ALLEN IS NOW A JUDGE

 

LAWYER ALLEN APPOINTED JUDGE

It has been confirmed that Mr. Kenneth Allen, QC, the longest practicing barrister-at-law in Montserrat has left for Antigua to take up duties as a High Court judge there.

The appointment is for a short period but the Reporter received this information after speaking with Mr. Allen earlier regarding the appointment of Miss Esco Henry to the office of magistrate. Mr. Kenneth Allen, Q.C., senior Barrister and president of the local Bar Association says of the appointment, "it is a most fitting elevation and I am extremely pleased that a Montserratian has accepted the position. Miss Henry is quite competent and I myself have been insisting that a local lawyer should take up the position."

Other lawyers share the same sentiment, some commenting that the time is passing when local professionals should take up posts in other areas as well. The comment went further to say that it is only by so doing that we begin to show real interest in becoming an independent people.

Mr. Allen remarked that he has seen the article by Eric Crowther who acted here as magistrate for a brief period in the latter half of last year. He says he knows absolutely nothing about the references made of him, but can assure anyone that local attorneys gave Mr. Crowther the warmest of receptions during his stay in Montserrat.

Alfred Kildow comments, "You have the nicest web site we have encountered;

Informative, fast, nice to look at."

Thanks

Hi! Just thought you might like to know we are linking to your site from: http://ChooseToCruise.com/ecsplit.htm

I am sending a print copy of your informative newspaper to my parents, Jeanne and Dave Benton, who have been longtime visitors to Montserrat. My husband, son, and I have visited Montserrat 3 times over the past several years. Naturally we are very concerned about the effects of the volcano on the island and the people living there. I work for Northwestern University Library in Evanston, IL where Desmond Francis, originally from Montserrat, is Head of Shipping and Receiving. We inform each other regularly about happenings on Montserrat. I am very glad I discovered the Reporter on the Web.

This is about a typo on your page: reporter.htm- "siesmic" should be "seismic".

The foregoing is a sampling of many similar comments received from viewers of the Montserrat Reporter at its Web site on the Internet. The presence of the Reporter on the Internet was mentioned a few weeks ago and as we now take the opportunity to advise our advertisers both local and overseas that from time to time their advertisements have had unlimited exposure to viewers/readers of the Montserrat Reporter.

We are aware that some advertisers have had response and feedback as a result of the appearance of their ad on the Internet. This of course is an addition to the hard copy that is sent to overseas subscribers.

As of now, for an advertising fee to be added to the present rate, we are pleased to offer our advertisers the option to have their ads included in the Reporter that appears on the Internet. Not every ad in the newspaper will get this exposure unless the advertiser so particularly desires, but there are others which will get responses from our readers overseas, because there are many Montserratians, Montserrat home owners and friends of Montserrat, who are advised weekly of the presence of the Reporter when each issue is posted.

There are many others who make hits on our web site and still others who know of its presence from friends etc. Our advertisers are exposed to thousands.

We will also carry email addresses of advertisers, businesses and web site links on our web site so that readers may make connection to their sites.

We hope the information we provide to readers and the service to advertisers will be beneficial especially through this new medium.

For some week there have been reports of volcanic eruptions in Trinidad. This past weekend, it has been reported that ten houses were buried by a volcano eruption in a village last Saturday, but there were no fatalities reported.

The reports of lava and mud in Piparo, took place about 60 miles south of Port of Spain and covered more than one square mile and left 31 families homeless. Agriculture Minister Reeza Mohammed said the families were provided shelter by the government. Later reports made reference only to erupting mud volcanoes, saying an eruption last Saturday sent tons of hot mud cascading through the farming village as panicked residents sought higher ground. Heavy rains over the past few days have made life even more difficult, helping to spread the accumulating mud even further and wider.

"Evacuation of residents is necessary in the light of more eruptions predicted by the Seismic Research Unit (SRU) of the University of the West Indies(UWI)," Mohammed said.

Farmers have lost livestock, crops and their homes as a result of the eruption. National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) spokesman says the area should remain sealed off because of the advancing mud. NEMA has declared the village a disaster area and the police and army are busily keeping curious onlookers out of the immediate vicinity of the danger area.

Earlier scientists here in Montserrat when questioned about the volcanic reports out of Trinidad said that it was a different scenario completely compared with the threat posed at Soufriere Hills here in Montserrat, as only mud was involved; Scientist Lloyd Lynch had told the Reporter that mud volcanoes in the island are all concentrated south of the country's central mountain range. "There are at least 24 simmering mud volcanoes which are known to erupt from time to time’" he said.

Director of the regional Seismic Research Unit (SRU) in St Augustine, Dr. William Ambeh, told reporters he hopes the episode will encourage the government to present a stronger case for evacuation of the area near the mud volcanoes.

Dr. Ambeh said there were people who had built houses mere metres away from the volcanoes. He said it was necessary to put a programme in place to systematically "depopulate" areas within striking distance of the mud flows - no less than 250 metres away.

Dr. Ambeh, well known in Montserrat and who once led seismological monitoring work in the island of Montserrat, which remains under volcano alert, confirms in reports that there were important differences between the volcanic threat in tiny Montserrat and the Piparo incident.

"This (Piparo) is a completely different phenomenon," he said. "Mud or sedimentary volcanisms is completely different from the relatively hot type volcanism found in Montserrat."

"There are similarities in terms of the forms that are generated, but apart from that there isn't that much in terms of similarities," he said. He also dispelled thoughts that the two incidents might in any way be related.

"Mud volcanoes essentially affect very small areas," he added. "The material coming out is liquid or semi-liquid material and you don't have the heat associated with what you would have with normal volcanoes."

