He was responding to a question regarding the development of airport facilities in Montserrat. The question was posed because of the current activity at the Soufriere Hills volcano which, after giving every indication of going into repose following eruptive activity since July 1995, began growing another dome inside the almost solidified crater walls.

W.H. Bramble airport - restoration plans shelved

This new activity halted all thoughts or plans to refurbish W.H. Bramble airport, which had been estimated for use again by mid-2000, according to a letter from Mr. Mike Wood, who took over from Mr. Richard Teuten in charge of the Overseas Territories Unit in London.

To bring the very current situation on the matter into perspective, the Chief Minister read a letter which he received from Mr. Wood, as follows:

"AIR ACCESS

"When we spoke on Wednesday, you said that the Government of Montserrat would like a grass airstrip to be engineered at Thatch Valley.

"Our position is this. Given the ongoing situation with the volcano, the possibility of disturbance in the Bramble Airport vicinity and the continuing uncertainty about when the volcano will settle down, the date we estimated Bramble would be operational (mid-2002) may no longer be realistic. In these circumstances, we are prepared to re-open our consideration of a grass strip.

<--- New heliport at Geralds

 "I informed you that DFID engineers in our Montserrat office were already looking at the Geralds site and would shortly let us have their assessment. I regret we are not prepared to re-open consideration of Thatch Valley. We have already determined that proposals for a new airport in that area are uneconomic; the costs of a grass facility would also be very high given access problems and the need for ancillary infrastructure (all of which presently exists at Geralds)."

The letter was copied to the Governor's office.

Mr. Brandt said further that a committee had been set up to look into the possibility of the costs and the feasibility of developing such an airstrip at Thatch Valley and suggested that government will pursue further such a possibility.

It is known that HMG had agreed to construct a sports complex at Geralds, where they would also construct a temporary 'emergency grass strip' to be used in the event that the W.H. Bramble refurbished airport became unusable.

A new heliport is currently being completed with a view to upgrading operating commercial helicopter flights out of Montserrat till such time as the island could accommodate fixed-wing aircraft facilities. The heliport is almost completed; already the tower is functional and is being used for the current helicopter service out of Geralds, but there is apparently a snag in obtaining a license to operate the present service on a commercial basis.

Montserratian women joined in with the worldwide celebrations for International Women's Day on Wednesday of this week, with scores of women attending a one-day symposium at the Pelican Room, Vue Pointe Hotel, and even more attended a Craft Exhibition of products made by women in the small business sector organised and mounted by the National Development Foundation at Davy Hill.

In addition, popular local businesswoman Margaret 'Annie' Dyer Howe used the occasion of the eve of International Women's Day to launch a new Howe's product, Montserrat Bay Rum, at Tropical Mansions Suite Hotel.

<---Florence Daley

The one-day forum at the Pelican Room was organised by the Community Services Division of the Ministry of Education, Health & Community Services and was graced by the Minister, the Hon. Adelina Tuitt. Mrs. Tuitt gave the assembled women words of encouragement, followed by keynote speaker Rev. Florence Daley, who pointed out the many leadership positions that women in Montserrat held in both the public and private sector.

One of the many topics discussed on the day was the problem of violence against women in the home, which is a recurring theme worldwide.

The Craft Exhibition at the NDF's buildings at Davy Hill was a huge success. Planned and presented by the Small Business Development Unit of the NDF, the exhibition and sale brought to the forefront the talent of many of Montserrat's women. A stream of visitors to the exhibition all day left the NDF planning similar ventures in the near future. It is thought that they will now plan and organise courses in presentation, packaging and marketing of these products.

Mrs. Howe's launch of the Montserrat Bay Rum at the Tropical Mansions Suites Hotel the previous evening was well attended. This adds to her range of products that Howe's Enterprises have been developing for the year to date.

Altogether, the activities for International Women's Day in Montserrat were well planned, attended and attested to the many talents of women on the island.

