The Caymanian Compass started publishing two editions weekly 50 years ago this week.
In the Tuesday, 4 May 1976 edition, the top article was on a millionairess claiming to have lost $50,000 on a fishing trip. Canadian Madge Milligan, widow of the late president of Pacific Western Airlines, lost her purse allegedly containing approximately $50,000 in valuables while on a charter fishing trip on 24 April with CIBC Trust employees. She was a client of the trust company with $14 million deposited with the trust.
She had become seasick and spent most of the trip below deck and left the purse under one of the chairs on deck. During the trip, the boat experienced engine problems and eventually had to be towed to shore. The crew thought the purse may have gone overboard when a search determined it was missing.
Milligan was “disenchanted” with the handling of the matter by the managing director of CIBC.
The case was under investigation by the police.
A signed article appeared on the front page by Dr. Roy McTaggart, the founder of the newspaper, titled ‘A Step Forward’.
“The fact that we will be publishing twice weekly is indicative of our desire to please the public and keep them informed on what is happening both here on our Island as well as abroad.
“This is a bold effort on the part of the management … it shows that they firmly believe that the newspaper can be of greater service to the community. It is unusual to find a small population like ours enjoying the benefits of a bi-weekly newspaper.”
The Friday edition, which came out on 7 May 1976, had an article on the first North Side pre-school childcare centre opening. It was opened by Richard Arch, chairman of the National Council of Social Service on 5 May.
Another article discussed the four Jamaicans known as “Manley’s Men” who were charged with assault and false imprisonment of Angela Palomino of Jamaica and Brian Charles, a New Zealander, who was chief executive and manager of the Kingston firm Caribbean Asbestos Products.
The four men, who were being defended by attorney Casey Gill, were released on bail until 1 June for the trial.
The editorial in the Friday edition discussed mothers and nurses, and the celebration of Mothers’ Day and annual observance of Nurses’ Week, which “… serves to underline the great part played by the women of the Cayman Islands in their contribution to the welfare of the country and its civic and cultural life. While tribute is paid to the pioneers of Mothers’ Day and of the nursing profession for their devotion and service, the women of Cayman must be remembered for their role in shaping our society.”
An advert appeared on page 3 of the Friday edition that offered a reward for the missing purse.
The Cayman Compass searchable archives, going back to 1965, are now available here.
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