The 6 Nov. 1975 edition of The Caymanian Compass carried the news that the Caledonian Farms dairy operation would be closing, meaning Cayman would no longer be supplied with fresh local milk. Increased imports of milk and a continuing financial loss were the reasons given for the decision. Back in the 24 July 1975 Compass, there had been a story that previewed the possibility of the closure with Caledonian announcing it had further decreased the price of milk to compete with imported supplies.
One section of the editorial was again devoted to traffic. This time, the complaint was about congestion downtown: “The daily traffic snarl in George Town is one problem facing drivers which has steadily worsened over the past few months,” it said, adding, “we feel the time has come when traffic rules governing the parking and flow of traffic should be studied and stringently enforced”. It was hoped this would prevent drivers having to navigate “narrow roads catering to two lanes of traffic, which also have vehicles parked on both sides of the road, making a smooth traffic flow virtually impossible”.
Following on from a story from last week’s 50 Years Ago about the first class of Cayman Islands High School completely educated in the Comprehensive system to graduate, the newspaper reported on the ceremonies marking the milestone. The achievement was celebrated over two days, with the actual graduation ceremony first, with the governor, various officials and members of the Legislative Assembly, along with the high school principal and, of course, parents in attendance. The next evening featured a banquet and ball at the Royal Palms Hotel.
A photo on page 16 showed some schoolchildren who had participated in a charity walkathon cooling their feet in the water at Smith Barcadere. Little wonder they felt the need to rest and cool off – they walked 8 miles in their efforts to raise money, with part of the funds going to the government hospital to purchase “top quality baby cribs”.
Related Videos
The Compass feature of topics of 50 years ago is very much appreciated. It refreshes the memories and gives us opportunities to reflect on and compare the past to the present.
Often we see topics referring to issues which were still experiencing a half-century later…..this week’s feature mentions traffic woes and a local food security matter. Topics which are still current.
I remember Caledonian (Caribbean) Farms well; local fresh milk on the shelves daily or if you preferred, delivered to your door by mini-skirt and go-go booted milk maids driving Mini Mokes. Yes, Cayman in the mid 70s.
But, like two other active farms in Bodden Town and two more in West Bay at the time, they all unfortunately failed.
They couldn’t compete with the cost of imported products.
Today’s focus by Government on food security measures is applauded. Farmers get assistance in various ways except perhaps the way which matters most to sustain their businesses…duty free concessions on farm equipment and supplies and WP-fee free concessions on laborers. Until local farmers can sell a product to market for the same or less than an imported comparative product, many will not expand or even succeed.
In 50 years our Government has given untold millions in duty-free concessions to hotel developers under the mistaken belief that “Caymanians will get jobs”. It hasn’t turned out that way, so much.
But if similar concessions were given to farmers one can be assured that residents of Cayman would find more local produce on the shelves, with prices comparable to their imported counterparts.
Government should try it.