Officials this weekend are putting the final touches to the programme for the visit next week of HRH Prince Andrew, The Duke of York. This will be the Prince's third visit to the island since the start of volcanic activity, but unlike the other two, this is an official Royal Visit. The previous visits were both private ones.

The Governor's Office released details of the Royal Visit. The Prince, a serving Naval Officer, will arrive by helicopter at 10 a.m. on Monday.

Included in a packed programme of activities will be visits to Lookout housing with three families, the St John's Hospital, the Brades Industrial Complex, the Golden Years Home for the Elderly, the St. Augustine Catholic School and the Salem Police Station.

He will attend two social functions; the Hon.. Chief Minister David Brandt will host him to lunch at Tropical Mansions Suites Hotel and H.E. Governor Anthony Abbott will host a cocktail party at Government House.

It is expected that the Prince's helicopter will have an overflight of the volcano before it actually arrives in Montserrat so that he can see the devastation that has occurred since his last visit.

Prince Andrew will leave Montserrat on Tuesday March 14, at around lunchtime, for a visit to Anguilla. Before arriving here he will be in the British Virgin Islands. This is all part of an official visit to all Caribbean Overseas Territories.

His eldest brother Prince Charles recently completed a tour  of Trinidad, Jamaica and Guyana.

World over, women this week Wednesday celebrated "Women's Day," one which Montserrat women residents would not let pass without participation.

As part of the celebrations, which really was a week of women's activities, Montserrat women put on a full-day symposium under the theme "Empowering Women in Nation Building," courtesy of the Ministry of Education, Health and Welfare, headed by the honourable Minister Adelina Tuitt. Chairperson of the event was Mrs. Maudlyn Sweeney.

Observers were welcomed and allowed at the opening session at which the feature speaker was Reverend Florence Daley, who spoke following brief remarks by Mrs Tuitt.

Rev. Daley very early in her address did not surprise the men present with the statement that in Montserrat women today should be seeking to fulfil their role in society in partnership with men. Her statement followed upon an earlier prayer, which invoked God's blessing upon women who "cannot do without men."

Some may take this last statement out of context, but women would be sure to point out that the reverse is more than correct, a fact that most males will not be too conceited to acknowledge.

Although it is mostly within the last 20 years that we began to hear of women in Montserrat seeking to establish some dominance of their existence, it was never a serious concern. Surely there have been the complaints of abuse of all kinds upon women by men, perhaps the strongest issue that would dominate any women's discussion, but in terms of sharing or holding their position of authority and leadership in Montserrat, especially in the workplace, the women are second to none.

This has been so for quite some time; although there are still some areas where women have not yet broken into a leadership role -- political leadership, for example, as pointed out by the Minister in her brief address.

Here women cannot claim inequality in pay and employment. They would indeed have difficulty claiming discrimination in any area of activity in Montserrat.

Within the same 20 years, funding agencies positively responded to any project proposal that show at least 40 percent affection for women. Of course as the women's cause came into focus, and as it flourished, it seems that men became marginalised. The result is that today, during the women's week of celebration, we hear of discussions about the under-performance of boys generally and academically.

So, too, that as the women moved more into the income-generating world, genuinely trying to improve the lot of the family, the home suffered. Now, the wake-up call for fathers and men to participate more fully in being more paternal.

While the women seek more empowerment in their intellectual capacity (especially in politics) the men of Montserrat may well question that, but empowerment to break the silence on physical, mental and sexual abuse is a must.

Rev. Daley is correct; seeking empowerment the women must ask themselves why, towards what end and how to deal with it. In seeking empowerment they must not create other evils for society, or else it becomes little more than selfishness moving from one extreme to the next. Empowerment must bring with it some balance, and certainly in Montserrat, the women's needs where that is concerned are far less compared with women elsewhere in the world.

To end this brief commentary, here is what the women in St.Vincent had to say this week.

