THIS DAY IN OUR PAST

The following events took place on March 5 in the years identified:

1952: A tremendous crowd at Briggs Park, Up Park Camp witnessed a magnificent march-past of scouts drawn largely from the West Indies but including representatives of Canada, the United Kingdom, Central America and the United States and heard Sir Hugh Foot, governor and chief scout of Jamaica announced: “I have the honour to declare open the first Caribbean Jamboree.” Taking the salute at the grand stand was Lord Rowallan, KBE, MC, TD, chief scout of the British Commonwealth and Empire, who presented the silver acorn to Mr Donald Fitzritson, island commissioner for Scouts, Jamaica, for his “years of devoted service to the Boy Scout of Jamaica.”

1965: The Companies Bill passed by the House of Representatives was described in the Senate by Attorney General Victor Grant as being a modern bill geared to modern circumstances. Senator Grant was moving the second reading of the bill. The bill passed second reading, but committee stage on its many clauses had been deferred to the following week. Both sides of the House agreed that there was pressure “from outside” (cricket), and that it will be best to let the bill lie over until next week so that “wisdom” could prevail.

1965: A fair-size crowed of boxing fans who turned up at the Palisadoes Airport got just what they expected from the heavyweight champion of the world, Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali). He arrived with the prediction that he will take the ‘Big Bear’ Sonny Liston in four rounds when they meet in their return bout. The well-dressed 23-year-old champion was full of talk and had a busy time signing autograph books.