**By Curtis Morton**
I first met Hastings Daniel at the Charlestown Secondary School. He was in an upper form, and I often saw him because he would come into my space to interact with my friend and classmate, his younger brother Hensley.
Much later in life, I came to admire Hastings’ unique writing style and his mastery of the Queen’s English. I found myself buying newspapers just to read his many articles. Although I didn’t agree with all of his opinions, they were intriguing and humorous, making them hard to resist.
Fast forward to 1989, when Carlisle Powell and I ‘invented’ Sports Menu. At that time, we were operating out of the TBN building. Having listened to Hastings elaborate on various issues during his cricket commentary; I invited him onto our program several times so he could share his extensive cricket knowledge to educate and entertain our audience.
Things were going well until one day when I asked Hastings for his opinion on one of our outstanding cricketers who was going through a rough patch. I can never forget his response: “He is neither fowl, fish, nor good red herring!” The cricketer in question saw the program and took great offence at Hastings’ remark. As a result, I never invited Hastings back, and he never asked to return either, though we never discussed the reason. Nevertheless, we maintained a cordial relationship, always exchanging warm greetings when we crossed paths.
There’s also a story about Hastings commentating on a cricket match at Grove Park with another well-known local sports enthusiast, Swanny. During a break in play, Swanny mistakenly referred to the newly erected stand at the eastern end of the ground, built by Oris Elliot’s construction firm. The building was impressive, and a beaming Swanny asked Hastings if he was impressed. Given that the two gentlemen had different political views, Hastings responded wittily: “Looks good, but ain’t even got a toilet!” This was said live on public radio during the cricket commentary!
As the story goes, within a week of that comment, workmen were on-site installing bathroom facilities. Hastings R. Daniel was a man of words, and at times, I felt he was just showing off.
One day, I thought he had made a mistake. He referred to an “august” occasion. Until that day, I had only heard the word “August” used as the month of the year. Upon researching, I discovered that Hastings was right; “august” can also mean respected or impressive.
I’m also reminded of an incident following Hurricane Hugo. We were in Charlestown, observing the damage, when a young lady from Low Street passed by and told someone that her house had been destroyed and she had been electrocuted. Some of us laughed, but a lawyer in our midst said she was not wrong—people can indeed be electrocuted and not die. I researched this and realised I was mistaken for laughing. I guess, “When you don’t know, you don’t know!”
My lasting memory of Hastings will be his hilarious running commentary at the Maude Cross Prep School sports meets. Hastings was a prominent feature—THE feature. He would say things like, “There’s a little fat one running behind! He must be eating all of his parents’ food—run, boy, run!” He would even take a dig at his grandchildren: “I see someone back there. Looks like a Daniel! Boy, what are you doing back there? Run, boy, run!”
Finally, I must candidly say that we have lost a good man. Some may have found him abrasive because he was a frank speaker, but I loved his sense of humour and his knack for using big words. If I were to choose a favourite quote from him to summarise the man, it would be Hastings Daniel was “a good boy!”
-30-