East Coast Demerara

Murder At Friendship

2011-11-19T09:41:00.000-08:00

Murder At Friendship - Corner's Inquest - Manoel Marques found guilty - (By our own Reporter) The inquest was resumed yesterday at Vigilance before Mr. C. B. Kryenhoff, coroner, and a jury, touching the death of Charles Batson, an old Blackman who was murdered at Friendship, on the 19th inst. owing to repairs being carried out on the Courtroom, the inquest took place in the lower storey of Vigilance Police Station. Manoel Marques, a Portuguese man, who stands charged with the alleged murder, was given a seat near to the Coroner's table. Mr. D. M. Hutson appeared to watch the proceedings on his behalf, whilst Sergeant Bovell was on behalf of the Police.
the following are the names of the Jurors: - Manoel Dias, Jacob Truman, Nathaniel Williams, Joseph Austin and David Sancho.
Berkersum, an Arab, was the first witness called. He deposed. He lived at Friendship and knew Manoel Marques, accused. The last time he saw him was on the 19th August at the back of Friendship Village at five o'clock in the morning. Witness came out of the building and got near a puncheon of water. the water was about two rods from the buildings. Marques were going towards the back dam at Friendship. He crossed by the dam near the buildings and went on to Friendship Middle Walk. Witness spoke to him, and he said he was going to his farm at Strathspey. This was at five o'clock in the morning. Prisoner had a cutlass in his hand. He saw prisoner go as far as the Middle walk, but did not look at him after that. He was dressed with trousers, shirt and hat. shown trousers. Deposed they were not the ones worn by Marques on the day in question. The trousers, which Marques wore were wet from the waist his downwards. There was no one with him when he passed that morning. Witness did not see anyone pass that road that day before Marques. Accused walked very fast. Witness rose that morning at four o'clock. He did not know the deceased Charles Batson, but about half-past seven o'clock in the morning of that day in question he heard that someone was dead.
By Mr. Hutson: He did not see the dead man, nor did he see the place he was found. coming from the buildings, the spot where the man was found was reached before Mr. Kryenhoff's house was arrived at. It took a quarter-of-an-hour to walk from the place where the body was found to Kryenhoff's building. The morning in question was clear. Buxton side line was about four or five rods from Mr. Kryenhoff's building. If anybody had passed Buxton Dam previous to Marques, witness must have seen them. He could not tell the colour of the shirt that Marques wore. People passed the place where witness lived from four o'clock in the morning till nine and ten in the forenoon. The road that Marques passed was used by people to go to Strathspey and Nonpareil. Witness did not leave the building the day though he heard the man was found dead. He did not see any Arabs in the village during the week before Batson was found dead.
By a Juror: Someone told witness that a man was found dead. He was certain it was five o'clock in the morning when he saw Marques pass. he had never seen him on that road before that morning.
at this stage Inspector Francis who was seated close to the coroner rose and said that the examination would have to be gone over again before the Magistrate, no matter what the verdict of they jury would be that day and therefore for the Coroner to proceed further would be a waste of time. He stated that he just wished to point the matter out as the verdict would make no difference at all with regard to the action which the police would take. Even should prisoner be found not guilty, he would still be retained in custody and would have to go before the Magistrate.
In cases such as the present where the charge was for murder, it was not left to a Sergeant of Police to prosecute, but by the Inspector of the district. He also stated that counsel had no locus standi in a coroner’s court, and the fact of Mr. Hutson being there and cross-examining witnesses weakened to a great extent the case against the prisoner. He did not want to interrupt the proceedings but simply wished to state that whatever evidence was taken, the finding of the jury would not be taken into account, for the case would still go before the Magistrate.
Mr. Hutson did not think Inspector Francis had any right to interfere and to say what course the enquiry should take. He submitted that the law gave him the right to examine any witness he thought fit.
The Inspector stated that Mr. Hutson might think he was right, but it was a fact that he had no locus standi in that Court. What he wanted to ask was if the coroner was going to proceed with the taking of the evidence.
Mr. Hutson: I am sure Mr. Francis does not mean that.
Inspector Francis: Yes I do.
At this stage he then left the Court.
Lucinda Batson, wife of the deceased man, was the next witness. She deposed. I live at Friendship, I know Charles Batson, who is now dead. He died on Wednesday of last week. The last time I saw him was on that day. He left the house early that morning. I saw him go away. the next time I saw him was aback of Friendship. He was then dead. It was about one o'clock when I saw him. I saw two marks on his throat, one on each side of the neck. They were not there when he left the house in the morning. I know accused. He and my husband were neighbours. Marques always swore he would thrash my husband. They were not on good terms. Accused had a pig which strayed into my place and died, and Marques came and said he would kill the very beast who killed his pig. This was on the Saturday previous to the day my husband was found dead.
By Mr. Hutson: My husband was going to work the morning he was killed, at Mr. Kryenhoff's cane-piece. I believe after what accused said about the pig, that my husband was killed. I did not see my husband go out the morning he was killed. My husband was not a fast hand. He was not a thief, but a gentleman. I have lived in Buxton and Friendship for a long time.
By a juror: None of Marques's relatives went over to see my husband when he was dead, as we are not on good terms.
Henry Adams Quammy, P.C. 23, was next called. He stated that he was stationed at Vigilance Police Station. He remembered the 19th of August, the day in question. In company with Sergeant Bovell and P.C. 29 Thorne, he proceeded in a batteau to Friendship back. They went to a provision bed, owned by one Mrs. Corder, and found a man lying dead, who turned out to be Charles Batson. His face was downwards, and he had in his hand right hand a cutlass, and a breadfruit in the left. One breadfruit was also under his posterior, and on his shoulder was a canvas bag. A Calabash was on his head. There was a wound on his left collar bone. They then traced the blood from the spot where it was first visible till where deceased lay, sixteen rods, off. They then traced the distance from the nearest breadfruit tree to where Batson lay, and it was forty-eight rods. Witness was present when the coroner and jury viewed the body. the body was then removed from the spot where it was found lying, in a batteau, to the place where he lived. Witness was present when Dr. Hill made the post mortem examination. When deceased was found, the body was minus the trousers. He had on a dark shirt and a jacket. the trousers were about a rod distant from where he lay. In examining the jacket it was discovered to have a cut on the left side of one neck about an inch in length.
By a Juror: The traces of blood did not go beyond the place where the body was lying. He arrested accused on the 19th August. Before taking him to the Police Station he took him to his house. He received certain information about his clothing. Shown clothes. Deposed owned they were the clothes he got at Marques's house.
the report of Dr. Hill, medical officer, was then read and is as follows: -
Strathspey, August 19th, 1891.
Sir, - I have to report that I examined this day at Friendship Village, the dead body of a man identified in my presence as the body of Charles Batson, a coloured Barbadian. the age appeared to be about fifty-eight years. the body was well nourished and the limbs rigid. the clothes, as well as much of the exposed portion of the body, were covered with a considerable quantity of dried blood. Immediately above the left collar bone (clavicle) about a half-an- inch above, and about one and a half inches from the sternal attachment of that bone was a punctured wound of about five-eights of an inch in width. On dissection I found this wound had severed the internal jugular vein, together with several muscular branches of the sub-clavian artery, and had penetrated the aperture of the left lung. Large clots of blood blocked the course of the wound was from above, downwards and backwards. On opening the chest the lungs were found to be adherent to the chest wall from old standing pleurisy. the lungs with the exception of this change and the injury of the left organ already described were healthy. the heart was pale and flabby, and on the right side was a patch of pericarditis. The organs of the abdomen were all much balanced. the liver showed signs of chronic inflammatory changes. The spleen was also somewhat enlarged and carribosed (i.e., thickened). The kidneys were pale and flabby and showed numerous cysts in the cortex. The other organs were healthy. Pallor of the internal organs was a marked feature. I am of the opinion that death was caused by hemorrhage from the injury to the neck. I have the honour to be, Sir, Your obedient Servant, J. Ramsay Hill, Acting Medical Officer, Buxton District.
C. B. Kryenhoff, Esq., J.P. and Coroner.
In course of his examination Dr. Hill stated he was acting Government Medical Officer of Buxton District. He made a post mortem examination on the body of Batson, a report of which had been just read. In his opinion the wound on the left side of Batson's neck was caused by some sharp pointed, flat instrument, the blade of which was probably not more than an in width. He did not think the wound could have been self-inflicted. It was impossible for it to have been self-inflicted because of its extent and position. He did not think the wound could have been inflicted with a cutlass. He never heard of a record of a wound in such a position as the one inflicted on Batson being self-inflicted. Shown cutlass. Deposed he did not think it could produce the wound he saw inflicted on deceased. He did not think it was probable that a man after receiving such a wound could walk sixteen rods.
This was the last witness.
the Coroner then asked prisoner if he had any statement to make, but Mr. Hutson said that as Inspector Francis had stated that he still meant to carry the case before the Magistrate for further investigation, prisoner would postpone any statement he had to make till then. Proceeding Counsel said that by the 28th Section of the Coroner's Ordinance the person charged with the death of a deceased was at liberty to attend and cross-examine, but though he, Mr. Hutson, on his behalf claimed that right, yet he did not wish to assume any right which were not clearly given under the Ordinance. He however, only wished to say that he hoped the jury although they belonged to the Village would put away from their minds any thing had heard in connection with this case. As they has heard from Inspector Francis no matter what verdict they gave it would have no final result, as he intended to proceed further in the case. Although as he (counsel) had pointed out, their verdict had no bearing either on the innocence or the guilt of the prisoner, yet he asked them to lay aside anything which they might have heard in the Village in connection with the case. He knew it was difficult for them to close their ears, but in fairness to the prisoner he asked them to deal impartially in finding their verdict.
The Coroner the summed up and the Jury returned a verdict of willful murder against the accused who was formally committed for trial at the next session of the Supreme Criminal Court for the County of Demerara.
Prisoner was then remained to the Georgetown Gaol.
Source: Murder At Friendship - Corner's Inquest - Manoel Marques found guilty - The Daily Chronicle, Saturday, August 29, 1891: page 3 column 5.

Cove and John Land Settlement Scheme

2011-05-10T16:33:00.001-07:00

Cove and John Land Settlement Scheme - District Farmers Urge Fulfillment
Georgetown; Monday, June 19 - Over 600 persons, mostly farmers met on Monday afternoon, June 12, to discuss the proposal by Government to acquire Plantation Cove and John, East Coast Demerara for the purpose of establishing a Land Settlement Scheme.
The meeting was presided over by John Lucie Griffith and supporting him on the platform were: Honourable A.M. Ayube Edun., M.L.C., Messrs. R. J. Muse, William Nicholas Arno, Augustine Fernandes, Jacob St. Kitts, S. E. A. Talbot, Benjamin Kingston, William Charles, A. Assanah, R. E. Benn, M.B. Hoosenny, Oscar Morrison, Joseph Gibbs, J. M. Sealey (Chairman, Golden Grove-Nabaclis Village Council), John Adams (Secretary, Victoria-Belfield-Cove and John Agricultural Society), M.A. Solomon(Vice-President, Secretary, Golden Grove-Nabaclis Ratepayers and Farmers' Association)
the following resolution moved by Mr. John Adams and seconded by Mr. Abraham Solomon was carried unanimously the entire audience standing to show approval:

RESOLUTION
Whereas His Excellency, Sir Gordon Lethem's speech at the opening of the Legislative Council on Tuesday, May 30, 1944 has given the depressed and distressed people of Victoria-Golden Grove-Nabaclis good ground for hope that their flood stricken areas will now be reconstructed in order to give them opportunity to work and win health and decent livelihood.
And whereas the Governor's message to Honourable Members of the Legislative Council has called for the acquisition of Plantation Cove and John for the purpose of Land Settlement, by which means the said the depressed and distressed people of the aforesaid district will be enabled, to secure health and decent livelihood.
And whereas the advice tendered Government by the Chairman of the Drainage Board, Honourable F. J. Seaford, CBE, the director of Agriculture, Professor J. Sydney Dash and Government's Consulting Engineer, Mr. G. O. Case, is opposed to Government's acquisition of Plantation Cove and John on the ground stated by Mr. Case that its drainage would require 7 to 8 pumps estimated to coast perhaps $200,000 or more;
And whereas the facts are (a.) that Plantation Cove and John has never required more than one pump for its good drainage, which has all along been satisfactory: (b.) when in 1926 Government amalgamated it Drainage machinery with that of the Villages, Victoria, Golden Grove, Nabaclis , it was not Plantation Cove and John but the neighbouring villages which suffered loss of their crops and livestock from floods; (c.) this fact ("b") has been admitted by Mr. F. J. Seaford in an interview with Mr. L. D. Sarrabo, President of the Golden Grove-Nabaclis Farmers' Association and subsequently he (Mr. Seaford) got the Drainage Board to agree that one more pump should be installed to give this district effective drainage; (d) at no time from 1926 to present was any word expressed that more than one pump was required for the effective drainage of this area; (e)Mr. Seaford never indicated there was any drainage difficulty at Plantation Cove and John when the present proprietor agreed to out the estate to cane-farmers who were to get their canes milled at Plantation Enmore.
and whereas if even there had been any drainage difficulty at Cove and John, Mr. G. O. Case's estimate in September, 1943 of $20,500 to give Cove and John good drainage could not possibly be increased in May 1944 to $200,000 when no material change in the foreshore or elsewhere has occurred.
Be it resolved that this meeting of over 500 farmers each of whom desires and is anxious to have a portion of land for cultivation at Plantation Cove and John which is well known to be fertile and well drained land, respectfully requires His Excellency, The Governor and Honourable Members of the Legislative Council to discard the absurd advice tendered by Government's technical advisers who for reasons best known to themselves are opposed to the acquisition of Cove and John for Land Settlement.
And Be It Further Resolved that copies of this Resolution be forwarded to all Members of the Legislative Council.

Governor to receive Deputation
it was announced on Saturday that His Excellency, The Governor has intimated his desire to meet the deputation today at government House Annexe

Source: Cove and John Land Settlement Scheme - District Farmers Urge Fulfillment- the Daily Chronicle, Monday, June 19, 1944: page 3.

Rural Areas by Rustik

2011-05-10T16:29:00.000-07:00

Around the Rural Areas by Rustik
Buxton Congregational School is the official designation of this primary school attached to Arundel and all through its existence, during the nineteenth century it was known as the Buxton London Missionary School. As far as records show its first Head teacher seemed to have been John Shakespeare Simon who after a course of theological training in the United States of America, returned to the Colony and served as Minister for Arundel. Mr. Simon it was perhaps who trained F. C. Glasgow to succeed him in the school.
During the management of Parson Simon there served Mr. H. Niles, a West Indian; the youthful Emmanuel Joseph for a very short time; Benjamin Hercules Friday - a native of Plaisance; a product of Bishop's College and father of Miss Imlah Friday now head teacher of St. Ambrose Episcopal School, Albert town; Mr. Peters, a Berbician, and father of Mr. George Peters, recently retired head teacher of St. Columba's Scots School, Courtland, No# 2 Corentyne, Berbice.
Then under the management of the Reverend William E. Downer, William Walter Evans - a Buxtonian, who was serving as a Certificated Assistant Teacher of Friendship Wesleyan, was placed in charge of the school. he was already popular before he assumed charge of the school and making himself an energetic church worker, organist, choirmaster, and powerful Band of Hope organizer and leader; he was able to gather in many children and Buxton London Missionary School, as it then was, rose in numbers and prestige, Pupil Teachers Albert C. B. Philadelphia, and Joseph W. (Avis) Wilson, and later on W. A. (Bertie) Seaforth, all from Friendship joined its staff. Willie Evans ruled the destinies of the school for many years, and when he left, Emmanuel Joseph became his successor.

CONSCIENTIOUS, ENERGETIC AND PAINSTAKING
thus for the second time Mannie Joseph became head teacher of his old school, then carrying the name Buxton Congregational School. He hailed from one of Buxton most respectable families, and was the possessor of many admirable traits of character. as a disciplinarian, he was not very much unlike Parson Simon; he wore a most placid exterior, possessed a temperament that was seldom ruffled, and was a most conscientious, energetic and painstaking teacher. his two outstanding additions to the list of certificated Teachers are Reverend Duke Gary Munroe, BD., and Mr. Fitz H. Pollard, who succeeded him, and is now the head teacher of Smith church Congregational School, Georgetown.
"With great energy and personal sacrifice, and winning by splendid leadership the cooperation of the people, Mr. Joseph was, in a short-time able to erect the present school building". thus has written someone who has knowledge of what he did for Arundel. he loved his village which he served capably and well for many years; he loved his school as evidenced by what he did for it; above all he loved his church and when he died the lamentations of his pupils and of many of the village community were genuine, loud and long.

ACTIVE AND TIRELESS
the mantle of Emmanuel Joseph fell on the shoulders of one of his former pupils, Mr. Fitzgerald Hilbertus Pollard, M.R.S.T., who very much improved not only the good school building he found; but also the status, efficiency, and numbers of the school. his contribution to the list of Certificated Teachers consists of Misses Ivy Jacobs and Millicent E. John.
Mr. Pollard was active and tireless in his school work as well as in his services for the Church. Largely through his efforts a lower flat was added to the building to give better accommodation to the increase of pupils. it is recognized that he did much during his head teachership of Buxton Congregational to enhance congregationalism on the East coast of Demerara.
But when it comes to the schools, there was no real awakening until the Buxton Scholarship was launched; and although many pupils have won Buxton Scholarships, the Congregational school between 1925 and 1938 had the largest number of winners to its credit, and is the only school in the village that has had two Government County Scholarships.
when Mr. Pollard, was transferred to Smith Church Congregational School, Georgetown, Mr. George Sydney Lugard Payne of Den Amstel, West Coast, Demerara, was brought to succeed him.
Mr. Payne has found a good school with a competent staff and it is expected that he will exert his endeavours to uphold the traditions of his village and the school.
Source: Around the Rural Areas - the Sunday Chronicle, May 7, 1944: page 10.

Around the Rural Areas

2011-05-08T10:41:00.001-07:00

Around the Rural Areas (By RUSTIK)
We have been endeavoring to deal with the Buxton-Friendship Village District as fully as we found it possible to do, and we are conscious that in our account, errors might have crept in here and there. If apology need to be made for whatever inaccuracies we might have committed, we tender here and now that apology. But before we take a final farewell of Buxton, so near and dear to the hearts of her many sons and daughters, there are just a few more observations we feel it necessary to make. We intend in another contribution to write about Vigilance - Friendship’s next door eastern neighbor, and it was while we were endeavoring to collect some facts in connexion with that area, that we were supplied with some information we consider too precious to allow to remain in the cabinet of our memory without releasing it all to our readers. Though somewhat intriguing or romantic it however, is not of the “cunningly devised fables” type or class, and to leave it unwritten would , we think, be robbing Buxton of one particular incident indicative of the characteristics of the people. This correctness of every word of it is vouched for by Mr. James W. Ogle, a well respected druggist and dispenser of Beterverwagting, than whom no one alive today is more conversant with the affairs of the village of his progenitors. And here is the story.

A DRAMA IN QUASI-PASSIVE AND QUASI-ACTIVE RESISTANCE
The introduction of taxation of the property, movable and immovable of Buxton-Friendship, was met with great opposition, and led up to a series of uprisings culminating in a miniature riot. But before that culmination was reached, various methods were suggested and some stratagems used to frustrate the paying of taxes; and in the midst of the contemplation of some of those methods a novel idea was struck upon and quietly and secretly it was put into operation.
Three of the more doughty oppositionists whose intrepidity knew no bounds, - by name Hector John, Chance Bacchus, and Webster Ogle (grand Uncle of the Ogles) are reported to have chartered a schooner from Barbados to take them to England to lay their protest and grievances against the imposition of taxes on their property, at the feet of the Sovereign, Queen Victoria, from whom they felt sure they were going to get the redress necessary.
They loaded their little Argo with cocoanuts, coffee, cocoa, arrowroot and conquintay to serve as a ballast and they set out to cross the Atlantic to England. When the schooner reached Barbados, the trio of stalwarts disembarked and called upon the Governor of the Island. Unschooled and unlettered though they were and ignorant of all constitutional methods of procedure
The early eighties there were many villagers then in possession of a fair number of milch cows from which was obtained an abundant supply of rich and pure milk, the trade being then purely in the hands of Africans and their descendants.
Asking for an excuse for the diversion, we return to our muttons. Returning home they presented the letter to Governor Hincks who, after reading it decided to exempt the three men from taxation. But that did not satisfy them; they demanded that the tax should be removed altogether. They were insistent in their demands, and equally insistent was the Governor in his refusal to grant those demands.
It ended in the braking out of disturbances and small riotings by many of the oppositionists. As was to be expected there were some non-partisans in the midst of the oppositionists, and one of them in particular, so it was alleged, Spencer Cambridge by name, gave information to Governor Hincks that the three men, Hector John, Chance Bacchus, and Webster Ogle were inciting the people to rebel, and so the Governor sent soldiers to break down their houses. The soldiers, who were all Africans, arrived in the village under the command of Mr. Nicholas Cox, who subsequently became Inspector General of Police in the Colony.
They began their work of destruction by attacking the roofs of their houses and knocking out the shingles great opposition was shown the soldiers who were ordered to shoot if they were obstructed by anyone.
Speaking in their native tongue of Africa, the soldiers addressed an old African villager who could have spoken his native tongue - Yoruba - Old Seaforth by name (grand father of ‘Bishop’ Seaforth, recently appointed ‘Archbishop‘) and assured him that they were prepared not to shoot anyone. The report goes on that when Mr. Cox intervened and was questioning the soldiers, many of the old villagers who knew him as a boy and a young man with his father at Plantation Enmore, East Coast, Demerara, assembled around him, and two of the crowd, Hector and McLean, more daring and not less endearing, lifted Mr. Cox from off his horse and conveyed him to a nearby dwelling where there lived an old servant of the Cox family, a ‘Grand Mamma’ who had nursed and cared him in his boyhood days. The work of destruction was thus discontinued, and the supposed ringleaders were prosecuted before Mr. J. D. Fraser, Magistrate, who in spite of the eloquent advocacy of the Gilbert brothers, Barrister-at-Law and Solicitor of Bermuda, after a lengthy trial, convicted many of them and sentenced them to lengthy terms of imprisonment. And now comes the sequel to the series of opposition.

HUMAN BEINGS LYING BETWEEN RAILS
The railway station was then on Vigilance ground which is separated from Friendship by a Dam known as Brush Dam. There the train was sent to take the prisoners to Georgetown.
The evening before the morning the train was scheduled to leave the station, a loud mouthed sturdy African, Dick Park, blew a shell around the village, the meanwhile making the following announcement:-
NOBADY MUS’ GO AH BACK DAM TOMARRA: FIBERY BADY - ALL MAN,’OOMAN AND CHILDREN MUS’ STAN’ ’OME BECAUSE SOMETHING GOING TO ’APPEN.
And this is what is reported to have happened. When the prisoners were being escorted from the Vigilance Police station compound to the Railway Station, men, women and children assembled on the railway line, and between the rails from Vigilance across Friendship and Buxton, on to Annandale - a distance of about a mile, they lay flat on their faces, facing west. In addition to that some men secured chains and ropes and tied up buffers of the engine and carriages, none giving any attention whatsoever to the prolonged whistle of the engine.
The peculiar and novel resistance set up seemed to have touched the heart of the Governor, and he ordered the release of the prisoners. The Tax was not revoked, however, and Spencer Cambridge, Bentinck Sancho, and some others, left Buxton and finally settled in the “freehold” lands of bachelor’s Adventure and Paradise. We have no intention to impose upon the credulity of readers and we have just narrated what has been released to us.

YOUTHFUL MARRIAGES NOT AN UNMIXED BLESSING
Something that needs recording is that at Buxton can be found more married young couples between the ages of eighteen and thirty years than in any other village in the colony over. On the face of it, it bespeaks, if nothing else, a great love and respect in the youths for the sacrament of matrimony; but for years now some of the more thoughtful section of the village community have been wondering if many of those early marriages have not been, and are not, responsible in a great measure for the undisciplined character, disrespectful and unbridled behaviors in public of so many of the boys and girls, lads and lasses, and even some young men and women of the village.
The prevalence of rank vulgarity in the speech of many to say nothing of the non-refinement in dialect and tone is heart-rending, if not sickening. The point we wish to make is that marriage has been undertaken by many youths before their characters were fully formed, before their mental equipment with the things necessary to be possessed for the training of children was complete; so they have not been able to train their children in the way they should go; they have not been able to teach and show by example how children should speak and behave; and they have not been able to exercise control over them so necessary to assist them in the formation or acquisition of good and correct habits.
And in the midst of preparing this paragraph, our attention has been attracted by an article in the Daily chronicle of Sunday, May 7, 1944, under the caption “TOWARDS PARENT EDUCATION.” it is an article that should be printed in bold characters and hung up in the home of every parent, especially in the homes of those youthful ones with which, as is pointed out, Buxton abounds; and we are wondering if it would not be a good thing for the clergy of the various denominations in the village to make use of it on their pulpits as often as possible in place of some of their high “falutin” theological discourses which sometimes not one in their whole congregation can fully grasp.
If the things mentioned in that article are given the serious attention - they deserve by the parents of Buxton, and the teachers, too, who are in locoparentis; and if the Do’s and Don’ts of the “Society for the Promotion of Refinement Among Children,” supplemented by the Twenty Rules and Maxims outlined in the New or Black Cover Royal Reader, Book Three, are taught and insisted upon to be carried out, Buxton will greatly add to its already long list of good features that make it lay claim to the title of Premier Village of the Colony.

FINALE
There is an expression which has gained much currency and it is “Buxton is living in the Past”. we have never been able to get from any of those who gave utterance to it what is really meant by it; but judging from the way how it is used, we are of the opinion that it is intended to convey the idea that the Buxton of today can lay no claim to any particular features that are outstanding in its make up, and its claim to be the premier village can be estimated on the deeds of its sons and daughters of forty or sixty years ago only.
There are today in the village community, it is true very few leading artisans and mechanics, - master workmen, we can designate them - as there were in the olden days when Sugar was really King, and the village surrounded east and west by chimneys that belched forth smoke, “to darken the heavens” as ‘Papa Tinney’ was won’t to say, indicative of the manufacturing activities then in existence; there are hardly any of the grand two and three-storeyed structures of those days; there very few if indeed, any at all of the men of pluck and daring and marked outspokenness of the Buxtonians of the first and second generations - men of the Sergeant Green, Robert Carter, George Portsmouth, Cornelius Bartholomew Kryenhoff, Thomas Bobby, Watson Dover, Braveboy Goodluck, Cudjoe Joe, Pretty Gordon, Thomas Hamer type; but taking the places of those missing artisans and mechanics are many youths - and the number is growing year by year - who are being properly trained in the theory as well as practice in the various handicrafts, and can execute them more scientifically than did many of their forefathers; taking the places of the missing great houses, are many modern day and imposing structures among the dwelling houses and business places put up by the descendants of those three first generations after the abolition of slavery; taking the places of those high-spirited and courageous to the point of turbulent old men, are scores of youths of greater academic qualifications than were possessed by their forefathers.
The village has become exceedingly cosmopolitan, and today not only those of African descent are Buxtonians, but the Portuguese, the East Indians, the Chinese descendants who inherit the land, and lay claim with pride to be Buxtonians.
The village takes the palm in its singularity in many respects:- in having a scholarship of its own; in being rated with Georgetown and New Amsterdam, in the matters of the age limit for compulsory Education; in being the first and only one on the East Coast of Demerara to have a trade center; in being up to the present the only one that has produced a woman solicitor; in being the village with the largest number of certificated teachers today; in being the village having the largest and best housing accommodation for its post office and its railway station. How then can it be said with any truth that Buxton is living in the past?
Ichabod is not yet written on the doors or the walls of any of the Churches, its schools, or its recognized institutions.
Vigilance, then and now. See next Sunday’s installment.
Source: Rustik (1944) Around the Rural Areas - Sunday Chronicle, May 28, 1944: page 8.

Dolly Fraser

2011-05-08T10:39:00.001-07:00

Obituary -Miss. Dolly Fraser (5)
Georgetown, Tuesday, June 27 - After a short illness the death of five-year -old Dolly Fraser, took place early on Thursday morning, June 15, about 2 o’clock. She has left to mourn their loss Mr. Daniel F. Fraser (father) of the Pure Water Supply Scheme and Marie Louise Fraser (mother) of Victoria Village, East Coast, Demerara; niece of Mrs. Isadore Stewart; P.C. 5074 Nelson Rutherford; Robert E. Rutherford; (carpenter); sister of Victor; Ovid; Stephen; Claudia and Juliet Hyacinth; and granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Stephen Edmond Rutherford, Overseer of the Victoria Village Council.
The funeral took place on Friday afternoon and was largely attended by school children of St. Andrew’s Episcopal, Cove and John; and also those from the Roman Catholic School, Victoria.

THE ATTENDANCE
Among those who attended were Messrs. George Moriah Rutherford, Chairman of the Victoria Village Council.; Benjamin Kingston; Daniel F. Fraser; Stephen Edmond Rutherford, Daniel Thomas Adolphus Jones; P.C. 5074 Nelson Rutherford; Cummings; Moses Rutherford; Ex-Sergeant Major James r. Butcher; and Robert E. Rutherford.
At the house a short service was held by Benjamin Kingston who also performed the last rites at the graveside, assisted by a school teacher, Mr. Cummings.
- D. T.A.J.
Source: D. T.A.J. Obituary - Miss. Dolly Fraser (5) -The Daily Chronicle - Tuesday, June 27, 1944: page 4.

Eliza Jane Charles

2011-05-08T10:38:00.000-07:00

Obituary -Mrs. Eliza Jane Charles
Victoria Village, East Coast, Demerara Thursday June 22 - Mrs. Eliza Jane Charles who died on May 22 at the age of 68 was born at Victoria Village, East Coast, Demerara .
Her illness was a short duration - four days.
As a child she attended the Victoria Congregational School, where she qualified as a teacher and taught for some time under the head-teacher-ship of the late Mr. Mitchell. She was married to the late Alfred Samuel Charles, 46 years ago. He predeceased her in 1936. Mrs. Charles was the mother of Dr. Oscar MacKinnon Charles (London), Willie, Fred, Festus; Toc; Gertie (Who predeceased her 7 years ago in Montreal, Canada).
She was the sister of Mr. William MacKinnon; Mrs. Josephine Gibbs; and Miss Lillian Parke of Montreal, Canada. She was the grandmother of Winston C. of the R.A.F., Herman, and Clarence Alfred Frank Stuart and 14 others and great grand mother of Teasy, Hilton and Frankie.
Mrs. Charles lived a peaceful life and was well beloved by all who knew her. A short service was conducted by the Reverend Father Rooney of St. Philip’s Anglican Church at her residence 221 South Street, Lacytown, Georgetown, after which the body was removed to St. Andrew’s Anglican Church , Cove and John, East Coast, Demerara, where her many old friends and relatives were waiting. The interment was made at the Victoria Cemetery and the last rites were performed by the Catechist of St. Marks, Enmore.
Those in attendance included Messrs. William, Fred, Festus and Tom Charles (sons); Herman, Clarence and Frank (grandsons); Henry Charles, D. T.A Jones; C. Punch; R. Pollard; S. A. Talbot; E. Ainsworth; L. Langford; B. Langford; W. Hamilton; E. Roland; P. Andrews; S. Reid; L. Ross; S. Headley; L. Sydney; O. Dick; C. Reis; A. Dickie; E. Williams; H. Jones; E. Joris; H. Adams; B. Beaton; G. Pompey; J. King; H. Thomas; J. E. Lewis; H. Joyce; H. Whyte; Thomas Nedd; B. Hunte; C. B. Liverpool; I. Hendricks; J. Bristol; A. Eastman; O. Caleb; T. Longhorne; R. A. Price; A. Gibbons.
The pall-bearers were Fred, Festus and Tom Charles; Frank Stuart; Herman and Clarence Alfred; Winston Hamilton; H. Jones
Floral tributes were received from her loving sons Oscar (London), Festus; Willie, Fred, Tom; her darling daughters Gertie, Kate, Sybil and May; Lily (sister) Winston, Herman, Clarence and Frank (grandsons) Teddy, Hilton and Frankie (great grandsons) ; Harry and Mac; Gem; Dorine; Millie; Mrs. L. Gonsalves and family. Mrs. I. Charles and family; Miss B. Gomes; Miss E. Pounder; Miss A. Rodrigues; Mrs. K. Murray and family; Mr. Thomas Nedd and family; Miss R. Chan; Miss B. Greene; Miss C. Richmond; Miss I. Charles; Isah; Mr. R. A. Price; Emmay; A. Dickie
A telegram was sent by Mr. T. B. Charles; While Mrs. K. Murray and family, and Mr. C. B. Liverpool sent letters; and Miss Joyce, Mr. and Mrs. McDonald, Bernard, Mr. Arthur Dickie and family (Cards)
- D. T.A.J.
Source: Obituary - Mrs. Eliza Jane Charles -The Daily Chronicle - Thursday, June 22, 1944: page 6.

Burgan's letter October5, 1896

2010-09-02T11:10:00.000-07:00

BUXTON AND FRIENDSHIP AGRICULTURAL SHOW October 1920

2010-03-31T08:42:00.000-07:00

BUXTON AND FRIENDSHIP AGRICULTURAL SHOW - SUCCESSFUL INDUSTRIAL EFFORT - EXCELLENT EXHIBITS DISPLAYED
Buxton Village was en fete yesterday on the occasion of the eight Agricultural, Live Stock and industrial show of the Buxton and Friendship Farming Association which was held under the aegis of the Board of Agriculture. For one reason or another these shows which have always been regarded as one of the most important events in the agricultural life of the Colony, have been allowed to fall in abeyance within recent years, so that their resuscitation was looked forward to with eagerness. Events did not belie the anticipation entertained, for in spite of the effect which the recent spell of dry weather has had upon crops generally, and the rice industry in particular, the exhibits, though small in number were well up to the usual standard. Indeed, it may be mentioned, that the quality of the goods exhibited exceeded all expectations.

GOOD COTTON EXHIBITS
It is interesting to note that at a time when every effort is being made to encourage the local growing of cotton that splendid samples of the locally grown article were exhibited. In so far as exhibits in respect of the sugar cane were concerned it was rather disappointing to observe the small number of canes exhibited, especially when it is remembered that Buxton is the largest cane-farming centre.
The high prices which hats are fetching have given birth to a hat-making industry locally and in this respect several excellent exhibits were put forward. As already indicated the show was hampered materially by the prevailing dry weather, a fact which was betrayed by the condition of several of the fruits and vegetables when examined.

THE ATTENDANCE
The Show, which was under the patronage of the Honourable R. E. Brassington, was opened at 2 o’clock. Unfortunately, however, the patron was prevented from attending through illness and his place was taken by the Honourable J. S. McArthur, Member of the Court of Policy, for the Eastern Division of Demerara. Also present were Professor J. B. Harrison, M. A., C. M. G., Director of Science and Agriculture, the Rev. T..B. and Mrs. Glasgow, Rev. E. R. O. Robertson and Mrs. Robertson, and Rev. J. B. Cropper, J. F. Denny, Drs. A. T. Ozzard, J. S. Nedd and D. Frendo, Mrs. T. Quick, Messrs. A. McLean Ogle F. R., J. Ward, E. Peterkin, A. Stelle, D. Dougall, J. J. McKenzie, Edgar Beckett, A. R. F. Webber, S. A. Thierens, F. H. Pollard, H. A. Britton and H. Algernon.

OFFICIALS
The Judges were:-
Class A - Fruits: the Reverends. Robertson, Denny and Glasgow, and Messrs. Ward and Beckett.
Class B - Vegetables: Messrs. McKenzie, I. Beharry, D. D. Haynes and E. M. Morgan.
Class C - Economic Products: Messrs. Peterkin, Stelle and Britton.
Class D - Live Stock: Dr. Nedd, Messrs. Dougall, and France.
Class E - Needle and Fancy Work : Mesdames Glasgow, Robertson, Quick, and McKenzie, Miss Joseph and Miss Quick.

MR. THIERENS’ ADDRESS.
In asking Mr. McArthur to open the Show, Mr. Thierens extended a hearty welcome to all those who attended the Show, and in the course of his remarks referred to the present cooperation between the farmer and the planter which aimed at encouraging farmers in getting the best out of their farms and making them thriving peasants. The Association, he said, started thirty years ago, and had today 150 members most of whom were directly or indirectly engaged in farming. The Association, served the very useful purpose of educating farmers in the intelligent cultivating of the soil, and in this respect they owed a great debt of gratitude to Professor Harrison who was always willing to place one of his men at their disposal. He was pleased to observe that the farmers were taking a lively interest in these exhibitions. Buxton was one of the most important cane-farming centres in the colony. The acreage under cultivation was very extensive but he regretted to state that farmers were carrying on this industry at the expense of ground provisions. The Association was making every effort to alter this state of affairs by urging upon its members the unwisdom of carrying all its eggs in one basket.

THE RICE SITUATION
in commenting on the Rice situation he expressed the hope that the pioneers of the industry as far as Buxton was concerned would receive the full reward for their pluck. They were still suffering from insufficient and ineffective drainage and now that the Government, after persistent appeals by farmers for help, was laying down a sluice, he hoped that Buxton would regain its position in the economic branch of agriculture. He thanked all those who contributed, by exhibits and donations, in making the Show a success, and in conclusion, thanked Mr. McArthur for the lively interest which he took in everything that was for the improvement of the conditions in which the people lived.

