An architect’s rendering of a proposed boys’ home illustrated the front-page story on planning permission for the project in the 27 March 1975 edition of The Caymanian Compass. The Rotary Boys’ Home would include four bedrooms, each accommodating four juveniles, as well as accommodation for the superintendent and his wife. The facility, on a two-acre West Bay site, would address the ‘biggest gap’ in Cayman – the lack of a residential care home and offer ‘the greatest contribution to the needs of juveniles in trouble’.
Also on the front page was a story about Charles Christian, president of the Cayman Islands Workers Union, being found guilty of possessing a gun and carrying an unlicensed firearm to a “peaceful [union] meeting”. Magistrate Jim Shaw imposed fines totalling $300 for the offences, saying if Christian had had a criminal record, “I would have had no hesitation in imposing a prison sentence”. Christian claimed he had owned the revolver for 31 years, which had been given to him by a fellow World War II soldier who had subsequently died. The magistrate’s response: “You do not honour the man by packing a gun for a meeting”, adding that was the law of the wild west and the jungle, “and our law will not tolerate it”.
An editorial implored motorists not to speed and drive in a dangerous manner ahead of the Easter holiday. Since the beginning of 1975, 19 drivers had been disqualified, with others being fined. Noting that a resident remarked about West Bay Road being resurfaced, “This will now be another race track,” the editorial added, “We say unhesitantly that the Traffic Department will thwart the actions of all those who stupidly entertain any such false ideas about speed tracks.”
And a groundbreaking was held for the proposed pavilion at the cricket grounds on Smith Road, with a photo for the story showing a line of cricketers, farmers and government officials attending the ceremony.
