THIS DAY IN OUR PAST

The following events took place on January 31 in the years identified:

1954: A service of thanksgiving by members of the People’s National Party and others for the recovery from illness of Norman Manley, QC, leader of the Opposition, is attended by more than 1,500 people. The service is held at the Kingston Parish Church, which is filled to capacity and there are crowds outside the doors. 1958: Governor Kenneth Blackburne pays a courtesy call on Commodore G.E. Hunt aboard H.M.S. Ulster at Hanover Street Wharf. Blackburne, who is accompanied by his ADC, Major David Smith, is repaying a call made on him the previous day by the commordore at King’s House. 1962: Melbourne and Jamaica Youth Clubs advance to the final of the Junior Knockout competition with 2-1 semi-final victories over Kingston and Jamaica School of Agriculture respectively. The finals will be played at Kensington Park. Melbourne edge division 2 champions Kingston 2-1 after 20 minutes extra time in a very exciting game. 1963: The Jamaica Government proposes to build an official resi- dence for the prime minister on King’s House grounds at a total cost not exceeding £55,000. Details of the plan, which envisages expenditure of not more than £35,000 on the main building, together with an allocation of £20,000 for ancillary buildings, an access road and so on, are outlined in a ministry paper from the Ministry of Finance, which is tabled in the House of Representatives. 1966: Acting Prime Minister Donald Sangster holds discussions on financial matters with officials of the American Life Insurance Company which has headquarters in Wilmington, Delaware, USA. The officials are Robert Ayers, president of the company, and Enos Cook, agency vice-president. Ayers and Cook are in the island on a routine visit of inspection to American Life branches in Jamaica.