He further explained that the depth of origin of such material is much more shallow than other volcanoes where the temperatures of molten material may reach between 800-1000 degrees centigrade.

A Reuters report that went away from Montserrat during the recent Royal visit said Montserrat, "is talking of splitting from the mother country, even though that is not what it wants to do."

"Though the capital, Plymouth, now sits covered in ash and abandoned, victim of a volcano, independence discussions dominate debates here."

"The letter was variously interpreted as a shove toward independence, an ill-advised blunder by Britain and a warning to colonies to toe the line on issues like drug trafficking."

The report repeated our Chief Minister Bertrand Osborne who said that the letter should not have been sent to us at this time, further quoting him as saying, "We need to have that support from a larger power, at the moment. Most recognize the advantage of being a dependent territory."

This independence issue has been discussed in forums, on side streets, in private, on political platforms; indeed it has been discussed and indeed it should be. But at no time has a call come from any authority for the issue to be discussed with a view to put in place plans for such a great move. It makes it difficult to discount the information that appears on the international scene regarding the matter although how it is sometimes described leaves a bit to be desired.

Yet even now in our times of difficulties, it would be wrong to say that this is not what Montserratians want. Back 10 years ago the matter when discussed would always be shelved because people were worried about independence coming at a time when there was uncertainty of how our politicians would handle the absolute power - an issue that always brings fear to us if only we look around us.

It would be wrong since even among those who propose that we should vigorously go after independence, the reality exists that it cannot happen overnight, that today to move to independence can well be moving into a different type of colonialism or dependence.

What must take place is the definite realization that independence for Montserrat, sometimes said to be inevitable, must be prepared for and planned for, a process which must begin with putting our own people in some key positions of judgment, sagacity and authority. So what is wrong with now? The process should be started.

Smell the Coffee by Cheddy Browne

It seems that you are all so overwhelmed that no one can focus on the reality  of what is happening.

How in the name of anything can Bertrand be allowed to go to England at this point in time by himself?

British foreign policy is, has been, and will be whatever the CM says. No one else has a voice. Whatever Bertrand does in England will be accepted as done and then M/rat will be sold lock stock and barrel to British foreign policy.

I am the only one who has spent the last 10 years focusing on the British and their policy. I am the only one who presented a political solution to our connection with Britain. I am the only one who has been willing to present the British to the public for who and what they truly are. Now, I am up here in 0 degrees weather trying to feed my family. Why? Because no one who has influence, chose to give any credibility to my position. Now the only dedicated freedom fighter you ever had is not on the battlefield. What’s more, his name is not being called. Guess I am not needed?

You all have missed the mark by such a long shot that it is amazing. Let me give you the line you need to follow, if you care to follow it. The offshore banking system as run by the British banking moguls can only operate in an environment where the head decision-maker can operate without constant query from parliamentary rules and regulations. That is, the decisions taken by the governor if he has complete discretionary powers are not subject to parliamentary query, because they did not come from any elected Parliamentary official, and did not go through any parliamentary process. The Governor needs dictatorial powers above and beyond and external to Parliament. This is the reason and has been the reason for the need for this clause. What the governor has now must be an act of Parliament passed by Parliament before it can be enacted in Montserrat. If the governor can do as he pleases without going through Whitehall, he won’t be subject to query. Why? Because his actions will not come up in parliamentary discussions. The remaining dependent territories are not run by Parliament. They are run and controlled by the FCO. The FCO is an old boys club of generations of corruption. They have their hands in every British economic pie, as their members sit on every board of directors of every major economic giant in England. They are in government and the private sector and they pass inside information among themselves.

If you all did not figure it out yet, CABLE and WIRELESS is still owned and controlled by the British government. Who sits on the board. Former members of the FCO.

Question? Why is Cable and Wireless working night and day to install their microwave and fiber optics system on an island that is on the verge of death?

Answer: In six months, the British will no longer have dictatorial governmental control of Hong Kong. Hong Kong is the telecommunications hub of the British banking, offshore banking, money laundering system. The British now need 5 little Hong Kongs to replace their jewel of the east.

Therefore, the British now need five governors with absolute and dictatorial powers to facilitate the vast and lucrative off shore banking, money laundering system that has become a major factor in the British economy.

Mode of Operation: British foreign policy has always been honed to take advantage of an enemy at its weakest time. Guess you all never realized that you the people of the island are the enemy.

They never, I repeat, never attempt to impose the same policy in different territories at the same time. So for all of you with your eyes closed you can't see the trees for the forest. Their objective however, is tied to a time frame and the policy of total control must happen before or by July 1997.

The Turks and Caicos were taken when their CM was relieved of duty and the British took control just long enough to establish a system that the people of the island still cannot break. The Caymans were taken since the early 70's along with Montserrat and Bermuda. The Caymans are now gone without even a whimper. Bermuda voted against its own Independence in 1995. More than 30% of the voters in that decision were British expatriates. Are you all getting the picture. Montserrat was further outflanked in1989 when the entire island was flat on its back trying to recover from hurricane Hugo. Remember the 1989 Constitution Order. That clause was in it too. Too much noise was made, and our then CM took it to Parliament. Too many questions had to be answered so it was withdrawn. Now comes the final blow. Montserratians are scattered and devastated by the volcano and the British move in for the kill. An election just took place. You all can't change a thing politically for the next five years. Every thing Bertrand agrees to for the next 5 years just like every thing Rueben did by himself for the last 5 years, is a done act. Wake up and smell the coffee.

Conclusion: The five remaining dependent territories will remain colonies and come under direct control of governors who are there to facilitate the needs of the money moguls who own, control and direct the British banking empire.