"We recognise that there is a paradigm shift internationally towards gender equity (and) while we will not lose sight of the fact that women's agenda is not completed, we also have to be soul-searching and conscious of the fact that as women we cannot continue to develop in isolation or develop in such a manner that we leave, to a certain extent, our men on the sidewalks, in the rum shops and forming gangs."

Dear Editor,

The most recent advisory from Great Britain's Foreign and Commonwealth Office discouraging travel to Montserrat certainly demands serious consideration by those of us who have remained on this perilous island since our alleged respiratory nemesis in the Soufriere Hills reawoke five years ago.

We must also admire the courage of Prince Andrew, the Duke of York, to return for a second time and expose his royal self once again to the terminal hazards so menacing to would-be vacationers from the United Kingdom.

But given the source of this ominous travel advisory, we must ask one question. Is this warning really designed to discourage casual travel to Montserrat, or to eliminate any threat to its official designation as a Hazardous Posting for those brave Britons whose premium pay induces them to risk their personal health and happiness while serving on this irresistible island?

Woodlands/Foxes Bay

I have just been listening to the news on Radio Montserrat and what I heard causes me a great deal of concern.

It was clearly stated that the British Government via the Foreign Office and/or the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is still advising people to stay away from Montserrat because:

(1) it is dangerous because of the current state of the volcano

(2) it is unhealthy as a result of the quantity of ash around and in the air

(3) there is very little in the way of accommodation available on the island for tourists to stay at.

I find it difficult to decide if the above is just a case of misinformation or worse, sabotage.!!!

Despite the fact that there is a new dome growing, as far as the volcano is concerned, I believe that it is true to say that during the last 3+ months there have been less eruptions and pyroclastic flows occurring than at any time during the past 2-3 years. In addition, the same can most definitely be said as far as ash falling in the safe zone of the island is concerned, and yet it is clear that everything is being done to deter visitors / tourists from coming to the island.

I am bemused as tourism was always in recent times the principle source of income for Montserrat, and if the island is ever going to have a chance of being financially independent at some time in the future, then everything possible must be done to actively encourage and develop tourism here. What is happening is the exact opposite!!

Furthermore the amount of new hotel rooms and accommodation on the island has just dramatically increased, both in terms of quality and quantity with the opening of Tropical Mansion Suites Hotel, plus the Vue Pointe Hotel will, I am reliably informed, be opening 10 self-catering suites shortly. Bearing this in mind, the situation is certainly improving and one would expect a very much more positive attitude to be adopted, unless, of course, nobody has taken the time and trouble to keep the appropriate departments and people updated in this respect.!!

To summarise, there appears to be little or no co-ordination between the numerous British departments and offices on island and in London, but then that is nothing new when one considers how the whole volcanic crisis has been handled since its inception.

I shall be most interested to receive any replies and or comments to the above and wonder how the Montserrat Tourist Board must be feeling with the assistance that such statements give.

Isles Bay Plantation

Montserrat Football is ranked # 201 of 202 teams and lost 3-0 to the Dominican Republic, which is ranked #155; not bad, all things considered.

The U.S. Virgin Islands, #194, lost 9-0 to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, #142.

Cayman Islands was beaten 5-0.

So let's say our guys get some serious support from the crowd at the return leg in Antigua on March 19, (an extra ferry load of Montserratians perhaps) and bingo, they score a goal and maintain a respectable margin.

It is quite conceivable that with the other cellar dwellers taking some serious drubbings, Montserrat could sneak up a good five places in the rankings.

I hope the Montserrrat Football Association sees fit to provide the Reporter with a full match report so we can hear the details of how the guys got on, and whether the professionals from the UK were included in the team.

The Cayman Islands UK contingent of seven professionals were ruled ineligible, according to FIFA, reasons not given.

The MNI team was mentioned in last week's edition of the paper, but the lack of details was most disappointing.

