They’re UG’s first graduates
(Guyana Graphic: January 14, 1968)
THE University of Guyana last night conferred degrees on its first batch of 31 graduates in the Faculties of Arts, Natural Sciences and Sciences, and in so doing marked an important stage in its history and its development.
The event represented a major triumph for the University over those who regarded its establishment five years ago as an “act of faith”, or contemptuously enquired if the University would produce bachelor’s degrees in such trivia as the making of ice cream.
The graduates came from a small circle of students of mature age (their average age was 25) culled almost entirely from the Demerara area.
The conferring of degrees last night on the first batch of successful Guyanese students of the University of Guyana was an event that inspires national pride.
The Queen’s College auditorium was packed to capacity for the historic occasion, at which the nation’s newest knight, Professor Sir Harry Anamunthodo, delivered his impressive graduation address after the graduates were presented to the Chancellor, Professor Sir Arthur Lewis.
Among those who graduated were: Richard Prashad, Allan Roopan, Edwin Yhap, David Peters, Morris Paul, Alva Mars, SahadeoPatram, Rupert McGregor, Chintaman Mayroo, Dudley Kissoore, Arnold Lochan, Cecil Jawahir, Richmond Reece, Ronald Gunraj, Winston Smith, Alfred Ramrattan, William Rambihar, Inez Clarke, Zameer Majid, Bebe Beekie, Robert Sarjoo, Elise Jonas, Adam Hoosein and Annette Ramrattan.
The thirty-one are all that remain of the 164 students who originally registered at the University  in 1962.

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Man in miniskirt sent for psychiatric treatment
(Guyana Graphic: January 16, 1968)
A YOUNG man, Compton Bowen of Bagotsville, West Bank Demerara, who was found wearing a miniskirt on Sunday was yesterday ordered to be sent to the Georgetown Hospital for psychiatric treatment.
The order was made by Magistrate Aubrey Bishop when Bowen pleaded guilty to a charge of wearing female clothing for an improper purpose.
The prosecutor, Sergeant Chalmers, said that the Police were on patrol on Sunday morning when they saw Bowen strolling along Water Street, wearing a miniskirt and carrying a wallet.
The prosecutor said that Bowen was twisting his waist from side to side like a female.

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CMO vows ‘war to the last mosquito’
(Guyana Graphic: January 4, 1968)
THE anti-malaria campaign will be stepped up until the last malaria carrier and parasite are completely wiped out, Chief Medical Officer, Dr. C.C. Nicholson vowed yesterday.
Dr. Nicholson, who was declaring open a two-day refresher course for field assistants and officers engaged in the malaria eradication programme, said the course was necessary if they were to be brought up-to-date with the structure of the malaria education programme.
The programme was aimed at achieving total eradication of the malaria disease with planning for overall strategy being done by Dr. G. Giglioli, Honorary Government Malariologist; Mr. W. McManus, PAHO-WHO Coordinating Technical Officer, Mr. J Lloyd , Miss. M. Farfan, PAHO-WHO Laboratory Adviser; Mr. C Mentis, Chief Supervisor and Coordinator; and Mr P.A. Howell, Chief Microscopist.
The CMO said that the task of the field operators was to carry out a relentless campaign against malaria until the disappearance of the last malaria pest and the last carrier.
He said that such a campaign called for a high degree of efficiency.

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TONITE AT THE BELVEDERE
(Guyana Graphic: January 6, 1968)
Twelfth nite fiesta with 2 big bands: That Latin Beat of CHET and the DIAMONDS with Tony Ricardo and BUMBLE and the SAINTS, featuring the ever-popular Mark Holder. Dress: STRICTLY Lounge suits or Neckties. Res: 2871.

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SMIRNOFF SCREWDRIVER
(Guyana Graphic: January 6, 1968)
Cool-clear-crisp. Gently mixed tangy oranges: That’s the Smirnoff Screwdriver, an experience you’ll never forget! Hot action? Cool it with Smirnoff Vodka.
Smirnoff Screwdriver? Easy! Good measure of Smirnoff, top up with cool orange juice, and stir gently with ice.
Remember! Smirnoff makes the drinks that make the part swing. Smirnoff! Iit leaves you breathless!
Produced in Guyana  by Diamond Liquors Limited.
Available from all D’Aguiar  and Russian Bear Branches and Agents everywhere.

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Survey teams run into snakes and tigers
(Guyana Graphic: January 10,1968)
SURVEYORS and their assistants, who are carrying out investigations for Guyana’s proposed hydroelectric project  at Tiboku, on the Mazaruni River,  are reported to be going chest deep in water and encountering snakes and tigers in the hinterland.
A party of the Guyanese staff supporting the members of the Shawinigan Engineering Company left the city yesterday for the area of the proposed 800 square-mile reservoir.
More than 100 Guyanese, including surveyors and their crews, draughtsmen, boat operators, mechanics and labourers assisted in the last quarter of 1967.
Level of the land foundation of the dam and materials nearby for building the dam are among the aspects being investigated along the 150-mile-long survey line completed between September and December last year.
The hydroelectric survey is expected to be completed by May.
The findings of the survey will then be handed over to the Government for its consideration.

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Mother rebuked for spoiling son
–sucks her teeth
(Guyana Graphic: January 17, 1968)
MAGISTRATE Aubrey Bishop yesterday admonished a mother for sucking her teeth after he had rebuked her for “spoiling” her son.
“You are spoiling this 17-year-old lad, and you seem quite happy about it,” the Magistrate said to the mother of Anthony Williams, of East Ruimveldt Housing Scheme.
The lad had been found guilty of stealing a fishing line valued $6, the property of Samuel David.
The Magistrate said that from the Probation Officer’s report, the lad was allowed to stay out late at nights, although he was only 17 years old.
The mother interrupted, and denied this, and the Magistrate handed her the Probation Officer’s report. She read it, but maintained that the report was not true.
The Magistrate told the woman: “You are one of those mothers who come to Court and make out that their sons are angels. It was then that she sucked her teeth.
The Magistrate told her: “Don’t do that again!”
Later, Mr. Bishop told the woman that she should reproach her son about his behaviour. “One does not have to look twice to see what kind of mother you are,” he told her.
The Magistrate then placed the lad on probation for two years, with the warning that if be breaches the probation, he would face the full consequences of his conduct.
The Prosecutor said that on December 5, David went fishing off Fort Groyne. Williams passed that way, saw the line, picked it up and ran away with it.
When David gave chase, Williams handed the line to another boy.  He was however caught by David, who tied him up and handed him over to the Police.

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Man impaled by piece of wood
(Guyana Graphic: January 9, 1968)
A 26-year-old sawmill worker was critically ill  at the Georgetown Hospital last night after a three-inch-wide piece of wood plunged through his body, from the abdomen right through to the back.
Surgeons and hospital staff spent three anxious hours in the major operating theatre before they succeeded in extracting the greenheart scantling.
A Hospital source said that up to late last night, the young man, Donald Ram of Third Street Alexander Village, East Bank Demerara, was still receiving blood.
Reports said that Ram had been working at the downtown sawmill, and was assisting in feeding the electrically driven wood-cutting machine when the piece of wood broke off and hit him. (Clifford Stanley can be reached to discuss any of the foregoing articles at cliffantony@gmail.com or cell-phone # 657 2043)