The top frontpage article in the 4 March 1976 issue of the Caymanian Compass covered the ongoing issue of gas prices. “The average price for one gallon of petrol has gone from 75 cents (C.I.) to 78 cents (C.I.).”
Gas station operator Delworth McLaughlin said that another 2% increase can be expected within the next six months.
Most owners had been operating at a loss for the past year, and felt they had to pass the increase along to consumers as the oil companies were unwilling to absorb the increase.
The main photo showed how water had come through the ceiling instead of the fire hose during a fire drill at Government House.
Another article was on the opening of the new session of the Legislative Assembly. The first session opened on 10 March at 10am with the Throne Speech by Governor Thomas Russell.
An article on Cayman’s special stamps also appeared on the front page. The stamps were to mark the 75th anniversary of the first postage stamp of the Cayman Islands and were to be released on 12 March. Full details of the stamps and a postal history also appeared on page 7 of the paper.
The editorial on page 4 tackled two issues: freedom of the press and false perceptions of the Cayman Islands.
“This newspaper has come under fire lately from certain government members concerning our news coverage of the demonstrations held by groups of people in the Cayman Islands.
“Neither government…nor any special interest group is ‘muzzling’ our press as some have suggested.”
What is stifling the press…is the reluctance on the part of those who form policy and law to cooperate with the Press in keeping the public informed. All we can do…is to interpret the facts for our readership.
Every one of us…bears responsibility for a strong Free Press in the Cayman Islands.”
The second part of the editorial was “Doing it our way” and mentioned an article that appeared in Jamaica’s Gleaner the previous Friday, which said that Cayman is often “the victim of false first impressions” by visiting opinion makers.
“This sort of superior attitude should stir resentment among our proud industrious people who have chosen sensible controlled development without alternating radically our way of life and attractive pace.”
An advertisement appeared on page 5 for Cayman Airways’ “take a break, take a brac” promotion, with air fare, two night’s hotel and meals for $58.
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