"…If you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you." (V.25)

We continue considering the principles needed to rid ourselves of bitterness and resentment. Sometimes when I meet readers in different parts of the world, I will receive this comment: "I notice you regularly write on the issue of forgiveness. Why is that?" I reply: "Because that is the biggest issue I have had to deal with in my own life, and also because I have found it to be one of the major problems in the lives of God's people." on innumerable occasions someone has begged: " Please teach me how to forgive."

Here's the final thing I want to say about being a merciful and forgiving person: focus your thinking on the fact that God has forgiven you for so much -then give out that forgiveness to others. While reading one of C.S. Lewis's books, I noticed this cryptic sentence: " Only the truly forgiven are truly forgiving. " I had to ponder it for a while before the meaning became clear. Those who claim their problem is that they can't forgive need to recognise the real problem is that they don't know how much they have been forgiven.

Please listen carefully to my next statement: no wrong that anyone has done or can do to you compares with the wrong you have done to God. Yet He forgiven you. Now think about that because some of you may feel that you were not all that bad and have committed only little sins. But there is no little sins because there is no little God to sin against. So the next time you feel resentment lingering in your sprit don't suppress it, and don't express it. Go to God, reflect on how much you have been forgiven, and ask him to give you a deeper and more realised sense of forgiveness. Then go out and offer forgiveness to others.

O God, help me grasp this truth- that nothing anyone has done to me is as terrible as the wrong I have done to you. You have forgiven me. Help me now to forgive those who have wronged me. Amen.

By Cathy BuffongeFor the last few weeks children have had the opportunity to learn and/or play tennis, under a new children's tennis programme being held at the Vue Pointe tennis courts every weekend. The programme, which is run by volunteers, was the idea of Charmaine Daley, president of the Rotary Club, which is one of the sponsors.

Mrs. Carol Osborne explains that sessions run for three hours on Saturdays and two hours on Sundays, and are broken down into one-hour periods so that the maximum number of children can benefit. Around 45 children aged between 6 and 16 are taking part, with the children being grouped by age and ability, so that each can get the most out of the programme.

All coaching is done by around 10 volunteers from the community, with the Vue Pointe Hotel making the courts available free of charge. The programme started on February 1, and hopefully will be ongoing as long as there are volunteers. Ms. Daley says the children are doing well and showing promise, while reports from parents indicate that the children are enthusiastic about the sessions.

Several donations have helped the programme to get off the ground. These included an outstanding donation from the Curtain Bluff Hotel in Antigua in the form of 300 tennis balls, three tennis raquets and a used net.

Another most generous donation of racquets and balls came from the Rotary Club of Vineland, New Jersey. Ms. Daley explains that this Club has assisted the local Rotary Club on several other projects in the past.

Other monetary donations have been promised, which will help the group to get involved in international junior tennis programmes later on. The organizers of the programme are most grateful for all these donations, as well as the volunteers' time and interest, which have been a tremendous help towards making the programme a reality.

The two Vue Pointe tennis courts are not yet in peak condition, Mrs. Osborne says, but one is acceptable for play, while the other one can be used for practicing the various strokes. After the relocation from Plymouth, the courts were used for storing lumber, and were also subject to frequent ash falls and the force of hurricanes. Volunteers last year cleared the courts of debris and started patching up the holes and cracks that had developed, bringing them one step closer to being used for play.

It's good that the courts are being put to use with the children's tennis programme, which is a giant step towards reviving the game.

Basseterre, St. Kitts -- Media practitioners got an opportunity to learn more about the Eastern Caribbean Securities Exchange in a series of three one-day seminars this week.

The seminars were presented with the assistance of the Intrados Consulting Group to provide media practitioners in ECCB member territories with information relative to the regulatory and operational framework being developed for the Eastern Caribbean Securities Market.

Participants also were expected to gain an in-depth understanding of the benefits, challenges and opportunities arising as a result of primary market development in the region.

Topics to be covered include: "The Press in Relation To Market Participants and Understanding Techniques For Reporting on Financial Markets"; "Reporting on the Eastern Caribbean Securities Market," and "New Opportunities Presented By the Eastern Caribbean Securities Market and Its Participating Institutions."