A PLEA FOR THE COCOA INDUSTRY
Mr. McArthur declaring the show open, expressed his regret at the circumstances under which Mr. Brassington was unable to be present. The show was really a credit to the Buxton Farming Association. He remembered years ago when they had great exhibitions in this country, but for some reason or other they had ceased. They were very big Shows indeed and persons all over the colony sent in exhibits and made a Show a big thing. Probably it was because some people thought that they were barren of results. He did not agree with that at all. It was only recently he had the opportunity of being present at a great national show in Toronto which he understood was held every year, where every farmer tried to vie with each other to get the best results and he did not see why Shows in this colony should not be full of results. His regret was that Shows were not more frequent. It seemed a very strange thing that in West Africa an industry in the form of cocoa planting which began not many years ago with an export of some 8,000 lbs. In the last eight years. They were all people of African descent and it seemed almost difficult to understand that the thousands of these same natives could not get together a cocoa and coffee industry more worthy than has been the case in the past. He was pleased to see that the lion and the lamb were still working together though there were times when the lion would growl and the lamb bleat; and he hoped that in future years, although they had a great drawback in bad weather, that the Shows would be better than the present one.
The Show was then declared open, the proceedings being enlivened by a pot pourri of popular airs discussed by the British Guiana Militia Band under the baton of Mr. A. Fawcett, R.M.S.M.

PRIZE LIST
CLASS A - FRUITS.
CAVENDISH BANANAS - Matilda Alder, Friendship, First Prize; Catherine Duke, Buxton, Second Prize.
PINE APPLES - Matilda Alder, Friendship, First Prize; Samuel Grenada, Buxton, Second Prize.
Sapadilloes - D. A. Glasgow, Buxton, First Prize; Ellen Browne Buxton, Second Prize; Margaret Benn, Nabaclis, Third Prize.
Sugar APPLES - Sarah Nelson, Golden Grove, First Prize.
Musk Melon - Theodore Hyles, Friendship, First Prize.
Water Melon - Margaret Benn, Nabaclis, First Prize.
Tangerine Oranges -Sarah Nelson, Golden Grove, First Prize; N. H. B. Clements, Goed Fortuin ( Special Prize of $1.50)
Seville Oranges - E. Fraser, La Grange, First Prize; Florence Andrews, Buxton, Second Prize; Sarah Nelson, Golden Grove, Third Prize.
Shadocks - Stella James, Golden Grove, First Prize; Daniel Thomas, Beterverwagting, Second Prize; Sarah Nelson, Golden Grove, Third Prize.
Grape Fruit - Sarah Nelson, Golden Grove, First Prize; Rosa Shortt, Friendship, Second Prize.
Lemon (rough) -Henry Adonis, Buxton, First Prize; Martha Hinds, Buxton, Second Prize.
Limes - Caroline Duncan, Buxton, First Prize; Adolphus Stanford, Buxton, Second Prize.
Avocado Pears - Florence John, Buxton, First Prize; Magdalene McKinnon, Friendship, Second Prize; Vivian Pelew, Buxton, Third Prize.
Papaws - H. L. Palmer, Goed Fortuin, First Prize; James Marshall, Buxton, Second Prize .
Sorrell -D. A. Glasgow, Buxton, First Prize. (Special Prize)
Coconuts -Fred Wills, Buxton, First Prize; Theodore Hyles, Friendship, Second Prize; Conan Marcus, Buxton, Third Prize.
Mixed Fruit - Sarah Nelson, Golden Grove, First Prize; H. L. Palmer, Goed Fortuin, Second Prize ; Florence Andrews, Buxton, Third Prize; N. H. B. Clements, Goed Fortuin (Extra Prize).

CLASS B. - Vegetables .
Plantains - John Gracie, Bachelor’s Adventure, First Prize; Julia Gracie, Bachelor’s Adventure, Second Prize; Albert Stewart, Friendship, Third Prize.
Yams (ordinary) - Theodore Hyles, Friendship, First Prize; George Hyles, Buxton, Second Prize;
Yams - Buck - Sarah Nelson, Golden Grove, First Prize
Cassava, Sweet - Cato Sanculotte, Ann’s Grove, First Prize; Beatrice Roberts, Friendship, Second Prize; John Gracie, Bachelor’s Adventure, Third Prize.
Bitter Cassava - Caroline Duncan, Friendship, First Prize; Beatrice Roberts, Friendship, Second Prize; Cato Sanculotte, Ann’s Grove, Third Prize.
White Tannias - Adriana John, Buxton, First Prize; Sahadeo, Plaisance, Second Prize.
Red Tannias - Adriana John, Buxton, First Prize; E. Critchlow, Plaisance, Second Prize.
Eddoes -Stella James, Golden Grove, Second Prize; Sarah Nelson, Golden Grove, Second Prize.
Pumpkins -James McGarrell, Golden Grove, First Prize; Lewis Gomes, Friendship, Second Prize.
Cucumbers -James McGarrell, Golden Grove, First Prize
Bread Nuts -Theodore Hyles, Friendship, First Prize; D. A. Glasgow, Buxton, Second Prize.
Sweet Potatoes -James McGarrell, Golden Grove, First Prize; Ursula De Souza, Golden Grove, Second Prize.( There was no third prize awarded.)
Tomatoes - Stella James, Golden Grove, Second Prize. (no first prize was awarded.)
Corn, Dry - H. L. Palmer, Goed Fortuin, First Prize; H. L. Palmer, Goed Fortuin, Second Prize .
Shallotts, Fresh -Margaret Benn, Nabaclis, First Prize.
Ochroes - Julia Gomes, Friendship, First Prize; C. Shortt, Friendship, Second Prize; Prudence Talbot, Buxton, Third Prize.
Beans - C. Shortt, Friendship, First Prize; C. Straker, Buxton, Second Prize.
Peas, Green - C. Shortt, Friendship, First Prize; Julia Lewis, Friendship, Second Prize.
Peppers -Catherine Palmer, Beterverwagting, First Prize; Sarah Nelson, Golden Grove, Second Prize.
Boulangers - N. H. B. Clements, Goed Fortuin, First Prize; Jugdeo, Vigilance, Second Prize.
Cabbage - M. I. Gomes, Friendship, First Prize; A. Correia, Friendship, Second Prize.
Lettuce - Sarah Nelson, Golden Grove, First Prize.
Best collection of Vegetables - Sarah Nelson, Golden Grove, First Prize; H. L. Palmer, Goed Fortuin, Second Prize Extra prizes were given to Thomas Hyles (tannias), Matilda Alder of Friendship, Henry Adonis of Buxton (beans) and Adolphus Stanford (beans).

CLASS C. - ECONOMIC PRODUCTS.
Coffee - D. A. Glasgow, Buxton, Second Prize.
Cocoa Pods - David Glasgow, Second Prize; Julia Lewis, Friendship, Third Prize.
Rice, Brown - James McGarrell, Golden Grove, First Prize.
Plantain Meal - Margaret Benn, Nabaclis, First Prize; Florence Andrews, Buxton, Third Prize.(no second prize was awarded.)
Banana Meal - Margaret Benn, Nabaclis, First Prize.
Cassava Meal - Margaret Benn, Nabaclis, First Prize; Florence Andrews, Buxton, Second Prize.
Arrowroot starch -May Ogle, Buxton, Second Prize.(no first prize was awarded.)
Cassava Starch - M. Nurse, Nabaclis, First Prize; Emma Martin, Nabaclis, Second Prize.
Cassava Bread - Caroline Seaforth, Friendship, First Prize; Theodore Hyles, Friendship, Second Prize; Eliza Spencer, Victoria, Third Prize.
Honey - Pe H. Pereira, Buxton, First Prize.
hot Sauce - Sarah Nelson, Golden Grove, Third Prize.(no first and second prizes were awarded.)
Guava Jelly - Muriel Griffin, Plaisance, First Prize; E. Devonish, Nonpareil, Second Prize; Margaret Benn, Nabaclis, Third Prize.
other Preserves -- Lucy Isaacs, Friendship, Second Prize; Lucy Isaacs, Friendship, Third Prize.(no first prize was awarded.)
Fresh Butter -- Isabella Correia, Friendship, First Prize; Florence Andrews, Buxton, Second Prize.
Lard - Florence Andrews, Buxton, Second Prize. (no first prize was awarded.)
Cotton, Creole -Iris Rowland, Buxton, First Prize; Margaret Benn, Friendship, Second Prize. Extra prizes were awarded to E. Daniels of Nonpareil (guava cheese) and Eliz. Spencer of Victoria Village (orange Wine).

CLASS D. - LIVE STOCK.
Fowls breed in the colony - (Pure Breed) -Ivy Weatherspoon, Friendship, First Prize.
Fowls breed in the colony - (Cross Breed) - Ivy Weatherspoon, Friendship, First Prize; Johanna Downer, Friendship, Second Prize.
Turkey - George Young, Friendship, First Prize; Louis Gomes, Friendship, Second Prize.
Pigeons - J. Choy, Friendship, First Prize; L. Gomes, Friendship, Second Prize.
Eggs, turkey - Louis Gomes, Friendship, First Prize; Eliza Sam, Friendship, Second Prize.
Eggs, hens - Catherine Cox, Golden Grove, First Prize; Catherine Cox, Golden Grove, Second Prize.
eggs, Ducks - a special prize was awarded to D. Glasgow of Friendship.
best Milch Cow and Calf (under seven months) - Benjamin John, Buxton, First Prize; Helen Lloyd, Buxton, Second Prize.
best Creole Donkey stallion - J. F. Choy, Friendship, First Prize; J. McKenzie, Buxton, Second Prize.
Best Ewe - M. Gravesande, Friendship, First Prize; Ruby John, Buxton, Second Prize.
The best she goat - Dina Barton, Friendship, First Prize

CLASS E. - NEEDLE AND FANCY WORK
Gents White Shirt, Unwashed - Isabella Correia, Buxton, First Prize.
Artisan’s Working Shirt - Clara Glasgow, Beterverwagting, First Prize.
Wollen Shawl - Emily Gomes, Friendship, First Prize.
Hat, Untrimed, Locally Made - Louisa Poole, Victoria, First Prize; Maud David, Friendship, Second Prize.
Hat, Trimed, Locally Made - L. Ogle, Buxton, First Prize.
Couch cushion - L. Ogle, Buxton, First Prize; Isabella Correia, Buxton, Second Prize.
Wollen Slippers - Mabel John, Buxton, First Prize.
Antimacassars - Mary Stephenson, Buxton, First Prize; Mary Gravesande, Friendship, Second Prize.
Embroidery work - Ivy Jacobs, Buxton, First Prize; Maude Stephenson, Friendship, Second Prize. A special prize was given to Josephine Eleazar of Friendship. (Drawn thread work).
Plain Needlework -Emily Gomes, Friendship, First Prize; C. Gomes, Buxton, Second Prize. Special prizes were also given to Miss C. Grant, Beterverwagting (hand box), Vera Gomes, Friendship, (fancy work)and Vera Gomes, (painting).
Source: The Daily Chronicle, Demerara, Wednesday, October 27, 1920:page 5.

THE VICTORIA - BELFIELD SHOW May 1898

2010-03-31T08:29:00.000-07:00

THE VICTORIA - BELFIELD SHOW. - SUCCESSFUL INAUGURAL EFFORT.
The Victoria - Belfield Horticultural and Industrial Show was held on Whit- Monday. As an initial attempt it was entirely creditable to the promoters. The number of exhibits, as well as the crowds that attended the show during the day, was indeed a matter of pleasant surprise. Notwithstanding the inauspicious morning the special and ordinary trains run by the Demerara Railway company conveyed to Belfield large numbers from Georgetown, Mahaica and the intervening stations. The Railway authorities compute that about 1,250 excursionists travelled over the line on Monday - which creates quite a record - and most of the trippers at one time or other during the day found themselves at the Show.
The presence of the Governor Sir Walter Sendall, K.C.M.G., gave the function an additional importance. His Excellency, accompanied by his aide-de-camp, Captain Feilden, and Major Marshall, travelled up to Belfield by the Midday train which left Georgetown at 12.45. At Belfield the party was met by a large crowd of villagers headed by a few musicians who essayed the National anthem as the Carriage drove to the race course, where the Show was held. Here His Excellency was met by some members of the Committee, who were introduced by the Honourable B. H. Jones. Subsequently he was presented with a well - worded address of welcome on behalf of the villagers. His Excellency having responded in a brief speech, the Show was formally declared opened. After having inspected the exhibits, Sir Walter, to mark the satisfaction and pleasure with which he regarded the result of the efforts of the promoters, intimated to the Committee that each year in future he would offer two prizes - one for fruit and the second for vegetables - the conditions to be fixed hereafter. The Governor and party returned to town by the 2.33 train.
The committee had some difficulty in adapting the race course (which was placed at their disposal by Mr. Luiz Fernandes) to the purposes of the Show, owing mainly to the heavy rains which reduced the ground to a sodden condition. This difficulty was, however, to a certain extent overcome by erecting the exhibition tents on either side of the draining trench. The sombreness of the canvas was also relieved by a brave display of multicoloured flags and bunting, whilst the exhibits within were arranged with some regard for art and effect. It is estimated that there were in all fully 1,300 exhibits on view. This total compares well with the first Royal Agricultural and Commercial Society’s show in Georgetown in 1895, when the total articles exhibited numbered only 535; but this seeming disparity is discounted somewhat by the fact that the Belfield Show was more comprehensive in scope than the first attempt of the Royal Agricultural and Commercial Society.
The following figures represent the number of exhibits in the more important departments: - Class A (Plants), 471; Class B (cut flowers, floral decorations, etc.,) 23;
Class C (fruits), 152; Class D (Vegetables), 159; Class E (Economic Products), 246;
Class F (poultry and bees), 69; Class G (arts, and manufactures), 148;
In the quality as in the number of the articles sent in, there was little room for complaint. There was an all-round excellence which was very gratifying, some exhibits being, according to competent authorities, the finest ever seen in the colony. There was a tendency, however, on the part of a few exhibitors to confound bulk and size with quality; this particularly applied to the vegetables department. In some classes also there was reason for considerable disappointment. Only two samples of cocoa (beans cured) were submitted. One was of average quality, but the second was very inferior - it showed that the exhibitor did not understand the curing process. Again, in regard to coffee there was not a single exhibit on view. This is surely astonishing, as about forty years ago there were thousands of acres in this colony devoted to coffee cultivation. In Class D (vegetables) the intelligence and discretion of the Judges were seldom put to severe tax. The display of tubers - yams, cassava, sweet potatoes, etc., - was very poor in regard to number, and the same remark applies to several of the exhibits coming under Class D (Fruits.) In tobacco Mr. Howell Jones’s exhibits served to show the inferiority of the only other sample sent in. Mr. Jones’s tobaccos - grown and manufactured on Plantation La Bonne Mere - were all of excellent quality. He submitted samples of black leaf and brown leaf tobaccos in cakes, as well as fine cut and navy cut. A tin of snuff of very fair quality, manufactured by Mr. Jones, also obtained a prize. The limitations of the show having been stated, it is but just to add that in most other instances the exhibits were entirely satisfactory. There were an immense variety of jams made from Colony-grown fruit, and all were of very good quality in like manner with pickles, hot sauces, cassava meal, starch, cornmeal, etc., the huge display of plants (Class A) must also have made the duties of the Judges of this department exceedingly difficult.
The most interesting, to lady-visitors in particular, of all the departments of the Show was undoubtedly that devoted to ladies’ home industries. It was a source of genuine surprise to all, and it showed that the ladies of the Colony are very highly accomplished in this artistic and unusual branch of domestic work. The specimens of needlework, crocheting, etc., sent in were all excellent. Allied to this branch of the Show was the decoration of dinner tables. Mrs. W. H. Cobb (Belfield) won a deserving first prize; Miss Gall the second and an extra prize were awarded Mrs. F. A. Gall. Among the other features of the Show was the finished model of a sugar factory worked by a windmill, which was constructed by Mr. Jose Fernandes of Belfield. Messrs. Park and Cunningham of Georgetown won the first prize for several charmingly artistic tables of inlaid Colony woods - very creditable examples of colonial workmanship.
The Judges discharged their duties with much efficiency, and the complaints as to the awards were remarkably few. Their names are appended: -
Classes A and B (Plants and cut flowers): - Reverend H. Gainer, Reverend R. G. Fisher, and Mr. H. J. Gladwin.
Dinner table decorations: -Mrs. Wrong, Mrs. James and Mrs. Lord.
Flower gardens: - Dr. Dickson, Reverend Mr. Dover, Messrs. A. Reis, B. A. Layne and E. B. Collins.
Classes C and D (fruits and Vegetables): - Dr. Godfrey, Reverend C. Llewellyn, and Reverend J. E. Dover
Class E (Economic Products): -The Honourable B. H. Jones, the Honourable W. A. Wolseley, and Mrs. W. A. Dickson.
Class F (poultry and bees): - Messrs. F. A. Gall, W. H. Hollingsworth and C. B. Kryenhoff.
Class G (arts, etc.): - Mr. G. M. Bethune.
Extra prizes were freely awarded in most of the classes; but the judges might perhaps have more frequently exercised their prerogative of withholding prizes all together in those cases where the exhibits were few and of poor quality. Excellent weather favoured the Show throughout the afternoon, and in the evening when the grounds were illuminated the scene was very animated.

THE OPENING CEREMONY
At the opening function, which took place shortly before two o’clock, among those present were: The Honourable B. H. Jones, and Miss Jones, the Honourable W. A. Wolseley, the Honourable D. M. Quckama, Dr. and Mrs. Dickson, Mr. R. T. A. Daly, Inspector of Villages; Mr. H. J. Gladwin, Mrs. Gladwin, and the Misses Gladwin (2); Mr. H. W. Sconce, acting Inspector of Schools; Miss Farrar, Mrs. Cornish, Mr. F. A. Gall, Mrs. Gall, and Miss Gall; Dr. Godfrey, Mr. Gillespie, Mrs. Gillespie, and Miss Gillespie, Mr. H. Fernandes, the Reverends Gainer, Dover, Llewellyn, cooper, and Fisher, Mr. G. M. Bethune and Mrs. Bethune, Mr. E. D. MacKay and Mrs. Mackay, Mr. J. W. Davis, etc.

THE ADDRESS TO HIS EXCELLENCY
Mr. B. H. Jones having introduced the leading members of the Show Committee to His Excellency, Mr. T. Jones, Secretary, read the following address: -
May it please Your Excellency: we the undersigned, representing the Victoria - Belfield Show Committee and the inhabitants of this district, desire to extend a cordial welcome to Your Excellency on your visit to our village, and to express our sincere thanks for so readily coming to our help on this important occasion.
It is pleasant to think of the fact that Your Excellency’s first public function in Guiana outside of your administrative duties is concerned with the village named after our most gracious Sovereign lady the Queen, and we do hope that you may always enjoy her favour.
The Show has been promoted with the object of stimulating our people to take a more intelligent view of and a deeper interest in the Agricultural industries than heretofore; for we believe that our true interests are bound up with the soil, and that if our children could be taught them in industrial schools and on experimental farms a lasting benefit would be conferred upon the community.
We note with a great deal of pleasure that one of the first legislative acts with which the name of Your Excellency has been associated is the new Crown Lands Ordinance; and, relying upon the reputation which preceded Your Excellency, we have every confidence that you will put forth your best efforts for the successful working of the Ordinance and the lifting of the Colony out of its present depressed condition.
We pray that Your Excellency’s connection with this Colony may be of permanent benefit to the inhabitants and to the Government whose confidence in you has placed you at the head of affairs at one of the most critical periods of our history; and that every blessing may attend Your Excellency and Lady Sendall both while you are with us as well as when it shall please Her Most Gracious Majesty to promote you to a more important position; and we hope that Your Excellency will be able to look back upon this Show with pleasurable recollections. We have the honour to remain,
James Barbour James, President.
T. J. M. Jupiter, Vice President.
Thomas Jones, Secretary.
A. M. Lord, Treasurer.
E. B. Collins, General Secretary.
A. Reis and Jos. C. Williams, Auditors.
(And the signatures of twenty-two other member of the committee.)

HIS EXCELLENCY’S SPEECH
His Excellency in reply said: Gentlemen, I can only tell you, the President and members of the Committee who have been instrumental in getting up this Show, that it was with the greatest pleasure and satisfaction that I received your invitation to be present here to open the Show. There was no question of condescension or anything else on my part in accepting such an invitation.
I regard it as a privilege and a duty to do everything in my power to promote such enterprises as this, so that it was with the greatest alacrity and satisfaction that I accepted the invitation you sent me. (Hear, hear.) You who conceived the idea of getting up a Show of this kind have, I may be allowed to tell you, done an act which is calculated to be of great service to the Colony, by setting an example which I hope will be followed widely in all parts of British Guiana. (Hear, hear and applause.) This has been spoken of as the annual Victoria Show, although I understand that the present is the first occasion on which it has been held; I therefore take it that the epithet “annual” must be accepted as applying to future years. (Hear, hear.) I hope most sincerely that the effort which you have made will not be forgotten - that it will not fall through on account of any want of energy to carry it on from year to year, but that it will bear fruit. You hope that in the future I may be able to look back upon my presence here with pleasure; and I may hope that the pleasure which it will give me will be nothing to the pleasure and satisfaction which you in after years will feel when your efforts have been fruitful in inducing your fellow country men, your neighbours and your fellow villagers, to pay more attention to the cultivation of those minor fruits and products and industries in which lies the future prosperity of the Colony - (Hear, hear.) - to a large extent. I have not had an opportunity yet of seeing what it is you have brought together here today; on the first occasion we cannot expect too much. But you must remember that it is from little things that great results are generally produced. (Hear, hear.) There is nothing to be ashamed of in very small or minute or humble beginnings made here today. With the sincerest hope that it will exercise great and important and lasting results on the Colony’s condition, I beg to thank you, gentlemen, for your kind address. (Applause.)
There was a hearty response to the call of “three cheers for His Excellency,” and the name “Lady Sendall” evoked an equally cordial compliment.
In acknowledgment, Sir Walter, said he was extremely obliged to the people for their welcome. On behalf of Lady Sendall he had to express her regrets that she was unable to be present. He would not fail; however, to tell her how cordially the people had spoken of her and how disposed they were to her.
The Show was then formally declared opened.

THE EXHIBITS
Following is the Prize-List, which as possible complete: -

CLASS A. - PLANTS
Roses in flower, not more than three different kinds - 1, A. De Castro, Belfield; 2, Mrs. Bovell, Belfield.
Roses, single plant - 1, Mrs. J. J. Reis, Belfield; 2, Mrs. Osborne, Victoria.
Eucharist lily in flower - 1, Mrs. Lopes, Golden Grove; 2, Mrs. B. Trotman, Belfield, extra, Mrs. J. S. Mackenzie, Belfield.
Other lilies -1, Mrs. E. J. Spencer, Cove and John; 2, C. E. Reis, Belfield.
Flowering plants, collection of three different kinds - 1, Antonio de Ramos, Victoria; 2, V. E. Paier, Mahaica; extra, Miss L. Fernandes.
Palms, not more than three different kinds - 1, Mrs. M. Bovell; 2, M. Keswood, Victoria.
Palms, single plant - 1, Mrs. Lopes, Golden Grove; 2, Miss Jardin, Golden Grove.
Maiden Hair Ferns, not more than two different kinds - 1, J. Grey, Plantation Hope; 2, Miss A. Fernandes, Victoria.
Maiden Hair Ferns, single plant - 1, J. Grey, Plantation Hope; 2, Miss A. Fernandes, Victoria.
Ferns, other than Maiden Hair, single plant - 1 and 2, Mrs. Lord, Victoria; extra, D. N. Mitchell, Cove and John.
Nasturtiums in flower - 1, D. N. Mitchell.
Begonias, not less than three different kinds - 1, Mrs. Lord; 2, J. Lloyd, Victoria.
Foliage plants, collection of three different kinds - 1, A. De Ramos; 2, Applewhite, Victoria.
Selaginella, single plant, - 1, Louis de Souza, Victoria; 2, W. A. Horey, Victoria.
Pepper Tree, in fruit single plant. - 1, Miss E. De Freitas, Cove and John; 2, W. C. Brandon, Golden Grove; extra, Miss P. Collins.
Other plants -1, J. Lloyd; 2, J. Fidelis, Victoria; extra, D. A. Spencer, Cove and John.
CLASS B. - CUT FLOWERS.
Dinner-table decorations of plants, flowers, fruit or leaves, or a combination of these: -1, Mrs. H. W. Cobb, Belfield; 2, Miss Gall, Haslington; extras, John Griffin, Enmore; and Mrs. F. A. Gall, Haslington.
Floral wreath or cross, coloured: -1, Mrs. Cornish, Belfield; 2, Mrs. Lopes.
Bridal Bouquet, white: - 1, Mrs. Cornish; 2, Mrs. Lopes.
Cut roses, bowl of: - 1, Rev. H. Gainer, Enmore; 2, Mrs. S. J. Levi, Bel Air.
CLASS C. - FRUITS.
Bananas, two bunches, different varieties. - 1, John Kingston, Victoria; 2, Louisa Jeune, Victoria.
Bananas, single bunch, any other variety. - 1, J. George, Cove and John; 2, Munro Collins, Victoria.
Pine Apple, single specimen. - 1, C. R. Lambert, Georgetown; 2, J. N. Agard, Victoria; extra, Louis de Souza, Victoria.
Star apples, basket of twelve, purple kind. - 1, Miss S. A. Reid, Dochfour.
Guavas. - extra prize, Hannah Hercules, Golden Grove.
Pomegranates. - 1, Charlotte Jackson, Victoria.
Avocado pears, six. - 1, Kedoo, Cove and John.
Seville Oranges, basket of twelve - 1, S. A. Reid, Dochfour.
Mangoes, basket of twelve, collection of not more than three kinds - 1, Mrs. Neil, Victoria; 2, Mrs. Hobbs, Golden Grove.
Mangoes, basket of six, one kind - 1, B. Sertima, Ann’s Grove; 2, Phyllis Collins, Golden Grove.
Soursops, a pair - 1 and 2, Drucilla Braveboy.
Sapodillas, basket of twelve. - 1, Mrs. Reid; 2, Mrs. Mary Parkinson, Kitty.
Grapes, basket of three bunches. - 2. William Demott, Georgetown.
Cocoanuts, six dried: - 1, L. Fernandes; 2, Blackwell Simon, Golden Grove; extra, C. Baptiste, Victoria.
Limes, basket of twelve: -1, Ellen Chapman, Victoria; 2, M. Mundy, Victoria; extra, Jane Fortune, Golden Grove.

CLASS D. - VEGETABLES.
Plantains, bunch - 1, C. Baptiste, Victoria; 2, Nathaniel Mason, Nabaclis.
Yams, six tubers. - 1, John Nelson, Victoria; 2, B. Trotman, Golden Grove; extra prizes, Kedoo and James Cuffy, Victoria.
Pumpkins, any kind: -1, Mary Josiah, Victoria; 2, R. E. Dover, Victoria.
Bitter Cassava, six tubers: - 1, Mary Collins, Victoria; 2, Pinky Dover, Victoria.
Eddoes, twelve tubers: -1, C. Brandon, Golden Grove; 2, C. Phillips, Golden Grove.
Tannias, twelve tubers: - 1, George St. Kitts, Victoria; 2, Miss Morrison.
Sweet Potatoes, twelve tubers: -1, J. Robertson, Nabaclis; 2, Miss Reid, Dochfour.
Papaws, six: - 1, J. Robertson; 2, Miss A. Huntley, Nabaclis.
Corn, six cobs: - 1, J. Teixeira, Georgetown; 2, Mrs. M. Lopes, Golden Grove.
Shallots, green bunch, not less than twelve: -1, J. Hyndman, Golden Grove; 2, J. Hamer, Enmore.
Bread Nuts, Baskets: - 1, N. A. Mason, Nabaclis; 2, J. Robertson, Golden Grove.
Cucumbers, four: - 2, Mrs. Waldron, Nabaclis.
Peppers, not less than four varieties, one dozen of each: -1, Luiz Fernandes, Victoria; 2, J. Grey, Plantation Hope; extra, Miss E. Brandon, Golden Grove.
Radishes, extra prize: - W. Demott, Georgetown.
Tomatoes, basket of twelve, any kind: -1, A. De Castro, Victoria; 2, W. De Mattos, Georgetown; extra, Mrs. W. A. Dickson, Belfield.
Egg plant, six: - 1, Holah, Plantation Hope; 2, Persaud, Plantation Hope.
Ochroes, basket of twelve: - 1, Eliza Wood, Victoria; 2, Miss Brandon.

CLASS E - ECONOMIC PRODUCTS.
Rice, three pounds: - 1, Mrs. Lopes, Golden Grove; 2, Mrs. Callendar, Cove and John.
Rice Flour, two pounds: -1, Miss M. Sandy, Golden Grove; 2, Mrs. Lopes.
Cornmeal, three pounds: - 1, Mrs. Lopes; 2, Mrs. J. Hyndman.
Plantain Meal, three pounds: - 1,Miss M. Sandy and J. E. Williams, Victoria; 2, C. Baptiste, Victoria.
Starch, other than arrowroot: - 1, Charles Phillips, Golden Grove; 2, Mrs. E. Collins, Victoria.
Prepared Chocolate, two pounds: - 1, Jane Scott, Plaisance; 2, J. W. Green, Golden Grove.
Cassava Bread, twelve cakes: - 1, Mrs. Sharper, Victoria; 2, Mrs. R. S. Williams; extra, Mrs. Johnson, Victoria.
Cassareep, one bottle: - 1, C. Baptiste; 2, Mrs. Reid; extra, D. Sertima, Ann’s Grove.
Village manufactured sugar, three pounds: -1, Evelyn, Golden Grove.
Pickles, one bottle: -1, Mrs. Reid; 2, Eve Conwright, Golden Grove.
Jellies other than guava, two bottles: -1, J. Robertson, Nabaclis; 2, Miss Nora McKinnon, Nabaclis.
Jams, two bottles: -1, Miss Reid; 2, Mrs. F. Haynes, Victoria.
Marmalade, one bottle: -1,Mrs. Camacho, Victoria.
Chutnee, one bottle: - 1, Mrs. W. Brandon.
Cayenne Pepper: -1, J. Robertson; 2, Eve Conwright.
Syrups, flavoured with native fruit, three varieties, one bottle each: - 1, John Griffin, Enmore; 2, J. W. Green.
Bitters:- 1, Isaac de Souza; 2, J. N. Fraser.
Honey:- Phyllis Collins, Golden Grove.
Rum, Coloured, 40 o.p. or more: - 1, Antonio Fernandes, Victoria; 2, Tiger Cat rum-shop, Georgetown.
Rum, white, 40 o.p. or more: - 1, De Gois and Salvados, Mahaicony; 2, A. Fernandes.
Cocoa, Beans Cured, three pounds: - 2, J. Gray, Plantation Hope.
Raw Cotton cleaned, half pound: - 2, J. N. Vieira, Ann’s Grove.
Logwood dye: extra prize, Levi James, Victoria.
Tobacco, prepared in leaf, one pound: -1 and 2, the Honourable B. H. Jones.
Tobacco, cut: - two extra prizes, the Honourable B. H. Jones.
Snuff, extra prize: - the Honourable B. H. Jones.

CLASS F. - POULTRY AND Bees.
Pen of Fowls, One Cock and Two Hens of Anyone Kind: - 1,w. A. Storey; 2, D. A. Spencer, Cove and John.
Pair of Turkeys: - 1, Mrs. M. Bovell, Belfield.
Pen of One Drake and Two Ducks: - 1, Dr. W. A. Dickson; 2, D. A. Spencer.
Pair of Pigeons, Anyone Kind: - 1, Miss Julia Fidelis, Victoria; 2, Miss Jane Scott, Plaisance.
Three Guinea Pigs: - Extra Prizes, Mrs. M. Bovell.
Pair of Guinea Birds: - Extra Prize, George St. Kitts.
Pair of Bush Birds, Any Kind: - 1, J. Lopes, Golden Grove; 2, Mrs. Lopes, Golden Grove.

Class G. - ARTS, AND MANUFACTURES.
Specimen of Cooper's work: - George St. Kitts.
Cabinet work of colony wood: - 1, Park and Cunningham, Georgetown; and J. Brandon, Golden Grove; 2, Mrs. W. A. Dickson.
Shoemakers' work, boots or shoes: - 1, D. S. Brutus, Buxton.
Modern Engineering: - 1, Jose Fernandes, Belfield; 2, de Roche, Ann's Grove.
Specimen of Carpentry: - 1, William King, Ann's Grove.
Crochet, three different patterns: -1, Mrs. Eliza Wood, Victoria; 2, Miss de Castro, Victoria; extra, Miss Mary Pollard, Victoria.
Other Fancy work: - 1 and 2, Miss C. Capello, Georgetown; 1, Joaquina de Franca and Mrs. J. E. Bowen; Extras, Miss de Castro and V. de Ramos.
Carved or Painted Calabashes: -1, T. A. Titus, Victoria; 2, James Brandon.
Collection of works of art in stone, bronze, or other material: - 1, J. Pollard, Georgetown;
Hat, straw or other materials: -1, Miss Ellen Adams, Victoria; 2, Dorothy Callendar.
Extra prizes. - Miss Levi, Bel Air; (hand bag); J. W. Vieira, Golden Grove, (antimacassars) Miss D. Callendar ( tea coat and alum basket); Mrs. Camacho, Victoria, (cushion and doilies); Miss Gall, Haslington(doilies); Miss S. Reis, Belfield (slippers)
Source: The Daily Chronicle, Demerara, Wednesday, June 1, 1898: page 4.

Shareholders of Plantation Northbrook (Victoria Village)

2010-01-11T12:53:00.000-08:00

Enclosure in No. 32. November 7, 1839,
Encloiure in No. 3.'. To his Excellency, Henry Light, Esq., Governor and Commander-in-chief in and over the Colony of British Guiana.
May it please your Excellency, Sir,
We, the undersigned emancipated labourers of this district, with humble submission and respect, approach your Excellency, praying your Excellency will be pleased to pardon our boldness in soliciting your Excellency's attention for a few moments whilst we enter into details, which we earnestly hope may interest your Excellency, and gain for us your Excellency's approbation and assistance.
On the 7th day of this month we jointly purchased from the executors of the late Hugli Rogers, Esq., for the sum of ten thousand dollars, his plantation called " Northbrook," Containing about 500 acres of land, and as we have been enabled to pay the purchase money, principally from out of our savings, since we obtained our freedom, we cannot refrain from expressing how thankful, how grateful we are, how indebted we shall ever be to all those noble-minded individuals who were mainly instrumental in procuring and giving us that freedom. We reflect with indescribable pleasure upon the fact, that high and low took part on. our side; we remember, and we will teach our children to remember, with lasting gratitude, that even the Sovereign, whilst seated upon the throne of England, condescended to be our friend ; we shall never forget the benefits we received (under Divine Providence) from our late good King William, of blessed memory; we cannot forget what benefits we have received and are daily receiving, what blessings we are constantly enjoying under the benignant sceptre of his illustrious Niece and Successor, our present dear young Queen Victoria, whom may God bless and preserve to us for many, very many future years.
We know that to the individual act of Her Majesty we owe the happiness of having your Excellency here, as our ruler and Governor, in her name; your Excellency is too exalted in station to listen to praise and commendation, and we too humble to offer them; but we may be allowed to state, with thankfulness, that every act of your Excellency's administration, with, reference to us and to the body to which we belong, has been marked with kindness, benevolence, liberality, and justice; and we humbly pray the Almighty Ruler of all men that your Excellency may be long spared to us to afford us your protection.
We would fain hand down to posterity some token of our gratitude, and some memento of the emancipation which we have witnessed, partaken of, and enjoyed ; and we conceive that we cannot do so more effectually (certainly not more agreeably to our feelings) than by beingallowed to name our plantation after our good and gracious young Queen, " Victoria !" We therefore humbly and earnestly pray that your Excellency will be pleased to represent our wishes to Her Majesty, in such manner as your Excellency may deem most likely to propitiate Her Majesty, and obtain her royal consent.
At the same time we pray your Excellency to represent to Her Majesty that we shall never be guilty of anything which would cause us to forfeit Her Majesty's most gracious patronage and protection; we know the blessings of freedom, and we endeavour to deserve them; we are peaceable in disposition, industrious by habit, loyal and faithful by nature; gratitude to our Sovereign and to your Excellency will make us doubly vigilant and circumspect.
We further respectfully represent to your Excellency that it is not our intention to settle down upon our plantation, and lead a life of idleness ; our views and wishes are, to have the land divided into equal portions amongst us; individually erect our cottages upon our respective plots of ground, and thereon, in our leisure hours, cultivate our vegetables and provisions; but our firm determination, as a body, is to continue to labour daily, as now, upon the several plantations where we are employed.
If not too presumptuous on our part, we would venture to solicit of your Excellency, the assistance of the crown land surveyor at his convenience to measure out our equal portions of the land, as above proposed, which would prevent anything like the possibility of dispute among us.
We further respectfully represent to your Excellency that it is our intention to establish upon our plantation a school-house and church, (and there is a new large building on the estate well adapted to these purposes,) in the former our children will be taught to read their Bible and learn their several duties to society at large ; whilst in the latter, as each revolving Sabbath appears, we shall assemble together, and there offer up to the Almighty our humble thanks for the great and wonderful benefits which, under Divine Providence, have been con- BRITISHGUIANA ferred upon us. Praying your Excellency's favourable consideration, support, and patronage, We have the honour to be, Sir,
Your Excellency's most obedient humble Servants,
John Sertima, William Lewis, Thomas Baillie, James M'rae, Frank Baillie, Samuel Benter, Romeo Isaac, Daniel Isaac, Thomas Colin, Martin Nkuany, Simon Hanover,Simon Scott,Thomas Hercules,John Lewis,Wm. Gamell Reaves, James Handy, John Wheelaii, Voltore Robert,John Milcel,Michael James,Simon Tate,Sampson Cooper,Isaac Chapman,Primus Samuel,Cupidore Hopkinson,Quashie Porter,Cornwall Porter,Caesar Solomon,Hall Porter,Quammie Adam,Hamlet Cato,Simon Spencer,Melville Porter,Quashie Bard, Quacco Hammilton,Medlin Hammilton, John Sion,Cross Sumner,Marlborough Sam,Pollidore Bentick,Cicero Hercules,Jiljjs Cumming,Gamby James,Moses Hopkinson,Bill Williams,Blackwall Lancester, Scipio Samuel,Pat Murphy,Ned Mackay,William Negaday, Alexander Porter,William Smart,Catherine Tom, Kenneth Jarrick,Hannah Porter,Sammy Knight,Hannah Porte, Adam Grant, Maui A Grant, Colin M'rae,John Fiddell,Simon King,Bellender Hopkinson.

