Walcott.
He has forwarded his first report to Canada, and has asked for an aeroplane to surmount such transport difficulties as the one he encountered.

In days that are dead
(The Daily Chronicle: June 3, 1934)
GEORGETOWN Water Works opened  May 24, 1880.
Light House completed June 1, 1830.
Penal Settlement, Mazaruni  established June 6, 1842.

A genuine Wilson’s hat
(The Daily Chronicle: June 3, 1934)
EVERY man knows his own hat, and the Wilson’s should be the hat of every man. We are now offering genuine Wilson’s hats in all shades @ $2.00 each.
Another item of interest is our BEATALL SHIRTS in checked designs with collars and ties to match. Absolutely the latest in shirt ideas. Call and be convinced.
S. Wreford & Co.
Strand, New Amsterdam.

Obeahist rogue and vagabond
(The Daily Chronicle: June 12, 1934)
HAROLD Williams was convicted and fined $5 or 14 days and sentenced to six months hard labour by Mr. D.E. Jackson  on a charge of practising obeah.
He was also deemed a rogue and a vagabond.
On another charge of fortunetelling, the Police offered no evidence.

Berbice River (Coomacka)
(The Daily Chronicle: June 13, 1934)
PERSONALIA:
Mr. M. M. Johnson, grocer and grant-holder, was very much indisposed during the past fortnight, and travelled to New Amsterdam on May 31 to seek medical aid.

***
Mr. Phillip, timber merchant and grocer, travelled to Paradise on Wednesday, May 30,  and returned the next day to New Amsterdam.

****
CANJE:
Dr. G.E. Carto, G.M.O, who had been indisposed for the past few weeks, has recovered sufficiently to resume duties, thus relieving Dr. Besson, his locum tenens.

*****
Messrs. Isaac T. Henry and Henry T. Ching, assistant teachers of St. Patrick’s E. School, Rose Hall, Canje, have been requested to undertake a medical examination preparatory to admission as student teachers  at the Teachers’ Training Centre, in the City, for the September 1934 – July 1936 batch.

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