Read the past issues of the Pan-Afrikan Liberator. South Afrika is on its way to Montserrat. You all are now establishing the formula for bloodshed. Your children and your grandchildren are going to have to give their blood to regain what is rightfully theirs. In the meantime you all will continue to sit idly by and accept your enemy as your benevolent friend. Your benevolent friend will laugh at you behind your back and place you back in chains.

Christian Aid represented by Miss Jasmine Huggins and the Caribbean Conference of Churches (CCC) have again paid a visit to study the effects of the volcanic crisis in Montserrat now under way since July 1995.

Christian Aid is a development agency out of Britain and Ireland, which is supported by a range of British churches working in about 60 countries offers long and short term assistance to countries that need it, and works in partnership with CCC in supporting the churches in Montserrat during the crisis. Last year Christian Aid visited Montserrat in May along with MAC 89, a Montserrat Community Agency in Britain on a fact-finding mission.

Mr. Conrad Mason who is based in Barbados is here representing CCC and says that the main object of the organization is to promote church togetherness for social change. He recalled how they assisted Montserrat in the post hurricane Hugo disaster when they were very effective with disaster relief and the following housing assistance they provided. Their assistance is channeled through the local Christian Council.

Cable and Wireless is pleased to be the proud sponsors of the Montserrat Golf Open by donating EC$5,000 to the tournament.

$4,000 will go towards the hosting of the Closing/Awards Ceremony and $1,000 will go towards cash prizes for the top three golfers. General Manager, Carl Roberts is seen in the picture handing over the check on Thursday to Don Mills, tournament chairman and just elected president of the club.

According to Don Mills, this year golf members will donate 50% of the tournament proceeds to the Montserrat Red Cross to assist with the building of a Home for the Elderly at Brades. In September last year Cable & Wireless donated $200,000 to this project which will provide shelter for 45 evacuated senior citizens.

Cable and Wireless has long been associated with the Montserrat Golf Club and is quite happy to continue this long and fruitful relationship having sponsored the tournament fully in 1992. "We look forward to a very successful golf open", comments Neville Dublin, Manager, Sales and Marketing at Cable & Wireless.

The Montserrat Golf Club’s annual tournament gets under way tomorrow with locals and overseas participants from all over the region as well as the USA, Canada and the UK. It officially opens this evening and ends on Sunday with a Closing and Awards ceremony.

Meanwhile, members John Ryan and Randolf Riley had contacted local companies, organizations and individuals to sponsor holes and provide prizes.

Announcements on the regional radio stations had been inviting golfers from the islands to participate and

Carib Airways will have three 7 passenger planes available on Friday, 28th February and Monday 3rd March to transport golfers at 50% of the normal charter rate.

The major sponsor of the tournament is Uncle Ben’s Rice along with Carib Beer also one of the main sponsors for the second year in a row.

Brandt to Move Resolution/Domestic Violence

Member for Windward the Honorable David Brandt intends to follow up his anxiety over the fact that local truckers are not benefiting fairly from trucking for the Montserrat Rice Mills.

Mr. Brandt hopes to move a Resolution in the Legislative Council at its next sitting resolving that the Honorable House, (a) "invites Montserrat Rice Mills Ltd. to rearrange its working procedures to unambiguously extend opportunity to all local Truckers and Shipping Agents on an obviously fair and equitable basis," and (b) that the Honorable House takes any other step it deems expedient in all the circumstances."

Among other preambles Mr. Brandt states that ‘Whereas that without interference in the management or operation of the Company the people of Montserrat are entitled to be treated with fairness, equity and justice

And Whereas the Company has contracted its local trucking and shipping services requirements in such a way as to provide a single Trucker/Shipping Agent with a virtual monopoly on the Company’s business

And Whereas the Agent has charged and is charging the Company $13.50 per ton for transporting the rice to and from the port while paying other truckers a mere $7.50 per ton.’

Meanwhile following upon his promise and call of sometime ago that something be done to ease domestic violence in Montserrat, Brandt is moving to propose laws dealing with the subject. He says that he hopes to take the legislation before the Legislative Council at its next sitting.

Speaking on the issue he said: "The law in other places and hopefully soon in Montserrat when I introduce it in the next meeting of the Legislative Council includes watching, besetting a person’s house or residence, place of work or education, family, making persistent telephone calls to the persons using abusive language to or behaving towards the person in any manner which is of such a nature and degree as to cause annoyance to, or result in ill treatment to the person. And you can have redress if the person threaten to use violence against you, or cause mental or physical injury to you, or is likely to do that again. So it is not only between men and women. Any proposed remedy should include children and dependents and persons who are mentally incapable."

Under the proposed law, he expects it will give the magistrate authority to order persons to seek counseling.

Since Brandt has made his announcement it has been reported that similar pronouncements have been made and other interest shown in dealing with the matter of domestic violence in Montserrat.

Mrs. Maureen Manningham, the First Secretary of the Canadian High Commission based in Barbados, visited Montserrat earlier this week to meet with Canadian-born residents to see how they are coping with the ongoing volcanic crisis.

Her programme was put together by Mrs Betty Dix, who is the Canadian warden here in conjunction with Government officials. Mrs/ Manningham met all the Canadians at a reception on Tuesday night but also took the opportunity to meet with the Hon. Chief Minister, Betrand B.Osborne and other Ministers of Government as well as the Labour Officer.

She visited the MVO, several shelters, the Glendon Hospital in St. John’s and several other points of interest. Her visit, described as a familiarization one, was a huge success and on departure she reported on ZJB that she will meet with Canadian Aid Officials on her return to Barbados to report on the ongoing volcanic crisis.

