Melbourne Returns

County of Demerara - East Coast – Victoria
Mr. Carlton Paton Browne Melbourne, Head Teacher of Cove and John Anglican School, who recently returned from London as guest-scholar of the British Council was given a very rousing welcome on Thursday November 4, when he paid a visit to the school.
Upon his arrival, the entire school sang the song “Guiana’s Children”, after which a very appropriate expression of welcome was made by Mr. W. O. Garnett, Acting Head Teacher. This was followed by a recitation entitled “Flying by Joseph Whall a pupil of the Middle Division. Speeches were then made by other members of the staff after which there were recitations by two other pupils; Cecil Saul and Rahaman Sawh and then songs by each division followed.
Mr. Melbourne, in the course of his reply, referred to the many experiences of his travels during which he visited over twenty schools, and also the Liverpool University, where he took a course in English and where also he met with teachers from all parts of the World.
The children after listening to their, Head Teacher’s oratory were recipients of several pounds of sweets, supplied by Mr. Melbourne, who resumes his duties on December 1, next.

VICTORIA DISCUSSION CIRCLE
The Victoria Discussion circle met on Thursday night, November 4, at the Victoria Roman Catholic School hall presided over by Mr. F. B. Miller, who informed the meeting that Mr. Burrowes who should have been the guest-speaker that night was unavoidably absent. Consequently Messrs. Garnett and Austin, students of Law were there to speak on “Law and Order”. These two gentlemen gave interesting talks on the value and benefits of Law and Order.

GOLDEN GROVE - NABACLIS VILLAGE COUNCIL
The Meeting Statutory of the Golden Grove - Nabaclis Village Council was held on Friday, afternoon, November 5, 1948.
Presided over by Mr. Hubert Augustus Hughes, Chairman; other councilors present were Messrs. Augustine Fernandes (Deputy Chairman), Donald Ashley Bevel Trotman, Stephen Livingston Jeune, W. A. Mc Donald, Mitchell Fraser, and Thomas Henry Benn, with Messrs. M. Fernandes (Assistant District Commissioner (acting), M. Madramootoo (Cane-farming Overseer), N. Sattaur (Sanitary Inspector ), J. H. Stephen (Clerical Assistant) who acted as Clerk to the Council, vice Mr. Frederick B. Solomon who was indisposed, and Isaac Nelson (Ranger)

After prayers, the Assistant District Commissioner was welcomed and introduced to members of the Council by the Chairman. In accepting the welcome the Assistant District Commissioner expressed his eager willingness to cooperate with the Council.
The Chairman informed the meeting that repairs to bridges had not yet been carried out as only part of the materials had arrived.
Replying to a question by Councillor Fernandes, the Chairman said that the work on the East Sideline trench had been completed.
The Sanitary Inspector’s Report was read and adopted. It disclosed that all was not well at the Abattoir which needed extension as well as new vessels. It was decided that the Council visit the Abattoir on Friday, November 12, at about 4.30 PM in order to inspect conditions there.
Correspondence was then dealt with.
It was decided that the Bell-Crier should go around to give warning to defaulting rate-payers that legal proceedings would be taken against them shortly for failure to pay rates.
The Chairman informed the meeting that the board had approved of the confirmation of the appointment of Mr. J. H. Stephen, Clerical Assistant.

Source: Covering the Country Districts -The Daily Chronicle - Friday, December 10, 1948: page 6

Bridge in Industrial Area Requires Widening

Golden Grove and Nabaclis
Bridge in Industrial Area Requires Widening
The Statutory Meeting of the Village Council of Golden Grove and Nabaclis was held on Friday, February 1, 1946.
Present were the Chairman; Mr. Hubert Augustus Hughes, the Deputy- Chairman Mr. Joshua Arthur Younge, Councillors; Mr. T. R. Persaud, Mr. Carlton Paton Browne Melbourne, Mr. Charles Herman Collins, Mr. Thomas Henry Benn, with the Overseer, Mr. William Theophilus Benjamin, the Assistant Overseer Mr. Frederick Solomon, and the Sanitary Officer, Mr. L.O. Barton.
Letters were received from Messrs. Sahaish Persaud, Teddy Summer, and Mrs. Matilda Lynch, asking that a bridge in the Industrial Area be widened to ease their burden in fetching out their coconut-oil, pigs, etc, by carts.
Mr. Persaud offered to advance the cash for doing the work and to wait for a refund until the Council was able to make good. It was decided that the entire council visit the scene to ascertain the true position.
A letter from another coconut-oil manufacturer again brought up the question of the difficulty proprietors experience in getting good supplies of portable water. It was decided to interview the Director of Medical Services, by a deputation with a view to get an extension of pipe-lines on an additional well to supply the needs of the proprietors.

PERMISSION TO PERUSE THE ASSESSMENT BOOK
Abdul Rahim and others wrote asking permission to peruse the Assessment Book for the purpose of getting the names and number of proprietors of Golden Grove in connection with their petition to the local Government Board for the allotting, and distribution of Section C, to proprietors was deferred in order to find out whether such was permissible.
The Overseer’s Report showing an income for the month of $340.50, with an expenditure of $133.86. He reported that a half gallon of carbon bisulphide had been purchased to abate the Coushi Ants nuisance in the farmlands.
It was decided to send around the bell-crier calling upon defaulters to pay up Arrears rates immediately

CHAIRMAN TO USE PERSUASIVE MEASURES
The Sanitary Inspector submitted a list of defaulters who had failed to carry out certain works although served with notices for a long period. The Chairman promised to use persuasive measures to get them to comply with the orders, failing which they would be prosecuted.
The Deputy Chairman queried the amount of money the Council had in the Reserve Fund, if it was in the Bank and whether it had earned any interest. The Chairman promised to find out.
Before the end of the meeting Councillors extended congratulations to the sanitary Inspector Mr. L.O. Barton in connection with his recent success at the examinations in Barbados. Mr. Barton suitably replied
Source: Covering the Country Districts -The Sunday Chronicle - February 10, 1946: page 7.