(A look at some of the stories that made the news ‘back-in-the-day’ with CLIFFORD STANLEY)
Newsum appointed
(Daily Chronicle: May 19, 1972)
THE Boys Scouts Association of Guyana has recently appointed Mr. Edward S. F. Newsum as District Commissioner for Scouts for New Amsterdam.
His appointment has come after more than 35 years as a cub, scout, master and Assistant District Commissioner. Mr. Newsum was born in Georgetown in February 1927, and lived in New Amsterdam from the age of four. There began his long service to the Boy Scouts Association when he joined the 48th Mission Chapel Troop as a cub.
In the early 60s, he was put in charge of the 2nd New Amsterdam (St. Aloysius) Troop, and shortly after received training in scouting.
In 1966, he was appointed Asst. District Commissioner after completing a Wood Badge course.
Mr. Newsum attended the “Bigi Krootoe” in Suriname, and the 3rd Caribbean Jamboree in Guyana.
He expects to attend the 4th Caribbean Jamboree in Barbados later this year.

(2)
E. Coast rail to be scrapped June 30
(Daily Chronicle: May 11, 1972)
THERE will be no more trains between Buxton and Mahaica after this month.
The Transport and Harbours Department, in keeping with the phasing out plan for the East Coast railway system, will be disconnecting the service between the two points on May 31.
A T&HD spokesman said yesterday the Department is planning on scrapping the East Coast railway on June 30, by which time the buses should be ready for the service to be run by the Guyana Transport Services Limited.
It is understood that most of the buses for the service are in the country, and are being prepared for the road. Others are expected to arrive and to be ready for the June 30 deadline.
The phasing out of the East Coast trains began last year, when the services between Mahaica and Rosignol were stopped. It was taken a step further in January this year, when Sunday trains between Georgetown and Mahaica were discontinued.
Meanwhile, the T&HD spokesman indicated that work is well in hand for the conversion of the Georgetown terminus into the Headquarters of the GTSL.
The bus company’s temporary Headquarters is now located in Hadfield Street.

(3)
Special train
(Daily Chronicle: May 21, 1972)
THE Transport and Harbours Department will run a special East Coast railway during Youth Week to Mahaica.
Individual youths, youth clubs and organizations will be given an opportunity to travel by train for the last time, as the entire East Coast railway will be phased out. The fares are 50 cents return for each youth.
Trains will leave Georgetown at 7:30am and at 1:00pm, and the Mahaica end at 9:30am and at 2:30pm.

(4)
Three months after duck quacked
(Daily Chronicle: May 27, 1972)
THE quacking of a duck from a basket yesterday caused Leonard Moralli, of Kitty, to be jailed for three months for unlawful possession of four ducks.
Moralli admitted 11 previous convictions for unlawful possession, one of which was for unlawful possession of turkeys.
The Prosecutor told Magistrate Clinton Wong that Moralli was seen on the night of May 12 with a basket in his hand. When challenged by a beat duty policeman, he said he was taking soiled clothing to his wash-lady.
“As the defendant attempted to move off,” said the Prosecutor, a duck quacked and the policeman, on inspecting the basket, found the four ducks.
Moralli then told the Policeman that he bought the ducks from Joyce Gill of Buxton, but on investigation, it was discovered that no Joyce Gill lived at the address given by him.
Moralli told the Court that the woman who sold him the ducks must have lied to him about her address.
(Clifford Stanley can be reached to discuss any of the foregoing articles at cliffantony@gmail.com or cell phone # 657 2043)