"MOLTEN LOVER" is a poem written by Cherise Aymer, a fifth former of the Montserrat Secondary School, for a Valentine poetry competition organized by Gem Radio. Cherise won first prize, a dinner for two at the Vue Pointe Hotel, from the thirteen competitors out of Montserrat. The competition was opened to persons in St. Kitts, Nevis, Antigua, St Lucia and Montserrat. Cherise said she won because she was able to blend our present volcano characteristics with human love. In a profile of herself Cherise writes, " I am a proud student of the Montserrat Secondary School and poetry writing is a very important part of my free time. I am a very observant person which is part of my ability to relate things realistically in my poetry. My poetry ranges in different topics, on many occasions I think of a topic and write on it, or give the content of the poem and put a title according to it, as is to be said for my poem , MOLTEN LOVER.

Some girls wish when they have nothing to do 
But I just relax and think about you
The love of which we both share
The trials that we both bear
Through the storm we survived 
By our love and trust we are alive
Our love shall stay alight
As long as we hold on to each other with all our might  

Many dream of having the love we treasure
Keeping the spark that's hotter than lava
Together we conquer the whole love thing
Skin through the pain and hurt it bring
At being in each other's company the temperature rises
Heart beat sky rockets by automatic devices
Remarkable is the extent of both our trust

We're like a volcano ready to erupt
On and on we go and we shall ne ' er stop abrupt
Magma rising at deathly pressures
Ecstasy increasing at forcible pleasures
As our love transports us to it's special place
Descending us slowly with well- filled satisfied faces

Drunk by our love's wine weaken by our energies sublime

At a meeting of the Taxi Drivers Association last night, drivers met with officials of the MVO, Police GIS to discuss a code of conduct for taking tourists into the unsafe zone.

The code agreed to is as follows:

1. Taxis are permitted to take passengers into Zone C but passengers must remain with the vehicles at all times. They will not be allowed to walk around any of Zone C without being in the immediate vicinity of the vehicles.
2. Under no circumstances will passengers be taken into Zone A and B.
3. Taxi drivers must have in their vehicle sufficient dust masks to equip all of their passengers with new individual dust masks.
4. Care must be taken when driving in ash affected areas not to create extra ash in the air to the detriment of workers in Zone C.
5. Under no circumstances shall passengers be allowed into Fort Ghaut.

At the meeting taxi drivers were urged to wear their own dust masks to set an example for their passengers and to protect their own health

A British crew taping a tv documentary, honoring Sir George Martin (Air Studios) was on island on Saturday. It was a cause to celebrate Montserrat and to spotlight local talent -- namely Arrow, and the island's beauty (not covered recently in media attention). The cause was turned into a real show featuring other talented locals - the steel pan band, the string band, the Police Band, various calypsonians/musicians -- King Kensey, Lord Alfredo, Cupid, Randy Greenaway, Justin "Hero" Cassell and others. Miss Goosey (? large puppet) and masqueraders added to the party atmosphere.

Friends and neighbors spent several very enjoyable hours at a well-staged production with very few glitches! It is difficult to estimate attendance but it seemed as though at least a third of the island's population crammed into that beautiful area to enjoy late afternoon beach activities, local food and drink, a gorgeous sunset, and GREAT music and fun.

Arrow had provided shuttle bus service from points north and south to the beach. It was a fine day and an opportunity to see friends not seen for awhile due to the "volcanic isolation"…and at site where you could believe for awhile that the island was untouched by natural disaster.

Kudos to all organizers and participants and we say -- let's do this more often!

Last week in the lead story of February 21, 1997 Reporter, reference was made to a magistrate, Mr. Eric Crowther from England who acted here after the departure of Mrs. Anna Ryan from the bench, for three months. During that time he wrote the following, which appeared in the British journal "Justice of the Peace & Local Government Law" for 6 November 1996, p. 979-980 under the caption ‘DUELS IN THE SUN’.

Local lawyers are reportedly unhappy with the article, firstly expressing surprise and disappointment at the article.

Mr. Crowther wrote:

"And so I find myself in Montserrat. It is in the West Indies and can be discovered among the Leeward Islands by those with a powerful magnifying glass. It is about 77 square miles (sic) in area but this has been reduced to about nine square miles by the activities of the volcano, which erupted fiercely in April of his year and has been simmering gently - and often not so gently - ever since. The population has reduced in the last six months from about 11,000 to about 7,000, many living in churches and schools. Plymouth, the capital, and a large part of the island is now an "evacuated area" while people are not allowed to re-enter without the express permission of the Governor. But they are allowed to "enter" the prohibited zone (as distinct from "re-enter" it) and have they been proved to "have been found in" the forbidden part when they have only been seen entering and leaving it (by car)? These are matters on which I am about to give judgment and which, were this England, would undoubtedly find their way to the Divisional Court and possibly to the European Court. Perhaps they will finish up in the Privy Council; for I am, for three months, the (Senior) Resident Magistrate - indeed the only magistrate - in Montserrat.

English common law is the basis of Montserrat law but there are many differences, e.g., all burglaries are dealt with on indictment; driving with no insurance carries compulsory disqualification for at least a year (a good idea, I think) and possible imprisonment; and there is no legal aid for criminal matters except murder (and then only in the higher Court). This seems illogical as attempted murder and various other offences carry possible life imprisonment, mandatory in the case of murder. The depositions have to be taken down in long-hand by the magistrate (not the clerk) and there is no short form of committal, and the "preliminary inquiry" is indeed a tedious affair. In a case where it became apparent that five police officers were going to give the same testimony, I said brightly: "Let the others be served by notice of additional evidence", but was told that this practice was gravely frowned on by the West Indies Court of Appeal, which had allowed an appeal on the ground that one of my predecessors had done just that.