Signed in my presence this 30th day of November, 1839,
C. H. Strutt, Stipendiary Magistrate. Witness to the several Signatures, Mary Strutt.

SOURCE: 1841 Session 1 [321] Papers relative to the West Indies. 1841. British Guiana.

No#. 28 --Governor Light to Lord John Russell -- Nov. 18,1839 -- Transmitting Return of Estates in Berbice whose Proprietors or attorneys have put in claims for Second Depths. - Purchase of the Northbrook Estate by the Emancipated Negroes -- page 54.
No#. 32 --Governor Light to Lord John Russell -- Dec 4 -- the purchase of the Northbrook Estate by the Emancipated Negroes --to be allowed to name it after Her Majesty - page 63.
No#. 55 --Governor Light to Lord John Russell -- April 9, 1840-- the condition and prospects of the Province. - the purchase of the Northbrooke Estate by emancipated labourers - page 109.

1841 Session 1 [321] Papers relative to the West Indies. 1841. British Guiana.

NAMES of Purchasers of Plantation New Orange Nassau, County Demerara

2010-01-11T12:34:00.000-08:00

NAMES of Purchasers of Plantation New Orange Nassau, County Demerara,

Abercrombie , Cadgo Adams , Cudgo Adams , Duncan Adams , Lewis Bacche , Assi Baily , Colin Baily , Dundas Baily, Frank Baily ,Robert Baily ,Quammina Baily , Charles Batifield ,Hercules Bergess (Burgess) , Roger Brian , Albert Brutus ,Michael Burion ,Valentine Brutus ,Cyrus Callander , Friday Campbell , John Castillo ,Nero Castillo , Bonaparte Cato , Billy Chester , Downes Corian, Glasgow Cove , Charles Cuffy ,Christmas Cuffy , Murray Cummings , King Daniel, Hoxboroug David , Martin Deal , Mary Diamond , Murray Diamond , Sandy Duke , Charles Enterprise , Punch Enterprise ,Trotman Enterprise , Will Enterprise , Hannibal Eastman , John Fallett , Isaac Farley , Charles Fillington ,Abraham Fox , Edward Francis ,Tom Gibson ,Jacob Gill , Shappo Glasgow , Granville Greenfield , Tom Griffith ,Mcdonald Hannibal , Captain Huntley , Rasmas Hay , Ben Hopkinson , Glasgow Hopkinson , Saul Hopkinson, Duncan Jarvis ,Perot Jemrnie , James Jones , Matthew Jones , Novell Jones , Farmer Lesprance , David London , James London , Jack Lustall , Dr. M'beth , John M-cra , Prince M'kaa ,Columbus M'kay ,Richard M'kay , Sammy M'kay ,Alexander Mckenzie , Charles Mckenzie , Corobal Mckenzie , Corporal Mckenzie , Howe Mckenzie ,Nicholas Mckenzie , Present Mckenzie ,Simon Mckenzie ,Alnum Mack ,Billy Manuel , Stephen Marrant ,Luben Mecra ,Charles Messiah , John Mike , Caesar Moffat ,Stephen Morian , Adam Newton ,Prince Paul ,Ben Porter ,Roderick Porter , Primo Osanna ,Friendship Peter , Cornett Phiffie , Harry Pollard , Bob Quammie ,Calias Quammina , Jack Robinson , Lamb Rogers , Nelson Rogers , Alexander Ross , Alexander Sam , Aukeva Sam ,George Sancho , Glasgow Sarry , Corn Scott , John Scott , Simon Scott , Kingsgate Sifox , Primo Simon, Alexander Smith , John Smith , David Spencer , Captain Stepney , Adam Sloan , Bob Stuart , Castillo Stuart , Coboas Stuart , David Stuart , Edward Stuart , James Stuart , Providence Stuart , Punch Stuart , Thomson Stuart , Bat Thornton , Howard Thornton , York Trim ,Whiliminner , Pero Wills , Simon Wills , John Williams, and Walter Young: Total 141. May 11, 1840.
SOURCE: 1841 Session 1 [321] Papers Relative to the West Indies. 1841. British Guiana. Page 120.

MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE FOLLOWS DROPPING OF CATCH

2010-01-07T17:24:00.000-08:00

MANSLAUGHTER CHARGE FOLLOWS DROPPING OF CATCH
Georgetown, Tuesday, February 10, 1942.
Twenty hours after he had been struck on the forehead with a cricket bat, Sugrim, captain of a cricket team, died at the Enmore Hospital, East coast Demerara. Sixteen-year-old Parasram, his alleged assailant, arrested and charged with the capital offence, appeared yesterday at the Cove and John Magistrate’s Court on the reduced charge of manslaughter and was released on bail. The preliminary inquiry was begun before Magistrate Mr. D. E. Jackson, LL.B., County Superintendent of Police Whittingham appeared to prosecute and Mr. L. M. F Cabral, M.A., B.C.L., appeared on the behalf of the defence.
The evidence of Lutchman and Jugbeer was that on February 1, Sugrim and Parasram were playing in the same cricket team against another team. Sugrim was captain of the team. Parasram once left the field and before he could return to his position Sugrim resumed the bowling and the batsman skied the ball. Parasram, not fielding in position, failed to take the catch, whereupon Sugrim shouted at him. A quarrel followed.
Parasram’s mother then appeared on the scene. While she was trying to find out the cause of the quarrel Parasram struck Sugrim on his forehead with a bat. He was taken to the Enmore Hospital, at 1PM and died the following morning at 9 o’clock.
Evidence for the prosecution was also given by Mangri, Parasram’s mother, Pooran, Gilharry Singh, Mr. C. M. Abraham, dispenser in charge of the Enmore Hospital, Sergeant Henry, and RC Wajidally.
The hearing was adjourned until tomorrow morning when the doctor’s testimony will be given.
Source: The Daily Chronicle, February 10, 1942: Page 5.

Cambridge-France

2009-03-19T12:21:00.000-07:00

NOTICE to the Public
– The undersigned is directed by the Board of Directors of the “LIBERATOR PRESS ASSOCIATION”, to inform the Public that from this date Mr. A. W. France has nothing to do with the transactions of the Liberator Newspaper; the power that was given to him by the Board of Directors dated 10th of July 1869, is RECALLED and CANCELLED, and the Rev. John G. Urling, Editor, Printer, and Publisher has taken over the General transaction of the Newspaper and he is authorized to collect all moneys, money orders, and all outstanding debts due to the newspaper.
S. A. Cambridge
Secretary,
Friendship Village, East Coast.
2nd October 1869.

NOTICE
– The undersigned do hereby inform the Public in general, that the Notice, which appeared in the Royal Gazette of Saturday, the 2nd instant, by S. A. Cambridge, is not worthy of notice, as it is unfounded. If it was a legal one why it did not appear in the Liberator Newspaper as the former notice?
I further beg to state that while the Liberator Press Association was conducted by the editor and S. A. Cambridge exclusively to themselves, they had brought the Association into heavy liabilities; in consequence of which a meeting was called, and it was unanimously agreed that I should, as one of the proprietors take over the management of the Office, and endeavour to pay off the outstanding debts. When I took over on the 10th July last there was not a cent in hand to purchase printing paper requisite, and I had to take money out of my own pocket to meet the expenses of the Office, as well as others connected, besides paying the greater part of the debts incurred before I took over the office.
The condition on which I took over the management of the office was, that I was to conduct the business until the debts were wholly paid off. This is not wholly done, and unless I am repaid the several amounts expended by me from the date (10th July last) up to 2nd October instant, I will not cease to occupy my position of management.
A. W. France
Shareholder and Director of the Liberator Press Association,
Demerary.
5th October 1869.

NOTICE
– The undersigned does hereby caution the Public not to pay any MONEY or MONEYS to the Rev. John George Urling, Printer, and Publisher of the Liberator Newspaper, but to himself as they will be held responsible.
A. W. France
Managing Director,
Demerary.
7th October 1869.
Source: the Royal Gazette of British Guiana - October 7, 1869:Page 3.

Mr Corbin is the only viable leader

2008-11-20T12:19:00.000-08:00

Dear Editor,
Just a few days ago I was walking around my community where I came into contact with some young people who expressed concerns for their future in Guyana. Many felt marginalized, discriminated against and sometimes left out because of their ethnicity. This is evidence that our country is in trouble and is in need of leadership, vision and youth inclusiveness. A change of administration is the only option that comes to mind.

I then expressed to them that all hope is not lost. Betterment may seem a formidable task because of the mismanagement and incompetence of the PPP/C administration, but surely it is surmountable if we as Guyanese put an end to racial voting and confront issues of major concern vociferously. The youths have lost all hope and confidence in the PPP/C administration. The question is, who is able and capable of restoring the hope of young people and relieving them of the epidemics of unemployment, marginalization and discrimination? My answer is simple: Mr Robert HO Corbin. With his experience, knowledge and vision, he is the only viable leader.

His vision is consistent with needs of young people across the country; the vision of a better tomorrow. Rest assured that he has the tenacity and the determination to restore the happiness Guyanese once enjoyed.

Evidence of his determination, commitment and passion for the development of youths is in the implementation of some aspects of the Youth Empowerment Scheme (YES), which has already benefited quite a number of youths and parents in many of our communities.

His vision is second to none, and includes all Guyanese, regardless of race, creed or political affiliation, to quench their thirst for a brighter future. His vision also speaks of a transformed Guyana, recognizing that the onerous demands of managing this country require the collective effort of all: building strong families with healthy values, strengthening communities, enhancing our educational system, and reducing unemployment.

It offers hope through opportunities for persons to develop themselves intellectually, socially, culturally and economically. I am encouraging everyone to read his 2004 and 2006 congress speeches. This is the real vision of a true visionary.
Yours faithfully,
Tandica Todd
Executive Member
Guyana Youth and Student Movement

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Article printed from Stabroek News: http://www.stabroeknews.com

URL to article: http://www.stabroeknews.com/letters/mr-corbin-is-the-only-viable-leader/

Guyana Institute of Historical Research

2008-07-07T08:33:00.000-07:00

Guyana Institute of Historical Research
Participants at a Guyana Institute of Historical Research (GIHR) forum yesterday on eradicating poverty in the African-Guyanese community. The forum, which was held at the Conference Room of the National Library dealt with such topics as poverty, housing, literacy, private education, women, business and the role of men. Speakers included Eric Phillips, Winston Browne, Gillian Burton, Patrice La Fleur and Sarah Parris. It was chaired by Hazel Woolford and Aubrey Norton.
(Photo by Aubrey Crawford)

http://www.stabroeknews.com/media/photos/guyana-historical-research/

Some notes on Rastafari:-From Jamaica to Buxton

2008-05-31T07:48:00.000-07:00

Some notes on Rastafari
Published May 31, 2008
Guyanese Rastafari Makonnen (of Guyana) (left) now an official of the Shashemenee Settlement on land given by Haile Selassie, with Rastafari Elders who returned to Ethiopia many decades ago. This photo was taken a few months ago. …
From Jamaica to Buxton
by A. A. Fenty

I share these notes for two main reasons. Firstly, it is a (personal) pity that certain rogue elements - many phony - of the Rastafarian community have communicated a negative image of that movement to the wider society.

Pity too that that perception now emanates from the proud village of BUXTON - the East Coast, Demerara Community which location and history have produced the Younges, the Kwayanas, the Paynes, the Parrises, et al.

Secondly, I wish to “balance” my own perspective contained in an article published by this’ paper many many years ago. Then I had also dwelt on the negative aspects of Rastafarianism and cautioned against the virtual hero-worshipping of Emperor Haile Salassie. Personally, I still find it difficult to bow to any human mortal - however divine or holy he or she claims to be; whatever their lineage or seemingly exemplary presence. However, I have since broadened my views on this issue and have inculcated a cautious respect for people’s beliefs.

JAMAICAN RASTAFARI - BIRTH AND GROWTH

Obviously, this brief piece can never allow for detailed insights into the genesis and development of Rastafarianism. But I can give reference
sources for those interested in the origins of this movement - this system of beliefs, worship and culture.

A great start would be the 1960 Report on the Rastafari Movement in Kingston, Jamaica produced by three eminent Caribbean academics, Roy Augier, M G Smith and Rex Nettleford. This was done at the invitation of the besieged Rasta Community in the Capital of Jamaica. Principal of the then University Colleges of the West Indies (UCWI) Arthur Lewis was to commend this Report to Jamaica’s Premier, Hon. Norman Manley (There had been earlier studies by the College in 1953 - 55). However, the 1960 Report, replete with ten landmark recommendations for the Jamaican Government, seemed to have influenced much consideration and engagement when published by UCWI’s Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER).

Here is the briefest summary of Rastafarian beginnings and development.

Prophets, personalities, doctrine - reportedly, poor working - class Jamaicans of the nineteen - twenties knew two “prophets”. One was a character named Bedward.

He attempted to fly, yes fly, to heaven, was arrested, tried and placed in a mental asylum. But he left behind a settlement near to the UCWI. The second prophet, later virtual Messiah to the poor, was Marcus Garvey.

Garvey founded the Universal Negro.

Improvement Association (UNIA) in the USA. He proclaimed “Black Nationalism” and preached Africa for the Africans - One God, One Aim, One Destiny.

Garvey sought to established a Black State in Africa for Western World negroes. He founded the Black Star Shipping Line to do the transportation.

The Line was a failure but his message was a success resonating with oppressed and needy Third World and American Blacks.

The UCWI Report notes that: “In 1927 Marcus Garvey was deported from the United States and returned to his homeland, Jamaica, preaching his doctrine of Black racial pride and return to Africa. It seemed that he was a prophet without honour in his own country. The whites and browns disliked the doctrine. The Blacks found it rather onerous, for Garvey emphasized the virtues of thrift, hard work, perseverance and foresight, and relied on his followers to pay their way to Africa by their own efforts.

The Jamaica to which Garvey returned must have seemed to him not very different in its racial organization from the American areas with which he was familiar. Garvey is said to have told his people to “Look to Africa, when a black king shall be crowned, for the day of deliverance is near”.

Truth has two levels in social affairs. There are actual events, and there are statements about actual events. Statements believed to be true are often sociologically more important than those which are true. What people believe or assert emphatically, represents a social force which cannot be disposed of merely by denial. For the Rastafari brethren today, Garvey is a major prophet, but his relationship with the founders of the Rastafari movement between 1930 and 1935 remains obscure.

In November 1930, Rastafari Makonnen was crowned as the Emperor Haile Selassie, King of Kings, Lords of Lords, and the conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah.

Some Jamaicans of a Garveyite persuasion say that they then began to consult their Bibles. Could this be he of whom Garvey spoke? A number of texts showed that it was. Revelation 5: 2, 5 - “And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, ‘Who is worthy to open the Book, and to loose the seals therefore? .. And one of the elders saith unto me. ‘Weep not:
behold, the Lion of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the Book and to loose the seven spirits of God sent forth into all the earth”.

Later, when the Italians invaded Ethiopia, Revelation 19: 19 was fulfilled -“And I saw the Beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, against his army”.

In 1941, with the Emperor’s return to Ethiopia, the succeeding verse was fulfilled - “And the Beast was taken, and with him the false prophet that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had the mark of the Beast, and them that worshipped his image. These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone”.

The doctrine that Ras Tafari, known to the world as the Emperor Haile Sellassie I of Ethiophia, is the Living God, was developed by several persons independently.

It’s obvious that I cannot herein recount the colourful history of the personalities and disciples of the sect which developed the movement.

Except to mention that names to be researched will include the Jamaicans Leonard P. Howell, Joseph Nathaniel Hibbert, Archibald Dunkley, Robert Hinds, Johnson, Erungton, Davis and Ricketts. The research awaits any interested student(s) of Rastafarianism.

In passing we must note that Marcus Garvey himself paid a notable visit to British Guiana in 1937, just three years before he died in England. He attended a lively convention of his UNIA branch in the colony, chided certain dissenters and promised international assistance to strengthen the British Guiana contribution to Black consciousness. Rastafarianism, in its formal, structured manifestation, was not present in 1937. It should be noted here that Garvey’s local UNIA was a fraternal affiliate of the burgeoning labour movement led by the local working - class founder - leader Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow.

A MAKONNEN FROM BUXTON

Here, I am going to dare to posit a positive though indirect connection and relationship between a Buxtonian Guyanese and the Jamaican/Eithiopian foundation of Rastafarianism.

Research reveals that George Thomas Nathaniel Griffith was born in Buxton around the early 1900’s. He was later to assume the name (Ras) Makonnen as so many Rastafarians and Rastafari – related brethren would do after Ras Tafari Makonnen was crowned Haile Selassie I, the 225th Monarch of the Solomonic Dynasty in Ethiopia in November of 1930. George - Ras Makonnen - Griffith and his cousin David Talbot, would be soon “drawn far beyond their interest in local politics by the impact of Garveyism and other North American (African) influences”.

So much so that, after associating actively with his father’s hinterland mining projects, and after Queen’s College, his migration to American educational opportunities landed him in New Orleans just a few days before the final deportation of Marcus Garvey (from the’ States) back to his native Jamaica”.

The Buxton - born Ras Makonnen complemented varied academic training and achievements throughout the USA with activist Black nationalism activities. Chicago, Virginia, Toronto, then Cornell (University) were early locations for his groundings. Then Copenhagen, London and Manchester brought him into contact and friendship with Kwame Nkrumah’s Colleague George Padmore. It was obvious that he played a prominent role in Padmore’s Pan Africanist work but that must be left for another installment.

Suffice to record that Buxton’s Ras Makonnen, who himself boasted an Ethiopian grandfather settled in British Guiana gold -fields, was one who personally welcomed Emperor Haile Selassie to London in 1936. He established and published many journals relevant to Pan Africanism and, no doubt Rastafarianism, up to his eventual assignment in Kenya - after imprisonment in Ghana.

So it is that the proud law - abiding people of Buxton, East Coast Demerara, can be inspired by the work of their own Ras Makonnen. They should also take the opportunity to chide those younger descendants, including Rastafari, NOT to sully Buxton’s name and the work of Ras Makonnen, by the infiltration of bogus Rastafarians whose alleged roles in any “insurgency” would be more criminal than justified by any claims of marginalization which is also actually being experienced by other poor ethnic communities in this land.

Email:allanafenty@yahoo.com
http://www.stabroeknews.com/?p=13876

Leslie Ainsworth, Jerome Mohabir, and Chrystelene Ifill

2008-04-23T09:32:00.001-07:00

3 TEACHERS SERVE TOTAL OF 144 YEARS.
Emotions ran high last Wednesday evening at the Golden Grove Methodist School when three heads, as three stalwarts, in the teaching profession took leave from that noble fraternity after a total of 114 years; each contributing 38 years.
Their work has been shining examples; they taught not only by words but by good leadership.
They are Cdes. Leslie Ainsworth, Jerome Mohabir, and Chrystelene Ifill.
If there is a man who deserves bouquets, it is Leslie Dolphin Ainsworth for his long and dedicated service to the teaching profession and to the Guyana Teachers Association.

RIGHTS
A fearless defender of the rights of teachers, he has made a most significant contribution in the field of education in recent years. As the longest serving President of the Association and the past President of the Caribbean Union of Teachers, he was responsible for many reforms, including the equalization of salaries for teachers and those in Public Service, and the New Teachers Pension Ordinance.
For the 38 years of service to the teaching profession as a teacher and later a headmaster his good leadership shone as a perfect example of what a good and competent teacher should be.
CDE. Jerome Mohabir taught at many schools and was Head of Enmore-Hope Government School. He was outstanding, not only in producing remarkable results as examinations but for his wonderful staff-head relationships.

CHAMPION
No less can be said of Cde Chrystelene Ifill, one who also championed the cause of teachers. Teacher Chrissie, as she is popularly known, taught at various schools and is known for her consciencious application to the job. She took over as Head of Paradise Government School at a time when many felt that a woman could never be efficient and effective in that post. In her four years as headmistress, she proved all the critics wrong for her good works shone at Paradise for all to see. Noted for producing outstanding students, including the now President of the Teachers Association, Cde. Clement Rodney, it would be a good idea for young teachers to take a leaf out of the book of this Headmistress.
For 38 years they gave untiring service producing scholars and others, equally outstanding. At 55 years of age, they had to take their leave, leaving indelible chapters in the education annals of the country.
They have served well.
Source: The Sunday Chronicle - December19, 1976: page 28.
Please note the mathematical error is found in the heading of the article is not mine but that of the employees of the Guyana Chronicle. It is a microcosm of the fatalities of the miserable system experienced and thus know to many Guyanese as “Paramountcy of the Party”. Simply another example of “square pegs in round holes”. You may also notice the three teachers were forced to resign at 55 years of age. Indeed such a very young age –during the period of the illegal PNC regime-and thus ultimately the quality of education of people in Guyana suffered. It declined considerably between December 1964 to 1992 and that is the simple fact of the matter. When researchers look at the last half of the nineteenth and the first half of the twentieth century – they will notice teachers begun their careers as early as 14- year-old and thus they often had careers lasting more than 50 years. Needless to state the standard of education was remarkable high especially when one thinks of the absence of teaching aids , the extremely poor earning the teachers received and the practice of racial and gender discrimination the females and East Indians teachers endured .

East Coast Demerara Sunday School Association

2008-03-26T09:40:00.000-07:00

Best Greetings! Fellow Guyanese and particularly the People of the East Coast of Demerara,
Can we talk? Email: nabaclisman@Gmail.com
Who do you recognize in this listing of people of East Coast of Demerara in May 1915?
I am certain you are aware of several of them…enlighten me – will you?
Thanks for your time and tolerance and cooperation.
Blessed love.

EAST COAST DEMERARA SUNDAY SCHOOL ASSOCIATION
Reverend J. F. Denny (President), Reverend E. R. Weeks, Reverend Charles Stephen MA., Reverend E. R. O. Robertson, Reverend J. Hyll Hendricks, Reverend H. E. Grant. Messrs: - S. S. Punch, M. L. Ariel, W. A. Collins, T. A. Charles, J. Luke, H. Aaron Britton,
Mesdames Frances Grant and F. C. Hollingsworth. H. Harper and Mrs. C. F. Francis (Graham’s Hall), E. J. Simpson and Rose Skeete (Plaisance Congregational), H. Aaron Britton (Better Hope Canadian Presbyterian), S. W. P. Chance, D. J. Richmond, Charles Nestor, Daniel Haynes, Mercy Ann Miller and Virginia Greaves, (Beterverwagting Tabernacle Mission), Cain Adams, B. Simpson and H. Hoppie (Bethel Congregational, Beterverwagting), J. David, E. Joseph, A. D. Philadelphia and Charles Luke (Friendship Wesleyan), Joseph Williams, William Fraser, John Boyer, Jacob Lewis, Sarah Sandy, and Martha Kendall (Golden Grove Wesleyan), T. A. Luke, John Agard, James Ashley and Marion Caleb (Victoria Wesleyan), S. S. Punch, and William Baptist (Wilberforce Congregational), W. A. Collins, T. A. Freeman, B. M. Baptist, and Sarah Dublin (Ann’s Grove Congregational), Glasgow Ralph, Richard Leander and W. E. Ralph, (Ann’s Grove Wesleyan), J. J. Jackson, C. Drayton, C. Charles, Eugenie Jackson and Louisa Leander (Mahaica Scots), Thomas Morris, Walter Wilson, and D. D. Haynes (Mahaica Wesleyan), John Pierre, and David Grant (Supply Wesleyan), J. Brooms (Virginia Wesleyan), Miss Simpson(Stanleyville Wesleyan), G. H. de Ryck and J. Baird (Mahaicony Scots), Samuel Alexander, Sancho Anthony, F. Crawford, and J. Pollydore (Catherineville Wesleyan)
Reverend J. F. Denny (President), Reverend J. Hyll Hendricks, and J. J. Jackson, (Vice-Presidents), Reverend C. F. Francis (Treasurer) and H. Aaron Britton (Secretary)

Source:
“East Coast Demerara Sunday School Association” The Daily Argosy, Thursday, May 27, 1915: page 6.

nabaclisman@Gmail.com

Daily Stabroek News suffers total boycott by state advertisers

2007-12-26T07:26:00.000-08:00

Guyana: Friday, February 9, 2007
Daily Stabroek News suffers total boycott by state advertisers
Guyana’s leading daily, The Stabroek News, has learned it is now under a total effective boycott by state advertisers after the Government Information Agency (GINA) on 6 February cancelled advertising space booked in the paper for the Guyana Revenue Authority. Since November 2006, this was the last body still placing advertising in the Stabroek News.
Public companies, but under private management, Guyana Sugar Corporation (Guysuco) and Guyana Power and Light have also decided not to advertise with the paper. The management of the two companies, while denying having acted on the orders of GINA, did not offer any explanation. The government itself referred only to “accounting reasons” before refusing to respond to protests from the Guyana Press Association.
The Stabroek News takes a strong critical line towards the government of President Bharrat Jagdeo. Reporters Without Borders reminded the president that the Chapultepec Declaration on freedom of information and expression, which he has signed, commits him not to use state advertising as a means of rewarding or punishing media.
________________________________________
16.01.07 - Government punishes critical newspaper by withdrawing state advertising
Reporters Without Borders today condemned the Guyanese government’s withdrawal of virtually all state advertising from the Stabroek News, the country’s leading privately-owned daily, and its refusal to respond to the initiatives taken by the newspaper in response to this discriminatory measure.
“Governments must not allocate advertising to some news media as a reward, and withdraw it from others as a punishment - this is spelled out in the Chapultepec Declaration, which Guyanese President Bharrat Jagdeo himself signed,” Reporters Without Borders said.
“Unfortunately, the government’s silence in the face of the Stabroek News’ legitimate demands suggests that the newspaper is being financially penalised because of its editorial positions,” the press freedom organisation added. “The government must provide an explanation and if it is slow to do so, the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights should instruct it to provide one.”
The Stabroek News, which is critical of the Jagdeo government, said its earnings from state advertising (government announcements, ministerial press releases etc) had declined sharply since November, three months after Jagdeo’s reelection as president.
The Guyana Press Association and the Stabroek News accused Nanda Gopaul, permanent secretary at the office of the president, of ordering the Government Information Agency (GINA) not to assign any more advertising to the newspaper. The GINA subsequently confirmed that only Guyana Revenue Authority advertisements were henceforth to be placed with the Stabroek News.
The newspaper’s editor, David de Caires, said he never received any reply to his request for a meeting with GINA director Prem Misir. De Caires wrote to Misir on 3 January claiming that the Stabroek News was being directly attacked “for political reasons,” in violation of the March 1994 Chapultepec Declaration on freedom of information and expression, which Jagdeo signed.
Karen Persaud, the person in charge of advertising at GINA, told De Caires on 9 January that his request “has been taken into account but has not yet been examined by the department concerned.” De Caires wrote back the next day complaining about this “unclear and unsatisfactory” reply. He has heard nothing more since then.
http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=20424

High court upholds TV station’s suspension for indefinite period

2007-12-26T07:17:00.000-08:00

High court upholds TV station’s suspension for indefinite period
Guyana Friday,February 2 2007
In its 31 January decision, the high court ordered CNS’s suspension as a temporary measure until it issues a ruling on the legality of the government’s decision to suspend the station’s licence for a month.
"Suspending a news media is an unacceptable act of censorship when it is done to stifle criticism of the government," Reporters Without Borders said today in reference to the suspension of Guyana’s CNS Channel Six television station, announced by the government on 22 January and provisionally upheld by the high court on 31 January.
"This is why we call on the Guyanese authorities to lift this measure and restore the equipment confiscated from CNS as soon as possible," the press freedom organisation said.
Reporters Without Borders added: " We do not exempt the news media of all responsibility and if CNS gave out false information, which does not seem to have been the case, the authorities can turn to the courts."
This was announced on 22 January by Prime Minister Samuel Hinds after CNS had for the past four days heavily criticised relief measures taken by the government in response to major flooding. Hinds accused the CNS "Voice of the People" programme of stirring up public disorder and hostility to the government’s relief efforts.
The same day, the authorities confiscated the TV station’s transmitting equipment and closed its studios.
CNS briefly resumed broadcasting on 28 January in defiance of the ban. The head of the station told Agence France-Presse (AFP) this was done because he had never received the prime minister’s closure order. The next day, the police seized the equipment which the station had rented in order to resume its broadcasts. CNS lawyer Nigel Hughes told AFP the station would appeal against the high court’s decision.

http://www.rsf.org/article.php3?id_article=12448

What's this?

2007-12-21T08:25:00.000-08:00

To: skeldon@yahoogroups.com
From: samad abdul < samad182001@yahoo.co.uk>
Date: Thu, 20 Dec 2007 16:14:50 +0000 (GMT)
Subject: Skeldon Slick's Disinformations
To Sick the Dick
Thank you for your response. And your concerns about Mr. Sancho's misplacing and mixing-up the issues, albeit with conjecture, is well placed. However, please don't rush to label his actions Zimbabwean: There are some historical underpinnings in that African situation that is either forgotten or just not told to the world at large. I am sure that if the root of the problem in Zimbabwe is exposed many will understand the dilemma facing Robert Mugabe. He is not the perfect leader ;( you can say that again)
there are none of those; but he inherited a rather unfortunate and crisis impending situation ( Which is Untrue, it was once one of the most self sufficient country in Africa, similarly to British Guiana until Linden Forbes Burnham came into the seen, the rest is History my point is this African and their descendants on matter what part of the Globe they are in Cannot run an economy, this is not Racial it is a fact, read this also Sancho) which was not of his making; but which he is now expected to solve without rankling feathers.
I don't know how young you are, but if you remember, I do know the history
(I will speak on her behalf)
Zimbabwe is the same country that used to be called Rhodesia: It formed part of the African axis of apartheid, along with South Africa, Namibia and Mozambique. It's a rather long story and I'll try to be short and to the point. ( I have been around for a very long time now, I do know of some of the history of all these Countries you have mentioned, some of the faults and problems were pre Colonel, but the Major Problems Lay squarely on the selfish Leaders, South Africa seems to be going the same way presently, This would be a Shame and very Tragic )
British 19th century expansionism had earmarked the Southern regions of Africa for what they considered to be civilization. The fact is that this was a region that was rich in precious minerals, particularly diamonds and the British saw it as a way of embellishing their wealth: What sugar meant to the British re Guyana; Diamonds meant the same to them re Southern Africa
(Slicky dear man you should get out of the Colonel Web you are caught up in and move ON, do not keep on blaming the British for the Folly of British Guyana as a comparison, lay the blame Squarely on the PNC Stooge Regime with Captain Burnham on the Helm, you silly Man this is the point I have making all along when would it reach your brain so that you will digest and think differently, the fault lies with you Africans yourselves )
Cecil Rhodes was a British expeditionist who was bank rolled and supported by British crown to make forays into Southern Africa. He did so with great trickery and deceit that cost thousands of resisting Africans their lives and those who remained, their already existent civilizations. Further, the survivors of his onslaught found themselves humbled into abject poverty and servitude as Rhodes coasted along digging deeper and deeper into the African territories, extracting its precious minerals and sending these "fruits" of colonial plunder back to England; to the crown. As if to add insult to death, not injury, they renmaed the country Rhodesia: Well, guess in whose honor? Mr. Cecil Rhodes himself( What is the Difference between Cecil Rhodes and Robert Mughabe? and .it is these same hard down trodden People begging the Very Bad British to remove Robert Moghabe One of their Own Kind of Folk from Power )
Along the way, Rhodes and his British South Africa Company, which ran Rhodesia , facilitated the migration of europeans into the colony and gave them the best lands which formerly belonged to the now decimated, uprooted and displaced Africans. As it were before the Mugabe move against the white plantocracy, approximately 75 - 80% of the prime lands lay in the hands of white planters(white population less than 200, 000) the remainder shared by the native population numbering over 6 million.
I do accept the Land issue, it is true the Whites has large plots of land, the way to go about this is through Negotiations, we are faced to day for more than Forty years the America support for the Jews against the Palestinians, The Palistians cause is a very Just one they are still talking, can you see the analogy)
President Mugabe moved to correct this imbalance, born of the murder, greed and expropriation that were visited upon the native Africans at the hands of the British expeditionist Cecil Rhodes. In 1980, when the country eventually wrested its independence back from Britain, it correctly took the name Zimbabwe , after one of its
ancestral nations.
(Do not go down this road, as you have mentioned above,I am telling you the British had Done the same in North America, to the Red Indians, in the End it has provided a Haven for you after you had to cut and Run from Pa Pa Burnham in Burnham made Guyana, Why are you being so Selective?)
Like I said, it's a long story and people who are criticizing Mr. Mugabe today are not aware of what happened yesterday. The powers that be know it; but they don't teach it.
I don't mean to burden you with long posts: I just wanted to contextualize the situation in Zimbabwe from a historical stand point.
Best regards,
Rick "The Slick
(Do not fool your self Slicky Dicky, People do know what happen yesterday, today, and they are patiently waiting to see what will happen tomorrow)
Regards
Samad Abudul
Email: samad182001@yahoo.co.uk

Seon Collier for trial over murder of Carl Andrews and Ray Walcott of Victoria

2007-12-19T11:49:00.000-08:00

'Picture Boy' for trial over murder of Victoria brothers
Wednesday, December 19th 2007

Seon Collier

Magistrate Sherdel Isaacs yesterday committed Seon `Picture Boy' Collier who is accused of shooting two Victoria brothers to death to stand trial in the High Court.

This decision came at the Vigilance Magistrate's Court yesterday after five months of testimony from eleven witnesses who were led in evidence by Prosecutor Edmond Cooper.

Collier of 12 `A' Victoria Village, East Coast Demerara, was charged last October with the murders of Ray Walcott and Carl Andrews. The incident occurred in Victoria.

The case against Collier was that on September 23, the brothers were onlookers at a game of dominoes when he rode up on a motorcycle and began chatting with the players.

It was reported that Collier might have been after Andrews for some time. According to reports, Andrews had been accused of stealing a .38 revolver belonging to either Collier or a relative of his some three months before.

Relatives of the dead men had told this newspaper that they were not aware of the allegations, noting that Collier and Andrews had been very close friends at one time.

They said they understood that there was a falling out between Andrews and Collier because of Andrews's suspicion that Collier was involved in nefarious activities.

Following the shooting, Collier also called `John Gaudy', fled but was captured during a Joint Services operation in the pre-dawn hours in a house at Bachelor's Adventure, ECD.

Police had also said that one of the army's stolen AK-47s was recovered at the same time as were other weapons and a large quantity of ammunition.

Collier showed no emotion throughout the preliminary inquiry or at the time the magistrate handed down her decision.
Source:http://www.stabroeknews.com/index.pl/article_general_news?id=56535326

President listens to concerns of Haslington, Golden Grove, Nabaclis and Victoria residents

2007-12-18T11:27:00.000-08:00

President listens to concerns of Haslington, Golden Grove, Nabaclis and Victoria residents

Georgetown, GINA, July 17, 2007

Head of State President Bharrat Jagdeo today met members of the Haslington, Golden Grove, Nabaclis and Victoria Community Development Councils (CDC) at Office of the President to hear their concerns.
Also present at the meeting was Minister of Local Government and Regional Development Kellawan Lall. The Minister is expected to visit the area soon to ascertain the assistance need in the various communities.

Vice Chairman of the Group Loretta Culley, expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the meeting. “The President promised to assist the residents and we are looking forward to that,” Culley said, noting that the Head of State always lives up to his commitments. National Coordinator of CDC’s Philomena Sahoye- Shury and Presidential Adviser on Community Development Odinga Lumumba are expected accompany the Minister on his visit to the area.

http://www.op.gov.gy/stories/070717.html

two

2007-12-16T10:46:00.000-08:00

Technorati Profile

Jagdeo an Embarrassment: PPP/C An Administration of Genocidal Goons

2007-12-14T10:28:00.000-08:00

According to published reports originating out of Georgetown, Brigadier General Edward Collins, Former Chief of Staff of the Guyana Defense Force (GDF), was banned from the military base Camp Ayangana in Thomas Lands, Georgetown, during the first week of December 2007. If the report is accurate – and it seems creditable enough to suggest that it is. Then one must conclude this is another backward step and a continuance of poor public and ethnic relations on the part of the PPP/C administration. This is indeed a very sordid mess and a sad end to a 34-years military career and association with the GDF.

I am absolutely positive; it was during the month of March in 1974 I met Brigadier General Edward Collins at the military base at Timehri. I was a young wet nose wide-eyed recruit on my way to Tacama Military Training School for Basic Military Training. Brigadier General Collins was an Officer Cadet at that period. Brigadier General Edward Collins joined the GDF in 1973. Brigadier General Collins was commissioned in 1974. In 1976 I successfully completed Trained Soldiers' Course under the command of Lieutenant Edward Collins. Shortly after that; some period around January 1977, Lieutenant Edward Collins replaced my favorite commissioned officer in the GDF Captain George Arlington Davidson – the man I called GAD – as Company Commander of D Company [also referred to as Four Company]. In November 1977 I received Honourable Discharge Papers at Records Office at Camp Ayangana. I have neither seen nor spoken to Brigadier General Collins; since.

If memory serves me accurately the 1973-1974 batch of Cadet Officers was the last group trained by Captain Compton Ross (popularly known as Manish Puppy). Brigadier General Collins and the now infamous former PPP/C Government Minister, Gajraj are members of that group. I am quite certain Brigadier General Collins is the last known link to my military experiences in the GDF. Although I never really cared about the career nor the Brigadier General personally, it goes without saying I sympathize with him in this latest fiasco. I certainly; prefer Brigadier General Collins over and above any person in the current PPP/C administration. The PPP/C would have to recruit Major General Joe Singh to lead their party and hold the highest office in the land to convince me they really have the best interest of the people and state of Guyana in their efforts of developing the nation as it is currently constituted. I am cognizant neither the PPP/C nor the PNC has an individual of the stature of Major General Joe Singh.

