One free exercise book per term
A SENIOR official at Guyana Printers says the lack of paper due to a shortage of foreign exchange has temporarily put a halt to production of exercise books.
He disclosed that the Education Ministry has an order for 700,000 books and officials are considering approaching the Guyana National Newspapers Ltd., (GNNL) in an effort to acquire some newsprint to print exercise books.
A previous change from bond paper to newsprint did not go down well with some students who complained that they could not use liquid ink (fountain pens) as the newsprint rapidly absorbs it and blots. Students also complained that the paper was easy to tear and erasing was nearly impossible. “Besides that, if the book got wet all your notes are destroyed.” one pupil remarked.
The source at GNPL disclosed that the printery had, sometime in 1984, purchased one of the most modem and expensive exercise book making machines in the Caribbean “which is now lying idle.”
Parents say their children receive one exercise book per school term and so they are forced to buy foreign made books for $6.00 to $7.00.
The distribution of free exercise books in schools began in 1976 when government declared its policy of free education. As the years went by the numbers distributed gradually decreased to the present figure of one pet term.
Traffic lights to be fixed
No paint for road signs – Fredericks
The Police Traffic Department has launched what Traffic Chief Senior Superintendent Cyril Fredericks says is a campaign to rehabilitate traffic lights and road signs in the city.
Speaking with Stabroek News Thursday, Traffic Chief Cyril Fredericks said several motorists have complained about non-working lights and the department is moving to repair them. The department has assigned a policeman to identify those not functioning. He blamed blackouts for damaging some. There is a special communications section which fixes the control boxes.
Motorists say Sussex and Saffon streets, Camp and Lamaha streets and Camp and Middle streets have had malfunctioning lights for some time which make these junctions dangerous.
The faded pedestrian crossings on many roads also badly need repainting. In their present condition, they are a threat to school children especially.
WHITE PAINT
The Traffic Chief said the National Paint Company does not have the ‘road-marking white paint,’ and it is not known when they will get it. This has caused a delay.
Mr. Fredericks is worried about the high rate of vandalism where signposts are concerned. He said that instead of using wood “we will use iron which will be placed in concrete.’”
The National Road Safety Council recently donated three road signs to prevent traffic flowing north along Regent and Bourda streets and Regent and Alexander streets, and east along Alexander and Robb streets.
Demerara Distillers Ltd., also donated some 25 “STOP CHILDREN CROSSING” signs.
Ideal Builders and General Contractors and the Lions have also donated signs.
The Traffic Chief, said, “the question of double parking by motorists has been a problem.” And with the busy Xmas season we have mounted patrols on the streets.”
“Citizens who have been accustomed to parking in front of a shopping complex should refrain from this practice,” he urged.
Mr. Fredericks said they have installed crash trucks to remove such vehicles and tow them to the police station and the owners will be fined.
The Small Businessman
No regrets about his career
RASHEED Azeez, 21, says that after he left school he could not make up his mind about what career to follow and when some friends in the Stabroek Market offered to teach him watch repairing he jumped at the opportunity.
Now Rasheed has been in the business for just over seven years and he says that although things are going slow he has no regrets about the trade he undertook.
“This time of the year especially, business is slow because most people are spending their money on things for the Christmas season. Watches and clocks are the furthest things from their minds except if they are buying gifts,” he noted.
Situated at stall number one, section four (at first gate from north) in the Stabroek Market, Rasheed declared that whenever it rains he has to close shop because sprinkles of rain fly through the gate and the roof leaks.
He lives at Grove, East Bank, Demerara and has to catch transportation daily to and from work but although this is a trying task Rasheed says he does not allow this to bother him.
Working whole day through the week except Wednesday when the market is closed at 12 noon, Rasheed repairs all types of clocks and watches except the brand “Timex” as spares are not readily available and he refuses time pieces that are with plastic parts or are powered by batteries.
He noted that since the advent of cheap digital watches in Guyana people are buying and repairing spring time pieces less than before.
The repairman considers himself an expert in his field because, he says, when he does a job for somebody it is hardly likely that person will return with the same problem.
Rasheed noted that spares can sometimes be a problem but he offsets this by buying in bulk whenever traders bring parts to sell him. “I also use lighter fuel to clean the watches but though this is readily available it can sometimes be very expensive,” he said.
He noted also that only round watch faces are sold in Guyana and so if a customer needs to have a square face changed, Kasheed says that he has to file a round glass face into the shape of a square one.
Overall though, Rasheed says that his job is a very good one and “it also benefits the community as not everybodycould afford a new watch or clock every few months.
-(L.J.)
Harris takes Middle Crown
By Troy Peters
CONTROVERSY, abuse, assault and heavy showers dominated Ringside Promotions boxing card staged last Sunday at the National Park.
The card which featured two national title bouts and a preliminary contest was the continuation of the 44-round programme which was interrupted two Sundays ago by a power failure.
In the main bout on the card, National Light Middleweight champion Wayne Harris came from behind to score a technical knockout over Albert Browne in the final round of their 12-round contest to add the National Middleweight crown to his collection.
After 10 rounds of blistering action dominated by Browne a former title holder, Harris came on strong with solid punches to the head and body of his opponent in the penultimate round.
Harris kept up the pressure with a two-fisted attack on Browne sending him to the canvas for the mandatory 8-count.
Browne survived the count but he received further punishment forcing referee Ian Jardim to call a halt to the contest at 1 minute, 25 secs., of the final round to give Harris the vacant title.
In the main supporting bout for the vacant national featherweight crown, National Bantamweight
champion Michael Parris and Wayne Smith battled to a controversial draw.
The fight was close throughout but most boxing fans felt that Smith had gained the nod.
However, when the decision was announced the angry fans stormed the official table and abused the officials.
Referee Jardin was involved in a scuffle with one of Browne’s handlers shortly after officiating in the title fight.
Rain also had its toll on boxers, spectators and officials alike with spectators running for cover on three occasions while judges and other table officials took refuge under umbrellas.
But the boxers and referees had to battle it out in the showers and on a water-logged ring.
In the other bout on the card, Orin ‘Apple’ Moore scored an eighth round TKO over Conrad Hunte.