The difficulty is that most people here (as in England and Wales) who find themselves accused of attempted murder and other serious offences of violence are not quite right in the head and it is very difficult explaining to them the procedure of mode of trial, as usually they keep talking throughout the proceedings. They seem incapable of asking coherent questions and are liable to do their cases a lot of harm if the magistrate records their ill-advised comments. For this reason, I have been campaigning ever since I arrived here for poor people facing serious charges to have free representation on legal aid. But I am not getting very far. "Where will the money come from?" I am always asked.

"Will your country provide it?" I am inclined to think that the Lord Chancellor would say "No". I had hoped that the seven members of the Bar here could be persuaded to come in as amici curiae. Before my arrival they had been on a sort of strike for about a year, refusing to appear before my predecessor (I have yet to discover why) so I thought that they might welcome the opportunity to set foot again in the magistrate's court, even if they gave their services free, but, alas, I have found this not to be the case.

There is one Q.C. here, a very distinguished looking man called Kenneth Allen. Seeing him getting into his car near to where I am living, I made for him in order to discuss this problem of the poor unrepresented defendant facing a serious criminal charge. But I did not reach him. A very large man with a heavy American accent (although he proved to be Montserratian) stood in my path. "Why, it's Eric", he exclaimed, "the new magistrate from England. Will you give me ten pounds? I'll be able to re-pay you tomorrow."

"No", I replied, without much enthusiasm.

"Then give me ten pounds and I'll work for you. I'll start tomorrow. I can do anything. I can read and write.""Are you a good writer?" I asked, thinking of the possibility of somebody else doing those depositions.

"Yeah, superb", he declared.

"Then write down your name and address."

He grabbed a (red) pen from my pocket and I gave him a piece of paper on which he wrote laboriously for about five minutes before handing to me a piece of script which I found almost unintelligible (although, it did set out his name - I think).

"I'll think about it," I said, before trying again to get to Kenneth Allen, but by now he had escaped. Next morning, Edward (I am not sure if that was his surname or Christian name from the paper that he had given me) was standing in the middle of the road with arms outstretched as I was driven to my Court.

"Eric" I heard him screaming. "I've come to start work for you". My driver completely ignored the presence of Edward, who jumped out of our way only just in time to avoid my having to take depositions in a case of causing death by dangerous driving.

Next day, as I sat down for lunch, I was joined by - Edward, still seeking employment. It took me some time to find staff who would set about removing him: he is, as I have said, a very large man.

That Friday I finished my all-day list (we do not have morning and afternoon lists here) by 1 o'clock, a situation that would have pleased some of my more idle and impatient former colleagues in London.

But in the early afternoon I received a phone call, would I go back and deal with two bail applications, one of which was to be made by a man whom the police had arrested for four burglaries? It turned out to be Edward, but a very different Edward now, ranting and raving - I suspect from the effects of drugs. He would not stop screaming except when the effects of the ashing (as people here call the fall-out from the volcano) would make me cough, when he cried out sympathetically "Bless you, Eric."

"Look what the police have done to me," he yelled. "They have split open my head. I've had six stitches."

There was certainly a nasty wound to his head which I had not seen before. Eventually, I could stand his rampaging no longer and I said: "Well! I think your head certainly needs examining, so I'll remand you in custody for a week for a medical report."

"Don't let them take me away, Eric," Edward pleaded. "I'm representing him" - pointing to the other defendant who had been brought in. This man, accused of arson, was also rambling all the time, but more quietly than Edward. The alleged arsonist looked up at this suggestion and uttered the only sensible observation he was to make that afternoon.

"No, he's not," he said firmly. The alleged arsonist did not want Edward, as his "McKenzie Friend".

As I left the court, I could not help wondering how long I should keep Edward in custody and whether making a thorough nuisance of yourself to the magistrates is a ground for being refused bail under the Bail Act 1976.

There is a different approach to some offences for that which obtains in the United Kingdom.

Whilst one of two men who shot at my predecessor received only seven years when convicted of attempting to murder her (she does not seem to have been universally popular) a man who had sexual relations with a donkey received 11 years (he should not have been such an ass). Drunken driving is not regarded at all seriously, unless it results in death, whereas the taking of cannabis is gravely regarded and there are numerous prosecutions for indecent language. The use of the "f"-word seems to be very much frowned upon in Montserrat. When a (very skillful) photographer appeared before me on four separate charges of using the "f"-word last year (his trial had been delayed because he wanted to be represented and the lawyers were all on strike), I felt a sense of outrage in the court when I suggested that rather than have a trial which was estimated to last two days, the defendant might agree to be bound over. When the tumult had died down a little, I sought to justify my proposal by saying, "Well, shortly before coming here, I heard that word used many times in one evening on the BB.C."

There was a shout from the public gallery: "Then the B.B.C. ought to be prosecuted." On reflection, I am inclined to agree."

MSS, traditionally known as 'School', impressed all who saw their two matches at Salem Park last weekend in the Heineken one-day league. In the first match on Saturday, MSS played through three tense overs with one wicket in hand to reach the 150 set by Emerald Wanderers. Earlier, a fine spell of fast bowling by Tyrone Greenaway (3 for 19), put paid to a Wanderers recovery led by C. Riley (31) and K. Roach (20). McPherson Meade anchored MSS's innings with a solid 55 and looks set for bigger things in 1997.

The MSS win on Sunday was even better. The schoolboys, who will make up the Montserrat Under-19 team for the East Caribbean Flour Mills LI tournament in St. Croix later this month, beat last year's losing finalists Pyroclastic CC by five wickets with 11 balls remaining in the innings. Pyrolcastic reached 161 for 9 in 35 overs (G. Barzey 50). This proved to be inadequate and after Amon Aymer hooked Auriel Kirnon for six off the first ball of the innings, the stage was set for an easy MSS victory.

