Tales from way back when…
International regatta on Berbice River today
INTEREST HAS reached fever pitch in the New Amsterdam Community Council’s International Regatta which will be held under the distinguished patronage of the Governor. The programme will open with a colourful show-boat parade, and conclude with the presentation of attractive trophies by the Mayoress of New Amsterdam, Mrs. S.F. Carew on the Transport and Harbors Department’s Stelling at Stanleytown, which will be used as the Grand Stand for the occasion.

The District Commissioner of Nickerie, Mr. H.E. Hewitt, and Mrs. Hewitt will also attend the Berbice River regatta.

Music will be provided between events by the British Guiana Volunteer Force Military Band on the Steamer Stelling, and by the ‘Crusaders’ steel band on the Steamer.

No pains are being spared by the sponsors to provide a fitting setting for the spectacular sport, which is being highlighted by the participation of boats from Nickerie, and an excursion from there for the occasion.

Participants will be hydroplanes and speedboats from Bartica, Demerara River, Georgetown, New Amsterdam, Berbice River and Nickerie.

A special feature on the programme will be the event for the board speedboats in which ‘Little Rocket’ a Chris Craft owned by Reynolds, and ‘H-Bomb’, owned by Carlos Robeiro of Bartica, will clash for championship honours.

Efforts are being made to get Lou Wong and Dick Chee-a-Tow to give a waterskiing display.

The swimming and bateau events for fishermen are attracting large fields.

The proceeds of the regatta will form the nucleus fund for the reclaiming of the Esplanade Foreshore for a Sports Stadium and Race Course.
(Guiana Graphic: November 11, 1957)

Working hours for barbers
Dear Mr Editor,
On Wednesday, August 31 last at a meeting held by barbers at their Association Hall in Regent Street for the purpose of asking the government to make an amendment in the closing orders of barbershops in the City, the Union outvoted the action taken by the Secretary.

We the Unionists must also thank the Government for the committee that was appointed and the recommendations submitted by them.

We regret that only a few years ago this Association was defeated on the same issue.

It is our desire that the Police Department should keep a watchful eye on all barbershops where the owners get away with infringing the law by opening after hours.

Yours etc!

Sundyal Marks,

Secretary,

Barbers Union.
(Guiana Graphic: October 1, 1955)

Guide to Botanic Gardens on sale
AN ILLUSTRATED ‘Guide to the Botanic Gardens, Georgetown’ has just been published by the Department of Agriculture.

The Guide includes a history of the Gardens, a description with photographs of the various sections, and an article on bird life in the Gardens.

There is also a map of the Gardens.

The Guide costs two shillings per copy.
(Guiana Graphic: November 23, 1955)

‘Countryside Close-up’ tonight
LISTENERS  to ‘Countryside Close-up’, to be heard over Radio Demerara at 7:30 o’clock tonight will be introduced to the newly-crowned ‘Queen of the Counties’, Miss Olive Junor of Hopetown, Berbice, during a G.I.S feature which will deal with ‘Life at Hopetown’.

The programme, which  will be highlighted by a selection of queh-queh songs from Hopetown, includes a recorded interview with one of the oldest villagers, 80-year-old Mrs. Phoebe Ferguson, familiarly called ‘Auntie Big’.

Also of special interest to poultry dealers will be tonight’s discussion on ‘The treatment of Newcastle Disease’, now being combated by the Agriculture Department.
(Guiana Graphic: October 10, 1955)

Improvement for Lighthouse
GREATER lighting facilities on the harbour and coast of B.G have been recommended by Captain W.G. Chaplain of Trinity House, London.

Mr. Chaplain held discussions with Col. G.B. Thompson, General Manager of Transport and Harbour’s Department on the question of Marine Lighting.

He said that improvements in the lighting system of the Lighthouse and all other Harbours and coast equipments have been recommended.
(Guiana Graphic: February 17, 1957)

Dass wins inside-the-base marathon
SANDBACH’S Walter Dass came home all alone at Atkinson Field yesterday morning  to win the A.A.A 26-mile marathon in the stunningly good time of 2:24:35.7 seconds.

Trailing home four minutes behind was one half of the Booker twins, Sonny Ramnarine, with his team-mate, Sew Etwaroo securing third place, finishing the race some seven minutes behind the winner.

Eight runners started from the entrance of Atkinson to Georgetown.

Sandbach’s Oswald Lashley broke away with a blistering pace and led the field for some ten miles before  he chucked in, whereupon Dass — the little fellow with the chipping strides — took over with Ramnarine in close attendance.

But when some fifteen miles had been covered, it was Dass all alone, and he looked an easy winner, providing he could finish.

Etwaroo lost a lot of ground when he had to discard his yachting shoes, which were visibly impairing his progress.

Fourth home was newcomer from Port Mourant, Patrick Soodhu , while Harry Persaud and Morris Leesbamn, running in the  Sandbach blue singlets, were the fifth and sixth to complete the course.

Former marathon kingpin, Clem Fields withdrew from the race after fifteen miles.
(Guiana Graphic: June 2, 1958)

Dog shoots man?
A ONE-MAN hunting expedition ended in near tragedy at Grove, East Bank Demerara yesterday when Jagnandan’s feet were nearly shot off by his dog.

Jagnandan, a 22-year-old labourer, was hunting wild game aback Grove, but his quarry was elusive, so he decided to take a ‘breather’ at a watch house.

He rested his loaded shotgun on the ground, with its barrel pointing towards his feet, but his dog, unwise in the way of guns, jumped on it and the weapon went off, severely injuring Jagnandan’s feet.

He was yesterday a patient at the Georgetown Hospital.
(Guiana Graphic: November 25, 1955)
(Clifford Stanley can be reached to discuss any of the foregoing articles at cliffantony@gmail.com or by telephone: 657-2043)