Another point and a major issue at that which does not reflect well at all on both the administration of the PPP/C, the military commanders of GDF and high command of the Guyana Police Force is their inability to defend and protect the citizenry of the co-operative republic of Guyana. The issues of bandits robbing and murdering the fishermen who operate of out the No. # 66 Creek on the upper Corentyne Coast does not sit well with me at all. It ought to bother every person connected to Guyana, regardless of their ethnicity. I grew up in the district. Although I had one very serious threat to my physical which resulted in me utilizing the No. # 66 Creek to escape a racist mob of lynchers of East Indians armed with cutlasses by simply jumping off the bridge at No. # 66 Creek and diving into the murky waters in the early morning hours and immediately traveling to my ancestral adopted home for the benefit of my welfare; I must come out in defense of my people. I must call a spade what it is a spade. The people of the upper corentyne coast need protection from the pirates on the Corentyne River and petty criminal activities which affect their daily lives. They are not getting it from the present administration. However, I am positive the people of the Upper Corentyne will again support the PPP/C at the next general Elections for more of the same disregard for their welfare. And they will have deserved what they will continue to get. They voted for it. I should not petty them but I do – I recognize they support the PPP/C not because they are racist to the core – but because they are forced and or fooled into believe there is no better option. There is however the AFC needs to study the activities of the legendary Dr. Cheddie Jagan in the beginnings of the Political Affairs Committee and the PPP between 1946 and 1950 – and copy his tactics and integrate such into their program. The AFC need to agitate daily not sit on their rear-end awaiting the election period of one month to canvass for votes. They will never get it done in that manner. Khemraj Ramjattan and Raphael Trotman and other political activitists need to be actively building a grass root coalition to remove those to political albatross permanently from the consciousness of the Guyanese society. The people of Guyana are acting like they drank the kool-aid at Jones town. They continue to support death and destruction of the communities. Not only are communities such as Buxton, Friendship and the other leading villages of the East Coast of Demerara which give birth to the nation are in dire straits. One would quickly conclude it is as the results of racist policies of the PPP/C administration. Well how does one explain why Port Mourant is in such a mess, today? How does one conclude the fishermen at No. # 66 Village are not afforded protection? The answers are simple the politicians just do not give a rat’s rear end about the working class people. They are to busy caring about holding the highest offices in the land and profiting from that experience. What else can it be? They are really confident you are so silly you will always support their needs and not yours – and that my friends are the whole truth of the matter.
The GDF does not have one single aircraft useful to undertake military exercises much less combat duties. What a joke? What sad and sordid state of affairs masquerades as a military force in this modern world? Are you kidding me? I simply wonder what the legendary military commanders of GDF really think of the present circumstances which are posing as a military outfit. The GDF is supposed to be a national army. The GDF is not a guerilla out fit. Fidel Castro and Che Guevara were better armed when the landed in Cuba in the late 1950s, than the GDF, today .
Another point to consider is that during the era of that ruthless dictator birthed at Kitty village, on the East Coast of Demerara, the GDF was used against the working class people when it was employed in several instances as strike breakers. The GDF was used to uphold the illegal regime. Now today the GDF is employed as part of a killing machine called Joint Forces. This killing machine commits acts of ethnocide against communities such as Buxton and Agricola and other predominately African communities. The administration continues to attempt to trick people into thinking it is acting tough on crime. The PPP/C continues to deceive Indo-Guyanese into thinking it is working on their behalf and in the best interests of all the people of Guyana. I would not be tricked by mercenaries. However, the proof is in the pudding…clearly that is not the scenario. Every where in Guyana today is disaster.
This administration has always acted on the behalf of their own best self-interests. It is high time the majority of the people of Guyana recognize the truth. You have a criminal enterprise masquerading as the government of the people of Guyana. It is a fraud and they know it. It high time people begin to distrust this current administration.
What will it take for the people of Guyana to understand the PPP/C is not about them but for the Politicians and their cronies, period? Look at the crisis in one community after another - Now tell me what are the PPP/C doing at the Local Government level to arrest the current situation? Ah well the minister of Local Government is a common criminal. Kellawan Lall should be housed at Mazaruni Prison Complex. His butt should be introduced to the cat-o-nine. Justice must not be denied. I say subject Kellawan Lall to Islamic justice. I demand every parent who lost their children to gun violence in Guyana take turns and whip Kellawan Lall’s rear end in public in every location where death and destruction occurred in the nation. That’s what Kellawan Lall deserves.

Jagdeo's treatment of his former wife is simply sickening. It is a travesty. It is however consistent with his repulsive behavior. It is simply very childish. It is also extremely rude. It is unbecoming of a leader of any civic organization, much less a Head of State. I guess the old adage - you get what you voted for - is totally accurate. Now “The Magnificent Province” is a total laughing stock of the Caribbean basin, and indeed around the globe.

If Jagdeo is acting upon the advice of others he ought to immediately distance himself from them. Jagdeo ought to try to salvage his horrendous image. Whenever I look at Jagdeo I imagine an imitation of the Kabaka albeit a rather mediocre one at that.

George Lamming in his introduction to Walter Rodney's classic literature – a history of the Guyanese Working People, 1881-1905; reminds readers of one the weaknesses of the democracy as reflected by Eurocentric ideals in multiethnic societies – it is the arithmetic of the ethnic groups – the numbers of one group supporting their own as opposed to the best candidate. Thus because of this acceptable feature of the democratic process, the ethnic majority will always hold the political clout in Guyana and similar societies. The other groups will have to struggle for their share of political representation – and/or aspire to achieve self-government. I believe ultimately the best scenario for Africans in Guyana and around the globe is to struggle for self-determination. I would be a traitor to my people if I suggested anything less than self-government is an acceptable condition.

Africans in Guyana have always faced and survived an uphill battle for survival and self-emancipation. They are yet to catch a beak. Many will point to the disastrous PNC dictatorship between 1968 and 1992 – and claim it was an African administration but the tribulations of numerous afro-Guyanese bear ample testimony to the sordid episode in the African Guyanese experience. Walter Rodney, Frederick Mahaica, Shirley Field-Ridley, several members of the WPA, ASCRIA, Trade unionists and professor of the University of Guyana, Members of Local Authorities and descendants of Shareholders of the African Villages in Guyana all attest to the paramountcy of the PNC was very detrimental to Africans as it were to other ethnic groups of the Guyanese society who did not support the PNC regardless of ethnicity.

Jagdeo is as petty and as repulsive as Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham. However, a young Forbes Burnham was quite a ladies' man as he was an orator. Perhaps only alcohol was preferred. I am positive Jagdeo is as poor a choice as one can present for comparison to Forbes Burnham. It is clear Jagdeo's Affair with the beauty from Enmore was an arrangement. I can not accept it was a marriage of physical love. I am convinced Jagdeo is deficient of testosterone. I think Jagdeo has no yearnings for females. It was a sham – a con job upon the people of Guyana. I am sure it was a convenience to fulfill the requirement of the constitution of Guyana. In fact – the constitution of Guyana – ought to demand the Head of State of Guyana lead an exemplary life. A life which includes a spouse and children – and be married at all times while in office. Jagdeo is an embarrassment. He ought to demit office and just disappear from public – and or be impeached. Certainly he must be replaced soonest for the good of the nation. Someone capable enough of stopping the carnage, the unending hurt which the underprivileged working class people is enduring daily in Guyana is needed and necessary at this particular period in the history of Guyana.

Again Jagdeo is so terrible in the field of public and ethnic relations. It shows clearly he belongs at the bottom of the Mahaica River Basin where he was birthed. How upon this god forsaken earth, such a being is allowed to trod upon creation, much less masquerade as a Head of State is beyond my simple mind set? Where have you gone Dr. Cheddie Jagan, Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham and Desmond Hoyte? And for that matter the British Colonial Administration is also sadly missed in Guyana today. I did not believe in May 1966 I would make such statements in 2007. But, however, today, mediocrity disguised as national leaders, reigns all over the planet and abundantly so in Guyana. Bloodshed and mayhem, the loss of life and disregard for both their human and civil rights - is the price the underprivileged working class people pay for affording the ruling class to oppress them; daily.

Where are this generation's Eusi Kwayana, Balram Singh Rai and Walter Rodney? Certainly, credible voice of reason and voice of dissent – are all rather silent and or indeed absent. Kellawan Lall, Minister of Local Government and Regional Development, was involved in brawl. He assaulted a young man – pistol whipped the youngster. The Minister of Local Government and Regional Development also discharged his weapon - fired a number of rounds in the air several weeks ago. In light of the actions taken by the PPP/C administration against low level criminal activities resulting in numerous persons being killed executed without a trail before the courts of the land intelligent people must question the actions of goons in this current administration. I believe the law enforcement officers are hypocritical for they continue to murder young criminal while failing to enforce the law of the land at all levels of the society. Greene, the Acting Commissioner of the Guyana police force should enforce the law of the land. He must pursue efforts to bring to justice that goon masquerading as a leader. Justice in Guyana has taken a hiatus. It is similar to justice everywhere upon the face of the earth. The underprivileged face the wrath of justice – the ruling class certainly enjoy the privilege of residing above and beyond the laws of the land. How could this be allowed in a nation such as Guyana? Again the young criminals are targeting the wrong people. Their brand of violence is unacceptable. It does not bring about rebirth – all it does is promote fear and destruction. I believe in revolutionary violence. I believe in the power of the people.

Clearly from every location in and beyond the political boundary of Guyana voices must be raised in unison against the genocide being committed in the African Communities, under the guise of eradicating criminal activities in Guyana. The young fellows who are based at Agricola and Buxton and Friendship districts are neither importing weapons nor illegal narcotic drugs. They are not the real beneficiaries of the illegal narcotic drugs trade. The misguided babies are certainly not laundering money. What do they own if they are forced to go out into the communities to rob the working class people including preachers, mourners and others of rather insignificant items such as small amounts of legal tender, cell phones, cameras, and computers, etc? Only total lunatics and racists would believe and accept the low level criminal behavior is responsible for the current state of affairs in Guyana. The PPP/C Administration is not fooling anyone. It is simply a race-based group of thuggery which they are perpetrating against the people and the state of Guyana. Is this the character of your leadership? Good lord have mercy – the struggle continues.

Greatness of the God

2007-07-16T07:12:00.000-07:00

The Teaching of Knowing the Greatness of the God, so as to put it in Your Heart

When people raise their hands the god knows it
He knows the impious man who thinks of evil.
He knows the godly man and that he has the greatness of god in his heart.
He gives good judgment through the counsel which no one knows.
He creates abundant value without there being a storehouse behind him.
It is he who makes the way safe without there being a guard.
It is he who gives the just law without there being a judgment.
The hidden work of the god, he makes it known on the earth daily.
He created light and darkness…
He created the earth, begetting millions…
He created day, month and year…
He created summer and winter…
He created food before those who are alive, the wonder of the fields…
He created the breath in the egg where there is no access to it.
He created sleep to end weariness…
He created remedies to end illness…
Great is the counsel of the god in putting one thing after another.
The fate and fortune that come, it is the god who sends them.

Source: the twenty-fourth instruction, “The teaching of knowing the greatness of the god, so as to put it in your heart”, Papyrus Insinger, Ancient Egyptian Literature, Lichtheim, M., Volume Three, Page 184f

Around the Rural Areas: January 23, 1944

2007-02-23T07:42:00.000-08:00

The block with which we are now going to deal is that situate between the railway line and the public road. We are now “over the line” – the term almost invariably used whether, after crossing, one is going southwards, or northwards – and dealing first, as has been our custom with the eastern section, we find the proprietors of the first three lots to be from east to west, old Mother Gravesande, the Lynch-Glasgow-Evans-Kippings – all closely related; D’Andrade, an accepted naturalized inhabitant of the village; Jane Sumner, the grandmother of the Belton family, a member of which is at the present time serving in the Postal Department of the City, the Glasgows and the Allicks. A member of the Lynch – Glasgow family is Mr. Lynch who, we are informed, is the head teacher of the school at Pln. Good Hope, west of Pln. Lusignan, and on which can be found Nog Dens notorious as the point at which the sea finds it most convenient to break with great violence into the land. The school is hard by the railway line and has been established to give elementary education to the children of Africans occupying the pasturelands of the abandoned Plantation. With Mr. Lynch, there was William Walter Evans who subsequently served as a schoolmaster in the village, and in later years crossed over to America where he entered one of the learned professions. Following upon these lots there is a vacant lot charted as a street (since cut out and made available for use), and the adjoining lots is the property of the Pompeys, Calebs, and Grovesnor. Mr. Grovesnor, a young off shoot of his family, is the Village Master Farrier and Blacksmith and, quite unlike his prototype – “The Village Blacksmith” who from morn till night made his anvil ring and his bellows roar, all under a spreading chestnut tree – when he is not engaged in practicing farriery in the village, he can be seen on horseback, for he is among the few owners of horses in the village, on his way to some neighbouring sugar plantation to ply his trade.

We come now upon the next two lots, on one of which stands the catholic church of St. Anthony. The Brush Dam portion of one of these lots is owned by the Blair family. Then there follow the lots owned by the Adams, the Cockfield, the Joe, and the Nero families. A member of this Nero family is one of the first fruits of the emancipated Africans to take up school mastering and seems to have made his way to England, and has sent his family newspaper accounts of his developing into an orator, lecturing widely in Scotland where he is known as Principal Nero. His family, no doubt, is proud of him and speaks much about Principal Nero to sections of the village lads, apparently with the idea of firing their enthusiasm. These lots just referred to, are followed by those whose proprietors are the Edwards; Lovehills, Pedro Grant and Seaforth families. The Seaforth and the Grant families have contributed to the teaching profession, and Old Grant; a Bishop’s College product, at this time serving in the capacity of an Assistant Master in Friendship Wesleyan School, afterwards becomes the school master of His Majesty’s Penal Settlement on the Rio Mazaruni.

Two vacant lots follow, one being marked on the chart of the village as a street, and has since being converted into one. From the Charted street, the adjoining lots are owned by the Derrick, the Baird, and the McIntosh families; branches of the famous Ogle family at the Bradshaw end, and the Williams family at the middle-walk end.

The two last mentioned families have given sons to the teaching profession, and a member of the very last under reference can be found in Mr. C. A. Williams who today is giving service as Head teacher of the Canadian Mission School at Better Hope, Vryheid’s Lust. The families of one branch of the Grahams, one branch of the Friendship Rodneys, one branch of the Friendship Abrams, the Jones, the Allens; the Hendricks; the Pitts; the McKinnons; the Stewarts; the Phillips; the McKays, and the Marshalls occupying succeeding lots. A member of the McKinnon family is Mr. Lackhan E. McKinnon, the present day Assistant Agricultural Superintendent of the East Bank of Demerara.
As we observe that nearly all the first Portuguese settlers of the village proudly claim themselves to be Buxtonians by adoption and self or unofficial naturalization; we shall in our future reference of them, attach to their names Nat. B., the abbreviation we decide to use to distinguish them. Now on the Middle walk end of these lots just described is the large two-storeyed building of Old John Serroa (Nat.B.) the somewhat wealthy proprietor of the rum shop and salt goods shop opposite The Stars and Stripes already referred to. This building is doing service as a salt goods and provision shop on the lower flat, while the upper flat serves as residence for the manager of the business to which is attached a very large bakery situate on the premises. The manager is John Correia, son-in-law of the proprietor, old Serroa. Mr. Correia is one of Friendship’s outstanding inhabitants in that he has given to the business section of Colonists, the Correia brothers’ owners of the Astor cinema, Georgetown, and of other theatres in several parts of the Colony. The lots next to the Correia’s are owned or occupied by the families of the Phillips – A Friendship edition, the Cains, the Dora James, the Gentle Jones, the Williams, the Hosannas, a branch of the Seaforths – the family that has given to the City Bishop Seaforth of the Coptic Ethiopian Church, the Peters who have a two-storeyed ‘great’ house, and Old John Serroa (Nat.B.) of Buxton. This Serroa’s property, standing at the Middle-walk end and opposite the Catholic Cemetery on the northern side of the Public Road is easily the largest and most imposing one flat structures in the village. It is standing on three-foot pillars; and is the residence of a Mr. Trotman (Nat.B.) of European origin who is the manager of Pln. Haslington on the East Coast of Demerara. Mr. Trotman is the son of a Rev. Mr. Trotman, who at one time was the Superintendent of the Methodist churches comprising the Friendship Circuit. It is worthy of mention that the building is still on the spot in this year, 1944, though somewhat in a state of disrepair.
We have arrived on the public road running through the village from east to west and forming the northern boundary of the block with which we are dealing. We have not yet dealt with the western section of the block, and are tempted to do so from the Company Canal dam; we reflect a moment and decide not to yield to the temptation, preferring to remain just where we are and to obtain from willing ‘informers’ – this word is in no way used in an ill sense – all the information we stand in need of. Off we go, and observing the order we adopted in dealing with the eastern section, we begin from the railway line taking the lots from the middle-walk end. The first is owned by Driver Manoel (Nat.B.) and the structure he has on the land is somewhat of the ‘great house’ type. Driver Manoel is the grandfather of Mr. John Fernandes who for years filled with conspicuous satisfaction the management of one of the departments of the Colony wide patronized Smith Brothers Firm in Water Street, Georgetown. Mr. John Fernandes at one time sought Legislative Honours as an Elected Member of the Court of Policy; and this gallant son of Friendship was intrepid enough to oppose the doughy legislator, Mr. Joseph Sydney McArthur, K.C.; Barrister-at-Law in a contest for the East Coast; Demerara Constituency. This bold step; no doubt; was inspired by the promised support by a large number of the voters of the hometown, the Buxton-Friendship district having the largest number of registered voters in the Constituency.
Buxtonians rallied around his banner splendidly, more from a sense of loyalty and patriotism than from any other consideration, and though he was defeated he was not disgraced.
Mr. John Fernandes is dead and among his descendants is the prominent, devout Catholic Mr. John Fernandes of Lamaha Street, Georgetown, who is the President of St. Stanislaus Association.
Also situated on this first lot is the property of a member of the Cambridge family, the building which still stands there today, being another of the ‘great houses’ type. On the next lot are the properties of Mr. Thomas Hamer and one of his heirs, as well as those of a few other proprietors. Mr. Thomas Hamer, a recognized Master Carpenter, is regarded, especially by the young people of the village; as the strictest father, indeed a veritable martinist. He is the grandfather of Mr. George Truman, now Head teacher of St. Francis Catholic School, Charity, Pomeroon. The next lot is occupied by the family of Old Mother Romeo; who lives in a really ‘great house’ building; by a member of the Buxton Layne family, and Uncle of the late Mr. John A. Sam who served for years as Head teacher of the Non Pareil Estate Anglican School, and by a Portuguese (Nat.B.) family whose head is Old Man Francis whose exceptionally diminutive stature is very attractive. This family is housed in a two-storeyed building, the lower flat being used as a dry goods store, the upper as a residence. The eastern portion of the following lot is owned by Mr. Joseph Austin, an engineer and the village recognized plumber and tinsmith. He has two sons residing in the City, one a structural engineer and Contractor, while another is a Land surveyor and Draughtsman. The western portion of the lot is occupied by the building known locally as the Infant School, a school which has a peculiar history all its own; but the particular information we are now receiving about it is that it is used on Sundays as the East Indian Mission attached to St. Augustine’s Anglican Church, and is being served by Rev. Fortunato Pietro Luigi Josa. The next few lots are all sparsely occupied, the most important building on one of them is that owned by a Portuguese (Nat.B.) family Cambra by name. One member of this family is decidedly the most educated of his nationality residing in the Village, and his manner of speech is markedly English in construction, and his tone of voice, clear; pleasant and attractive. On the same lot with the Cambras is the dwelling of the Scarder family, a grandson of which is Mr. H. C. Scarder, the present day Head teacher of St. Patrick’s E. Rose Hall, Canje, Berbice.
Two lots from the Cambras is the lot portions of which are owned by the Grays and the Davids. A member of the David family went to America, qualified as a minister and a Doctor, returned on a visit to his home as Rev. Dr. Hilbert David. He did not, however, live very long to practice his compound professions. After he died his body was cremated, his ashes were put in an urn, encoffined in a catafalque, brought to Friendship, taken to his family home, then carried in a solemn procession to God’s own acre, and entombed among his departed ancestors. Buxtonians were thus afforded a unique opportunity to see the results of cremation, and an enormous crowd took advantage of it.
From the lots we have just dealt with, we pass on to some others, portions of which are occupied by the family of the Friendship branch of the James Brothers at one end, and of Mother Scarder at the other end. On the western end of the next lot is the home of the Ouckama family. One member of this family who resides in the city is Mr. Donald Ouckama, the popular manager of the firm of M. N. Rieck, Water Street, Georgetown whose Buxtonian pride, spirit, courage, and ambition led him to represent the East Demerara Constituency. He opposed one of the most powerful planters on the East Coast of Demerara, Edward Chancey Luard, Esq.; the Manager of Pln. La Bonne Intention; and the story of his political campaign, needs to be written in golden letters in any account of the conspicuous activities of Buxtonians.
An attempt will be made in the next installment to detail with the campaign and readers of this newspapers can whet their appetites to feast on what would be narrated.
Source:
Rustick “Around the Rural Areas” the Sunday Chronicle, January 23, 1944: page 8.

Response to Dr. Gibson's Questions

2007-02-14T11:08:00.000-08:00

Dear Mr. Sancho,
Since the problems have been going on long before 1924 have you asked yourself what are the fundamental reasons why they were going on then and why they are still continuing? I find your position that all we need is the AFC to change racism and racist attitudes to be rather simplistic.
Best Wishes, Kean Gibson

Highest Blessings! Kean Gibson, Allow me to address the questions you posed. I see the AFC as a bridge over troubled water. I can imagine the AFC is the solution of the many ills which has bedeviled that dear land of many waters. I see the AFC as topical dressing, to the deep hurts; our people have been suffering for almost 170 years. I have pointed out since May 5, 1838, Black people in British Guiana felt threatened by the presence of Indians. I stated the ancestors of the nineteenth century were primarily, concerned with livelihood. It was mostly a question of labour. Black people have never forgiven the Indians for their defeat in the second general strike in the late 1840s.I further pointed out the problem has global dimensions. The Nappy haired-Black people have experienced nothing but hell under predominant Hindu leadership. The perfect exhibits are the Siddis, Habshi, and the Dravidians in India. I further lamented there is no known location on earth where Blacks and Indians are dwelling harmoniously. I referred to Indians in South Africa preferring apartheid than remaining under the patronage of Black people in their ancestral habitat. Such revelations demanded that I thought of what is likely to produce a final and lasting solution to the Black and Indian problem. I pointed out the honourable Eusi Kwayana was on to something resembling the best solution to the problem of ethnicity in Guyana. However, the phenomenon is global in scope. The cry has been raised in Barbados, Nigeria, Ghana, and other African nations where Indians infiltrate the communities. Indians begin controlling the business in the communities. Africans are complaining they are then subjected to racist remarks. What I noticed is a pattern. Black people will allow anybody to come into their community and take over the economics of the community. That has happened everywhere the Blackman lives. Black not only allows Indians but also other groups of people to enter and dominate the business sector in their communities. Therefore, the solution has to be international.I believe with all my heart. The answer to the problem – is to create an Indian nation in the Americas. Such a nation would be for the descendants of the indentured servants. I suggested French Guiana be used for such a nation. I still feel that GPIO, UN, AU, EU, OAS, Caricom, Pan African Movement and the NGO’s in Guyana, must address the concerns immediately. I pointed out that couples divorce after a few quarrels and or incidents of domestic abuse. I saw no logical reason Black people would want to remain yoked with Indians and conversely. I pointed out the inculcation of Hinduism is the major obstacle between the two groups. Hinduism in its present form bears little resemblance to its origins in the Nile valley. In fact, no Indo-Germanic philosophy has survived in its original state, as they were in old Egypt.The main reason this is continuing in Guyana is the present arrangement benefits the politicians. Besides, Black politicians have no sense of direction for they are corrupted. Guyanese allow the politicians to murder people with impunity. In the present arrangement, Black people in Guiana will be reduced to the status and conditions of the Siddis and Dravidians, soon. The organizations are not honest. Groups such as the ACDA need to ensure Black people are made aware of the global struggle. ACDA need to promote Guyanese heritage of socio-economic development. The need is to introduce to the present generation the members of prior generations; such as the shareholders, their works, and their thought. The need is to educate people to protect their interests in fairness to other groups of people in the society. That has never occurred in Guyana – and indeed in no society in the human experience, except of course in the dead – and even there discrimination can be viewed.I pointed out that Dr. Cheddi Jagan spoke with a forked tongue. While crediting Schoolteacher Ralph for inculcating the discipline and the need to grasp the academics, Cheddi, also cried that he is against West Indian federation. That is enough evidence of his inherent judgment presenting him, incapable of dealing with Black people on an equitable basis. I love Dr. Jagan’s words on Local Government Administration. However, I also noted Jagan’s failure to impose any of his ideas in the effort to improve local government in British Guiana or Guyana, in either the pre independence or the post independence era.The topical dressing must be free of ethnic fever. It is possible Ramjattan and Trotman can present a platform that will address, and reduce the many fears both groups have of one another. Will it work? History is indeed the greatest teacher. The lessons suggest that in the short-term it would benefit the people. Violence and criminal activities will be greatly reduced. Economical development will seemingly cure most of the ailments. My cry is for industrialization. It is for reliable sources of power supply, preferably, hydroelectric power is realized, immediately. I am thinking industrializing will provide for a calming influence on the Guyanese society. It has been proven; repeatedly. Once people are somewhat satisfied with their domestic situation, they are unlikely to take part in anarchy in the political entity in which they live.My thesis is the crisis between Blacks and Indians in Guiana originated because of ignorance of one another. It was principally socio-economic in nature. Problems in the relationship between Africans and Indians in British Guyana begun at some point during the first ten years of the Arrival of Indians into British Guiana. Africans in Guiana between 1838 and 1848 were waging an uphill struggle for better conditions of labour and financial remuneration for their blood sweat and tears. The Africans recognized East Indian labour as an effective means to cheapen their returns. It was encouraged by the Europeans. It is unlikely to improve; drastically. I cannot find a single society in which Blacks and Indians are house harmoniously. Therefore, eventually, the best solution is separation of the two groups of people; who I love with every fiber that comprises me. I do not wish to be enlightened on any more anti-Indian and or anti-Black rhetoric. I consider such distasteful. The need is for to establish an Indian nation in the Americas. However, before such is a realized, I would think People’s Power, in the vehicle of the AFC and or some other entity, would change the climate that has clouded the political arena in Guiana, and the Americas. Those then are my position.

Twenty-Five Years a Priest

2007-02-14T09:39:00.000-08:00

We offer our congratulations to the Rev. W. G. Burgan who to-day completes the 25th year of his ordination to the Priesthood. Mr. Burgan was born at Beterverwagting on June 16, 1886 and entered Codrington College in 1907, holding a Diocesan Scholarship, and after three years’ residence took the B. A., degree of Durham University and also won the Wilson prize in Reading and Education competed for annually at the College Commemoration.
On his return to the colony he was ordained Deacon in December 1910 and was attached to Cathedral Staff.
In the following year he was appointed Curate of the All Saints, New Amsterdam.
On December 28, 1912, he and the Late Rev. W. G. Kimber, then Curate of St. George’s Cathedral, were advanced to the Priesthood by Bishop E. A. Parry.
Late in 1913 he was transferred to St. Michael’s Parish as Curate in Charge and later became First Vicar on the separation of these districts from the main parish. In 1914 he proceeded to his M. A., degree.
During his many years at Belladrum in addition to his ministerial duties he interested himself in the general welfare of the villagers. He was Chairman of the Local Authority of Eldorado and as President of the Farmers’ Association and First Secretary of the Belladrum and Lichfield Co-operative Credit Banks. He was instrumental in getting the farmers to increase the area under rice cultivation.
For his services in connection with the Credit Banks he was made a Justice of the Peace of the Colony and in order that the operation of the Banks could be effectively controlled a considerable area of undivided lands was brought under the provisions of the District Lands Partitions Ordinance.
For this purpose Government appointed him Settlement Officer for the partitioning, and the issuing of titles of the villages of Belladrum, Eldorado, Paradise and Golden Fleece.
On the death of the Rev. James Persaud, incumbent of St. Augustine’s Buxton, in 1927, Mr. Burgan was preferred as his successor and here, too, he has interested himself in the farmers. He has been President of their Association and Vice-Patron of the Farmers’ League.
As a Diocesan official he has held the post as Secretary of the Board of Missions for many years.
On his visits to England he has given good service in advertising the claims of the Church and in making the colony better known.
On the occasion of his visit four years ago, his services were much in demand by the Society for the propagation of the Gospel. He was detailed on special duty to the Channel Islands and in the Diocese of Cork in Ireland and the work and claims of the missions in this Diocese was made known to a large number of people who had little or no knowledge of conditions prevailing here.
Mr. Burgan has for years contributed to the Daily Argosy under the non-de-plume “Rusticus”. – L. E. M.
Source: the Daily Argosy 1937

Death of Mr. Charles Biscop Benjamin

2007-02-14T08:55:00.000-08:00

The funeral of Charles Biscop Benjamin, who died on Saturday, morning December 12, took place from his home, 318 East Street to St. Paul’s Church, Plaisance on Sunday afternoon and was very largely attended. The deceased who was 78 years of age was a dispenser of the old school. He served at Plantations Maryville, Leguan, Marion Ville, Wakenaam, Leonora, La Bonne Intention and Lastly at Ogle retiring after 22 years’ service. He then conducted his own drug business successfully at Plaisance for the past 17 years, and during that period he identified himself with all phases of village life and was a member of the Plaisance Village Council for 15 years. He was a staunch supporter of the Negro Progress Convention and a Vice-President of the Plaisance Branch. He was also a member of the Plaisance Wesley Guild.
Mr. Benjamin was of a genial disposition and was very charitable. He enjoyed a large circle of friends who held him in high esteem and the over flowing congregation of all classes at St. Paul’s Church on Sunday afternoon was a manifestation of his popularity.
He was unwell for several months and took to his bed in August. The member of the Plaisance Village Council, Messers E. A. Borman, F. Willison, J. Ramos, F. C. Glasgow, Prince Telford, Hirilall, W.B. David, bore the body from the hearse into the Church where an impressive service was held by Canon G. V. Salmon, Edmund Wills presiding at the organ.
From the church to the graveside the pall-bearers were Messers. Kemp Carter, John Amour, W. Vincent, E. Chance, C. Williams and S. Belfast, Dispensers.
Wreaths were received from his loving wife and daughter, Bertie and Rose Willie, John and Emma grand-children, Mr. and Mrs. E. Mais and family, the Misses E. A. Savoury, B. Mitchell, Mrs. E. Howard and family, the Parkinsons, Mr. S. Persaud and family, Mr. D. Singh and family, Mr. and Mrs. J. Cheong, Mr. and Mrs. K. Katchay and family, Mr. and Mrs. J. Susty, Mr. E. Glasgow, Mrs. Bahadour and family, Mr. and Mrs. E. Ng-You and family, the Brathwaites, the Plaisance Village Council, the Ainsworth Branch of the N. P. C. (Plaisance), Mr. and Mrs. H. F. Parris and family, Mr. and Mrs. Kemp Carter and family, Mr. and Mrs. D. Trotman, Mr. and Mrs. Archer, Mrs. E. Harewood and family, Mrs. Bamfield and family, Mrs. M. Martindale.
Among those in attendance were Messers. H. A. Britton, S. D. and W. T. Benjamin, J. J .Cummings, James Cummings, F. Sobers, G. Cockfield, D. A., and J. A. Trotman, F. H. Parris, C. P. Melbourne, C. Sanko, J. Sealey, J. Solomon, L. D. Sarrabo, J. Parkinson, Sergt-Major Thompson, D. A. Sarrabo, Fitz Pollard, R. C. Potter, F. Miller, T. Earle, C. A. Williams, W. N. Arno, E. F. Chance, J. Stephens, A. L. Adonis, R. Britton, Richard Douglas, C. Adams, S. A. Williams, P. Dorway, J. Wong, C. Seetram, F. Parkinson, J. Harper, C. Gittens, R. A. Potter, J. Bobb-Semple, W. and T. Ince, J. DeBarros, W. Cummings, S. B. Cholomondeley, N. Sukra Seeranan, J. T. Clarke, Albert Ogle, Dr. T. T. Nichols, D. J. Richmond, T. T. Graham, J. Mingo, F. L. Thornhill, B. D. S. Gomes, W. Vincent, J. Triumph, Alexander Fraser, Thomas DeFlorimont, Edward James, A. Bethune, J. Skeete, C. A. and G. Walker, F. Sukhan and R. Spencer.

The funeral of Mrs. Eliza Jacobs

2007-02-13T11:04:00.000-08:00

The funeral of Mrs. Eliza Jacobs, relict of Mr. D. V. Jacobs, Superintendent of Model Gardens and former Head Teacher of the Friendship Methodist School to place from her home recently. Mrs. Jacobs was a highly respected member of the community and a staunch member and leader of the Friendship Methodist Church. The large attendance at the funeral demonstrated the high esteem in which she was held. Mrs. Jacobs was predeceased by her husband 24 years ago and she has left one son, Mr. Wilson Jacobs, California, USA, and two daughters; Mrs. L. O’John, Northern Rhodesia, and Miss Ivy Jacobs, first Assistant Teacher Buxton Congregational School.
The cortege proceeded to the Arundel Congregational Church where an impressive service was conducted by the Rev. R. Daniel, Friendship Methodist Church and P. Matthews Resident Pastor. The service concluded, the body was entombed in the Buxton Cemetery.
The bearers were the Hon. J. W. Jackson, Messers. H. Martins, E. J. Paul, B. A. P. Branco, and T. Hamer.
Among those in attendance were Drs. R. S. Miller, and S. I. T. Wills, Messers. F. E. Pollard (brother-in-law), F. H. Pollard, H. D. Durant, W. N. Arno, G. H. A. Bunyan, S. A. Thierens, G. S. L. Payne, W. A. N., and A. D. Philadelphia, J. D., G. A., and W. A. D. Younge, C. A., and C. V. Simon, W. E., and A. Perry, P. B. Cholmondeley, W. Roberts, F. C. Glasgow, W. E. Dinally, W. A. Pollard, A. Charles, L. O. Barton, J. Moses, C. Luke, A. Duke, H. and W. Hutson, H. Hamer, A. Rholer, F. Grant, L. Fredericks, J. Jeffrey, F., and S. I. A. Glasgow, B. Watson, B. H. Hamer, O. Hobbs, A. S. Cambridge, I. Alcott, Jabez Moses, A. Bacchus and N. Browman
Several wreaths were received.
Source: the Daily Argosy – Thursday, December 23, 1937.

DEATH OF THE REVEREND J. E. DOVER

2007-01-27T07:17:00.000-08:00

It is with regret that we have to announce the death, the news of which was first circulated on Sunday morning, of the Reverend J. E. Dover, the Secretary of the British Guiana Congregational Union.
Mr. Dover was the type of men which the Congregational Union, more than any other denomination, is raising up in the colony, and whose services were so markedly successful among the common people.
By the dint of grit and perseverance, Mr. Dover raised himself from humble life to be recognized as the pastor of an important group of churches on the East Coast, including Ebenezer, Ann’s Grove, Wilberforce, Victoria, Post, Supply, Mahaica, as well as assistant to the Beterverwagting and Buxton Congregational churches. As a higher mark still of his capacity and public acceptance, he was appointed Secretary of the Congregational Union.
Mr. Dover became unwell about the middle of last year, and on the advice of his doctor left the colony for the benefit of his health. He returned some months ago much recruited in health; but it was soon apparent that he had not fully regained his health, and although he persisted in doing work when he could, his strength gradually failed and he passed away peacefully at a comparatively early age.
As the news of his death spread on Sunday morning, touching references were made to the sad event in the various Congregational churches in the colony. We are sure very sincere sympathy is felt with his bereaved family and friends not only in the Congregational body but throughout the general community and we hope, through the people among whom he laboured have been suddenly deprived of his services, they will continue to profit by his example.
Source: The Daily Chronicle, April 10, 1901: page 3.

Victoria Union Relief Society

2007-01-05T10:37:00.000-08:00

A society to be called the “Victoria Union Relief Society” was organized on Tuesday night at Victoria Village, East Coast, by a large number of Villagers, chiefly farmers. The villagers appointed Mr. H. Lawrence as President; Mr. J. Jones as Treasurer; Mr. J. Agard as Vice-President; and Mr. J. H. Reynolds as Secretary. The object of the society is to establish stores or shops in the village where dry-goods and provisions can be purchased at an economical rate by the members, instead of at the prices charged by the Portuguese; also, to afford relief and medical aid in times of sickness and assistance in the burial of the dead.
The sum of $10.50 is to be paid up by each member to form the society. During the meeting Mr. Wyllie Gray, a gentleman from Tobago, craved permission to address a few words to the creoles of this colony. It had been said, he remarked, that “you people can’t help yourselves,” but he did not see what was to prevent them from assisting themselves. They had full scope to do so, but, he believed the people looked up too much to the white man as a good of all help, even more than they looked up to the God of heaven. They venerated the white man too much. There was one thing he would like to mention. The people here wanted to understand something about political economy. He had heard one of the members say that if he saw salt fish and pork selling at a cheaper rate in other places than the Society’s shops, he would buy there. That man would severve and he forgot that when he buys from the Society’s shops he helped himself. Members must buy from the Society’s shops at whatever cost; there must be unity, and things must not be done in a “Zigzag” manner.
Source: The Demerara Daily Chronicle –Thursday Morning, September 28, 1882: page 2.

Wesley McDonald Holder: Obituaries

2006-11-04T12:58:00.000-08:00

HOLDER – on Monday 25th November 1912 at Buxton Village, East Coast Demerara, SAMUEL of St. George Parish, Barbados, father of Samuel Josephus Holder of Buxton, and the eldest brother of John E. Holder, Printer of Georgetown. Aged 85 years.
“Now the labourer’s task is o’er”
(Barbados papers please copy)
Source: the Daily Argosy, Tuesday, November 26, 1912: page 4.