It was refreshing to see Vicki Kirnon turn older brother and Monterrat captain, fast bowler Auriel Kirnon to the fine leg boundary off the first ball of the penultimate over to carry the MSS total to 163 for 5. The star of the show, however, was Leewards Under-15 opener, Olson Murrain who hit an unbeaten 47. Murrain, who is also a competent point guard for Cork Hill in the basketball league, played a controlled innings and is running into form at the right time.

In other matches played February 22 and 23:

Police 74 all out lost to Eastern 76 for 6 (D. Williams 33 not out) by four wickets.

Cork Hill 209 for 9 (R. Irish 47, S. Kirnon 38) beat Police 124 all out, by 85 runs.

Points standing: Eastern 7 points, Cork Hill 6, MSS 6, Pyroclastic CC 3, Wanderers 3, Police 0.

The semi-finals and finals come next weekend. Eastern, Cork Hill, and MSS have already qualified for the semis but the final spot in the big weekend will be decided by this weekend's matches. Emerald Wanderers must now be hoping for a win against Eastern on Sunday, and that the improving Police team could upset Pyroclastic and give them a chance of moving on. Any other combination of results and Pyroclastic will be the fourth team to qualify. The finals is scheduled for Lansen Park on Sunday, March 9.

Every one is responsible for his or her own actions and wherever the law is broken the lawbreaker must always bear the consequences even where the law seems inequitable.

Somewhere someone said something like, "the law is a horse’s ass". One can not help but agree with this sentiment when one thinks of being charged or jailed to go to one’s own home in the "safe zone" to carry out various personal chores.

Examine the reasons for restraining the general populace from free access to the "unsafe zone". Are these reasonable, useful, just or for the protection of all? Is the punishment being meted out for supposedly unauthorized sojourns into the unsafe zone cruel and unusual or unreasonably heavy-handed?

The answers to these questions perhaps bear some consideration and encompass more than just a public relations problem between the police and the general public.

First the reasons for the control of the flow of persons into the unsafe zone must be analyzed. Presumably the over-riding reason is the protection of life and limb of the public or those charged with search and rescue responsibilities. Perhaps a less important reason may be for the protection of the property of the citizenry. It would be difficult to come up with any other just or reasonable motives for controlling the free movement of persons into the unsafe zone.

If it is agreed that it is necessary to protect people from themselves and property from potential criminals, you could now consider how this control of human and vehicular traffic is being done. Is it being done impartially, with basic human courtesy and based on rational procedures? Perhaps the answers to these questions are what are causing the public relations nightmare that the police seem to be experiencing. Are the police at the barriers over-bearing, rude, insensitive and abusive? Are the persons seeking access abusive, overly sensitive, irresponsible law-breakers? There is no easy answer to this. In some cases both the public and the police abuse the rights of each other. In other cases the police are obviously partial.

But are the control procedures rational? How is life and limb being protected when the police restrain motor vehicular traffic but allow pedestrian traffic? Isn’t it safer to allow vehicular traffic to ensure a fast and sure get away if needs be? Is it reasonable to deny someone the opportunity to inspect their homes when it appears that there are no police patrols in the unsafe zone?

Is it not common human decency to allow persons access to their pets and livestock since it may be impossible to house them in the safe zone?

But then this raises questions of the police duty to protect life and limb of the public. Are the police going too far to ensure the safety of the public? Every citizen of Montserrat is fully aware of the risks that he or she takes on entering the unsafe zone. They understand that they do so at their own peril. Should the police prevent such an informed person from taking risks when the possible outcomes are fully known to the risk-taker?

Perhaps the answer to this could become bogged down in moral issues. One may well ask how different is this to the prevention of suicide.

But we must all accept the consequences of our actions especially when it is impossible to claim that we are not informed or are unaware of the hazards.

The police can not protect us from ourselves even if this is what they believe they are doing.

But perhaps what is even more difficult to live with is charging and fining citizens for doing what could very well be responsible and humane activities in the face of the known hazards.

Last week Friday, after the government’s sale of land, a number of young people lamented over the sales prices of the land. They were very frustrated over the outcome of the sales. They felt left out, as if there is no future for them on this rock. They felt as if they were victims in the struggle to survive. Many of them have an urgent desire to own a piece of land in order to build a very simple house. Yet they feel that the system, the way we do things, is cheating and teasing them with respect to affordable lands.

Older Montserratians....Everything is only for a time. The things we hold so dear, such as expensive land and ‘’too big houses" are not important to our young Montserratians.

Young Montserratians do not appreciate the things which we believe are important. And if we want to enjoy Montserrat with them in the 21st century, we must begin to prepare ourselves for their tomorrow. We must begin to build bridges to move back and forth from our today’s into their tomorrow and from their todays into our yesterdays. We need to compromise our quasi standards with respect to land and housing. Everything is only for a time, big houses and expensive lots are going out of style.

There was a time when on Sundays, all you would hear on the radio was gospel music; no sentimentals, no blues, no calypso. I remember the first time I heard a calypso on the radio on a Sunday...it was on Radio Antilles. I stood in my tracks and wondered if God was not going to destroy Radio Antilles. But everything was only for a time....now any kind of music is played anytime.

There was a time when six men would bear a coffin from the home of the dead to the Cemetery, it did not matter how far; it could have been from St. Patrick’s to St. Anthony’s. Today we transport the coffin in motor vehicles; no matter how near the Cemetery.

Without a doubt everything is only for a time - and we may have to bury some of our wonderful ways if we want to enjoy a beautiful tomorrow with our young people.

