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

Letter to the Editor…
The 1885 flood: Some reminiscences
Sir,
THE FLOOD on April 4 (1939) was ‘small’ compared with that of 54 years ago, when there was so much water in New Amsterdam that a boat could have travelled over the town.
It was a Saturday.
The rain came down about one in the morning, and fell continuously until 7 or 8 in the evening.
This was a day never to be forgotten, especially when a pitching star from the north, circling eastward, went off like a great rocket.
During the night, it rained so much that the street lights were of no use.
Those were the days of paraffin, and many people walked the streets with lighted lanterns.
Some without lights kept shouting as they went: “Look out! Look out!” warning others of their presence.
That flood will forever remain fresh in my memory, because I would have drowned, but for the timely assistance of a woman.
After the flood, there appeared every morning for about a week at least, a thick mist, which made it impossible to discern any object a foot away.
After this, there was a pest of locusts.
People collected them in bags, and the Estates paid for them.
In those distant days, the Estates were in good condition, and Berbice had good men.
I refer with pleasure to Magistrate Plummer (I never appeared before him in Court); Mr. Goring; Mr. Engall,  Manager of the Bank; Mr. Merchant; and Drs. Leary and Snell.
I trust that this letter will refresh the memory of the older citizens.
SGD: L. Thompson
St. Magdalen Street,
New Amsterdam
April 16, 1939
(The Daily Chronicle: April 17, 1939)

CITY GARAGE
Drive in comfort and safety on the King’s Highway in a car ordered from the City Garage,
34 Bent Street, a few doors from John Street.
You will be amazed that such perfection in motoring can be yours for so little.
And remember: It’s the extra service at City Garage that counts.
Reasonable rates arranged for DRIVES, DANCES, WEDDINGS, CHRISTENINGS, FUNERALS, Etc!
Monthly terms to approved customers.
DROP CARS: 16 Cts.
Phone Central-54 and consult the Managing Proprietor
Mr. R.A. Lowe, or
Mr. Pratt,
The Foreman
Late of Nurse’s Garage.
(The Daily Chronicle: April 2, 1939)

Trinidad entertainers coming on Easter tour
-Calypso King 1939 among them
LOVERS OF Vaudeville entertainment will have some first-class Trinidad stuff served up to them this Eastertide, and they are sure to enjoy it immensely.
The remainder of a troupe of these entertainers is due here today by ‘The Lady Drake’.
The troupe includes ‘The Tiger’, proclaimed ‘Calypso King, 1939’.
The song that won him this distinction among Island songbirds was based on the Labour Movement.
The refrain he put into it was: ‘Let your progressive march be an inspiration to the rising generation.’
The other entertainers are ‘King Radio’, ‘Lord Beginner’, and Johanna Crimona, who has recently completed a successful tour of Panama, Canal zone.
The troupe will appear before Georgetown’s theatre-going  public for the first time on Saturday, when they will be featured at the Olympic Theatre, Lombard Street, the entertainment beginning at 2.30pm.
(The Daily Chronicle: April 7, 1939)

‘Mice’ Alleyne caught
LEONARD Alleyne, also called ‘Mice’, wanted by the Police for some time for vagrancy, was held on Thursday and promptly dealt with by Mr. Magistrate Browne (Ag) at the City Police Court.
Alleyne was sentenced to six months imprisonment, and ordered to receive 12 lashes.
(The Daily Chronicle: April 8, 1939)

A GAZETTEER OF B.G
Now ready and on sale: What is it? A Gazetteer of British Guiana, for the use of schools, businessmen and the public generally.
A geographical dictionary containing the names of over 3000 B.G. plantations, villages, towns, rivers, creeks, hills and mountains, together with a description of their locality in the country.
Compiled by Vincent Roth
Ex-Government Surveyor and Warden
Price: 36 cents 
Postage: 5 cents.
Know something about your own country.
The ‘Daily Chronicle’ Ltd., Stationery & Book Store
23, Main Street
(The Daily Chronicle: April 14, 1939)

Gold and diamond production up
GOLD AND diamond production in the first quarter of 1939 was higher than that for the first quarter of 1938.
The value was $ 330,000.
The gold output this year was 8,646 ounces, an increase of 805 ounces on last year’s.
Diamond production this year amounted to 7,744 carats, 178 carats more than in 1938.
The Mazaruni District was the most productive, with a yield of 7,557 carats of diamonds and 3,148 ounces of gold.
Potaro came second, with 186 carats and 3,197 ounces.
Gold production in this district was doubled.
The Barima District maintained third place in gold producing districts, with an output of 1,010 ounces being 48 ounces below last year’s.
There has been an increase in Essequebo gold production from 202 ounces to 540 ounces.
Waini recorded a 100 per cent increase.
At the Department of Lands and Mines yesterday, 49 ounces of gold — 40 from Barima and nine from Mazaruni — and 216 carats of diamonds from the Mazaruni were entered.
The value was $3,700.
(The Daily Chronicle: April 16, 1939)

Campaign against unlicenced dogs
THE POLICE at Cove and John are rounding up villagers along the Coast for unlicenced dogs, and their efforts are meeting with abundant success.
In some cases, our canine friends are drowned by heartless owners.
The number of dogs made securely fast to trees aback villages is a matter the S.P.C.A may well investigate.
In the sideline trenches, it is common to see carcasses floating, and the odour issuing therefrom can be better imagined than described.
The health of villagers is at stake, and for the good of all concerned, those found guilty of what is considered cruelty in its worst forms should be brought to justice.
(The Daily Chronicle: April 24, 1939)

Thief visits Capt. Irving’s
A THIEF burgled Capt. J.F. Irving’s residence, 104 Croal Street, on Friday night and stole a set of silver cutlery valued $60.
The set was however found by the Police, abandoned on the D’Urban Race Course, and was quite intact.
(The Daily Chronicle: April 16, 1939)

Belladrum-Rosignol omnibus train service
ON FRIDAY April 21, the Belladrum-Rosignol omnibus train will not leave Rosignol until after the arrival of the 7pm ferry boat from New Amsterdam, which will be run direct to Rosignol before proceeding to Blairmont.
SGD: A. MacDougall
General Manager
Transport and Harbour’s Department
14th April 1939.
(The Daily Chronicle: April 14, 1939)

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