Portuguese lauded for contribution to Guyana Stabroek News May 6, 1999 The significant contribution which the Portuguese have made to Guyana was lauded as the 164th anniversary of their coming was observed on May 3, last. A press release from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sports noted that the first 40 Portuguese peasants arrived here aboard the Louisa Baillie from Madeira to work as indentured servants. At the end of their tenure, 30 of them returned and encouraged others to come here, though they had been subjected to poor diet and accommodation and overwork. The release said that the later arrivals fared better but many were victims of yellow fever and measles. After an enquiry into the deaths of these immigrants, instructions were given to discontinue sending them here. However, they continued to trickle in and moved off the plantations, making way for the Indian labourers, and turned to farming and trading. The release noted the existence of Banks DIH Ltd, John Fernandes Ltd and Central Garage as testimony to the invaluable contribution the Portuguese have made to Guyana. The Culture Ministry saluted Portuguese descendants and expressed solidarity with them in their continued development of this country.