Not so long ago, maybe in the late sixties and early seventies, a plot of land cost less than $2000 and the greatest houses cost less than $50,000. Today the same size plot of land cost more than $40,000 and the same size house would cost more than $500,000. It should be obvious that what was good for Montserrat in the sixties, seventies or even the eighties is not good for Montserrat in the nineties, much less the 21st century. Everything is only for a time and then we must do them no more, especially when it comes to land and housing.

For years we continued to agonize and stress ourselves to maintain a confused standard of living, paying huge mortgages, and feeding ourselves from below the poverty line. Today we still seek to acquire and own pieces of land to build great houses that will become havens of loneliness. The time has come when we must abandon this confused state of affairs. The youths of today will neither tolerate nor appreciate our taste and desires for great houses.

We must therefore begin to accommodate their expectations and seek to bridge the gap - for our enjoyment with tomorrow’s youth. For the time being we are the ones in control.

Nevertheless we could look at the things that we have taken for granted - such as private ownership of land, the way we design houses and the way we build houses. And in so doing, we could also ask a few questions.

Is it necessary to buy a piece of land costing over $50,000 in order to own a house? Do we need 10,000 sq. ft of land to house two lonely people? Is it really necessary to own land in order to live in peace and comfort with one another?

Consider that tomorrow’s youth may only want to build a simple house, leasing the land and paying taxes rather than purchasing more land than is necessary. Or consider...today’s youth may even prefer to live in affordable condominium style building, without the hassles of maintenance, insurance and taxes.

Everyday we see the signs that our tastes and styles are just for awhile. So if we want to enjoy 21st century Montserrat with our young people we must begin to bridge the gap between our expectations and theirs. We must find a way to move smoothly into the Montserrat that they will control.

Two weeks ago Montserratians were invited to a parade at Salem Park to see the Duke of York. The number of spectators was remarkable but paled compared to the turnout on Sunday at Old Road Bay when thousands thronged to pay tribute to Montserrat’s own King of Soca, the Mighty Arrow.

The occasion was captured on camera by a British film crew who were visiting our island to record segments for a 3 hour documentary called "Rhythm of Life" honoring Sir George Martin, which will be aired on television in the UK in October.

Sir George was insistent that no film on his life would be complete without highlighting the special love he has for Montserrat and her people.

Sir George’s Air Studios has attracted and recorded many of the top artists in the musical world including Paul McCartney, Sting, Elton John, Eric Clapton, Stevie Wonder, the Rolling Stones and of course our own, Arrow.

Free transportation on Sunday ensured that no one was left out and when Miss Goosie herself turned up the crowd went wild. The All Stars Steel Band performance was enhanced by its youngest member, Luke Edgecombe, aged 7, who amazed even Sir George and Lady Martin.

Past Calypso Kings, the Oriole String Band, Randy Greenaway’s "Seismicity", Brigo and even Lord Alfredo all contributed to a great afternoon. Special mention has to be made of the Royal Montserrat Police Force Band who tirelessly supported the entertainers and Arrow, as usual, lived up to his international reputation as a first class showman.

It truly is amazing that our tiny island continues to produce such a massive amount of talent.

Each disaster over the last 70 years seems to be worse than the last. Commissioner H. Peebles (for whom Peeble’s Street is named) thought that the 1924 hurricane was "child’s play" compared to the one in 1928. There were between 40 and 50 deaths and 400 casualties. He made an urgent call for tents, tarpaulins and carpenters’ tools to erect temporary shelters for 7,000 persons. By his Orders, no food was to be issued to anyone (unless the old and infirm) who did not work. Food could be bought from each District Committee by all workers who presented a paper certifying that they worked. (Interesting)!

Over the last week the level of activity at the Soufriere hills volcano in Montserrat has been at a very low level. Seismic activity has consisted of swarms of volcano - tectonic earthquakes from shallow depths below the crater, these usually indicate that magma is trying to reach the surface. In addition there has been low to moderate tremor recorded, all which goes to show that the dome is still growing. Mid week a regional earthquake was recorded but this had nothing to do with the volcano in Montserrat.

Scientists and medical personnel from the island's Glendon Hospital have been pointing out the dangers from exposure to the ash. They have been urging residents to wear their dust masks which are freely available from public health clinics throughout the island.

Throughout the week the alert stage remained at AMBER. Residents can now visit certain areas in the unsafe zone during daylight hours, but they are urged to have a rapid means of exit, a radio tuned to Radio Montserrat for updates. This is giving Montserratian a chance to return to their homes to clean them in the current plateau of activity. However scientists warn that the plateau will not continue for long as the dome is now the largest it has ever been and that it is steep and unstable. Further collapses are expected soon.

The Public Works Dept. continues to clear Fort Ghaut of volcanic debris. This is the main waterway through the relocated capital, Plymouth. In Little Bay in the north of the island the new emergency jetty was used for the first time this week when a shipment of emergency fuel storage tanks for a planned new fuel storage facility in the north were unloaded.

Jus wonderin if there are some two legged dogs stealing animals in the unsafe zone.

Jus wonderin if some of the able bodied persons in the shelters or other unemployed persons can be employed to repair some of the pot holes in the road.

Jus wonderin if the police is offering protection to the drug sellers in the new capital, and can’t help wonderin if drugs is responsible for the destruction of some of our young persons in our society.

Jus wonderin who is the big belly Mountain Chicken at the prison who put the prisoners in solitary confinement when they refuse to clean his home in the unsafe zone.

Jus wonderin why the big boat can no longer bring food from T&T to Montserrat.

Jus wonderin if our young spin bowler will be given a chance to play in the second round of the Red Stripe Cricket Tournament.

Jus wonderin if the clean up of Plymouth could start now the alert level is down to amber.

Jus wonderin if the lady on the hill is about to go back to bed now that her sister in Trinidad is fully awake.