Wesley Holder, 95, Political Organizer for Black Pioneers
By Bruce Lambert
Wesley McD. Holder, a Democratic Politician who helped break racial barriers to elective office as a mentor to Mayor David N. Dinkins and other black officials in New York City, died on Monday at his home in Brooklyn. He was 95.
The cause was pneumonia, his family said.
In 1953, Mr. Holder organized the campaign that led to Lewis Flagg Jr.’s upset victory as the first Black to be elected a Judge in Brooklyn. Later Mr. Holder was campaign manger and chief aide to Shirley Chisholm, the nation’s first Black Congresswoman.
He advised other Blacks elected to the City Council, State Legislature, Congress and the Courts. One beneficiary, Roger Green of Brooklyn, once admiringly described him as “the sly mongoose”.
Mr. Holder, well known as Mac, was born in Guyana and moved to the United States in his 20’s. After graduating from City College, he joined Marcus Garvey’s Back-to-Africa Movement.
There he traveled cross-country, often running afoul of prejudice. For opposing the Ku Klux Klan. He was jailed in Miami. He recalled that when he was arrested for disturbing the peace in Arkansas, he requested a lawyer and was told the nearest one was at Oklahoma. He represented himself and was fined $5.
In his varied career, Mr. Holder was a reporter and the Brooklyn editor for the Amsterdam News, a statistician for the War Products Board in Washington DC in World War Two and a researcher for the Brooklyn District Attorney. He also formed a literary society and debating club for black intellectuals.
Mayor Edward I. Koch awarded him the City’s LaGuardia Medal in 1988.
Surviving are his wife of 51 years, the former Thelma Herod; two daughters, Veronica Trewick and Marlene holder of Brooklyn; a sister, Grace Gardner of Guyana; a brother, Basil, of Curacao, and one grand child.
Source: Obituaries - The New York Times- Wednesday, March 24, 1993: page B7.

WESLEY HOLDER, B’KLYN’S DEAN OF BLACK POLITICS, IS DEAD AT 95.
Wesley McDonald Holder, known as the “Dean of Black Politics” in Brooklyn, died Monday night at his home in Flatbush. He was 95 and had recently suffered a stroke.
“I have lost a good friend and mentor and the city of New York has lost one of its most cherished citizens,” Mayor Dinkins said of holder.
A native of British Guyana, Holder came to New York in 1920. He became a civil rights activist and worked in the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office.
As a campaign manager, Holder helped elect Lewis Flagg Jr., first Black Judge in Brooklyn in 1953. Holder later managed the campaigns of Rep. Shirley Chisholm, Rep. Ed Towns, and Assembly man Roger Green, among others. He threw his support behind Mayoral candidates John Lindsay in 1969 and Ed. Koch in 1977 and 1985.
Holder is survived by his wife, Thelma.
Viewing will be from 4 to 8 p.m., tomorrow at Woodward Funeral Parlor in Brooklyn. A funeral service will be held at 10a.m., Friday at Concord Baptist Church. Burial will be in Guyana.
Source: Murray, Annie E., Wesley Holder, B’klyn’s Dean of Black Politics, is dead at 95.New York Post Wednesday March 24, 1993 :page 17.

Dean of Black Politics, Wesley ‘Mac’ Holder
Wesley McDonald Holder, 96, who shaped the careers of several generations of Brooklyn’s African-American politicians, died Monday in his Flatbush home.
Considered the dean of black politics in the City, “Mac” Holder, also known as “the sly old fox,” started running campaigns in Brooklyn in the 1930s.
He helped elect Brooklyn’s first Black Judge, in 1953, then went on to help a long line of Blacks attain public office, Shirley Chisholm, the first African-American woman in Congress.
Other Brooklyn officials whose careers he helped include Rep. Edolphus Towns, Assemblyman Roger Green and Council members Victor Robles, Mary Pinkett, Enoch Williams, Priscilla Wooten and Una Clarke.
“I have lost a great friend and mentor and the City of New York has lost one of its most cherished citizens whose contribution to politics and political lives of many New Yorkers will never be forgotten,” said Mayor Dinkins.
Holder, a native of British Guyana, came to the United States in 1920, to join Marcus Garvey’s Black Nationalist movement, for which he toured the South to promote black pride and independence.
After he was arrested for speaking against the Ku Klux Klan in Florida, Holder returned to Brooklyn, where he worked as a reporter for The Amsterdam News and later as an investigator for the Brooklyn District Attorney.
Viewing will be from 4p.m to 8 p.m., Thursday at the Woodward Funeral Home, 1 Troy Ave., Brooklyn. The funeral will be at 10a.m., Friday at Concord Baptist Church, 833 Marcy Ave.
Source: Obituaries – the Daily News, New York City March 24, 1993: page 41

DEAN OF BLACK POLITICS DIES
Merle English Staff Writer
Wesley McDonald Holder, known for most of his life as the “Dean of Black Politics” in the City, died at his home in Brooklyn Monday night. He was 96.
Mr. Holder, a Guyanese native who immigrated to the US in 1920, was a street-smart strategist who nurtured the careers of many aspiring politicians with his death an era in Brooklyn politics came to an end.
He managed the campaign of Shirley Chisholm, the nation’s first Black Congresswoman, and worked for the election of Brooklyn’s first Black Judge, Lewis Flagg Jr., in 1953.
A staunch supporter of former Mayor Edward I. Koch, in 1985 Mr. Holder carried every Black Assembly district in Brooklyn for him. Over the last four decades, he helped shape and guide the campaigns of many Brooklyn Democrats, among them City Council Members, Victor Robles, Mary Pinkett, Enoch Williams, Priscilla Wooten and Una Clarke, as well as Assemb. Roger Green, and Rep. Ed. Towns.
Commenting on Mr. Holder’s death yesterday, Mayor David N. Dinkins said, “I have lost a great friend and mentor and the city of New York has lost one of its most cherished citizens whose contribution to politics and political lives of many New Yorkers will never be forgotten.”
Arriving in the US, during the Marcus Garvey Movement, Mr. Holder, who was a mathematics student developed an appetite for politics as an organizer for the Black Nationalist.
He worked at various times as a researcher in the Brooklyn District Attorney’s Office, as a reporter and Brooklyn editor of the Amsterdam News, and as a Statistician with the War Products Board in Washington DC.
In an interview last December, he said he took up politics because, “I wanted to see leaders who went out there and tried to make a better day for Black people”.
He threw his own hat into the ring on two occasions, running unsuccessfully for the City Council and for a seat in the State Senate.
A stroke he suffered in January last year left him paralyzed, and he lost his sight at about the same time. His illness forced him to withdraw from active politics, but many still sought his advice.
As a hobby, Mr. Holder organized a literary society and debating club for young people, many of whom used it to launch careers in public service.
Mr. Holder is survived by his wife, Thelma, a daughter Violet Stephenson of Brooklyn, and two nieces, veronica Trewick and Elaine McNeal, also of Brooklyn.
Viewing will be from 4 to 8 p.m., tomorrow at Woodward Funeral Parlor in Brooklyn. A funeral service will be held at 10a.m., Friday at Concord Baptist Church. Burial will be in Guyana.
Source: English, Merle Dean of Black Politics Dies New York Newsday Wednesday March 24, 1993 :page 33.

The ‘Dean’ of Brooklyn Politics dies at age’ 96.
By J. Zamgbra Browne
Amsterdam News Staff
Wesley McD. Holder, the dean of Brooklyn politics, will be funeralized at Concord Baptist Church, 833 Marcy Ave., Friday, March 26 at 10a.m. his body will be on view at the same location from 4p.m to 8 p.m., March 25. Burial will be in his native Guyana.
McD. Holder died at 10:30 p.m. Monday at his Brooklyn home following a long illness. He would have celebrated his 96th birthday in June. He is survived by his wife, Thelma, three daughters, veronica Trewick, Marlene and Shelly Holder, a niece, Dr. Violet Stephenson, and other relatives.
Mayor Dinkins said through his press aide that he was deeply touched by the death and described McD. Holder as one of the “greatest political figures of our time,” who will be greatly missed.
Assembly member Clarence Norman Jr., Kings County Democratic leader, said that the passing of McD. Holder will leave a tremendous void in Black political empowerment. “If it were not for him, many of us wouldn’t have succeeded in our political careers,” he added.
Former District Leader James Conolly, a longtime McD. Holder political protégé, said the ‘dean’ epitomized the spirit of a true African-American. “He was there for me when I first launched my political career,” Conolly declared.
Assembly member Al Vann Chair of the State Association of Black and Puerto Rican Legislators said McD. Holder made a lasting impact on the political structure of New York City. “All of New York’s Black elected officials owe a debt of gratitude to New York,” Vann declared.
Borough President Howard Golden said McD. Holder’s sound judgment and moral fortitude along with a bottomless reserve of energy that men half his age envied, earned him deep and unfailing respect throughout New York City.
“As the unofficial dean of African-American politics,” Golden continued, “McD. Holder worked tirelessly behind the scenes and was crucial to the success of Brooklyn’s most gifted leaders.”He added that McD. Holder will be sorely missed.
U.S. Rep. Edolphus towns said no one contributed more to the empowerment of Blacks in the political arena than McD. Holder. “He understood the meaning of political power and how to use it,” said Towns. “As the patriarch of Brooklyn Black Politics, he will be sorely missed. But his contributions will never, never be forgotten,” Towns declared.
Dr. Lamuel Stanislaus, formerly Grenada’s ambassador to the United Nations and a close friend of McD. Holder, described the dean as a “giant among men” and an “institution in our time,” who touched in useful ways the lives of so many.
“The extent of his contribution to young people, so many of whom he befriended, and others he adopted, can write a glorious chapter in the life of this jumble, though not obsequious man,” said Stanislaus.
McD. Holder was born in Guyana June 24, 1897. He migrated to the U.S. in 1920 and studied mathematics at New York City College.
In 1932 he joined the Marcus Garvey Movement, and traveled extensively throughout the country. McD. Holder later became a reporter and Brooklyn Editor of the Amsterdam News, relinquishing the position to become a statistician with the War Products Board in Washington, D.C.
McD. Holder returned to Brooklyn a few years later with his new bride, Thelma, and joined the staff of the district Attorney as a clerk researcher. While with the D.A.’s office, he organized a literary league and debating society, which attracted a host of people, many of whom used the opportunity as stepping-stones to public service.
An astute political tactician, McD. Holder engineered the campaign strategy in 1953 that elected Lewis Flagg Jr., the first Black Judge, in Brooklyn. As campaign manager and chief of staff to Shirley Chisholm, first in the State legislature and later in the Congress, his success has been legendary.
McD. Holder touched the lives of a host of young aspiring politicians, including city council members Victor Robles, Mary Pinkett, Enoch Williams, Priscilla Wooten, Una Clarke, Assembly member Roger Green and Congress member Towns.
Source: The ‘Dean’ of Brooklyn Politics dies at age’ 96 – The New York Amsterdam News Saturday, March 27, 1993: pages 9 & 53.

Vote for love of Guyanese and Guyana - Vote for AFC.

2006-08-21T09:31:00.000-07:00

I am sick and tired of hearing Guyanese uttering the hollow wordings – I love Guyana – I love my country. I am confident such phrases the last sixty years considered are hypocritical at best. Simply because, they continue to support and/or vote for the same folks who are the primary participants in the destruction of the nation.
There is not much to love about Guyanese and Guyana, except what they did not teaching you in history class; the heroic struggles of the working class people, especially those who nailed down the foundations for settled life, in the rural districts.
Those of you, who continue to support and to vote for either the PPP and/or the PNC, continue to squander and to trample upon those unsung heroes, whose blood sweat and tears molded the nation.
Further more, there is no excuse for not embracing the possibility of changing the political climate in Guyana by simply voting for the AFC.
If you really love Guyanese and Guyana you will vote for the AFC and encourage every elector to vote for the AFC. The results of the National Election scheduled for August 28, 2006 will indicate whether Guyanese love themselves and their country. The election of the AFC to office is the best yardstick for observers to conclude Guyanese love their fellow Guyanese and their nation.
Some sixty years of suffering is more than enough – isn’t that more than enough? No questions – no discussion necessary. Show your love for yourself, fellow Guyanese, and Guyana – Vote AFC- Get rid of Bernard Kerik. Let Change come upon the nation – People must make it happen. Vote AFC. AFC is love. If you don’t vote for AFC or support them, you neither love Guyanese nor Guyana but Bernard Kerik and such criminal minded beings – my humble opinions. Long live peoples Power – long live Walter Rodney.

The Unforgiven Burnham and the PNC: Death by Misadventure and unemployed.

2006-08-11T07:31:00.000-07:00

The Unforgiven Burnham and the PNC: Death by Misadventure and unemployed.
Burnham and the PNC are unforgiven, for their deeds reduced the once proud Afrikan communities between the Demerara and Mahaica Rivers to an existence comparable to that of Haiti and Beirut and such places where life expectancy is lowest on earth.
It is absolutely clear to me people misconstrue others opinions, pain and suffering. In so much so that the victims are victimized repeatedly. Such scenario is similar to victims of rape – and numbers of reasons why many females do not seek justice, in the aftermath of being violated. The descendants of survivors of the Afrikan holocaust are told they are nationals of several nations – and have lost their ancestral heritage and identification. In recent times I read the Ethnic Relations Commission consider the usage of terms such as Indo-Guyanese and Afro-Guyanese, as racial. I would say to them – go to hell and back. I am a Blackman today, as I am in the beginning of times, I shall always be a Blackman, to the end of times.
It is clearly not my fault I speak a European tongue today. I cannot be the Afrikan Guyanese fault that they have lost all consciousness of being as they were, prior to the days of slavery. However, it is in their best interest to seek knowledge of themselves. And for such failures there is no excuse.
Let me then point out the Afrikan slaves do not have to apologize for their pain, suffering and struggling for freedom, during the era of physical slavery, and the other phases of the colonial and/or neo-colonial eras.

Death by Misadventure and unemployed.
Similarly; Sancho and other descendants of the shareholders of Golden Grove, Nabaclis, Haslington, Victoria, Ann’s Grove, Two Friends, Buxton, Friendship, Plaisance, and Beterverwagting, do not owe any being in existence any explanation for being victimized by other peoples’ agendas. I certainly will not stop running my mouth, until I am dead concerning lands stolen from Sancho in Golden Grove, which was used to erect Burnham’s dream. That reality is a nightmare, an act of aggression against the descendants of shareholders of Golden Grove. In fact, I understand two beds aback which were willed to me in 1979 were stolen from my mother’s estate and used for such purposes. Today, there is no community center in Golden Grove, Nabaclis and Haslington district. Residents are forced to approach the government for land to erect a building for such purposes.
Well, that’s a slap on the collective faces of the people of Golden Grove, Nabaclis and Haslington district. The people owned the land, all of the land in Golden Grove, on May 5, 1848. To-day, 158 years later, they are begging for their own land, from a government, which does not give a dam about them. I would not beg for what is mine in the first place. I refuse to do a thing like that.
Look at the scenario PNC stole our land and today many are begging the PPP government for land in our community – to build a community center. What manner of madness is that?
No descendant of shareholders, who support either the PPP or the PNC is worthy of their legacy and heritage of community development and social justice. Those who are either PPP or the PNC do not have knowledge of themselves, and/ or are totally disrespectful to their representatives of the nineteenth and the early twentieth centuries.
People are always the victims. People are always being coned – and asked to defend themselves by supporters of politicians. I am cognizant; victims do not have to be neither apologetic nor defensive in the face of all odds. People are victimized by their political representatives – and their supporters – regardless whose fault it really is. People suffer – I suffer, as I have for some six hundred years according to the Honorable Walter Rodney. In your opinion, did Walter Rodney die from misadventure? Isn’t that what your PNC politicians wrote on the death certificate? Were they referring to the effects of their policies on the Afrikan Communities in Guyana? In my opinion, Burnham and PNC are synonymous with oppressors and oppression – such as slave masters and slavery during the colonial era.
I love Campbell, Sancho, and Young/e I am one of the reason they ever existed. God Bless Campbell, Sancho, and Young/e every time. Long live peoples’ power – Jah Bless Always; Afrikan People everywhere.

James Donald Ainsworth (1878-1931), Head Master of Victoria Wesleyan School

2006-07-25T11:22:00.000-07:00

The late J. D. Ainsworth: Large crowds at Victoria Funeral
Monday
There were tremendous crowds at the funeral of Mr. J. D. Ainsworth, the late Head Master of Victoria Wesleyan School which took place at Victoria, East Coast, yesterday.
The body was taken from the city to the village by motor hearse.
The teaching profession was well represented. Revs. Titley, Talbot Fields and Perry officiated, the last rites.
Source: The Daily Chronicle, Georgetown, British Guiana, Tuesday, January 6, 1931: page four

Funeral of The late Mr. J. D. Ainsworth: A Noteworthy Son of Victoria Village (by one who knew him)
In a quite grave in the cemetery at Victoria village on the East Coast of Demerara, where he was born fifty-two years ago, were laid to rest on Saturday last the remains of Mr. J. D. Ainsworth, formerly late Head Teacher of Victoria Wesleyan School, who dies at the Colonial Hospital on Friday, afternoon, January 2, after an illness extending over six months.
The cortege left the hospital at 1.30 pm, the corpse being borne by motor hearse and on arrival at the church at Victoria Village, was met by a large number of villagers, who gave audible and visible evidence of their grief over the loss of the departed.
Several persons traveled by the 2.30 p.m. train from the city of Georgetown and from the villages along the way; and soon after they arrived at the church the funeral service was begun by the Rev. W. A. Tetley, Minister in Charge, assisted by the Revs. D. P. Talbot, D.D., of St. Peter’s A. M. E. Church, Queenstown, Georgetown and Rev. Trenton Field of Ebenezer A. M. E. Church of the City, also.
The service was fully choral, Mr. H. A. Thompson, head teacher of the Cove and John Anglican School, presiding at the harmonium, “Rock of Ages Cleft for Me” and “A few More Years Shall Roll” were the hymns sung.
The funeral address was delivered by the Rev. W. A. Tetley, on the theme: “There comes an end to all things.” He paid a high tribute to the deceased, referring particularly to his desire to see the condition of his people improved generally, and to his courage of conviction which was one of the outstanding marks of his character. The reverend gentleman referred in a very touching manner to the widow and her five children left behind, commending them to the care of God and to the sympathy and help of the many friends of their departed husband and father.
The service in the church concluded, the large concourse of people following the corpse marched in orderly procession to the graveyard where the remaining portion of the obsequies was carried through by the Rev. Tetley.
The chief mourners were Mrs. Ethel Ainsworth (widow), Leon, Ivor, Emile, Constance and Dolphin (children), Mr. and Mrs. S. D. Dolphin, Mr. and Mrs. A. S. Dolphin, Mr. and Mrs. W. N. Arno, and Mr. D. A. Spencer. Amongst others present were Major the Honourable W. Bain-Gray, Ph.D., (Director of Education) accompanied by Mr. E. Lugard Dolphin, acting Inspector of Schools, Rev. D. E. Perry, of Providence Congregational Church, Georgetown, Hon., E. F. Fredericks, L.L.B.,MEC., Dr. T. T. Nichols, B.A., M.D., Messrs. G. F. Armstrong, E. I. Simon, W. R. Simon, W. Worrell, G. Rutherford, D. T. A. Jones, J. Jerrick, J. Craigwell, A. Samuels, T. A. Luke, G. H. Luke, C. H. McLean, T. B. Charles, B. McLean, J. R. Simon, G. Poole, E. Wilson, C.Frank, W. Forde, E. Thomas, J. Sealey, Donald Trotman, J. A. Trotman, C. A. Walker, W. Agostini,S. T. David, J. H. Williams, E. M. Storey, R. Scott Mckenzie, Edgar Morgan, Sam. Morrison, T. B. Lambert, H. Roberts, Nathan Brathwaite, S. Roberts, C. Barnwell, S. E. Thierens, C. A. Bruton, W. I. Sullivan, S. C. Wiles, S. E. A. Talbot, J. F. McKinnon, E. Linton, W. L. Perry, S. Benjamin, Jas. W. Ogle, W. B. Major, W. A. Pollard, R. A. Price, V. Braz, W. Sylvestre, J. Reginald Muss, A. C. Baptiste, J. D. Younge, Mr. and Mrs. D. J. Richmond, Mr. E. A. and Misses Edna and Mildred Millington, Mr. and Mrs. G. H. A. Bunyan, Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Simon, Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Parkinson, Mr. and Mrs. G. Bradshaw, Mr. and Mrs. F. E. Pollard, Mr. and Mrs. J. F. Fraser, Mr. and Mrs. and the Misses McKinnon, Mr. and Mrs. T. J. Elliott, Mesdames A. A. Barrow, L. R. Chase, Ruby Abrams, Clarine Griffith, Cedric Smith, Kate James, Carrie Jordan, Clarabel Jordan, Eva Dover, Lydia Albert, Harriet Joseph (Secretary, N.P.C.), Rose Atkinson, Maud Dolphin, M. Millar, Gertie Seetram, Misses Edith, May and Iris Hackett, Lena and Victoria Elliott, Edna Storey, Annie Marks, Sarah Sandy, Josephine and Stella Arno, Nora and Hyacinth Parkinson, Aileen and Lynette Dolphin, May Morrison.

Flowers
The floral tributes were many and beautiful and included among them were those from: his dear wife and children, the Arno family, the Richmond family, the Millington family, Mr. and Mrs. A. A. Barrow, Dr. and Mrs. W. W. Campbell, Miss Carrie Chester. Mrs. Ainsworth was the recipient of several telegrams, at the funeral.

His Career
The late Mr. J. D. Ainsworth who was very well known through out of the colony was the son of the late James Ainsworth who was years ago the first and probably only local man of colour to be raised to the rank of an Inspector of Police in the Police Force of British Guiana. The deceased was born at Victoria Village and received his early education at the Wilberforce Congregational Church in that village and subsequently at the Bedford Wesleyan School, Georgetown, under Mr. P. M. DeWeaver. He returned to his native village and after qualifying for admission as a Pupil teacher served as such at the Wilberforce Congregational School and at the Victoria R. C. School.
After gaining a Teachers’ Certificate he took up an appointment as Assistant Teacher at St. Andrew’s Anglican School, Cove and John, under the present head teacher, Mr. H. A. Thompson, J.P., and was afterwards transferred in a similar capacity at Enmore Estate School under Mr. Joseph A. Parkinson, now in retirement. On a vacancy occurring at the Victoria Wesleyan School, Mr. Ainsworth was appointed to the head teachership of that school then under the management of the Rev. Chas. Llewellyn and retained that position for upwards of 25 years until the grant-in-aid was withdrawn about two years ago, the school having been one of those earmarked for absorption. The deceased was then appointed First Assistant at the Plaisance Wesleyan School under the head mastership of Mr. E. F. Chance.
He had not held this appointment for very many months when his health broke down and his medical adviser recommended him to the
Public hospital for treatment; but, unfortunately, in spite of the close attention by the doctors of the institution and the skillful nursing of various kind nurses, he succumbed to the ailment. As a schoolmaster, he was in the earlier years of his career a very ardent teacher. Subsequently, however, he became more engrossed in politics and in agricultural pursuits. For many years he was instructor at the Belfield Model Garden. With great pride he often referred to himself as the “Farmer-Schoolmaster.” He served on the Victoria Village Council as a Councillor for more than twenty-five years but did not seek re-election three years or so ago. One of his chief aspirations was to become some day a member of the Legislature , but the Fates have ordered otherwise. He was an ardent disciple of the late Mr. Booker Washington of Tuskegee fame and Mr. Lloyd George was his favourite statesman an enlarged portrait of whom has adorned the walls of his home for many years.
As a member of the Executive of the Negro Progress Convention the deceased was untiring in his efforts to further the cause of this organization.
Besides having been a correspondent for the local newspapers the late Mr. Ainsworth wrote to the press under and above his name on various topics, both of a controversial nature as well as otherwise. Some months before he became ill he contributed a series of articles entertaining and informative on the history of the Villages of British Guiana, the first of the series dealing with his native Victoria. Several other articles were written on Buxton village and Mr. Ainsworth was writing on Beterverwagting Village when the illness which ended in his demise caused him to stop writing.
“J. D.’, as he was familiarly called was a man of a peculiar make-up. In some respects he was a contradiction; but on the whole he had some sterling good qualities. Whenever he took a cause in hand it was determinedly pursued until success or failure was the result. Of a very argumentative turn of mind, he was never afraid of expressing his opinions and convictions and though some times bitter and violent in argument he bore absolutely no malice. Generous to a fault, he distributed charity without method or judgment and so was very often done in the eye by unscrupulous individuals.
He will be missed very much not only by his family and near relations but also by his villagers and by the numerous friends and acquintances he made wherever he went. Besides the members of his family, the deceased is survived by a sister, the wife of an Anglican Priest in Trinidad, and a brother, Gordon Langhorne, of Christianburg, Demerara River, to those and to the widow and her five fatherless children we tender our heart-felt sympathy and on behalf of the deceased we say –“Requiescat in Peace”
Source: The Daily Chronicle, Georgetown, British Guiana, Thursday, January 8, 1931: page eight.

The Buxton Literary Institute

2006-07-19T07:08:00.000-07:00

The Buxton Literary Institute
A Review of Activities

What was long overdue in the Village of Buxton has been inaugurated and is still in existence, and that is no other than a literary association, which bears the name stated above.
The office bearers are as follows; Mr. G. H. A. Bunyan, President; Mr. J. E. Fox, Vice-President; Mr. N. W. Willis, General Secretary; Mr. D. V. Seaforth, Assistant Secretary; Miss R. M. John, Publicity Secretary; Miss P. M. Accra, Treasurer; Miss C. A. Herod, Librarian and Mr. M. G. Sankies, Janitor.
The inaugural meeting which took place in the Buxton Congregational School on the evening of May 27, under the chairmanship of Mr. G. E. Wilson, B.A., was very largely attended. Short addresses were delivered by Messrs; W. N. Willis, J. C. Fox, J. H. Willis, G. Nero, R. L. Jones, and G. H. A. Bunyan, and a few musical items were contributed by Mr. Jabez Moses and Miss M. Accra, E. John, M. Baird and V. Roberts.

Source: The Daily Chronicle, Wednesday, June 23, 1931: page 3

Mr. H. A. Thompson, J.P., To Retire

2006-07-18T11:34:00.000-07:00

Mr. H. A. Thompson, J.P., To Retire
Head Teacher of St. Andrew’s Anglican - 30 years Meritorious Service
Belfield Tuesday May 26
After a long and meritorious career extending over a period of 30 years as a Head Teacher of St. Andrew’s E. School, Cove and John Mr. H. A. Thompson will retire on pension from the end of August this year.
Mr. Thompson’s successor has not yet been named but it is hoped by the entire district that one of his several old boys who have also reached the top of the teaching profession will succeed him.
Source: The Daily Chronicle Tuesday May 27, 1931: Page 7

The Execution of Nick Berg: Another Sadistic Episode in the Human Experience

2006-06-23T16:15:00.000-07:00

A few evenings ago, while online, I watched a video presentation, the execution of Nick Berg by five persons, presumably Arabs, in Iraq. Although I understood, Berg was decapitated I was not prepared for my initial reactions to the sight. I watched the clip three times. The shock had worn off. Berg appeared so calm. I am still wondering whether he was drugged. Could it be that Berg was thinking by some stroke of divine intervention, and he would not be killed and/or in such a manner I do not understand why berg would sit so still and accept such a faith? Certainly, was I in such a situation I would choose being shot than being beheaded while still fully aware and not incapacitated?
I still cannot fathom the creator blessing such an act. I am a firm believer that life should and/or could only be taken if that loss of life serves to preserve the lives of others. As I understand it, Berg was hogtied in such a manner which posed no threat to his captures. What kind of message are the executioners sending to the rest of the world? The executions of Berg, and others, in Iraq and other places, present the Arabs as barbaric and cowardly. I do not see anything remarkable about such actions.
There are many who express views Europeans are not wanted in Iraq and numerous nations on earth. I believe every being on earth has the human right to seek and obtain a livelihood wherever they choose on the planet. It is simply ridiculous to present any argument supporting such inhumanity to man. In this late age, mankind continues to be barbaric wherever he finds himself. If you are supportive in the act whereby human beings are put to death, then obviously you are not grounded, certainly imbalanced. Even if your representatives were enslaved for centuries, thereby suffering while their captors dwelled in splendor at their and our expense, it still does not excuse such an atrocity. I do not see the purpose of executing people.
What was also troubling is that some are claiming the execution was staged and there is no proof those inhuman acts were carried out. Well such nonsense cannot still well with the relatives of the folks whose loved ones are dead, executed by Arabs, and therefore not returning to them, alive.
Finally, those who benefit from the intervention of other peoples’ homeland are losing neither any loved ones nor sleep over the maintaining loss of life. The ruling classes continue to demand more Americans be placed in dangerous situations. Yet poor working class Americans are suffering daily, right here in America. It is simply unbelievable working class Americans are supportive of actions which are not beneficial to them. There is no trickle down effect of the benefits of wage war on other nations. The scenario continues to be the ruling class declares war on other countries, and the underprivileged working classes do the killing, suffer the bleeding and dying, and those who return from those experiences receive no benefits whatsoever. Military veterans are mistreated in every society. It is high time the working class stop being the pawn in the schemes of the ruling class everywhere upon earth.
Berg was decapitated in reaction to the methods of ruling class people. However, it was an unjustified act. It displayed grave indifference to human life. The remarkable thing is that Americans have not reacted in kind here in the USA, and that is the best thing about this entire sickening sadistic episode.

Foxes and Wolves in Sheep Clothing: An Anthology of Positives and Negatives in Black Life and Culture.

2006-04-08T10:57:00.000-07:00

I hate playing games with these serious issues. What will Elections solve? Putting a dictator back in Office? Putting in Office, a leader who says that he will not have an Interim Government? Putting in Office a man who has facilitated illegal investments by drug lords in the Stadium complex ? Putting in Office a man who refuses to hire competent hydraulic engineers to prevent the East Coast and West Berbice from going permanently under water?

Putting in Office a man who would not get dredges to get the silt out of the rivers and who says that the problem can be solved by excavators? Putting in Office a man who has sold drainage canals and drainage trenches to private companies and private individuals?

Putting in Office a man who has run the country down to the point where our CARICOM brothers and sisters regard us as parasites?

My problem is that the Opposition is playing games here. Jagdeo should be told that we must have an Interim Govt. , not only for clean elections but for cleaning up the system of Govt. If he does not concede, Corbin must demonstrate. The demonstration must be massive. The
donors can say what the hell they like. They don't sleep on the dam in the Mahaica Creek amidst frogs , snakes and ants.

Read below what the Barbadians say about us. They used to speak like this in the worst years of the Burnham regime. Hoyte changed that. And these incompetents have put us back there. We have to look at Jagdeo in the eye and say” No, Mr. President. We, the people, matter more than you do." Stop being sophisticated logicians. Begin to battle for justice. Please read the sentences that I underlined.

Clarence stop crying crocodile tears. You want to wake up and line in the real in the real world 28 years of ballot rigging I will send a vcr tape to the world will see what the pnc had done 28 years of no elections

Hi ABDUL check the dates 1838, 1835, 1640, 1840 and October 1900. I stand corrected Blacks came in 1640. About 198 years before the Indians and 195 years before the Portuguese. So Samad I hope you could modify your facts.

Poor Clarence, I suspect your longing for the good old days is getting to you.
I kind of like this idea of a Back door Entry your buddies are pushing, tell me if I’m Barking up the wrong Coconut tree......No Elections....Interim Govt....Stalemate or draw if your buddies don’t get their way...and hopefully the Legit Govt gives in...More power to you and your buddies without a vote. HEEEE...HOOOOO.HAAA
Cannot get the taste of eggs out of your collective Mouths I SEE.

And my Friend. and maybe Family Sancho, Stop the B/ssing. You are as FREE as you’ll ever BE, All the WINDMILLS are Gone, throw away the Lance and the Amour, throw off all the Imaginary YOKES/CHAINS/ROPES you Have put around Your Shoulders, BE FREE.

Really funny! I think Clarence is outdoing himself calling for interim Government so early! I hope he is not exposing his trump hand too early. He should focus on getting his party to come up with a better alternative to offer the Guyanese people. If all he can project is demonstration and unrest as a solution God help us!

What makes you think that Clarence belongs to a particular party?

Clarence is quite a capable individual. I respect his views. I look for to his in the inbox. Only one of his was not well received. The others were points of reference and research. I grew from those. As Malcolm X would say I turned the corner.

I am amazed at this sort of rhetoric. I would be remiss, I would be dishonest and disrespectful, if I did not state I found those references repugnant. It is reminiscent of the sort of ignorance I have battle all my life. I honestly do not know. I cannot fathom this clowning attitude. It is uncalled for. It is distasteful.

It is most unreasonable. I associate such assassinations as the works of the enemies of black people. I maybe wrong but I seriously doubt it.

It is beyond my simple mind. I am not at all sure, which era you currently exist therein; perhaps it is in the Nile Valley Civilizations. I cannot identify the realm of consciousness, with which you continue to demonstrate. I am aware of no individual or groups people who are associated with melanin dominant peoples, who was, and or are truly free, during the last 600 years.

The bit of commentary concerning windmills, yokes, chains, and ropes, remains particularly troublesome. I consider such comments as an affront to all those who crossed the Atlantic Ocean, via the door of no return, and their descendants.

I am not at all sure where you are going with such outlandish comments. I do not have the slightest idea, whether your frame of reference is Miguel Cervantes's literary work. I am leaning towards, the industrious ancestors of the Golden Grove and Nabaclis community. I am rightfully proud of my representatives, and their
works, including the establishment of three Sugar Mills in district. They most certainly attempted to aspire to achieve a measure of self-determination.

I am conscious of the struggles of my ancestors. I am proud of their achievements. I stand on the works of my ancestors and their colleagues in their attempts to make the society in which they were lumped together a much better place than they found it.

I have always articulated that the era of the Village Movement is the most outstanding period in the history of the working class peoples of Guyana. I must reiterate that the shareholders are the foundations of community development. Thus they laid down the foundations upon which the approaches to local self-government were built in British Guiana. I am here to inform you if you did not know. I am here to remind now that it is apparent you have lost the knowledge of self. Finally but most importantly, I must inform you I prefer to have been an eye witness to the acts and works of Bentick Sancho, Young, Campbell, Mootoo, Ramator, Kissoon, McPherson, Semple, Martin, Ross, Trotman, Sarrabo and the host of others in various communities between November 1839 and 1947, and particularly on the East Sea Coast of Demerara, prior to 1880.

Humankind shall, perhaps, only be truly free in their heaven – be it their graves. I would love to imagine my ancestors are free – and one bright day in the not too distant future – the sun will stop shining for me – then I will be free at last, truly free at last.

Move forward; use your life experiences to Educate the Young. Stop poisoning your soul and others with blackness; You are Guyanese first and foremost no matter what hue you choose. Your fore parents and mine Did the TIME so that WE and our Off springs enjoy and continue to do so, the product of their Blood Sweat and Tears.

I’m 100 percent certain you understood what I meant by the lance/amour/ropes chains etc etc. That was just my way of getting you to move toward the LIGHT. Your recent postings have revealed thus.

Be consoled - I understood ----Sancho seems to be, not having a good day. Patience

I am who I always was and that is whom I shall always be – a Blackman - son of the original man, birthed in what is now known as Rift Valley, in East Africa. Why would I choose to deny my connections to the Ancient of the ancients? Why would I limit
myself to be identified with that of a slave plantation? Am I not a child of this earth? My identity is earthman, Jahson, period. In recent times, I have in my make up, East Indian, Indigenous peoples of America, and Europeans in my genetics. I do not know about Chinese and Portuguese in my DNA, however, I am cognizant they are
present and welcomed in my heritage.

Moreover whenever I address a mirror I always see the impressions of a Blackman staring back at me. I do not know how upon earth I could be Guyanese when my natural habitat is the Nile River Valley. I do not know how my identification is Guyanese when such is unknown to my ancestry prior to 1640. Again I am that I am a Blackman and that the reason I catch hell here on earth.

The ideal is reflected in the philosophies and the opinions of the following; Imhotep, Yuzu Asaph (Jesus Christ), Antonio Maceo, Shaka, J. Robert Love, Arthur Schomburg, Marcus Garvey, Eusi Kwayana, Walter Rodney, Malcolm X, Eugene Felix Michael Hercules, Shareholders of the East Coast Villages, Joseph Rohomon and such
folks.

I am more concerned with becoming aware as to direct nature of my relationship with Ignatius Sancho (1729-80). I am certainly more committed to Sancho than I will ever be to people connected to Guyana, and anywhere else upon earth. The majority of my energies are spending finding my own social history. The process of researching and
documenting the struggles of my ancestors is priority number one in my life.

I know who I am and am very comfortable with my social history – from the origins of man to this very day – I remain proud of Campbell, Sancho and Young – and their kinships – that is certain. I am cognizant of the genetic make up of my heritage thank you. I am involved in understanding the humanities and social sciences in the
life and the times of the Golden Grove and Nabaclis village district from the arrival of the enemies from Europe to these times. Thus, I would really careless what others think but I offer I am aware of constant attacks on black life and culture, indigenous peoples, and gender issues – those are my main gripes.

I do not know about others and really do not care what other think for I am about my fathers business while I am above ground. In the efforts attending to my fathers business whenever time and energy affords I think and work upon the business of preserving life and limbs, and property in what is known as the nation of Guyana, simply because four generations of my ancestry rests in peace in the cemetery in Golden Grove, and numerous relatives are found in various cities of the dead in that political boundary. Besides that I would not give a dam about that slave plantation, where my people's life experiences was nothing but miseries after miseries – from one oppressor to another – and a litany of snakes slithering around on two legs. Again I am a black man who was birthed in captivity in Guyana, many miles and centuries removed from my home, because Europeans kidnapped my ancestors and brought them to `the Americas' . That is my reality. I do not care to be enlightened
concerning yours. I know myself and to myself and those who love black people I love them right back...the struggle continues.

And yet I still hear the shrill scraping sounds of chains being pulled in your writings. The longing for a time, 400 years ago when OUR Ancestors were first brought here. The knowledge you have gained from the Whiteman’s education has created a paradox in your head, of which you are unable to free yourself from.

