THIS DAY IN OUR PAST

The following events took place on July 30 in the years identified:

1959:completely The Regal Theatre,

air conditioned with 1,700- plush seats, has its gala opening with the showing of the Rodgers & Hammerstein musical production South Pacific.

1964:A large crowd gathers outside the Government offices at East Race Course as word spread throughout the area that famous Millie Small, home on a visit sponsored by Canada Dry, is due to see the prime minister. From as early as 10 o’clock fans gather for a glimpse of Jamaica’s ‘Lollipop Girl’, who ‘has made her name singing in England. When the car arrives with the smiling 16year-old Millie had a difficult time getting through. She takes it in good grace and stops to talk to as many people as she could and to sign autographs for fans. Prime Minister Alexander Bustamante had to be out of town at the last minute and was not able to keep the appointment. A message from the prime minister did not get to Millie in time and she did not know until she arrived.

1971:anxiety There is a great deal of

at Cali, Columbia, as the question goes around the Jamaica camp from officials “where is Lennox Miller?” as they waited anxiously for the arrival of the Jamaica star sprinter, a Mexico Olympics silver medallist. Miller, Jamaica’s main gold medal hope, is supposed to arrive at Cali, from California, but when the Jamaica track and field coach Herb McKenley goes to the airport, there is no sign of him. The silver medallist was picked to carry the Jamaican flag at the opening ceremony, but Coach McKenley and team manager says they will have to re-arrange their plans and instead middle-distance star Byron Dyce will carry out the duties. According to a Reuters report a nervouslooking Sherrington looking at the Games programme says “He will turn up we are not worried”.