Jamaica 50

THIS DAY IN 1962

JAMAICA's historical landscape is littered with dates which have shaped the terrain as well as the future of the country's diverse inhabitants.

These events range from catastrophic to euphoric, with no shortage of recollection whenever the various milestones are mentioned.

With 2012 marking Jamaica's 50th year of Independence from Great Britain, 'The Gleaner' continues to share events which made the news, this day, in 1962.

Independence Day hitch

Premier Norman Manley and Opposition Leader Sir Alexander Bustamante raised the roof during the plenary session at Lancaster House in the United Kingdom during talks to determine the date of Jamaica's Independence Day.

Sir Alexander Bustamante banged the table, rolled up his sleeves, got red in the face and raged loudly that if Her Majesty's government thought they could deceive the people of Jamaica they were mistaken, for there would be rebellion if Britain tried to keep Jamaica back from Independence by even one date beyond the day asked.

Federation quarrel

Sir Grantley Adams of Barbados, the West Indian prime minister, was upset that Britain had allowed Jamaica to repudiate the West Indies Federation by way of a 1961 referendum:

"Never in the history of the world has there ever been unilateral repudiation of a federation unless written in the constitution. Nyasaland was trying to leave the Central African federation, but the British government said no.

"The influence of Jamaica on the minds of the British government is almost paramount, compared with the rest of the West Indies. There are so many Englishmen who think of Jamaica as the whole of the West Indies, and I think that the British government is doing the same."

Constitution reminders

The Gleaner, recognising its civic duties, published front-page excerpts from the Constitution:

The prime minister of independent Jamaica may be removed from office if the House of Representatives decides by a majority vote of its members that his appointment should be terminated.

If this should happen, the prime minister may request that Parliament be dissolved and ask the people, in new elections, for a vote of confidence.

Seven years and 10 strokes

Hezekiah Trowers of Dunrobin, near Mandeville, before the Circuit Court here on a charge of carnal abuse of a girl under the age of 12 years, was found guilty by a jury of five men and two women and was sentenced to seven years at hard labour, with 10 strokes of the tamarind switch.

Mr Justice Semper made the order. Trowers, who had 11 previous convictions, the last three for offences against women, was undefended.

Justice Semper also sentenced Berrigford Coley of Albion, before the court on a charge of larceny of a goat, to four years' imprisonment at hard labour.

Gleaner vehicle stolen

A vehicle stolen from The Gleaner Company was recovered in the vicinity of Blake Road by traffic police. The van, which was abandoned, was apparently undamaged when recovered. No arrest was made in connection with the theft.

Bread-price warning

A warning has been given by the Hon Wills Isaacs, minister of trade and industry, that bread will be put under control if there is any attempt to increase the price.

The warning came as a result of statements made by Gladstone Chang, managing director of Consolidated Bakeries (Ja) Ltd, that the price of bread might have to be increased as there had been several increases in the price of flour over the last six months.

Unruly wards

The Ministry of Welfare and Culture has asked for a full report on an incident at the Swift Purcell Approved School, Highgate, when the boys there, armed with machetes, are said to have marched on the superintendent's office.