Remember, The Nile Valley is always there to return to, as soon as the Battles with the Windmills are over. I’m sure if I had a chance to look into your mirror, A Guyanese would be looking back at me, whatever hue I choose to identify by.

One minute Sancho want to establish a pure black state in Guyana and the next he wants to go settle in the Nile Valley. I get the impression he does not know what he really wants. How confused could a person be? Sancho please note we are all evolving irregardless of our origin. I like cooking with gas stove rather than fireside! I like a fridge and a TV in my house. What about a home theater. Lets go modern buddy. Too much past this and that is not too healthy. It is not where I come from so much that matters as to where I am heading and what I am doing now to get me there. The world is not going to sit idly by and wait for this Nile Valley mentality to take hold of them. Folks are moving on even if not for themselves they are doing it for their kids.

Violence in Guyana : is it Revolutionary

2006-03-25T18:56:00.000-08:00

“By a free press, in the West, you mean a press owned by a few people who have a commercial monopoly, really a monopoly of the conscience of mankind. They are "the good people" and they "know what is right." A free press means, for you, that the owner of the press is free to prevent whom he wants from being heard. You don`t have a free press at all. You have a press imprisoned by commercial interests.” Frank Campbell, Minister of Information, February 15, l981.
Frank Campbell in "Debate Sharpens on New World Information Order," New York Times, February 15, l981, Sec. 4, p. E3.
"Development Support Communication, ... simply means using the communication media ... to help to ensure the success of development projects and programmes; to help to ensure that the people who have to plan, execute, benefit from, or even suffer from a particular project or programme, all understand what is involved, all understand the importance of considering the interests and problems of the other, and all are as fully involved as is necessary to overcome whatever problems may arise and to achieve the success and the objective of the project." Frank Campbell, Minister of Information

Golden Grove had Sugar Mills and Rice Mills. I am neither aware of the owners of the Rice Mills nor who planted the rice or where it was planted. I need more details on such activities. I am well aware - East Indians, Portuguese, Chinese, and Africans - all lived in reasonable peace and prosperity in the community. The Portuguese were there prior to February, 1856. I do not know when Indians and Chinese begun to reside in the community. I can tell you without doubt that interethnic marriages were common place. As a youngster all adults were interpreted as enemies. They seem to all fancy themselves as disciplinarians and handing out judgment on young folks were their entertainment. I would not wish any of them in today’s society.
The rural communities resided in relative peaceful terms, except for the occasional problems concerning labour, wages, and inter ethnic relationships. There was nothing to be alarmed about. Once the issue became that of national politics giving rise to an independent nation. Who should and or would be the Guianese born leader to become the head of state to lead the nation to independence became a major part of the problem. The national movement sunk, almost immediately, one wonders if it really was a national movement or a platform for a bunch of folks who were being mislead by two opposing forces. Thus, contaminated with racial overtones and selfishness, the independence movement became a process in which two groups wanted the same mango. The effects of the division at the national level struck the community like cancer.
Those African villages on the East Coast molded the colony. But, being devoid of bold leadership the die was cast. Residents of Victoria, Buxton, Friendship, Plaisance, Beterverwagting, Golden Grove, Nabaclis, and Ann’s Grove, primarily those of the first generation, after slavery, were as independent minded as their ancestors the shareholders. They kept their communities free of dissidents. Note it was not until 1964 with foreign interference in Guyanese political affairs that the major shedding of blood took place because of ethnic misgivings.
Instead of continuing to realize their ancestral dreams, and thereby retaining a measure of independence and creditability. The second generation after slavery seemed intend on becoming public servants and residents of foreign lands. They gave up the shovel and the fork for the pen and an office in somebody’s place of employment. They did not improve upon the simple technological advancements in the rural community. The villages were in dire need of industrialization. In fact, they still do? That is at the heart of the problem.
They cast their lot upon the whims of a lawyer with a penchant for beautiful word play and no substance. Answered his beck and call as if he were some sort of hand picked Messiah.
Honest study will reveal that until those two opportunist and their platforms, seeking their own gains managed to destroy the possibilities. The masses of the people were some what comfortable with each other. There were the occasional cries for unity against the colonial administration as far back as 1887. In 1924, and 1943 letters were written crying for total unity of Africans and Indians to aspire to create a Guianese nation and neither an African nor an Indian state. Regardless of who rules the land, unless industrialization is imbedded in the rural communities, there will be not expectancy of decent livelihood for the masses of the people. The gap between the haves and the have-nots will widen considerably. Crime will increase several times fold. Such was the scenario in 1905. It is repeating since 1992. It is continuing in 2006. The problem is leadership. The heads of state and their cooperatives have conspired and continue to victimize us. The present administration should be applying corrective measures. Instead, their deeds are similar to those done by the PNC. They are nothing short of disgusting. They add fuel to the fire. The thought of Africans in Guyana must rule themselves in their own nation if they expect to survive as independent beings, must occupy the upper reaches of natty haired Black people in Guyana. Small wonder many understand the violence in Guyana as that of a revolution. I find it revolting, but, however, I am not amazed that Africans would think of the criminals as freedom fighters. This reflect sadly on Jagdeo, Misir, Ramotar, Launcheon and the upper echelon of this PPP administration. Benschop seems to be a political prisoner. Once Gajraj was let off free – immediately the prudent thing for Jagdeo to do was to open up the prison door and release Benschop, instantaneously.

Jagan issued a statement which may have lead Kwayana to suggest the partitioning of Guiana. He stated Indians were oppressed in Guiana, and did not want to participate in neither a West Indian federation nor Caribbean unity. This sort of miss education of the masses is being revisited. This time the PPP is looking at unity with the South American nations and breaking from the English speaking Caribbean region, remaining therein only for cricket. Dishonest interpretations containing and or expressing bias or counter bias is defeating. Such are not useful, will only hinder and promote a culture which most of us despise. That's my thesis...What's yours?

King Fighter for New York by Thelma Payne

2006-03-02T17:11:00.000-08:00

King Fighter for New York by Thelma Payne

BG Calypsonian for Sparrow shows after hectic Carnival…and successful reign in Virgin Islands.
Have you seen him? You have? Around Town? Wearing or floral red, white and blue pair of Bermuda shorts with or matching shirt-his famous Pajayma suit or a blue jersey; with sandals and white socks on his feet; a multi-coloured cap on his head? Then you have seen the one and only King Fighter.
Christened Shirland Wilson this well known calypsonian left these shores two months ago to take part in the US Virgin Islands Carnival where his songs met with unlimited success.
There were two competitions one at Christianstead and the other at Frederickstead. At both of them he sang the already popular, “Pajayma suit”. He was first at Christianstead, second at the later, being ousted by Sparrow. That was his fourth consecutive victory at Christianstead. Together with Sparrow he appeared at several night clubs- and open air parks.

Carnival
After six weeks he left for Trinidad, and Carnival. Fighter shared a tent with Sparrow and again thrilled large audiences, Guyanese among them, with his calypsos-

“Guyanese must come back home”, “Lovely Trinidad”, “Birth Control, B.G Independence and the hit. “Pajayma suit” which was one of the Road Marches. Fighter will be appearing in shows with Sparrow who is expected here shortly. Guyanese will be thrilled with his new hit which has a bouncy tune, “B.G Independence”, composed in Trinidad. Al Seales of Gem Record Store has bought about 500 copies of this RCA recording. Following are the words-

British Guiana, Congratulations
King Fighter is sending to every one
We will have to pray
And hope for the best
That this Independence glory
Be a success

Chorus
We go eat
We go drink up together
Just like a one sister and brother
And this is what we will sing
Whilst jumping in the band
We are one Independent nation.

Ah was in Trinidad
When ah hear the news
De way how ah jump up
Ah even lost me shoes
Big big traffic jam
People flock the street
To see how as jumping
Without nothing on me feet

Let us all rejoice
And lift up our hands
Fuh our noble leader
Mr. Forbes Burnham
Compliments to him
And to Mr. Peter D’Aguiar
To save our lovely country
From the evil civil war.

The Calypsonian will be off on his travels again next month. He will visit New York and it is expected that he will go to Canada and return with another Sukhi.
Source:-The Guyana Star Monday, March 7, 1966: page 5.

British Guiana Poultry Association and Strengthening the Police Force

2006-02-28T08:58:00.000-08:00

British Guiana Poultry Association - MEETING AT DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE TO-MORROW.
those interested are reminded of the meeting of the British Guiana Poultry Association to be held in the office of the Department of Agriculture, Vlissengen Road, to-morrow afternoon at 4.30o’clock when the draft rules will be discussed, members enrolled and officers elected
[Source: British Guiana Poultry Association - The Daily Argosy - Sunday, September 4th 1938: page 9]

Strengthening the Police Force - Recent Promotions – TWO COUNTY SERGEANTS-MAJOR.
As a result of the Recent Strengthening of the Police Force certain promotions have been made to take effect from August 15 last.
Lance Sergeant-Major 2627 Ashley and 3060 Hinds have been promoted County Sergeants-Major;
Sergeants 2468 Luke and 2775 Hendricks have been appointed Lance Sergeant-Majors;
Lance Sergeants 2211 Loaf, 2904 Fontanelle, 2966 Franklin, 3076 Murray, 3720 Deygoo and 3877 Babb, Corporals 2543 George and 3277 Cole, have been raised to the rank of Sergeants;
Corporals 3008 Sinclair, 3221 Armstrong, 3319 Haynes, 3892 Haynes, 3906 Dalgetty and 4160 Blair, have been appointed Lance Sergeants;
1st Class Lance-Corporals 2764 Fraser, 2838 Kendall, 2916 Blair, 2928 Success, 3095 Headley, 3294 Cadogan, 3542 Dannett, 3760 Paul, 3814 Rahamat, 3965 Ross, 4081 Granger, 4094 Fontanelle, 4106 Phoenix, and 4112 Peters, have been promoted Corporals;
1st Class P. C.’s 2520 Punch, 2826 Merrit, 2898 Griffith, 2948 Roberts, 3047 Francois, 3115 Johnson,3133 Squires, 3466 Hamilton, 3610 Daly, 3652 Pinder, 3661 Best; 3838 Barclay, 3901 Matheson and 3628 Archibald, have been promoted Lance-Corporals;
2nd Class Lance-Corporals 2806 Reuben, 3820 Joseph, 4099 Bowen, 4125 Sealy, 4179 McFarlane, 2nd Class P. C.’s; 2811 Stephen, 3131 Lloyd, 3212 Inniss, 3432 Britton, 3445 Donald, 3446 Heyliger, 3481 McKenzie, 3499 Tappin, 3522 Billey, 3578 Wilson, 3593 Benjamin, 3595 Fraser, 3603 Fraser, 3614 Bentinck, 3615 Williams, 3637 Bourne, 3698 Murray, 3710 Fredericks, 3715 Cort, 3729 Greene, 3867 Williamson, 3951 Crandon, 4048 Galloway and 4146 Jones, have been advanced to the1st Class.
[Source: Strengthening the Police Force - The Daily Argosy - Sunday, September 4th 1938: page 9]

Negro - East Indian Union : A Leap in the Dark

2006-02-27T10:37:00.000-08:00

TO THE EDITOR: “THE DAILY ARGOSY.”
SIR – I sincerely believe that some, at least, of the actors engage in this movement are situated by good and broad-bottomed motives. I could wish they would succeed; but, on thinking out the senses for the evil the Union is attempting to terminate, I feel it my duty to be active and make an attempt not to allow the shadows east by false – perhaps unintentionally false – light to eclipse from our view the real facts of the case.
First, take a man who is before the Court as complainant. Why is he there? Another called him a Black – or a Coolie – and he thinks it fit to make the other fellow pay for calling him a Black or a Coolie rather than for the abuse indicated by the line after those words. Note the feeling! The man is exasperated over the describing epithet – that’s the rule. We need not give more examples of this kind, for we all know the thousands and thousands of other such vindictive causes, which land the people before the magistrate or the judge of the Supreme Court, and in a few cases, sad to say, take them up the heights of the awful gallows. Similarly, a plaintiff runs a civil suit to the extent of spending far more than the value of the thing he is seeking to recover. You ask him his reason for this. He says glowingly: “If I can’t get it, he shall not; I would rather loose all I have besides and let it go to the Crown than that such a fellow should have it; both of us shall lose, not I alone;” or “I know that I shall lose something by the suit, but I will break him before he is out of Court.”
Now, putting on the spectacles of the reasoner, and carefully examining these and such like cases, we cannot fail to see that the causes are the natural disposition to retaliate, the wicked feeling of vindictiveness, the sad want of proper education and general mental training, and the almost complete absence of capacity to comprehend religious and philosophic teaching and good advice. These all grow with the extension of Society, and there seems to be no time or taste to listen or to be advised.
How, then, are these seeds to be met? How are the evils to be combated? Evidently by education –deep, wide, practical and general education – which would afford sufficient mental exercise.
Source: Negro East Indian Union – A Leap in the Dark - Letters to the Editor, the Daily Argosy, Thursday, 25th September, 1924: page 8.

Arthur A. Schomburg on Egbert "Leo" Martin; the Guianese Poet

2006-02-26T18:22:00.000-08:00

The East Indian struggle against British Colonialism

“The English seem to respect the East Indians, since the latter have taken up the gun…gun powder and power…powder and power are to my mind synonymous”… Arturo (Arthur) Alfonso Schomburg 1874-1938

Arturo (Arthur) Alfonso Schomburg 1874-1938 speaking to Zora Neale Hurston and Eric Walrond said, “Here is something I’d like you to make note of. Our friend James Weldon Johnson has just got out a ‘Book of American Negro Poetry,” but it seems as if he has neglected a very important poet, and that is Leo, of British Guiana. Here is his ‘Poetical Works.’” ***”

“Why, Leo is one of the greatest Negro poets in history. I can’t for the life of me see why Mr. Johnson overlooked him. There are two other things I don’t like in that ‘Book of American Negro Poetry,” continued Mr. Schomburg, and they are, one, the part about Negro Music, and two, the inclusion of Dr. Dubois as a poet. Dubois is no poet. If Johnson wanted to write on music, he should not mix it up with poetry.”

In far Demerara, British Guiana, there lived ‘Leo’ the poet Egbert Martin. He was much revered and loved. One of the stanzas in the British national anthem is his. It was put there after a commission had invited the entire British Empire to participate. Leo’s poems was printed in London during 1888. (De Rivera: 80)

Arturo (Arthur) Alfonso Schomburg 1874-1938
A young Haitian schoolteacher, searching for pen pals in the US, wrote to Schomburg, and it was not long before the Haitian became a new recruit in Schomburg’s book-hunting legions. No one was immune to Schomburg’s persistent requests. A young pianist vacationing in Bermuda was asked to look for books and musical scores written by black Bermudians. Lester Walton, US Representative in Liberia, was twice urged to try to locate the papers of Edward Wilmont Blyden. “I understand that the materials of the eminent servant are there with a woman…rather than have the termites make a meal of them a few can be [placed] in the Schomburg Collection. (Sinnette: 90-91)

Schomburg’s network of supporters were often generous with donations of rare and valuable items. For example, some friends and writers who admired him sent specially bound and autographed books from British Guiana. (Sinnette:179)

Sources:

De Rivera, Flor Pineiro Arthur A. Schomburg: A Puerto Rican’s Quest for his Black heritage.

Parascandola, J (editor) Visit to Arthur Schomburg’s Library Brings out Wealth of Historical Information in Winds Can Wake up the Dead: An Eric Walrond Reader Wayne State University Press. 1998.

Sinnette, Elinor Des Verney Arthur Alfonso Schomburg: Black Bibliophile and Collector: A Biography

Statement on the Assassination of Malcolm X

2006-02-22T17:20:00.000-08:00

African-American History & Culture Primary Sources

Statement on the Assassination of Malcolm X
Date: 1965

Statement issued by the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on February 21, 1965, following the assassination of black nationalist leader Malcolm X, allegedly by fellow members of the Black Muslim movement. King condemned the slaying, saying it demonstrated the continued sickness of America's moral climate. He called on all Americans to denounce hatred and violence.

Statement on the Assassination of Malcolm X (February 21, 1965)

Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Courtesy of the King Center. Atlanta, Georgia.

I am deeply saddened and appalled to learn of the brutal assassination of Malcolm X. This evil act must be strongly condemned by all people of good will. We must face the tragic fact that Malcolm X was murdered by a morally inclement climate. It reveals that our society is still sick enough to express dissent through murder. We have not learned to disagree without being violently disagreeable. This vicious assassination should cause our whole society to see that violence and hatred are evil forces that must be cast into unending limbo.
Citation Information:
Text: "Statement on the Assassination of Malcolm X." Facts On File, Inc. African-American History & Culture . .

Thoughts on Recent Developments

2006-02-16T13:21:00.000-08:00

People must read and grasp the role of public administration in their daily lives. They must understand local Government and Village administration, in the rural communities. Dr. Cheddi Jagan wrote articles stating local government must be local. Malcolm X’s perspectives on the locals controlling the politics and businesses in their community – form the basis of my socio-economic consciousness.

I accessed Walter Rodney’s article, ‘Mass in Action’, in which he explained the confidence of the Conveners of Villages Districts, at Village District Chairman’s Conference. Post office supervisor, James Barbour-James, and colleagues, set up, the Victoria Institute, with the aim of preparing members of the community for leadership roles with that community. Every one interested in socio-political development in Guyana, must access, and understand such materials. It clearly expressed the confidence of working-class people in positions of leadership in the beginnings of the twentieth century.
The charade of Burnham and Jagan resulted in Guyana remaining in underdeveloped. They did not encourage protégées and or future leaders to take their places. Thus, the obvious conclusion they were not interested in developing Guyana. They are guilty for the mediocrity that exists in the highest offices in the land today. Most of the best minds have abandoned the mess they created called Guyana. Politicians in the so-called developing and or third world countries have no interest in developing a that would produce people who are concerned and committed to political development from the perspectives of the masses of the people. It is a likely conclusion in politicizing the village district similar to national interpretation – politics of ethnicity.
There were image of people’s choices in the Local Authorities of various districts in British Guiana, from 1893 to 1966. The Local Government Board and their policy of the Nominated Councillors were restrictive measures. Leopold Duncan Sarrabo voiced the frustrations for posterity, when in May 1923, he told the director of the Local Government Board, he (Sarrabo) refused to be treated like a schoolboy.

Therefore, the position is the politicians are all guilty of not reproducing the interests of the people. They are inclined to destroy the independent spirit of the past. This remains an affront to the people, their communities, and their proud history. Until direct representation of the rural communities are the decision makers nationally, rural communities will remain mired in the disastrous conditions they now find themselves and worst may yet be on the horizon.

Those are all short-term goals and bandages it is unavoidable as the gap of have and have-nots widens the only choice would be separation. This is a regional problem, if not a global issue. The issue of setting up an Indian nation in the Caribbean and or northern South America must be on the agenda of the GPIO, UN, Caricom, OAS, African Union, and British Commonwealth and other such concerned bodies. An Indian state is as a necessary step in affording Indians security from their made out notions that Africans in the Caribbean are their enemies. Indians are not Europeans. They are the straight-haired Blackman. Indians catch the same hell as the black in the face of Europe.
Africans and Indians, most regrettably have not fostered the best of. Their experiences regardless of the reasons in different locations support such reason. Thus, the Indian interests, ought to reflect a nation for all the descendants of indentured servants wherever they remain is a logical and necessary step. Ask yourselves, if everything was fine and dandy then – tell me would there be either the need or reason for academics to mull on the subject of Race (Ethnicity), Class and religious indoctrination as a divisive tools against the people of African and Indian origins wherever they remain?
It is ridiculous to attack Dr. Gibson’s finds. The best course of action is to decide solutions to the problems between Africans and Indians beginning in Guyana, regionally in the Caribbean, northern South America and indeed globally. It is beyond understanding that most Indians are disturbed that an academic would publish such a research and it conclusions. It is outlandish to any person and or people who sought and are seeking understanding of the various, Europeans have imposed, which lead to the under developing of melanin dominant people of this earth.

You are not even fooling yourself when you produce thoughts that Dr. Gibson is off her rocker. The position is if you honestly look at the issue, you are bound to admit there is an everlasting problem between Africans and Indians. Gibson’s literature must serve find solutions to the problems. Anything less is fuel for an unnecessary and destructive fire. Those who will benefit financially want to occur. If you support ethnic violence for one group or another, you are a racist’s. It is as simple as that. If you embrace, possible solutions aimed at avoid bloodshed then you are a man of the people. Only you know who you are. Let me warn you, your thoughts and or rather misunderstanding your thoughts - would lead others to label you a racist – even if you are not.

Kanhai and Sobers

2006-02-12T18:13:00.000-08:00

Supporters of Cheddi Jagan Protesting Against the British Troops

2006-02-12T18:06:00.000-08:00

Rice Growing Areas in Guyana.

2006-02-12T18:02:00.000-08:00

PNC Protestors in Georgetown

2006-02-12T17:59:00.000-08:00

Buxton-Friendship - A Story of Resistance (Part One)

2006-02-11T23:28:00.000-08:00

Buxton-Friendship - A Story of Resistance

2006-02-11T23:22:00.000-08:00

Poor Social Conditions at Buxton

2006-02-11T23:10:00.000-08:00

Emergence of Black Communities: the Village Movement (Part Two)

2006-02-11T23:04:00.000-08:00

Village Movement

2006-02-11T23:00:00.000-08:00

Those Good Old Days at Victoria

2006-02-11T22:56:00.000-08:00

Congratulations, Victoria! You have done Well.

2006-02-11T22:50:00.000-08:00

Emergence of Black Communities: the Village Movement (Part Three) No# 189/94

2006-02-11T22:44:00.000-08:00

Young -Who's Who in British Guiana

2006-02-11T14:22:00.000-08:00

Archer - Who's Who in British Guiana

2006-02-11T14:16:00.000-08:00

EAST COAST NEWS - FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1919

2006-02-10T18:49:00.000-08:00

THE DAILY CHRONICLE, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1919
EAST COAST NEWS

ASSAULT

James Stephen charged Mr. F.W. Sandy of Golden Grove, for assaulting him on the 29th.January last. Hearing adjourned for next Court.

ALLEGED ABUSIVE LANGUAGE

Mr. Francis De Franco, manager of Mrs. Maria Pitta's (widow) rum-shop at Golden Grove, summoned James Alfred for abusive language to complainant. Case postponed to next Court. Mr. Solicitor DeSouza appeared for James Alfred.

PROSECUTION FAILS

Charles Daman, of Nabaclis, charged his sister-in-law, Petty Dick, for insulting him on the 20th January last at Nabaclis Village. The evidence of complainant and his wife was not sufficient to bring home a conviction against the defendant and the case was dismissed.

CHILDREN'S MAINTENANCE

Richard Young was brought up by Letitia Adams for maintenance of his child. The court ordered the defendant to pay 48 cents per week for the child until it reaches the age of 14 years. Catherine Prince summoned David Christie for maintenance of his child. Postponed to next Court.

ALLEGED INSULTING LANGUAGE

John Bassoo was charged by the police at Belfield with having on 21st. January last made use of indecent language at Nabaclis. The case was heard ex-parte. Defendant was fined $5 and costs or fourteen days imprisonment with hard labour. Inspector Johnson prosecuted on behalf of the police.

GOLDEN GROVE.

Mr. Clarrie Trotman, eldest son of Mr. J. A. Trotman, Headmaster of the Golden Grove Wesleyan Methodist School, left the colony on Wednesday morning last for the United States of America. This is his second visit.

DEATH OF JOHANNA BENN

Last Friday morning death summoned away Johanna Benn, aged 21 years, the beloved daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Albert Messiah Benn, councillor for over 25 years of Golden Grove and Nabaclis Village Council. The funeral of the young lady on Saturday morning was very largely attended. The last rites were performed by Mr. Samuel Josiah Henry, Catechist of the Collier's Brethren Chapel, Victoria Village. The remains of the young lady were interred at the Nabaclis Cemetery. We tender our heart felt sympathy to Mr. and Mrs. Benn, in their sad bereavement.

MUTUAL RELIEF SOCIETY

The usual ordinary monthly meeting of the Golden Grove Mutual Relief Society was held in the lodge on Tuesday night by the Executive Council. There were present Messers. Thomas Simon, President, D. T. A. Jones, Vice-President, J. A. Trotman, Secretary, Richard Charles, Treasurer, Nathaniel Hughes, Marshal and Sick Inspector, Sisters J. B. Hobbs, Jessie Abrahams, and T. James female Sick Visitor.

After the usual prayer, an application was tendered from Mr. Smith Carrington Hughes, to become a member of the Society. After some discussion on the matter the application was granted. The quarterly accounts for income and expenditure relief to sick members were read out by Mr. D. T. A. Jones, Vice-President, for the quarter ending 31st.Dec. 1918. A small balance on hand was carried forward to January quarter 1919. Mr. Trotman, the Secretary, moved a motion for two or more special lamps for the Society, mentioning that some times the present hydrocarbon lamp may give out and they may be in darkness, as sometimes happened in Georgetown and in the churches.

Last month there was no Committee meeting held owing to the fact that there was no spirit to light the lamp and none could be had. If there were special lamps on the walls of the Lodge they could have been used. The meeting agreed to the Secretary's motion for special lamps, also a hand lamp.

The President said that he was glad to meet with the Committee that night and to thank God for sparring their lives to see the New Year. He also thank God for his goodness to the Society that since the Influenza epidemic none of their died. He had to thank the Vice-President, Brother Jones, for doing his work while he was absent. He must also thank the Secretary for ably carrying out the work along with the Committee for the good work done during the past year. He reminded the Committee of the Society's anniversary, the thirtieth, this year October, of the Society's establishment.

Two new members, Mrs. Hughes and Mrs. Margaret Adonis, had recently joined the Society as members and he had received their relief without any complaint and also Mrs. Jenkins, an old member of the Society, who recently rejoined also, gave her relief, for which they must be thankful.
The President instructed the Secretary to write all the members informing them of the Society's election on Tuesday night next week, when new office bearers will be elected for the present year.
After several other matters were brought forward and discussed the meeting terminated at 9.45 p.m.

GOLDEN GROVE & NABCLIS VILLAGE COUNCIL.
PROTEST AGAINST INCREASE OF RATES.

Mr. Nathaniel Mason presided at the monthly meeting of the above Council on Monday afternoon, the Chairman being unavoidably absent. The other members in attendance were Messers. J. A. Trotman, R. Charles, and Sancho, with Mr. A. Simon, Overseer, acting as clerk.
Mr. Collins, a ratepayer, enquired what was the position relative to a property for which he required title. The reply was that proceedings had been started but that the levy was yet to be made.

QUESTIONS

Mr. Trotman enquired if the piece of land upon which Mr. Sancho had made a report had been measured. The reply was to the effect that E. Rodney was discovered to be occupying more land than he was entitled to and encroaching upon the Council's property, and that he was not present when the measurements were made.
Mr. Trotman moved that he be notified respecting the Council's finding, and that he be informed to refill the drain he had dug. This was carried unanimously.

CORRESPONDENCE

The following letter was send by the Inspector of Districts to the Chairman of Golden Grove and Nabaclis Village Council:-

Sir,- Referring to your letter of the 31st. ultimo asking that I obtain permission from the Director of Public Works for your Council to take out the tunnel and paal-off at the Nabaclis Sea Channel. I have the honour to forward herewith copies of the letter and his reply thereto. (Sgd.)W.E. Bellamy. Inspector of Districts.

Letter from the Inspector of Districts to the Director of Public Works, dated 18th January: -

Sir, - With reference to your letter No 1695 dated 13th. November, 1917. I have to inform you that the Village Council put in an iron pipe to control the breach complained of. This pipe will be of no use since the Government intend to erect a new concrete sluice at Nabaclis.
2. I have therefore the honour to ask that you will permit the Village Council to remove this pipe which will be of use to them in their district. I have Sir, etc, (Sgd.) W.E. Bellamy. Inspector of Districts.

Letter from the Director of Public Works to the Inspector of Districts, dated 25th January, 1919:-

Sir, - I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of your letter no.29 of the 18th. Instant and in reply to request you to inform the Nabaclis Village Council that I can not permit the removal of the iron pipe referred to, as it is still required for drainage. I have Sir, etc, (Sgd.) E.C. Buck Director of Public Works.

The correspondence was taken for notification.

George Beekhey reported that he was subjected to much inconvenience through the in sanitary condition and situation of a latrine nearby.
He claimed that though he was no proprietor he was a lessee who contributed to revenue, and therefore was competent to seek the Council's protection. He asked that they take such action as would relieve him of the nuisance complained against. It was decided to visit the spot.
Another letter was received from the same person, complaining of the dangerous condition of the head of an ally adjoining his lot and leading directly to the public road. It was a danger to pedestrians at night, and was impassable during the rainy season when the trench alongside was full. He asked that a paal-off be erected and the place raised. It was decided to deal with this matter as the Estimates would permit.

INCREASE OF RATES.

A large number of proprietors among whom were Messers. Timothy Jack, Timothy Limerick, Gertrude Herod, and Jos. Pollard protested against the increase of rates for the current year. They contended that enough provisions were not been grown for the consumption of the villagers; hence they had to extend their earnings upon rice and other products not grown in the village. They were therefore heavily taxed in supplying their daily wants, and the increase of rates by the Council was oppressive. They asked that it be reduced.

Mr. Trotman said that the Council regretted the necessity of increasing the rates. They, as councillors, would feel the pressure, but it simply could not be helped. After a discussion, at length on the subject during which it was suggested that a meeting be held and the proprietors shown the reason for the increase in figures, and another suggestion made to the effect that pamphlets be printed and circulated as was done some years ago it was decide to reply stating that the council regretted the need for an increase in the rates for the year, but that it was absolutely necessary for the working of the district.
A copy of the Estimates was to accompany the letter so as to put the signatories in a position to see the difficulty for themselves.

The OVERSEER’S REPORT

The Overseer stated that the Revenue collected for the month was as follows: - Rates, $256.22, Land rents, $ 17.92, Law Costs, $2.50; Expenditure-drainage, $88.80, all sources, $22.40, traveling, $6.24. It was also reported that Robert Sumner had been fined $5.00 and costs for erecting a thatched house without the consent of the Council. Trench cleaners were demanding impossible prices, and could not be got to work after their figure had been agreed upon. There were bad beams and flooring in the office which were in need of repairs. There was sufficient material on hand to do the work.
Cattle were grazing on the lands at Golden Grove, and they were not owned by villagers. Many coconut trees in the village were diseased and the owners should be notified to cut them down. Thorn bush was growing on the parapets aback, blocking the trenches. The same being on the Council's land, should be cut.

Mr. Sancho said that the bush was not on the Council's property, but on the heads of beds belonging to villagers, and they should be prosecuted. Lots 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, Golden Grove, and 1 and 3 Nabaclis, were particularly bad. It was decided to serve the owners with notices to clear the lands on a motion by Councillor Trotman.

The Overseer asked for instructions in the cases of persons who died destitute, without relatives to bury them. He wanted to know if he was to permit burial in the village burial ground. He was instructed to report such cases to the police.

After the discussion of a few minor matters the meeting terminated.

Source: - "East Coast News" -The Daily Chronicle, Tuesday, February 11, 1919: Page 10

ACDA - Must Become Viable Spokesperson Protecting Every Guyanese.

2006-02-03T12:07:00.000-08:00

The Declaration of Rights of the People of African Origins of the world as drawn up, and presented in August, 1920, by the universal Negro Improvement Association and the African Communities League, under the administration of its charismatic leader, the most honorable Macus Garvey (1887-1940), stated vividly, that “Blacks have suffered ‘injustices, discrimination and inhuman, unchristian and uncivilized treatment’ in most every part of he world and that European Nations had taken control of nearly all of Africa, the motherland of all Back people; all Blacks were free citizens of Africa and they have the right to reclaim the treasures and possession of the vast continent of their forefathers”.

It is my position that the ACDA must become a vehicle “to protest against the wrongs and injustices Africans in the global experience, but particularly in Guyana have suffered, and are suffering at the hands of their oppressors, regardless of the ethnicity of the repressive regime. The ACDA must aspire to become a viable force to protect the rights of every citizen of Guyana. Failing to so do, they would and must be viewed as a divisionism entity. If their aim is the establishment of an African nation, then they ought to clearly state, so. I believe it is a rather difficult proposition for Hindus to unite with Africans, in any meaningful participation such as national unity. I hope I am proven wrong, but I doubt it. For throughout the human experience indo-Germanic people have waged an unnecessary war against peoples of African origins. In what is known today as India, the holocaust of Blacks, begun with the Germanic invasion of the Indus River Valley. It is written in their religious texts, India slew the blacks – blacks are evil. Thus the ongoing situation of the untouchables in India, who are the most, humiliated people on the face of the earth. The Dravidians escape their misery, for the most part, by becoming muslins.
On the African continent, in South Africa, it was documented Indians preferred apartheid, than to be ruled by the Blackman in his own land. I believe they should repatriate – if they do not subscribe to Africans ruling South Africa – and the entire Africa continent. Please note black people will permit any one to come amongst them and control the economics of their communities, and nations. I am told foreigners; primarily Indians and Koreans control over forty percentages of the businesses in Ghana, and Nigeria. That is such a distasteful fact.

The problems between Blacks and Indians, who are both basically eastern centered people, and melanin dominant people, black people of this world, are all most regrettable experiences. I am of the opinion only those whose agenda are personal and thus selfish would openly promote division among non European peoples of this world. It is clear Indians do not wish to associate with Africans. Isn’t it truthful that birds of a feather flock together? In New York City, one can not help but notice this vividly, there are Indo-Guyanese communities, sprinkled in the great city – while Afro-Guyanese pursue assimilation into the global black experience. There is no unity among Indians connected to Guyana, and Africans of Guyana, beyond the boundaries of Guyana. It is a clear indication these groups have taken their indoctrination into the European world, and that’s damning.

What does the future hold?
I dare to say there’s no evidence of change. There is nothing positive to allow the researchers to determine that Africans and Indians will boldly shoulder the responsibility of ensuring global unity. Thus it is appropriate to conclude that the experiences of Blacks and Indians, over the course of one hundred and sixty-eight years, is more than ample yardstick to arrive at a premise that without an exaggerated system of reeducation, blacks and Indians will never get it – they will forever be at each others throats – and that’s the saddest reality of it all.
Articles published in several issues of the Indian Opinion, the organ of the British Guiana East Indian Association, the utterances, and the actions of Cheddi Bharrat Jagan, and the Peoples Progressive Party, including various schemes such as Dollars for Disciples, and the Black Bush Land Development Scheme, were all crucial in promoting the racial powder keg which ignited and exploded in 1963 and 1964.
A brief look at the three main spokespersons on the political stage 1947 to 1997, we will acknowledge that in April 1953 the following were the facts;
1. Cheddi Bharrat Jagan – the Leader of Peoples' Progressive Party and Premier of British Guiana.
2. Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham – the Deputy Leader of Peoples' Progressive Party and Minister of Education.
3. Sydney King – the General Secretary of Peoples' Progressive Party and Minister

Burnham, Jagan and Kwayana were charismatic personalities. Kwayana remains such even at his advanced age, today.

The Black Bush Polder Land Development Scheme was in the vicinity of a $20 million dollar investment. We are told it attracted 1297 Guianese only 106 Africans. This is of course blatant as it was outrageous – totally racist in nature.
In 961, Cheddi Jagan would be quoted as saying, "The Indians, as they do, feel a sense of national oppression and are one hundred percent against federation. Therefore, I am opposed to federation or Caribbean unity"
Burnham gave clear indications that opposition will receive his undivided attention shortly after his office became that of Prime Minister, with this blast, "No one is too great to become a guest of the government at Sybley Hall".

Again is the mass of the people, who bore the blunt of the explosion then as they do today, yet they have not learnt a single thing or have they?
The Peoples Progressive Party is again failing the people of Guyana. Since regaining power in 1992, the PPP, with Cheddi Bharrat Jagan, at the helm and shell his former self, begun what has continued to spiral out of control. Jagan was a miserable failure in both stints in the highest offices in the land, perhaps, only the Good Lord knows how much blood is on Cheddi’s hands. I believe Cheddi Jagan is responsible for most if not all of the tragedies which occurred in Guyana, beginning with the advent of the PAC, perhaps, even more so than that scoundrel Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham. I am of the opinion findings of an independent international Truth and Rights Commission who pronounce them both guilty of committing crimes against the people and the state of Guyana.
Guyana is much more than the PPP and the PNC, and indeed Blacks and Indians, although they comprise over ninety percent of the Guyanese society, the voices of all must be heard – but will they? Various spokespersons over the last one hundred and twenty-years, including Bechu, Joseph Rohomon, Alfred Thorne, Rohlehr, Randolph Smith, Andrew Benjamin Brown, spoke and acted on their thoughts concerning the social and political agenda of Blacks and Indians in Guyana. Their fears were realized by selfish and opportunistic inheritors; Burnham and Jagan.
Letters published in the Daily Chronicle in September 1924 raised the issue of the racial climate between blacks and Indians. The forward think writer called on the groups to realize they were the majority and to unity in a society that would be, should be and could be neither African nor Indian, however as you and I can safely say today that his call feel upon deaf ears of our ancestors and as such we are again bequeathing similar climate to future generations as they had done to us. The assassination of Walter Rodney, and the decline of the WPA, marked the period when all seemed lost. I subscribe that People’s power will prevail in due course. However, in the mean while the people and the state are again handcuffed by a climate of ethnicity and blood letting as any period in contemporary history. It seems Jagdeo and his Peoples Progressive Party is hell-bent in acquiring such a legacy.
The ACDA must rise to the challenge of nation building. The ACDA must distance itself from both the dead man named Burnham and the retarded message of delinquency as propagated by both of the two long established political parties, particularly the PNC. The ACDA must align itself with the masses, the underprivileged working class peoples of Guyana, highlighting working class heroes and communities, promoting a socio-economic agenda which benefits every citizen of Guyana, while teaching Africans in Guyana to be cognizant of their ancestral heritage and the role of peoples of African origins in the human experience. There must be balance – between – ethnic identity and national consciousness. I believe the ACDA can and will be up to the tasks for after all it is lead by females, and as such can not be all bad, furthermore it’s leadership is descended from folks who boasted proudly in the 1920’s that Georgetown looked to the East Coast not only for subsistence but for direction and leadership – jumping as East Coast village leaders spoke and or advised. Any historian can happen up on the print media which demonstrated what was lost during the illegal regime of the Butcher of Belfield. The villages of the East coast of Demerara are all ample proof of the devastation known as Linden Forbes Sampson Burnham – and that’s what is clear understood – as a result of the political climate which hovered over British Guiana in 1950 to this very day in Guyana. How upon this earth could you attempt to impress upon others that such a brutal dictator was misunderstood? Well then, are Michael McTurk, John Gladstone, Christopher Columbus, and every person who abused peoples of African origins misunderstood? The answer is you are attempting; trickknowledgy, playing with people’s minds, freedoms and liberty…Power to the people, Peoples power forever, long live the shareholders, long live the indentured servants, long live Guyana – and to hell with those who have held us back and down – your heads of state, the colonial administration, and European nations. Those folks are the enemies of the Guyanese society.