Jus wonderin if the volcano should really fall asleep, say in the next six months, if we will still have a blank cheque of one hundred million dollars and only have to fill in the space.

Jus wonderin if the commissioner is begging for an extension of his two-years contract that will end in May 1997 like his English friend.

Jus wonderin if some persons wish the volcano crises can continue for another two years because they are doing well while most of us are catching hell.

Jus wonderin if persons in the shelters who are offered family units are not too happy because they will miss the EOC rations.

Email: Jus wonderin where Howard Fergus is these days with his exhortations for the independence of "Alliouagana" from Britain.

 Applications are invited from suitably qualified citizens of the ECCB Member Countries to fill the post of Administrative Secretary at the Eastern Caribbean Institute of Banking (ECIB) in St. Kitts.

 APPLICANTS SHOULD HAVE:

A minimum of four (4) GCE 'O' level passes or CXC General Proficiency level passes (General I and II) including English Language.

RSA Stage II and III Certificates in Typing.

• Experience in word processing applications.
• At least five (5) years experience within the secretarial field.
• Good Oral and written communication skills.
• Excellent organizational skills.
• Some administrative experience.

 Competence in the Windows environment as well as the APS and CPS would be an asset.

 DUTIES

The successful applicant who will report to the Chief Executive Officer, would have responsibility for:

• Typing, organizing and maintaining the files and records for the Institute.
• Recording and typing the minutes of meetings.
• Assisting in the preparation of meetings, seminars and conferences.
• Coordinating office functions with other institutions.
• Performing office procedures including scheduling appointments, processing mail and answering telephones.

Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience.

Applications stating qualifications and experience together with two recent letters of reference should be forwarded to:

To reach no later than 3rd March, 1997.

Applications which do not meet the minimum requirements indicated above will not be acknowledged.

 Applications are invited from suitably qualified citizens of the ECCB Member Territories for the position of Chief Executive Officer of the Eastern Caribbean Institute of Banking (ECIB) in St. Kitts.

Applicants should have a degree or equivalent qualification in Banking, Finance or Accounting, and a minimum of five (5) years experience in a managerial position of an organization. Experience in banking would be an asset.

The Chief Executive Officer will be responsible to the Council and the Executive Committee of the ECIB for the operations and affairs of the Institute and the main duties will be to:

• manage the operations of the Institute effectively and efficiently;
• implement policies laid down by the Council and Executive Committee and liase with the Local Committees of eight (8) territories and other relevant organizations;
• manage all aspects of training for students preparing for overseas Institutes' examinations;
• pursue aggressively the development of professional status for members of the institute;
• generally plan, direct and coordinate the work of the Institute;

 An attractive compensation package will be offered.

 Applications accompanied by a curriculum vitae, evidence of qualifications and names and addresses of two (2) references should be submitted to:

Fax No: (869) 465-1051

To reach no later than 3rd March, 1997.

Eastern Caribbean Central Bank

Applications are invited from suitably qualified citizens of the ECCB member countries to fill the post of Security Officer, at the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank.

Applicants Must:-

• Be Nationals of the ECCB Member Territories.
• Be between the ages of 25 and 45 years.
• Have reached a CXC standard of education.
• Be physically and mentally fit.
• Subject to fingerprinting for police records
• Submit a birth certificate.
• Be prepared to undergo a Security Training Course.
• Possess a valid driving permit.

Applications should be addressed to:

to reach him not later than 21 March 1997.

Applications which do not meet the minimum requirements indicated above will not be acknowledged.

Eastern Caribbean Central Bank

Vacancy

Clerk of Works, Phase II Building Project, ECCB

Applications are invited from suitably qualified citizens of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank member territories to fill the post of Clerk of Works, Phase II Building Project, in the Governor’s Office Eastern Caribbean Central Bank.

Applicants Should Have:

• A Bsc Engineering or BA in Architectural Studies or equivalent with a minimum of two (2) years site experience, or
• HNC or HND in Engineering or Architectural Technology with at least five (5) years site experience and appropriate skills.
• Working knowledge of standard forms of building contracts (e.g. JCT and RIBA) will be a distinctive advantage.

1. Maintain a register of drawings and carefully file all contract documentation.
2. Notify the Artichect of any errors in or discrepancies noted between the drawings, preambles. Bills of Quantities and other documents.
1. Notify the Architect immediately of any significant problems arising on site or if any decisions or variations are required.
1. Inspect work for execution in accordance with the contract documents and with any instructions which may be issued from time to time by the Architect.
1. Check that work proceeds according to the programme.
1. Witness list required by the contractor or instructed by the Artichect.
1. Examine when necessary work in the Contractor’s or subcontractor’s and suppliers yards.
1. Inspect materials and goods for compliance with the stated standards and ensure that they are properly stored or protected.
1. Attend site meetings as required and confirm accuracy or otherwise of the Contractor’s progress report.
1. Maintain a daily diary to record such items as weather conditions and their effect on work progress, records of test carried out, delays and reasons for them and material deliveries to site.
1. Submit reports in the form required by the Artichect at intervals specified.
1. Ensure that the Artichect is promptly notified of all instructions issued directly by Engineers to the Contractors.
1. Any other reasonable duties which may be assigned.

• Contract for two (2) years.
• Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience.
• Other conditions of employment as may apply.

Applications stating qualifications and giving the names, addresses and telephone numbers of three referees should be forwarded to:

to reach no later than 14 March, 1997.

Applications which do not meet the minimum requirements indicated above will not be acknowledged.

House in Olveston

Price Negotiable

US$150,000

Contact (664) 491-5771

Forward all Questions, Comments and Suggestions to: roachb@candw.ag

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