(A look at some of the stories that made the news ‘back-in-the-day’ with Clifford Stanley)
TOP BUYS ON TIP TOP CARS
(Guyana Graphic – February 2, 1969)
Brand new Vauxhall Viva PZ 2873; Done only 45 miles only $4,150 to the first buyer; Singer Vogue – PZ 486 with stick shift – in showroom condition for only $4,600.Shining Honda Sports car PZ 165 ready for the highway at a real bargain price $3,975. Rush now to Auto Supplies Co. Agents for the cars of best value…TOYOTA Crown, Corona, Corolla and 800 sports . Arrange a test drive soon.
MALE TEACHERS WEARING SHIRT-JACS
(Guyana Graphic – September 19th, 1969)
The majority of the male teachers in Primary schools in West Demerara are wearing shirt -jacs in school since the reopening of the Christmas term.
The headmasters of these schools have given the approval for their staff to adopt this new mode of dress.
Most of the teachers are satisfied: “It is most relaxing,” they say.
100 MEN CARRYING FIGHT AGAINST YELLOW FEVER
(Guyana Graphic – September 20, 1969)
The fight against the yellow fever carrying mosquito yesterday moved into top gear with more than 100 men spraying yards, drains, drums and other places which it was felt could encourage mosquito breeding.
T. A. Egbert, Principal Medical Officer of the Ministry of Health said that all the insecticides for the country-wide fight against yellow fever carriers had arrived and the men had already begun work in Georgetown and the outlying districts.
He went on to say that a large quantity of the equipment needed for the program had already arrived and more was expected from the United Kingdom shortly.
He said that after the team completed operations in Georgetown and the neighbouring districts it would move on to other areas including Berbice and Essequibo.
He added that the program would last for three to four years during which it was expected that the yellow fever carrier would be completely wiped out.
CMO VOWS ‘WAR TO THE LAST MOSQUITO’
(Guyana Graphic – January 4, 1969)
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; Miss. M. Farfan, PAHO-WHO Laboratory Adviser; Mr. C Mentis, Chief Supervisor and Co-ordinator 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.
THE CHOIR GOES GAY
(Guyana Graphic – January 10, 1969)
The members of the St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Choir took time off from the office in the Church and went gay on Monday evening when they held the annual choir party.
The venue was Mrs. Zena Lashley’s residence in William Street Kitty.
Special guest at the party was Miss Inez (a former organist now resident in England) who flew home to spend the Christmas and New Year with her relatives and friends. She returns to England on January 10.
She is an organist at one of the churches in England.
At the party, everyone thoroughly enjoyed the fun which went late into the morning.
The members expressed their thanks to Miss Lashley for entertaining them at her home.
HONG KONG TYPE FLU SWEEPING GUYANA
(Guyana Graphic – January 24, 1969)
A virus bearing the symptoms of the much dreaded Hong Kong Flu is now sweeping hundreds of Guyanese off their feet and forcing them into bed with excruciating pains to the joints.
The virus section of the Central Medical Laboratory is currently engaged in carrying out tests to confirm whether the growing number of flu victims have been infected by the Hong Kong flu virus.
One well-informed and reliable source in the Government medical services said that in his opinion the flu had reached “epidemic proportions”.
Circulars have been sent to Doctors at Government Hospitals and also those in private practice, seeking their cooperation in supplying blood samples and “throat washings” of patients for laboratory tests.
It is estimated that an average of 150 to 200 persons including children are being treated daily for flu by Doctors in the Government service and in private practice in Georgetown.
In the Bartica area the flu epidemic is raging.
The Government Medical Officer there Dr. Vishnu Cheddi said yesterday that well over 1,000 persons had already been treated and there had been some very serious cases.
During the day Dr. Cheddi obtained the services of a plane and flew to Issano 120 miles away to treat patients.
No deaths have been reported and serious cases are being given antibiotic drugs while those not seriously affected are advised to use certain sulpha drugs and to stay in bed.
CARLTON TRIED BUT COULD NOT OUTPACE MOUNTIE
(Guyana Graphic – August 22, 1969)
A man who tried to outpace a mounted Policeman after cursing him, appeared before Magistrate Rudolph Harper yesterday charged with using indecent language.
He pleaded guilty to the charge and was fined $10.
The Prosecutor told the Court that Phillip Carlton of DaSilva Street went to a ticket booth outside the Queen Elizabeth National Park and was behaving in a disorderly manner.
He was warned about his behaviour by a mounted Policeman.
Carlton invited the Policeman to dismount from his horse and catch him and he began to run. The Policeman gave the horse a little gallop and Carlton was soon outpaced and arrested.
“You tried to outrun a horse?” the Magistrate asked him before imposing the fine.
(Clifford Stanley can be reached to discuss any of the foregoing articles at cliffantony@gmail.com or cell phone # 694 0913)