Former East Coast Bread Basket Slumped in Rusticity

2006-01-07T09:24:00.000-08:00

Former East Coast Bread Basket Slumped in Rusticity
A once lily white sign post now rusting, about sixteen miles from Georgetown, announces, you are in the village of Golden Grove.
Measuring seven miles by one hundred yards, the village that is twinned with its neighbour; Nabaclis, is home to roughly 2000 families, many of them related. It falls in the Haslington/Grove Neighbourhood Democratic Council (NDC) which is chaired by Godfrey Henry, Sr., who hails from Nabaclis.
This village has produced many outstanding sons and daughters. Among them are Justice Donald Trotman, Major Keith Booker of the Guyana National Service (a national awardee) and Prof. Bradley Solomon, all of whom still live there. Dr. Barton Scotland, Justice Kenneth Barnwell, Leila Warde, and T. Anson Sancho are others. Promising singer Bevon Semple also hails from there. There was also a famous barber called “Barber Dude” who was contracted to cut the hair of the members of the Royal Air Force at Atkinson Field during the Second World War.
Now predominantly populated by Afro-Guyanese, the village was once the home of Portuguese, Chinese, and East Indians, too. Old Villagers recalled that every one lived in harmony until the riots of 1964 when other races fled the village.

HISTORY
Golden Grove, founded in the parish of St. Paul, was formerly a Cotton Plantation – Plantation Williamburg. Here, ex-slaves worked with Portuguese, and Chinese, indentured servants. Those from the latter group who opted to remain there after there indenturedship period was over, when into the commercial sector. They remained there after the village was bought by 61 ex-slaves in the year 1848. Some say it was on January 5, while others gave May 15, as the purchasing date. However, the former date seems more likely because the original villagers were the one who built the Methodist Church which is adjacent to the cemetery that borders half the northern part of the village, was built on May 6, 1848.
Social worker, Letroy Cummings, who lives in Nabaclis, and was knowledgeable of the history of Golden Grove, identified the spot in Centenary Street, formerly Sand Road, where the purchasers met under a tamarind tree to discuss this on the purchase of the village. A plague was erected at the head of the street in remembrance of those Purchasers, among them were; Sancho, Sarambo, john, Kendall and Simon.
It was a typical African village comprising eastern and western side line dams, which are the drainage canals and a middle walk which is the irrigation canal. Two years after the purchase was made, the village was surveyed and plotted out by a Britisher whose name was Jackson. The allocations were made of the front lands and the back lands used for farming and raising of livestock. A section of the village was earmarked by the village fathers for pasturage. It must have been soon after the construction of the church that the primary school was built on a piece of adjacent land. Both the Church and the School are still in the original spots.
Cash crop farming and livestock rearing was the lifeblood of the village. Produce was sold at the weekly Saturday market. This market also served as a venue where the villagers could socialize. The Saturday market still operates and in the same spot and attracts vendors and buyers from nearby villages.
Sugar cane farming seemed to have been done on a small scale. But only an enterprising early settler, William James, who was a carpenter by trade, built a factory and produced sugar. This was in 1870.
According to Cummings, the factory was initially operated manually. But James who Cummings said appeared to be a meticulous person from records he managed to see, purchased a windmill soon after. And so it was that James became the first resident of Golden Grove to own a wind-powered mill.
This factory was operable for about ten years. During this time, sugar produced was sold within the village as well as the surrounding ones. His descendants are still living on that lot.
Cummings said that after ten years of that operation which he opined was experimental; James opened a loan bank and shifted across to Nabaclis.

BREAD BASKET OF THE EAST COAST
But from the beginnings of village life, Golden Grove was the Bread Basket of the lower east coast. The first real agricultural fair in the country was reportedly held there in August of 1894. It became an annual event for the villagers to show off their produce. Probably, because of its rich soil, the villagers named it Golden Grove. Unlike, today, when the village is easily flooded, the drainage system in the early years was remarkable.
Throughout the years, generations of Golden Grove residents were accustomed to having their own coconut oil from the coconut palms cultivated and their beef, chicken, pork from animals reared by their parents. The village was noted for its production of pepper sauce, cassava bread and casareep.
Justice Donald Trotman, whose great grand father and ex-slave named Conwright was one of the original purchasers, recalled there was an export market for provisions in Trinidad and Barbados. But the hub of industrial activity centered around the production of coconut oil and stock feed.
At one time rice was grown on a small scale and there was a lemonade factory. Farming is still the main activity in the village. But, Golden Grove is no longer the bread basket for the neighbouring east coast villages. The decline began in 1934 when there was a huge flood and water covered the land. So serious was the flood that the governor had to use a boat to paddle around the village.

PRESENT
At a first glance, one finds, it hard to believe this was the once prosperous village. Old unpainted houses dominate.
With the growth of commercial activity, people tended to move away from the farm lands. The community spirit that was responsible for so many developmental aspects of the village seems to be fading. Drainage is now very, very poor, according to officials.
There are some sixteen streets in the village, running east to west. Most are named after the village fathers. Hence, Simon, Kendall, David and Hackett streets. But Centenary Street, for example, was so named one hundred years after the purchasers bought the village. But to them streets is a hyperbole for they seem to be no different than they probably were in the 1860s.
In contrast, the self-help housing scheme to the far north of bush corner is a complete contrast to the original village. The houses are well-kept, the yards fenced, and there is a general air of prosperity.
Construction on this housing scheme begun around 1976 on land that was swampy and was used as the village pasture. Evelyn Machado was the second person to settle there with her family.
According to her, neighbours would combine their efforts and maintain a clean environment. Cummings suggested the reason for this was because the people there had retained that spirit of cooperativity.
Golden grove remains twinned to Nabaclis. The administrative office and health centre is there, while the playground is in Golden Grove. A permanent market is also there. But prior to the construction of the market, a gas station, one of the two found in the village, was owned by Joseph Da Silva in the 1930s.
The station changed hands and the new owner, Marin Perreira migrated. The other gas station which was nearer to the cinema was owned by a relative of Justice Trotman, whose title was Lam. There was also a cinema, but little is there in its remembrance except the iron fence.

Source: Stabroek News, Saturday, August 19, 1997:page11.

National Consciousness – Preserve Guyana’s Historical Materials

2006-01-06T07:00:00.000-08:00

National Consciousness – Preserve Guyana’s Historical Materials

Recently, I was informed the National Archives was up against it. The mere thought that the historical materials were endangered sent shivers through my entire being.
Over, twenty –five years ago, Dr. Walter Rodney (1942-80), writing directly prior to his assassination in 1980, noted “unfortunately, some bound administration reports have deteriorated considerably”, on page 266 in his literature, “A history of the Guyanese working People, 1881-1905”.
There is great difficulty accessing Guyanese historical content in the USA. The holdings reveal missing issues of various newspapers, serials, and books. The Daily Chronicle for the year 1924, and the first three editions of the Who is who in British Guiana is not available in foreign research institutions. They are found in deteriorating conditions in the library at the University of Guyana.
It is criminal to allow our documented history to be destroyed. I hold those who occupied and are occupying the highest offices in the land – criminally negligent. Such behaviors are nothing short of crimes against the people and the state of Guyana - high treason.
The Administrators of University of Guyana and Guyanese scholars are not blameless in this mess. I am positive they have not done all that the possibly can to engage whomever in the effort to modernize the holdings. I believe funding must be allocated and or realized for such a worthy purpose. I am hereby calling upon the people and the state of Guyana to spare no penny in the effort to preserve our national heritage found in various research institutions in Guyana. The Government of Guyana, must act quickly and decisively to ensure all the print media are microfilmed and digitalized, immediately, thereby making them available to future generations of researchers. They must engage foreign research institutions that will preserve the materials in various formats. In fact, it is quite possible foreign currency can be realized in such an enterprise.
This is certainly not political posturing. It is national consciousness. Failure to preserve materials relative to the history of Guyana – is both, unthinkable and unacceptable. Jadgeo and his underlings must act, and do the right thing, instantaneously.

Anti-Guyanese Sentiments from Barbadians

2005-08-09T13:03:00.000-07:00

It’s been a while since I begun to hear rumours of anti-Guyanese sentiments not only from Barbadians, but Trinidadians, Jamaicans, and nationals of the lesser developed Caribbean states. My major rule is that I do not discuss Guyana economy with any one but Guyanese. The question what is the currency exchange rate between Guyana and the following countries; USA, Canada, and the UK – is always answered with I do not know and I do not care – next thought. Thus ignoring such commentary is possibly the best policy. I tried explaining people; individuals were not created to be limited by society, and unnatural boundaries.
Thus, today, I broached the subject with co-workers who are primarily of Bajan heritage. They tried to defend the policy saying it’s not anti-African Guyanese, but, anti Indo-Guyanese – anti East Indian, and Barbados has the right to protect its national interest. Well! It seems cheering for Kanhai and Kalicharran is one thing but allowing their people, my people, and our people to peacefully coexist in Barbados is quite an unhappy proposition. The fellows were shocked that I adopted such a position. They are all aware of the politics of ethnicity which has engulfed both Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago – and the level of poverty which has made itself known in Guyana. I told them I am not defending Guyanese, but the right of people to relocate wherever they choose upon earth. I am about people, people’s power, people without borders, human rights not indoctrination of national and or ethnic politics. I subscribe to the individual’s rights to exist wherever they choose.
The current chapter unfolding in Barbados is directly linked to the behaviours which were propagated in Guyana during the last 52 years. Our politicians have let us down. We allowed them to fail us. This is obviously a by-product because, you and I settled for the path of least resistance. I shall bet my life politicians do not encounter the problems, members of the public, do daily. Ultimately, fellow Guyanese we are the ones who must and will shoulder the blame, and the responsibility to demand and to ensure change takes place beneficial to the people and the state of Guyana.
I do not support any call for Guyanese to boycott Barbados, at all. Stooping to such a level is absolutely unnecessary, regardless of the impact upon the Bajan economy. Isn’t it ironic that in the 19th, and 20th, centuries, as late as the early 1950’s Bajans were still flocking into British Guiana. Now that your heroes have driven our beloved place of birth to her hands and knees – Guyana is now slapped around by the likes of Barbados, Antigua, and lesser developed nations, while holding hands with Haiti, as comrades in poverty.
I say don’t get mad at Barbados and Bajans –look in the mirror – then replace those who has done this dastardly deed to us – and believe you me it’s not the Bajans. The ultimate responsibility rests upon those of us who have the ability to change the nature of our government. I have no beef with Barbados. I have only history lessons for Barbadians. My quarrel is with Guyanese, their politics of ethnicity, and their inept government.
During my teenage and Rasta years I thought of Bajan males as homosexuals – when in St. James don’t drop your soap, don’t bend down – was the popular slang. I can remember telling Bajan males as recently as 2002 –faggots ought to be bunt and buried especially those from St. James. Well! I am enlightened as per my heritage. I am acquiring the knowledge of myself. I will say prior to being known as Guyanese, my representatives were Bajans, perhaps, shortly after being kidnapped from the West African Coast. Therefore I am not about to be either resentful or belligerent to and with my relatives, whatever their nationality or ethnicity. Barbados – may very well be Buxton, Friendship, Golden Grove, Nabaclis, Victoria, Unity, Lancaster, Hopetown, England and Africa – for I am absolutely positive my ancestors rests in peace in those places.

Guyana, indeed all Nations, Can and Must learn from South Africa

2005-08-09T11:41:00.000-07:00

Guyana, indeed all Nations, Can and Must learn from South Africa
A truth commission heard the evidence of the crimes committed against the indigenous peoples of the land, in South Africa. The feature which has fascinated me is that the South Africans have neither turned upon the Europeans nor East Indians. It seems the first period of democratic rule has been a tonic – an episode of healing. I am not at all shocked. I knew Black people are a loving group. In fact, people who embrace oriental ideals are concerned and committed to the welfare of humanity. Blacks are people who are about sharing, caring, and protecting each other. I pray that that situation continues without any ethnic clashes, until the people accept themselves as South Africans by their cultural and national heritage.
I am extremely grateful, that Earth’s Rightful Rulers, the originals of earth, decided to act like their ancestry of the Nile valley civilizations, instead of those descendants of the Caucasian Mountains. The peaceful transition South Africa they argue is the true measure of Nelson Mandela’s greatness, his legacy, is his imprint on the climate in the early years in the aftermath of Apartheid and hurdles his immediate successors must negotiate to avoid blood bath and national poverty in South African. While the economic control remains in the hands of Europeans – and the Africans in poverty – we are told there is no noteworthy ethnic confrontation in recent times. Therefore those of you, who expected blacks in South Africa to jump up, and down upon the interlopers, must then, be very disappointed.
The Europeans, for a number of years now, have abandoned the region, yet, two groups of black peoples -Africans and East Indians in the Caribbean region- prefer to accentuate their differences. After 167 years – it is more than enough time – these working class people, can not choose the factors which unites them over that which divides or separates them. One wonders if and when unity will ever be the scenario in the Caribbean. People look at yourself in the mirror, and after you have done that let us gather ourselves, neither as Africans of Guyana nor East Indians of Guyana, but as brothers and sisters, children of Guyana, Guyanese.
Let us attempt to make truth of the expression of credited to The Honourable Mr. Brindley Horatio Benn, the appropriate description of us - One people, one nation, one Destiny. South Africa has presented us with a lesson Guyana, indeed all nations, can and must learn. Guyanese social scientists must study what occurred and or is occurring in South Africa since April 1994. Our leaders must adopt measures which shall useful to transform our society into one every Guyanese will boast about.

GANDHIJI

2005-08-08T13:02:00.000-07:00

Showing on THURSDAY at 8.45
and FRIDAY at 5.15 and 8.45
“GANDHIJI”
A FULL LENGTH FILM OF THE LIFE, LOVE AND SACRIFICES MADE BY
THE GREATEST MAN THAT EVER LIVED
GANDHIJI

The first full length feature film, incorporating the many epochs making the events of Mahatma Gandhi’s life, is a collection of a number of news sequences filmed over a period of almost two decades. It begins at the beginning, viz. with a picture of the Mahatma’s father, Shri Karamchand Gandhi, and of the house where the future Mahatma was born (2-10- 1869) on the 2nd, of October, 1869. Picture of his boyhood and youth, and of his student days in England, follow. He is seen also in the uniform of a sergeant in the Boer War, South Africa’s War of Independence, as also as a leader of the famous Satyagraha Movement launched in 1894, and shoulder to shoulder with the Ali Brothers. He is next seen touring the Indian Villages preaching non-violence, Hindu-Muslim unity and the use of Khaddar as the panaceas of Indian freedom. Then follow scenes of the Sabarmati Ashram; the school where all came to learn the new technique to win Swaraj, of the 200 miles March through the villages of Gujerat known as the Dandi March of his lectures at various places en route and of his stay with the villagers culminating in what is known as the Salt Satyagrah.
Then follow scenes of the crowds waiting for hours to hear Mahatma prior to departure for the Round Table Conference, his reception at Marseilles, his return from the Round Table Conference, thoroughly disappointed and of the mammoth public meeting where he announces that Indians must depend on their own strength for their independence and that strength lay in non-violence. Many more pictures follow of his life at Sevagram where the constructive work programme was evolved, of his tour of Orissa in the cause of Daridra Narain, of the crowds that welcomed him wherever he went, of his successful fast at Rajkot, of the Cripps Mission and his refusal to accept the offer which amounted to as “post date cheque” for independence.
The final phase of the struggle starts on the 8th of August, 1942. The scenes that follow give a glimpse of the great events that took place on the 8th and 9th, of August, 1942 of the suffering that our leaders and Patriots had to undergo. The Mahatma is jailed at Aga Khan’s Palace in Poona where his Secretary, Shri Mahadev Desai, whom he had described as both his son and father, and Kasturba, his life’s companion, passed away.
The Mahatma’s released from incarceration, his arrival in Bombay and stay at Juhu, his prayer meetings, the celebration of his 75th birthday and the AICC meeting in Bombay endorsing the plan for a Constituent Assembly are then shown graphically. Next follows, the Independence Day Celebration in Delhi and elsewhere as the culmination of the struggle of two decades, his efforts in Delhi to restore communal peace and harmony, his prayers two days before his assassination and the unforgettable scenes at his funeral and at the Asthi Immersion Ceremonies.
SHOWING AT THE ASTOR ENTERTAINMENT HEADQUARTERS

BETTER THAN A FIRE BRIGADE

2005-07-23T10:14:00.000-07:00

BETTER THAN A FIRE BRIGADE
I have read with mixed feelings of pleasure and professional jealously that Mr. D. T. A. Jones, the redoubtable Belfield Journalist, is nearing his thousandth birthday, after approximately nine hundred years’ splendid service as the representative of the Daily Chronicle at the busy hub of the universe named.
Mr. Jones has ever boosted Belfield, and it was largely due to his pen that the realization dawned upon the public mind that if Georgetown were not Georgetown, Belfield would be.
I have a sprightly recollection of how with one mighty stroke of his pen he rendered a service to local insurance companies, for which the presentation of a gold loving-cup would have been an inadequate reward. There had been a series of fires along the East Coast, and the insurance people were becoming flustered when our esteem Belfield “Junius” put an end to all that in one naïve sentence he contributed to the Daily Chronicle “Poor Mr. X’s fire seems to be following him all about…” So he wrote, after which all the houses on the East Coast remained as fireproof as if built of asbestos.

I possess many another priceless memory of the veteran Victoria-Belfield Correspondent. You can’t keep a good man down, and so on one occasion when Mr. D. K. Jardine wrote him a peremptory line asking him not to let something or other happen again, the entire Main Street establishment realized that some repercussive effect would follow. True enough, by return of post there arrived from Mr. Jones a Belfield Police court Paragraph, neatly written in small roman hand, on the back of Mr. Jardine’s letter of remonstrance. Well do I remember how at regular intervals there would arrive news of the storks advent at Belfield for, like a true gentleman, my confrere never ailed to write a neat paragraph congratulating Mrs. Jones on her latest achievement as an empire-builder, and modestly taking no credit to himself whatever. Good luck and long life to Mr. Jones – so say all of us. And may his troubles be little ones.

[Source: McLellan, G. H. H., (1943) (No. 68.) “Better than a fire Brigade”
Old Time Story: Some Old Guianese Yarns Respun by “Pugagee Pungguss” 1937-1938. The Guiana Edition - no. 7: Pages 81 & 82]

HOSPITALS RUN BY LOCAL GOV’T – DR. TALBOT’S DREAM.

2005-07-08T14:18:00.000-07:00

HOSPITALS RUN BY LOCAL GOV’T – DR. TALBOT’S DREAM.
Health minister Dr. Sylvia Talbot declared on Friday that she is dreaming of the day when the central government will not be responsible for the day to administration of hospitals but that of the local government district councils. She however, assured the villagers that when this happens government will not dessert them but will make annual grants towards the running of such administrations. Dr. Talbot also added that government will always be available to give them technical assistance and moral support.
The minister made these remarks after she had received surgical and operating equipment to the value of $10,000 from US Ambassador Mr. Spencer King on behalf of his government for the use at the Fort Wellington Cottage Hospital, West Coast, Berbice.
[Source: Weekend Post & Sunday Argosy - May 24, 1971]

FRIENDSHIP WESLEY GUILD – APPOINTMENT OF OFFICE BEARERS.

2005-07-08T14:16:00.000-07:00

EAST COAST NEWS – FRIENDSHIP WESLEY GUILD – APPOINTMENT OF OFFICE BEARERS.

Mr. Charles Luke, President of the above Guild, presided over its general meeting held at the Friendship Wesleyan School Room, on Thursday night last. Amongst those in attendance were Messrs. John E. S. Morgan, Secretary, A. D. Philadelphia, H. C. Joseph, W. A. Young, Wesley McDonald Holder , Randolph Aaron Abrams, G. Irving Simon, G. E. Joseph, E. B. Williams, Charles A. Gardner, B. F. Talbot, R. I. Jones, Eleazar French, and W. Austin.

ANNUAL REPORT

The annual report was read by the secretary. The following is an extract: - The year 1918 can be said to have been the most prosperous of many years for the Friendship Wesleyan Guild, in that it marked a new era. There was a healthy state of affairs. The Star Chamber movement formerly practised by those in authority had been abolished and the laziness and disinterestedness exhibited by the female members ceased to be and happiness reigned. One bright feature of the time is that the number of the males slightly exceeded that of the females. Proceedings started to be somewhat healthier than before when we had completed the eight month of the year, and since then there has been a slow but steady growth in the roll. This is due largely to the effort made to get prominent members of the community to lecture on certain evenings. Our thanks are due to Messrs. C. T. Holder, E. Joseph, W. McMillan, and Dr. A. T. Ozzard for their kindness in lecturing to the Guild. Our departmental officers have nearly all failed to keep their trust. Mr. G. E. Joseph succeeded Mr. W. A. Young as literary secretary, and the only progress made was the introduction of Essay competition. The winner of the reading competition for the year is Mr. Ellis B. Williams. We would be justified in saying that this department had no chance to develop.
Christian service – Miss E. Philadelphia - this department was always in the fore when given a chance and great praise is due to Mr. Charles Luke for his ardent work in this branch. From Miss Mayers in the Social and Musical Department a happy time was always experienced. We are grateful to the Sunday school for the loan of their organ. The election of the office bearers resulted as follows:-
Senior Vice-President, Mr. A. D. Philadelphia; Junior Vice-President, Mr. Robert L. Jones; General Secretary, Mr. Harrison C. Joseph; Assistant Secretary, Mr. George E. Joseph; Director of Christian Service, Mr. Charles Luke; Literary Secretary, Mr. John E. Stuart Morgan; Social and Musical Secretary, Miss Nellie Mayers; Punctually Officers, Messer. G. E. Simon and Jason Luke; Roll and Devotional Secretary, Miss N. Mayers. The committee consisted of a convenor and six members.
Recreation club –Mr. Jno. E. Morgan and Miss Lillian Morgan. After the election a grand concert was held, Miss G. Alleyne opened the programme with a beautiful song. An instrumental solo was well rendered by Miss Mayers, while Mr. Randolph Abrams gained much applause for a song. Mr. Robert L. Jones played on the violin. Great praise is due to Mr. E. B. Williams who read an instructive paper on the War. Miss Gertie Alleyne secured an encore for another song. Mr. W. A. Young enlivened the audience with a well rendered instrumental solo. The proceedings were closed with a social.

[Source: “East Coast News – Friendship Wesley Guild – Appointment of Office Bearers.”- The Daily Chronicle – Wednesday, January 1, 1919: page 2]

“Most qualified Guyanese” says “unjustly fired”

2005-07-08T14:14:00.000-07:00

“Most qualified Guyanese” says “unjustly fired”

Major Ramon Sattaur, 37 year old Guyanese soldier who has been dismissed from the Guyana Defence Force feels that he has been “unjustly fired” and has dubbed his removal from the National Army as “a political move”.
Brit GDF head states: Sattaur’s dismissal part of plan to re-organize the Force.

The head of the GDF British Lieutenant-Colonel Ronald J. Pope said Major Sattaur’s dismissal was part of a plan to re-organize the Force, and gear it for its responsibilities after independence. The Sandhurst trained soldier returned to BG on Monday from a short holiday in Jamaica to find a letter from Governor Sir Richard Luyt, terminating his commission with effect from yesterday. It gave no reasons for his dismissal and according to a close friend of the Major; he is to receive three months pay in lieu of the notice. The friend said Sattaur told him he feels e is the most qualified Guianese to hold the post.
About his future, Major Sattaur is reported to have said, “As soon as I can collect my money I am going away. If my own country does not want me, I won’t remain.”
The Major who has refused to speak to the press, however, has told his close friends that he is very bitter about the treatment meted out to him. Sattaur has said that he has never failed an examination in his life. He did a full course at Sandhurst Military School and was commissioned in the Jamaican Regiment.
He is married to a Jamaican and is going back to the island shortly. He had a busy round of activities yesterday as he cleared up his affairs connected to his short career in the GDF.
PROSECUTION
During, yesterday morning, he saw the Police Service Commission and later he had a meeting with Governor Luyt, the man who had recruited him as head of the Special Service Unit, before he was commissioned in the GDF. When approached for an interview, Major Sattaur declined, pointing out that he would be liable to prosecution
under the Official Secrets Act.
Asked how and when his side of the story would be made known, he said: “some day, people will eventually know.”
[Source: Baird, George “Unjustly Fired”- The Guyana Star, Wednesday March 2, 1966: page 8]

From army to insurance – as boss
Sattaur: Not Returning I’m finished with a military career: wishes GDF well – I am fully qualified – only qualified Guyanese Army Officer in BG.

Ramon Sattaur, former Major in the Guyana Defence Force left the country yesterday morning vowing never to return. He also said that he was finished with a military career. He is returning to Jamaica to take up a position as Manager of Insurance Company there.
Sattaur was dismissed in a reshuffle of the Defence Force said that the Prime Minister had told him he wasn’t wanted in the Defence Force and gave him a certain time to leave the country.
He claimed that the contract was supposed to expire on January 17, 1967, but he was terminated while he was on leave in Jamaica. He has been paid only up to May 26, this year.
He also claimed that he was fully qualified, and is, as a matter of fact, the only qualified Guyanese Army Officer here. Referring to rumours that he had trained PPP activists, Sattaur said that this was not true; he never took part in politics and always gave everyone a fair deal. He said that he thinks the six Guyanese Officers, are all very efficient, and that the Defence Force is a good unit and he wishes them the very best.

[Source: “Sattaur: Not Returning”- The Guyana Star, Wednesday March 16, 1966: page 12]

Major Price Seconded To Guyana Defence Force

2005-07-08T14:13:00.000-07:00

Major Price Seconded To Guyana Defence Force

The vacancy created by Major Ramon Sattaur’s removal from the Guyana Defence Force, has been filled temporarily. His duties are now being carried out by Major Clarence Price who has been seconded to the GDF from the Ministry of Home Affairs where he was Assistant Secretary in charge of defence matters.
Major Price who is now second in command of the GDF was a Major in the Volunteer Force and was very active on the West Demerara where he was in charge of BGVF operations during the disturbances of 1964.
When he was appointed to the Ministry of Home Affairs, he was in charge of matters connected with the organization of the GDF. He has been seconded to the GDF for an indefinite period, according to an authoritative Government spokesman.
But efforts are still being made to have a permanent appointment in Major Sattaur’s place, though it was not known how early the post will be filled.
Among the people interviewed in connection with the post is Major Claude “Chippy” Graham, a former Deputy Superintendent of Police. Meanwhile the British head of the GDF Lieutenant-Colonel Ronald J. Pope has a new Adjutant.
He is Lieutenant Pilgrim, formerly of the BGVF. The final list of officers and other ranks of the GDF, who would be in the force, after independence, would be published shortly.
[Source: The Guyana Star, Tuesday March 8, 1966: pages 4 & 12]

EDDIE GRANT FILES CLAIM AGAINST THE POLICE

2005-07-08T14:09:00.000-07:00

EDDIE GRANT FILES CLAIM AGAINST THE POLICE

“Pop Group” leader Edward Grant is claiming against the Commissioner of Police, acting, Mr. Henry Fraser, a declaration that his act of preventing him (Grant) from leaving Guyana on May 22, was illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional.
Grant is also seeking an order restraining the Commissioner of Police, acting, from preventing him leaving Guyana by air or by any other means of transportation or from causing anyone also so to do.
Through his counsel, Mr. J. O. F, Haynes S.C., and Mr. Miles Fitzpatrick instructed by Mr. M. A. A. Mc Doom, Grant filed the declaration in the Deeds Registry of the Supreme Court stating that he was a Guyanese living in England but presently in Guyana. Because his British passport had expired he applied to the Guyana High Commission in London for a Guyana passport which was issued to him. By that time he became leader of a “Pop Group” of musicians known as “The Equals”. This group had obtained top ratings for several years and it obtained wide recognition. As the band travelled widely, he said, he had to be with the group and his passport was used up.

BRITISH CITIZENSHIP
Grant swore that during 1969, the group had a contract to sing and give television shows in Germany and he needed a passport urgently.
He said he went back to the Guyana High Commissioner in London for a replacement but was told he would have to wait for a week. A full week, he said, meant the abandonment of the contract and created managerial and other difficulties. He said he applied for British citizenship and a British passport. Within twenty-four hours he obtained these. That was on September 18, 1969. This passport is still in force. On May 3, this year, Grant said, he had cause to visit the Brickdam Police Station in connection with the unauthorised use of a car in his charge by one Frank Adams. The police arrested Adams and at the time, Grant said, when he visited the station, he was wearing a costume belt purchased in London. While at the station, he said, he was placed in a cell and unlawfully assaulted and abused by certain policemen and a policewoman. He said, he complained to Senior Superintendent “Skip” Roberts about this, and he alleged Mr. Roberts told him that if no part of the belt was found to be ammunition by the police ballistics expert, the belt and his passport which was seized would be returned to him by May 6, 1971.

UNLAWFUL POSSESSION
Grant swore that when he went for the belt, he was charged with unlawful possession of ammunition contrary to the National Security Act. The case was, however, dismissed after he had pleaded not guilty. He swore that he was then sent to the Traffic Court where he was charged with permitting Adams to use a car in respect of which there was no insurance policy in force. That case too was dismissed. Grant said that he received his passport on May 16, and made all preparations for his departure on May 22.
He said he travelled up to Timehri Airport on May 22. But on May 20, a copy of a notice of appeal dated May 20, by the policeman who was the complainant in the unlawful possession of ammunition case, was served on him.

UNCONSTITUTIONAL
Grant said his lawyer told him there was no legal barrier to his leaving Guyana. He swore that when he arrived at the airport a man who he said was the chief Immigration Officer took away his passport, and told him that an appeal had been filed and he could not leave.
This act, Grant is alleging is unlawful, illegal, unconstitutional and was a violation of his constitutional rights under Article 14 of the Constitution of Guyana. Hearing will take place on Wednesday.

[Source: Hughes, Ivan, - Eddie Grant files claim against the Police - Weekend Post & Sunday Argosy – May 24, 1971: page 3]

GUYANA DEFENCE FORCE: The People’s Army - If they aren’t part of the Solution - Then they are part of the Problem.

2005-07-08T14:07:00.000-07:00

I am convinced that an entity is either for or against the events as they are occurring. It is with reservations that I attempt to explain my opinion on the role of the Guyana Defence Force in the political landscape as I understand it between 1966 and 2005. My first recollection of the GDF is most certainly the Ramon Sattaur affair, which occurred in March 1966. Major Ramon Sattaur was the highest ranking Guyanese soldier, serving in the GDF under the command of the British Lieutenant-Colonel Ronald J. Pope. Major Sattaur was recruited by Governor Sir Richard Luyt and served as the officer in command of the Special Service Unit, before he was commissioned in the GDF. The Indo-Guyanese officer was officially dismissed from the Guyana Defence Force, on March1, 1966. The notice was a letter from the Governor, terminating his commission. Major Sattaur claimed he was “unjustly fired” and described his removal from the national army as “a political move”. Lieutenant-Colonel Ronald J. Pope stated major Sattaur’s dismissal was a part of a plan to re-organize the Force, and gear it for its responsibilities after independence. Major Ramon Sattaur was trained at Sandhurst Military School and was commissioned in the Jamaican Regiment.
Major Sattaur should have been appointed the Chief of Staff of the GDF; however, it is clear the then 37 year old Indo-Guyanese Officer was a victim of the beginnings of the politicizing of the Guyana Defence Force. Major Sattaur was quoted as saying, “As soon as I can collect my money I am going away. If my own country does not want me, I won’t remain.”
The Prime Minister made his intentions clear. Burnham was not willing to take his chances with an Indo-Guyanese officer at the head of his army. Therefore Major Sattaur was asked to resign. The image of 2nd Lieutenant Roberts at The Flag Raising Ceremony during the independence proceedings in Georgetown impressed upon me - I could one day do likewise. I may even walk in the footsteps of my then hero Dr. Fidel Castro. Guyana’s independence meant that I had the opportunity to dream. I could in the future represent the country of my birth as a soldier- statesman. It was around that period I begun to read of Yakubu Gowon of Nigeria and the Biafra war, 1967 – 1970. I did not understand the role of the military in national politics. It was the instructions I received at the Cuffy Ideological Institute at Kuru Kuru, which begun to open my eyes to the political role of military personnel. Understanding military and political machinery of nations became a paramount exercise for me, during the remainder of my, all too brief, military career. The outstanding events of my career are I encountered both Castro and Gowon. Castro told me to move the soldiers under my command further away from his airplane. I exchanged handshakes with Gowon at Timehri and then at The Residence at Belfield, for good measure. I am positive that was my only visit therein – and I was dreaming I would do so again – following a revolution.
My reminiscences indicate the 1973 national elections was the first time I really begun to look at the GDF as a unit of the PNC. I was residing between September 1966 and March 1974 either on the Corentyne Coast or on the East Coast of Demerara. Therefore when Indo-Guyanese were shot and killed at # 63 Village. I was deeply troubled. They are likely folks I encountered while residing in # 64 Village. In 1974, I learnt the Commanding Officer of the troops at # 63 Village was Lt. Joe Henry, a son of Mr. Gresham Henry, Head Master of the Primary School at Leeds. It known, Police Constable James Henry was murdered at the #63 Village Toll Booth. Arnold Rampersaud was accused of committing the act, and held in custody for about three and a half years. GDF soldiers would openly talk about switching and destroying ballot boxes. Some would say buried at sea and other would say placed in incinerator.
I knew truth was present - mathematics could not calculate to represent honest victories at the polls for the PNC. There is no doubt in my mind that the results of the national elections of 1968, 1973, 1980, and 1985 – were all rigged, all fraudulent. Thus the PNC never won a national elections - regardless of what social scientists has written or will write - the coalition government of the PNC-UF, from 1964 to1968 was the only period the PNC were a legitimate regime. I view coalition governments as political coups.
What as been absolutely remarkable in the last 40 years is that the GDF never attempted to overthrow the government of Guyana? Again I am no political analyst. I am more than somewhat taken aback, but not at all surprised by such inactivity by the GDF. I think it’s an indictment against the military commanders. It’s either the crabs in the barrel syndrome or the effects of Burnham’s power of persuasion. Whatever it was and or is it does not reflect well at all. I believe it displays Guyana military commanders in poor light - followers, not leaders. Soldiers in the so-called Third nations were staging coup after coup. Attempts were made in Trinidad, in Surinam it was successful. By January 1976 I was convinced the GDF soldiers will not attempt to overthrow the Government. I was then a Lance Corporal and experienced an encounter with folks at Timehri whom I was told during the debriefing are members of the CIA. Their telescopic lens, were so remarkable they presented a view of the airport with such clarity and closeness as if within the reach of a hand. Well I believed at that period they were Englishmen. They were so well versed in their knowledge of cricket. I was impressed with their skills of deception.
Another feature was the recognition that from June 1974 to November 15, 1977, while a member of D Company, I served under three Company Commanders; Captain Victor Wilson, Captain George Arlington Davidson, and Lieutenant Edward Collins. Captain Davidson was a big brother to me. I called him either Speedo or GAD. I loved hanging with Captain Davidson and Major Brenda Aaron. I still remember crying like a baby when I heard Captain Davidson died following a motor vehicle accident. In deed I lost an older brother. I remember GAD telling me, to always think for myself, aspire to positions of leadership - that’s where difference makers are found, never give others orders you can not, and or will not carry out yourself - one leads by example - aspire to be at all times a soldier’s soldier. And that is what I always tried to duplicate throughout the remainder of my stint in the GDF.
I thought the officers in charge of the several recruitment of cadet officers training I attended were all under instructions to select those who they were under the impression would be obedient to the PNC government. 1991 when I last spoke to Fred Wills; he asked why I made life so difficult for myself. Mr. Wills asked me if you really wanted to represent Guyana in the under 19 cricket you should have come to me, even after Demerara Cricket Club folks turned you down. If you really wanted to be a commissioned officer, even after your attempts on your own were rejected - then you should have come to me. Son, he went on success in life is about preparation meets opportunity with help from those who know you - and please remember and practise that all the days of your life.
Burnham was so confident that the GDF soldiers were incapable of challenging his rule that he placed a policeman, Norman McLean as the head of the army. Burnham with swooping strokes of his pen slapped the collective faces of the members of the GDF, silly. I remember the disgust, and the contempt the soldiers had for police officers- we would whip their butts at a drop of a hat, and push up on their females in a second - just to be starting something. That was such an insult. I was so sure that was more than enough Ammunition for a counter coup. Honestly, I could not and still do not understand why soldiers did not rise up against such belittling. Their failure to attempt to overthrow the government following the Norm McLean appointment is in my eyes the worst thing the GDF has done. I certainly lost whatever respect for the military high command of the GDF. I believe if the political affairs within the country are neither worth correcting nor dying - then the international affairs are not worth either killing or defending.
I would sit under the tamarind tree imagining either Spanish or Portuguese as a language I may need to learn quickly. Thus I began to study the conditions of Black people within Venezuela and Brazil. I engaged in examining WPA literature as much as I could. I kept wondering;
1.When will the soldiers to do something?
2.How could GDF soldiers support Burnham and the PNC after such a despicable act - against them?
I was definitely wrong about the GDF. Simple reasons such as claims of fraud led to a military coup in Nigeria. A counter coup made General Yakubu Gowon the President of Nigeria. The history of Guyana has shown all the attempts of self government by revolt ended in miserable failures. The political coup which occurred in December 1964, and it lasted for 28 long years, remains the exception. In the old days, “House Niggers” betrayed the revolutions. During the 1970s, too many soft guys and snitches - PNC stool pigeons – are the reasons plots never really, germinated. The PNC operatives implicated several officers who wisely left both the GDF and the country as Sattaur did in March of 1966.
The policy of the High Command of the GDF is very perplexing to say the least. Gunmen did not appreciate public works such the road project in the Buxton- Friendship district. Therefore it was terminated - that’s simply too much to swallow. While I do not like Black folks shedding blood of other black peoples - the gunmen have been begging for a thorough response from the GDF. Why on earth would they kill soldiers, and more so sleeping soldiers? Simply speaking, that is more than this old timer can stand. I say wipe them off the face of the earth, immediately. Let the communities be retuned to peace loving and honest citizens. That is the right thing to do. In fact it’s the only thing to do.
I simply can not understand;
1.How they can stand so idly by, doing nothing, while soldiers, non-commissioned ranks, are murdered innocently?
2.What will it take to awaken them from their sleep and slumber?
3.Does criminals have to murder a commissioned officer before the High Command take the necessary steps to eradicate this cancer which has been a plagued the nation for far too long now?
4.How upon earth do you think Guyanese would ever believe the GDF can protect their national interest when they do absolutely nothing while their own members are victimized with regularity?
5.What are the explanations?
The GDF never reflected they are the people’s Army. The GDF soldiers never portrayed themselves as part of the solution. Then it relatively easy to summarize that soldiers was and or is part of the problem.
I pray that another innocent person would not be victimized, in Guyana. Every innocent death by violence, the hand of the Gunmen running around the country is the fault of Jagdeo and his impotent policies. Guyanese ought to remember their dead, Guyanese must honour the lives of their innocent victims - and then the results of the next national elections – will reflect such. Ethnicity is no longer an excuse to keep those who have reduced the country into Hollywood scripts in power. People do something about it. Let change make it presence felt. Vote for change from 52 years of misery.

THE IMPACT OF THE POLITICS OF ETHNICITY IN GUYANA, 1953 -2005.

2005-07-08T13:59:00.000-07:00

THE IMPACT OF THE POLITICS OF ETHNICITY IN GUYANA, 1953 -2005.

I subscribe to the though process that the politics of ethnicity in Guyana, 1953 -2005, has been the main source of negativity in the nation. I am absolutely positive the beginning of the problems between the two major ethnic groups in Guiana, was that of labour and economics. Andrew Benjamin Brown, Alfred Athiel Thorne, Joseph Rohomon, Dr. John Rohlehr, Duncan Mac Rae Hutson, Patrick Dargan, Louis De Souza, William Harold Hinds, and all those movers and shapers of late 19th, century recognized the future would be clouded by the politics of ethnicity. It was simple to understand the population of the Africans in Guyana were being overcome by the immigration of East Indians into British Guiana. The Africans realized that Indo-Guyanese would present a major threat to them in political Guyana. Thus their emphasis was on the eradication of the system of indentured immigration into British Guiana, principally, to maintain their perceived position as the second tier citizens in British Guiana. The facts will show when the last Indentured Servant disembarked in 1918, there were already more East Indians than Africans in Guiana. Those nationalist politicians demanded that Africans be introduced into Guiana, to offset the presumed challenge and threat East Indians posed to the well being of Africans in Guiana.

Colonial administration documents on Local Government in the Village districts support this argument. The agreement between the residents of Victoria Village and the colonial administration in 1845 gives a clear indication of the nature of the colonial government’s attitude. The fathers of the village districts at some point realized that they must offer the same opportunities they offer Africans in their Villages to all who are resident in British Guiana. The events of the Angel Gabriel Riots of February, 1856, in the village districts - allows researchers to conclude – Portuguese were dwelling among the Africans in the rural communities. There were three major confrontations between Blacks and Portuguese in the 19th century, 1848 in New Amsterdam, the Angel Gabriel Riots and the Cent Bread Riots in 1889, in Georgetown. There were not any noticeable fall out between Blacks and Indians except over economics and labour. Even the argument that Blacks constituted the majority of the policemen who shot, wounded and killed East Indian labourers, must be examined carefully. The Blacks were subordinate to the Europeans and thus were following instructions. I often wondered what would have happened had the Negro Policemen joined forces with the indo-Guianese labourers, against their oppressors. Their must have been progressive persons within the labouring class who were promoting such thinking. Thus, it is clear the two major groups of working class people were under the influence of the concept of “Divide and Conquer”.

The first documented attempt of mass mobilization as a political party was the Reform Club in 1882. This early seedlings would not really germinate into a positive and comprehensive mass movement until the establishment of the People’s Progressive Party, in 1950. The ground work had been laid with the blood, the sweat, the tears, and the dreams of the working class peoples of British Guiana. The conception of the People’s Progressive Party, was deeply flawed. It is argued that the Jagans made promises to Burnham they never intended to realize. I shall ever maintain the Jagans did not need Burnham. They did not do their home work. Had they done a thorough job of examining the pros and cons of adding Burnham to their movement they would have concluded that Burnham would not be secondary to them and or any Guyanese for that matter.

Clearly, Burnham did not stab the Jagans in the back. Burnham simply used what was allowed him in the effort to realize his dream of ruling British Guiana. The history of this period is well known. It is very useful to re-examine the period November 1947 to October 1953. The problem is the Africans of Guyana has most remarkably transformed Burnham into a deity, similar to the actions of the ancients in the Nile River Valley Civilizations. This sanitizing of Burnham’s legacy is as putrid as suffering the effects of the PNC’s Party Paramountcy. Even 20 years following his death loyalists continue to promote Burnham’s agenda. The supporters disregard the Burnham’s follies which has yoked Guyana as kissing cousins of Haiti among the poorest nations on earth. The Burnham era has not revealed any noteworthy achievement. I am afraid tyranny certainly does not and can not equate with greatness – and that’s the truth. I subscribe that the destruction of the rural elite – the replacement of the Village District Council with the Neighbourhood Democratic Council - reflected a total disrespect for the shareholders and their achievements. That act is the fore runner to the mistrust and violence which has clouded the bedrock of the nation. Party Paramountcy – is in my humble opinion Burnham’s greatest sin against the people and the state of Guyana. The impact can be seen, clearly, in the village districts between the Demerara and the Mahaicony Rivers.

Genealogical Society could help Document our Personal Histories

2005-06-29T12:46:00.000-07:00

Genealogical society could help document our personal histories
Saturday, August 28th 2004

Dear Editor,

It's my hope that sparking interest in the histories of families which are connected to Guyana, would lead to the founding of an institution which would document and become a source where such information would be readily available to future generations.

It's a rather difficult exercise to research the genealogy of the melanin dominant peoples of Guyana. The researcher has to seek information which can be obtained from various institutions. The print media, primarily newspapers, identification documents, and governmental official reports, must be used to augment the oral traditions to identify family members. This is a factor because the masses of people migrated from the rural communities to the major centres, then beyond the boundary, as they seek opportunities to improve upon the quality of life, for themselves, and their families.

This movement of the people is a genealogist's nightmare, for families failed to keep abreast with all the members of their clan. This is true of the families from which I am descended - Campbell, and Muttoo of Unity-Lancaster Village District, Young (Younge) of Buxton- Friendship Village District, Sancho of Golden Grove-Nabaclis Village District, Solomon of Victoria -Belfield Village District, McPherson of Litchfield District, Ross and Martin of Hope town District.

I am of the opinion an institution such as Guyana Historical and Genealogy Society would be very useful in documenting the lives and the works of those folks who are not remembered, on the lips of everyday conversation. Folks who took over the mantle from the Share Holders, the teachers, members of Local Authorities, and other folks who made life in the communities, and indeed British Guiana worth struggling to build a better society for their offspring, working class people.

It seems to me a number of families were once resident in Barbados. This has led me to accept that it is very unlikely that there are Afro-Guyanese who do not have relatives in or connected to Barbados.

I am of the opinion there are too many publications articulating ethnic political views, passing and posing for the history of the people of Guyana. It's a shame and a sham for future generations would be fooled into accepting this as the entire view. While the real truths would be resting in the cemeteries.

Thus the Guyana Historical and Genealogy Society's publications must reflect the voices of the people, beginning with the slaves, indentured servants, colonists, and the indigenous peoples of Guyana. The stories of the proud Share Holders, and their attempts of unifying the masses of people, by firstly allowing them to settle in their communities, ought to be regarded as the first baby steps of national unity in Guyana.

Shareholders, not Burnham, are the neglected and unknown heroes of Guyana.

2005-06-29T12:41:00.000-07:00

It is reflective of the pettiness, which marked the PNC's illegal administration. I am afraid Hamilton Green's points are neither valid nor enlightening. It is indeed sad that, a former Prime Minister of Guyana would be reduced to such tasteless and pettiness. I cannot begin to understand how the political history of Guyana can ever omit the Burnham era. That would be similar to omitting the need and the rise of the WPA, and its charismatic Walter Rodney.

It is clear; Hamilton Green's voice is of one crying out from the political wilderness in which he has found himself today. Mr. Green's lamentations ring hollow. Hamilton Green's reasons are all illogical and irrelevant. What was his aim? The letter pointed out a self-serving attitude. Do not worry yourself – your cousin’s legacy would not die of misadventure. None would dare to state it was unemployed.

I would like to offer my opinions on the Monument at Enmore and the President's College at Golden Grove.

The President's College serves as vestigial of Burnham's dictatorship. I see no honour in its construction – especially since there was a functioning Golden Grove Government Secondary School in the Community, which I attended. I am still convinced. There was no need to copycat in Golden Grove what Burnham had seen in Africa and Korea. It was simply Burnham's reality, and not a need.

I am not opposed to educational institutions in the Golden Grove and Nabaclis community. I simply remain opposed to the idea and the symbolism of the birthing and, most importantly, the manner in which the President's College was realized in Golden Grove. Erecting the President's College remains a sore point with me - a descendant of Bentick Sancho, a shareholder and village father of the Nabaclis–Golden Grove Community. Bentick Sancho played a role in February 1856, during the Angel Gabriel Riots between Enmore and Belfield, in helping to keep the peace and protecting the lives of Portuguese and damage to their property. Thus, Bentick Sancho stood for tolerance of ethnic and other differences. Bentick Sancho actions must be interpreted as one, which subscribed to the political philosophy of the power of the people. About it - the communal experiences in rural British Guiana are the foundation on which Guyana stands today. I will always argue to pay homage to education in Golden Grove, and Nabaclis district must begin with honoring the father and son, James Alfred and Donald Ashley Bevel Trotman. The Trotman family members spent most of their lives as Head teachers of Golden Grove Wesleyan School, Members of the local Authority of Golden Grove and Nabaclis district. The Trotmans took part in all phases of life in the community. It would be an honourable gesture to rename the College in their honour. It is the correct to do. In fact, it is the only to do.
Although, Emerson Samuels (1928 - 2003), a great great-grandson of Bentick Sancho, and son of Nabaclis may have painted it. Those responsible should remove Burnham's image. They must replace it with images of educators, other members, and scenery from the community. In fact, the known history of Golden Grove and Nabaclis should be on the curriculum in the College.

I am confident that at some point, the names of the institutions in Golden Grove and Nabaclis will reflect that of the heroes - the shareholders and residents of the community. The shareholders are the original owners of Golden Grove and Nabaclis. The shareholders laid down the foundations for settled life in that community. Therefore, they are both my ancestors and my heroes.

There are no Burnhams among those shareholders. There is neither Green nor Licorish on the list. I believe the Burnhams, Greens and Licorish were all, still in Barbados. In 1848, Golden Grove and Nabaclis was doing just fine and dandy without them. Traveller wrote an article entitled “Golden Grove: - “Village of Cane-Crushing Mills.” It was printed in the section “Covering the Country Districts,” and in the issue of the Sunday Chronicle, dated, May 26 1946, on page 7. The writer tells us, “Politically, Golden Grove people are in no way behind the inhabitants of the other villages. Its Sandys, and Sealeys, Simons and Kendalls, Sarrabos and Collins; its Herods, Sanchos, Bristols, Glasgows, Davids, McLeans, Hughes, and Trotmans have all left their impression on the political pages of the village”. Do the residents of the Golden Grove and Nabaclis community recall them; named any institutions in their honour, worry about their places in history of the district? Well! I am positive you and I both know the correct answer to such a question.

I am confident leaders will again rise and point the community on to a path of self-emancipation. In the not-too-distant future, there will be economic development. By realizing the dreams of the heroes of the community. The politicians and their supporters, who were all concerned with their narrow self-interests, turned their dreams into nightmares.

The crisis in Guyana – begs for folks who subscribe to both the theory and the practice in the interest and common good of the people. Mr. Green ought to be both concerned and committed to preserving life and all phases of development in Guyana. Yet, while Black on Black crime reigns supremely in the land, just a bit short of anarchy – once-great communities, such as the Buxton-Friendship, the Golden Grove-Nabaclis and Victoria-Belfield districts are reduced to fear and utter desperation. The present administration is incapable or reluctant, or both, to arrest the violent criminal, whoever and whenever they are to be found. Corbin and the PNC have done little or nothing to address issues affecting the people and the state of Guyana. The Military and Para Military commanders are doing their utmost – not stepping on toes – the people cannot, in their right minds, look to those entities for leadership – in solving their unending hurt, which they experience daily.

Mr. Green, try telling your thoughts about “a Campaign to Excise Burnham from our History” to relatives whose loved ones have been murdered by the criminals. Try telling it to the relatives of Walter Rodney and the others, who were victimized between October 1953 to this day.

Mr. Hamilton Green, why were the people of Golden Grove not given the opportunity to accept or reject constructing of the College? They were relieved of their land without compensation. In fact, my mother, Mrs. Muriel Ross, a great-granddaughter of Bentick Sancho, lost two beds aback, without compensation. While this has nothing to do with the college - Mrs. Muriel Ross served her country dutifully for a 45-year career as a primary schoolteacher – only to be disrespected by the government who revoked her pension. How about the business of having a PNC card? Ptolemy Reid asked me why I did not have a PNC card, while I was a student at Burnham Agricultural Institute at Arakaka in the North-West District. I am sure I told Dr. Reid I do not support the ideal of divide and conquer. I am positive Burnham is symbolic of what's wrong with the so-called leaders of non-European nations. They are,, puppets of European nations, especially the USA. Burnham is no hero – he is the creation of the governments of UK and USA – who was put in placed at the expense of the popular leader, Dr. Cheddi Jagan. Mr. Green, you know that many of us, who are still alive today, know that is the truth.

I understand constructing the Monument in memory of the Enmore Martyrs, was nothing more than political. Let me address that issue – it is clear Burnham was seeking to steal the PPP's thunder. The Jagans' rise to prominence is linked to their actions on the behalf of the working-class peoples at Enmore Estate during 1948. Mr. L. F. S. Burnham is no hero of mine. My thoughts of Burnham and the PNC are similar to those I have for the colonial administrators of British Guiana. Burnham's actions revealed a pattern of behavior that is reminiscent of the Europeans in the history of British Guiana. Burnham copied the actions of several heads of states, mostly of the non-aligned nations. What was the idea of building a mansion at Belfield? The Governors of British Guiana, including Korkright, removed themselves from Georgetown to Belfield for rest and relaxation. Whenever I think of national heroes of Guyana, the following are quickly considered; Joseph Rohomon, Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow, J.O. F. Haynes, Eusi Kwayana, Martin Carter, Shridath Ramphal, Rohan Kanhai and Walter Rodney.

The mere fact that Hamilton Green is allowed to utter sentiments on Burnham's behalf, is repulsive to me. Are politicians above the law of the land? The PPP harped and wailed for many years about crimes committed by the PNC against the People and state of Guyana, but to this day, not one of the members of the PNC have faced a note of justice. Mr. Green, you know those who could testify and present damning against the PNC, including yourself, are either not alive, or unwilling to do so. Shirley Field-Ridley, Walter Rodney, Vincent Teekah, and countless others, remain unresolved murders in my eyes and exhibits against the PNC. I wish eyewitness had the nerve to tell us the truths of the rumors of crimes, which were committed by and for political reasons.

Mr. Green, the truth is the shareholders of the African Villages are the neglected and unknown heroes of Guyana. It is on their bold tries of self- emancipation in the face of great odds, which ushered in the foundations on which the nation political Guyana was built. I am neither shocked nor perturbed at Hamilton Green, a beneficiary of his relative's position as Head of State of Guyana. Mr. Green would attempt to defend his cousin and self at all costs.

Mr. Green's article only serves to demonstrate the reasons for to establish a commission of enquirey. An International Truth and Reconciliation Commission to examine those long rumored instances and the known facts of the events, dating from October 1953 in British Guiana, to this day in Guyana. Let the chips fall where they may. I will put my life on the line. I will bet Burnham will not come out of such, smelling like a rose.

it is obvious it will be those, who pride themselves in the footsteps of their ancestors, descendants of shareholders of Golden Grove and Nabaclis, who will lead the community to equal and supersede the heights set by their ancestors on January 5th, 1848.

I will rest in peace, confident in the power of the people, in support of the common good and the will of the people. Long live Peoples Power – and it shall never die….The struggle continues

personal interest

2005-05-19T11:57:00.000-07:00

On the personal interest front:
To learn whether the Afro-British writer and Critic, Ignatius Sancho (1729-1780) is an ancestor of Christopher "Boss" Bentick Sancho, John Sancho, and Tuckness Sancho.
To identify, locate, and communicate with descendants and relatives of Christopher "Boss" Bentick Sancho, John Sancho, and Tuckness Sancho, wherever they were birthed.
To identify, locate, and communicate with descendants and relatives of David Young, George Young and Walter Young, wherever they reside.

To establish and to promote Guyanese Genealogical and Biographical Society as an organization, dedicated to the preservation of the history, biography, and genealogy of persons of Guyanese heritage.
To promote and to protect the social, educational ,economical, and political interests of the community.
To interest members and others in the welfare of the peoples of the community.
To improve relations among all Guyanese, and people with interest in the development of Guyanese society.
To cooperate with organizations, institutions and individuals sympathetic to the improvement of the Haslington, Golden Grove, Nabaclis, Cove & John, Victoria, and Belfield Communities.
To honour our ancestors; C. F. Adams, Thomas Adams, Carl Austin, Albert Messiah Benn, Thomas Henry Benn, R. Charles, Pharaoh Chase, George Edmund Cockfield, David Collins, Sampson Nathaniel Collins (1898-1949), Bertram Aggrey Nathaniel Collins, A. Fernandes, M. Fraser, Isaiah David, James David, Claude Hicks Augustus Denbow, Tappin Johnson Elliott, Isaac Evelyn, Colin Hiles, H. A. Hughes, Willie Hughes [ a. k. a.. Sapata: the Obeah Specialist], James William James, S. L. Jeune, Daniel Thomas Adolphus Jones a. k. a.. “DT” (1855-1945), Benjamin Kingston, E. London, Job Luke, Murtland P. Maison, Nathaniel Maison, W. Maison, A. Mc Donald, Carlton Paton Browne Melbourne (1894 -1962), George H. H. Morrison, Joseph Alfred Parkinson (1856-1944), Balgobin Persaud, T. R. Persaud, Manoel Garoe Pitta, Adam Ridley, Christopher "Boss" Bentick Sancho, John Sancho, Tuckness Sancho, Lambert Tuckness "Tommy" Sancho, Christopher Bentick Sancho, Joseph Thomas Sancho, T. Anson Sancho, F. W. Sandy, Leopold Duncan Sarrabo, Barton Scotland, J. C. Seeley, Alexander Simon, J. R. Simon, Stanford Simon, Frederick Solomon, Stanford Solomon, P. Sumner, Hubert Alfred Thompson, Brandford Trotman, Donald Ashley Bevel Trotman (b. 1899), Joseph Alfred Trotman, Shurland "King Fighter" Wilson.

To blaze trails for our descendants.
To tell the stories of the community ourselves.

I would be extremely grateful if you would forward my enquires to scholars, and others, including your colleagues who are likely to be very helpful. I am encountering great difficulties accessing material covering the period 1838 to 1893 in British Guiana. Can you advice me on the availability and accessibility in the research institutions in Guyana of the following;
Sancho - The History of a Family of the African Diaspora.

Versions of the folk songs in which Sancho is the subject.

The lives and works of Bertrand Abrams, Dr. Joycelynne Loncke, Dr. Harold Alexander Lutchman, Christopher "Boss" Bentick Sancho, John Sancho, Tuckness Sancho, Lambert Tuckness "Tommy" Sancho, T. Anson Sancho, U. Leebert Sancho and Dr. Barton Scotland.
The immigration of Black people into British Guiana between August 1,1833 and January 5, 1848. Where would such records be accessed?
The births, marriages and deaths of Black people in British Guiana between August 1,1833 and January, 1900. Where would the Wesleyan Methodist church have their records of the births, baptisms, marriages and deaths of Black people during that period? Where would the Wesleyan Methodist church have their records of land which were donated to them? Where would the Wesleyan Methodist church records of their activities in British Guiana be accessed?
Can Sancho family researchers access records of employment of Bentick Sancho, John Sancho, and Tuckness Sancho at various sugar estates including Enmore between the period August 1,1833 and January, 1874?
Can interested persons obtain copies of deeds, or surveys, done in 1850, in Guyana today?
The List and copies of the images of the graduates of the Teachers Training Centre, the third batch, 1932-34.

Establishing a Guyana Genealogical and Biographical Society as an organization, dedicated to the preservation of the history, biography, and genealogy of persons of Guyanese heritage.
Guyanese Biographical Dictionaries and Encyclopaedias.
Contact information for Dr. Harold Lutchman or ask him to contact Sancho family researchers.
Lists of the registered voters eligible to exercise their franchise during the Colonial and National Elections during the 19th. and the 20th. centuries in British Guiana, beginning with the elections of 1847.

The Long Note Book
Barbadian Migration to British Guiana, 1835-1924.
History of Golden Grove, Nabaclis, Haslington, Victoria, Buxton, Friendship, Plaisance, Beterverwagting, Ann's Grove, Two Friends, Unity and Lancaster, Villages of the East Coast of Demerara

Lists of the share holders of Buxton, Friendship, Plaisance, Beterverwagting, Ann's Grove, Two Friends, Unity and Lancaster, villages, on the East coast of Demerara.
The dates the Centenary Celebrations of Haslington, Victoria, Buxton, Friendship, Plaisance, Beterverwagting, Ann's Grove, Two Friends, Unity and Lancaster, Villages of the East Coast of Demerara, were held.

The Program for the Centenary Celebrations (May 5, 1848 - May 5, 1948) held in Golden Grove and Nabaclis Village District on the days, May 5 -7, 1948.
Leopold Duncan Sarrabo’s Historical Review of Golden Grove prepared for the Centenary Celebrations May 5, 1948.
East Coast Demerara Almanack and Directory for the year 1888 ( and for all the available years)
Sandenan’s British Guiana Almanack and Diary for the year 1855. (Ephemerides)
British Guiana Directory and Almanack and Diary for the years 1855 -1910.
Report of the Superintendent of Villages – the writings of Edward Geach Yewens on the Villages.
Colonial Office 114/27, 114/28, 114/30, 114/32, 114/40, Reports of the Superintendent/ Inspector of villages for the years 1852 - 1893.
Reports of the Commissioner of Villages for the years 1839 - 1852.
The aftermath of the Angel Gabriel Riots, and its effects on the East Coast Demerara, between Haslington and Belfield.
The aftermath of the Cent Bread Riots, and its effects on the East Coast Demerara, between Haslington and Belfield.
Party Politics: its effects on the East Coast Demerara, between Haslington and Belfield, 1950 - 2005.
Daniel Thomas Adolphus Jones a. k. a.. “DT” (1855-1945) – Columnist; the Daily Chronicle, and the New Outlook – the Voice of Labour, and President, Golden Grove Burial and Mutual Relief Society.
James Campbell, and his wife, Miss Solomon, their ancestry, and descendants of Unity Lancaster, Victoria, and Nabaclis, wherever they were and are resident. Their relationship to Caesar Solomon one of the share holders of Plantation Northbrook (Victoria Village).
Biographical information, and the career of the School masters; Thomas Arthur Archer (1861-1943), Tappin Johnson Elliott (b.1938), Carlton Paton Browne Melbourne (1894 -1962), George H. H. Morrison, Joseph Alfred Parkinson (1856-1945), Prince Josephus Patterson (1880 -1940), Cecil Orpheus Philbertus Patterson (b.1901), Hubert Alfred Thompson, James Alfred Trotman, and Donald Ashley Bevel Trotman (b.1899)
Bunyan, George Henry Augustus (1934) A Review of the History of the British Guiana Teachers’ Association, for its Golden Jubilee 1884-1934 (1934).
Bunyan, George Henry Augustus (1944) A History of the British Guiana Teachers’ Association, for its Diamond Jubilee 1884-1944 (1944).
Pollard, Mavis (1967) Church and State in Education in British Guiana (1833-1902) unpublished Thesis for degree of M.Phil. London, 1967.
Gazettes, and Newspapers of British Guiana, published 1843 -1917.
Ethnic and or Working class peoples’ publications of British Guiana, 1848 - 1960, including the Freedman Sentinel to LCP's Sentinel.
Roth, Vincent and Delph, Charles Noel (editors) Who is who in British Guiana -Civil Service List – [1935-37]. The Daily Chronicle: Georgetown, British Guiana.
Roth, Vincent and Delph, Charles Noel (editors) Who is who in British Guiana - [1938-1940]. The Daily Chronicle: Georgetown, British Guiana.
Roth, Vincent and Delph, Charles Noel (editors) Who is who in British Guiana - [1941-1944]. The Daily Chronicle: Georgetown, British Guiana.
Roth, Vincent and Delph, Charles Noel (editors) Who is Who in British Guiana,(Fourth Edition, 1945 – 1948). The Daily Chronicle: Georgetown, British Guiana.
Ritchie, W. B. (1893) The first thirty years of schools and schoolmasters in British Guiana. Rev. W. B. Ritchie, President of B. G. School Managers' Union.
Bayley, George D.(1907) the history of elementary Education in British Guiana. Bayley, George D.(1909) Note on Education in Handbook of British Guiana.
Trotman, D. A. Poems for my People
Arno,William N. (1966) History of Victoria Village E. C. D. (Guyana Graphic Ltd. Lama Avenue, Georgetown)
Josiah, Henry W. Makonaima Returns (the Daily Chronicle Ltd.)
Charles, Bertram (1968) The End of the Affair (A Play in 5 Scenes)[Bovell Printery, Alexander St., Georgetown, performed at Theatre Guild, Kingston)
Campbell, John (1968) Poems to Remember (Printed by Sheik M. Sadeek)
Alert, C. V. - The Life and Work of Hubert Nathaniel Critchlow
Bone, Louis (1962) Secondary Education in the Guianas (Chicago, 1962).
Moe, L. Evelyn [editor of Daily Argosy] - (1941) A text book of the Geography of British South America and the British West Indies .
Bronkhurst, H. V. P. (1890) A Descriptive and Historical Geography of British Guiana and W. I. Islands.
Graham, Violet (1949) Sea-Shore Life of British Guiana.
A Historical Account of the Parish of Christ-Church, Guyana.
Hart, Robert [educationist and politician] (ca. 1938) Conventionist a Journal - A New Guiana.
Joseph Rohomon, Martin Carter, Hubert Critchlow, Surendranath Ramphal, J.O. F. Haynes, Walter Rodney and Rohan Kanhai for Guyana's National Heroes
The League of the Coloured Peoples of British Guiana (LCP)

British Guiana African Association (BGAA)

Association for Social and Cultural Relations with Independent Africa (ASCRIA)

The Working Peoples Alliance (WPA)

The United Negro Improvement Association (UNIA)

The lives and works of Sampson Nathaniel Collins (1898-1949), Dr. Bertram Aggrey Nathaniel Collins, Dr. Claude Hicks Augustus Denbow, and Peter Kempadoo.
Yearbooks 1965, 1967

Daly, P. H. Stories of the Heroes ( three volumes.)
Sancho, T. Anson Supermen of History
Burslem, Dora P. and Manning, Audrie D. Old Colonial Family (1685 -1900)
Know Your Country - YMCA Publication (1950)
deCaires, H. S., {S. J.,} (1946) Jesuits in British Guiana

The Ethos and Values of the early Freedmen

2005-04-13T13:36:00.000-07:00

The Ethos and Values of the early Freedmen

by Pat Dial

Though the British Government had legally abolished Slavery on August 1, 1833, the institution was in essence continued by the Apprenticeship System which was only ended on August 1, 1838. Both anniversaries are celebrated on the First Monday of August – August Monday.
The story of the struggle for Emancipation is well-known but what is almost unknown is the more important and interesting saga of how the ex-slaves—the freedmen—constructed a rich and valid Way of Life out of the ruins and ashes of slavery. The creativity and resourcefulness which they brought to this almost impossible task of reconstruction is both a source of astonishment and pride to modern-day Guyanese.

The first challenge was economic. The planter Class hoped, indeed expected, the freedmen to stay on as day labourers on the Plantations and imagined that the pre- Emancipation labour relations would continue. But, the freedmen with an unexpected shrewdness, demanded adequate wages. More surprisingly, with a dignity and a courage which few believed they possessed, they began to move off the plantations and create their own village settlements. The planters regarded such independence of spirit as an affront.

VILLAGE MOVEMENT

The “Village Movement” remains one of the proud episodes of Guyanese History: In the 1840’s, owing to depressive state of the Sugar industry, many plantations were being abandoned or put up for sale. Groups of freedmen pooled their small savings which they had painstakingly accumulated over several years and begun purchasing these abandoned estates: Queenstown in Essequibo, and Victoria and Buxton in Demerara were among the first such places purchased.
The purchase prices paid for most of these abandoned estates were high and considering their poor or non-existent infrastructure, their owners made a rip-off. The freedmen, however, never complained of these “raw deals” but immediately embarked upon dividing up the land among the families and individuals who had purchased, co-operatively built their houses and began to try to build roads and drainage works. They also began planting food crops such as cassava, potatoes, yams, plantain, and breadfruit. A moderately prosperous future seemed to await these new Afro-Guyanese villages.

Prosperity, however, kept eluding them for they were consistently plagued by disaster. The lack of drainage and irrigation, the hostility of the neighbouring sugar planters and the neglect of the governmental authorities prevented the promised economic potentials of these villages from developing. Yet, the freedmen tenaciously held on and persisted in the struggle for existence.

The Way of Life which was developed in these villages was rich and distinctive. It drew from an African past and a European present and was eminently civilized, despite the hard struggle for economic survival.

There was a strong “work ethic” among these early freedmen. This may surprise many, as the usual popular and even historic stereotype was that they avoided hard work.
Both men and women laboured in the fields and in every village there were hard-working tradesmen such as tin-smiths, black-smiths, wheelwrights, tailors, carpenters and furniture-makers.

EDUCATION

Though many of these early African villagers were unlettered, they all had the greatest respect for learning and education. Education was not easily available – the founding of primary schools by the church denominations was only just about to begin. Yet parents try to have their children learn the “Three R’s” by whatever means possible. It was this respect for learning and these early efforts which laid the foundation for the intellectual flowering which these villages enjoyed for most of the 19th and 20th centuries.

These villages produced the schoolmasters and teachers, the intellectuals and professionals who were to make such an invaluable contribution to the growth of the Guyanese nation. The list of the men and women of learning produced by the village of Buxton, for example reads like a national honour roll.

These basic reading in the 1840’s and through the 19th century was the King James Version of the Bible and Shakespeare. Whenever current Victorian writing such as the Brontes or George Elliot or Hardy became available, these were avidly read. The result of this was that these freedmen became proficient in the English Language and many spoke it much better than the members of the Planter Class. Books were generally much valued and each family would aspire to have as many books as possible – even school books.

Religion was much respected and everyone went to church. These freedmen and their immediate descendants were God-fearing people who took the ethical rules of the Bible with great seriousness. Everyone sung hymns and small children were well acquainted with Biblical stories such as the Prodigal Son. This background of religion gave an inward discipline and courage to these villagers.

Good manners were studiously cultivated and this was evidenced in the hospitality and generosity with which they treated strangers. Food was always offered to a visitor.
The cuisine developed in these early Afro-Guyanese villages was also distinctive. This included the various types of pones, koneke (which could be used as both a desert and a substantial meal), and the numerous ways in which ground provisions and bananas and plantains could be prepared. Cakes of various kinds were a specialty. Many types of drinks were developed or prepared in a special way. Such drinks included sorrel, mauby, ginger beer and a variety of “wines” such as rice, psidium, gooseberry and jamoon.

EGALITARIAN

These freedmen improvised their own entertainment. Each village had its own band, the usual instruments being drums of various kinds, banjo and guitar. But it was in the enchanted world of story-telling that most found the greatest joy, especially the children. The repertoire of stories included the well-known “Nancy stories,” stories dealing with moral and social themes, and hair-raising “jumbie” stories. The famous moonlight sessions of such story-telling remained embedded in the unconscious memory of generations of Guyanese.

These Villagers were egalitarian to a fault and could never tolerate anyone feeling he or she were better than another. Each man was prepared to represent his case to the highest of forums, including the Governor himself. Leadership qualities were widespread and there were an amazing number of natural leaders in these communities. The highest integrity was regarded as a norm in anyone aspiring to be a leader and such integrity was cultivated and strengthened. Eusi Kwayana could be regarded as falling within this tradition of leadership.

These freedmen and their immediate descendants were intensely patriotic to their villages and also to their country.

As one reflects upon the celebration of August Monday one realizes that the ethos manifested by the early Afro-Guyanese freedmen is worthwhile to recapture and could be of great significance in the continuous task of Guyanese nation-building.

Source:
Pat Dial “The Ethos and Values of the early Freedmen” the Sunday Chronicle - August 4, 1991: Page 8.

VICTORIA – The Honoured Village

2005-04-04T13:46:00.000-07:00

VICTORIA – The Honoured Village

(By Traveller)

After travelling by road for eighteen miles eastward of Georgetown, we reached Victoria village, and you will hardly express any doubt when you read what I am now writing that the recently arrived stranger to the Colony who had accompanied me on this excursion showed some surprise and incredulity on being told that he had set foot upon the village which bears the proud distinction of being named Victoria by its ambitious loyal, and patriotic original proprietors who were requested by their beloved Queen to give their newly acquired plantation, Northbrook, her name. After the visitor had given several cursory glances around the occupied areas of the village, and his eye coming in contact with nothing by way of novelty or attraction to arouse any feeling of admiration, it was natural for him to inquire what it was especially that had prompted those proprietors to have acted as they have done; and his disappointment was great at my inability to enlighten him in any other manner save telling him that all I have been able to glean is that the emancipated slaves were so pleased and elated that they were able to purchase a plantation in which they had served as slaves, that they took the opportunity to report the same to their sovereign who had released them from bondage. And the good Queen in acknowledging the receipt of the report they had dispatched to her congratulated them, and requested them to name the property they had purchased – Victoria.

AROUND THE VILLAGE

It was not a matter of insistence on the part of the visitor, but one of common courtesy and politeness and the sense of entertaining a stranger that I took him on a trip through the township to give him an idea of the layout and divisions of the village, and learn something of its people and their institutions.
Consequently, he took his stand by me on the concrete bridge over the draining
On the East Coast of Demerara was divided up into and East and a West section, with a middle walk dam separating them. I directed his attention northwards, and pointed out that we were facing the western portion of that block of the village lying between the public road on which we were standing and the sea or Atlantic Ocean which formed the northern boundary of all the lands east of Demerara River, but the seashore though not quite a mile away from the public road could not be seen from where we stood because the view is obstructed by the courida trees that skirt the sea dam, which forms a line of defence against approaches of the ocean water.

CHURCH BY ROADSIDE

Both the western and eastern portion of that block, as could be seen without any information being imported in this regard are not thickly populated, but both are more than passing interest because they contain two prominent structures, the Wesleyan Methodist Church by the roadside with its somewhat of brick steps and Wilberforce Congregational church by the waterside – a building, now in a state of serious disrepair, and almost ruined by the ravages which a tropical climate inflicts upon wooden buildings that are not given the necessary attention especially when they stand exposed to sun and rain with no nearby “shelter belt” of trees offering some protection
Immediately to the north of that church are to be found some plots of land bearing the name of Sendall Park, in memory Sir Walter J. Sendall, who was a governor of this colony 1898 – 1901. the plots were properly fenced in, a temporary pavilion was erected and the Park was used as a general recreation ground; Agricultural Shows were held there. Unfortunately after the exit from the village of stalwart leaders, the Park fell into disuse, and today it is a bowling wilderness. This block also contains one of the two combined grocery-spirit shops of the village, and among the imposing buildings is the Manse attached to Wilberforce Congregational church. Turning our attention to the central block, situated between the public road and the railway line, we noted first on the western portion, the village cemetery almost in the very midst of dwellings, and with a large church building near by, the meetinghouse of the Plymouth Brethren of Camp Street, Georgetown. A little way south is another church building, and as we went further we came across another large building where the people connected to Collier Brethren worship.

BELFIELD HOTEL

A close inspection of the eastern section of this block reveals its importance in that herein are to be found the Village Office, and adjoining it the Catholic compound with its church of the Immaculate Conception. Its school house and the Presbytery; a very large building which at one time house the Sisters of Mercy Convent who where in charge of the school; the imposing, commodious, and well appointed building originally the private dwelling and business place of the famed Luiz Fernandes family converted afterwards into what was known as the Belfield Hotel and now doing service as the Home for the Reformation of delinquent and wayward girls; the sand reef portion of the village with a serviceable alleyway, the artesian well, and the only street worthy to be so called among the avenues the village possesses.

Source:
The Sunday Chronicle, July 21, 1946 :page 10.