The seminars were held in Grenada on Monday, St.Vincent and The Grenadines and in St. Kitts -Nevis on Thursday.

When the ECSM is established, it will comprise the Eastern Caribbean Securities Regulatory Commission (ECSRC), the Eastern Caribbean Securities Exchange (ECSE), the Eastern Caribbean Securities Depository (ECSD) and the Eastern Caribbean Central Securities Registry (ECCSR).

The ECSE will facilitate the buying and selling of financial products including stocks and bonds and government securities.

ST. KITTS -- Dr. Denzil Douglas was sworn in by Governor General Sir Cuthbert Sebastian on Tuesday to serve a second five-year term as Prime Minister following a landslide victory of his St. Kitts-Nevis Labor Party at Monday's general election.
Dr. Douglas, whose party won all eight seats on St Kitts, promised to foster closer relations with the sister federation island of Nevis, where the Concerned Citizens Movement (CCM) captured 2 of the 3 seats there.
Former Prime Minister Dr. Kennedy Simmonds' Peoples Action Movement (PAM) lost the only seat it held in the 1995 election -- Sandy Point -- when newcomer Jacinth Henry-Martin of the Labour Party polled 869 votes to defeat Opposition Leader Hugh Heyliger (769 votes).

Shortly after the 1995 general election, the Nevis island administration. which is governed by a Premier had issued a declaration for Nevis to secede from the St. Kitts-Nevis Federation but the issue was put in a abeyance after a CARICOM mission conducted an assessment of the situation and issued a report.
The Prime Minister said he also intended to reorganise Cabinet responsibilities and create a portfolio for gender affairs, a position that will most likely be held by Ms. Henry-Martin.
Even though the PAM candidates failed to capture any seats in the election, Dr. Douglas said he hoped that there will be some mechanism for that party to put forward its views and ideas as part of the overall governance of the twin island federation.
Meanwhile, PAM said Wednesday it was "disgusted at the massive and widespread fraud and election malpractice which so blatantly frustrated the will of the people".
In a statement issued to the media, PAM said it was clear from the evidence in its possession that the election was neither free nor fair and has threatened court action.
Among the irregularities it cited were that persons were allowed to vote in names that were illegally added to the voters list; it added that there were numerous cases of voter impersonation; it also said people voted in names of persons known to be deceased and that there was widespread cases of voter bribery.
The PAM release said that the party, when it was the incumbent administration, had requested a Commonwealth Observer Group to monitor the 1995 election and a suggestion had been made by that group to have a system of voter identification and the equitable use of radio and TV stations by all parties.
"The Denzil Douglas administration, despite numerous requests, has failed to invite observers for these elections and refused to implement the recommendations made in the Commonwealth Observers Report," PAM said.

Saturday March 11

Jam Session Good Life 9:00p.m.

Sunday March 12

Church Service – Catholic Church Salem 9:00a.m.

Music Film – Feet of Flames Pelican Room Vue Pointe 7:30p.m.

Monday March 13

Volcano Tours Garibaldi Hill 9a.m.– 4p.m.

Street Jam St John’s 6:00p.m.

Cocktail Reception Palmhurst 6:30p.m.

Tuesday March 14

Lecture – Panel Discussion

Dr Howard Fergus Brades Pentecostal

Hon. Michael D Higgins TD Church 8:00p.m.

Wednesday March 15

Round Island Excursion - Ferry

with piped music on board Little Bay 12:15 – 1:45p.m.

Barbecue Night

Sing Along to Irish Music

Irish Dancing

Music Film Tropical Mansions 7:30p.m.

Friday March 17

Freedom Run - St John’s to Salem Park 6:00a.m.

Hikes with Forest Rangers Silver & Centre Hills 6:30a.m.

Quiz Winners & Prize Giving Ceremony Salem Park 9:00a.m.

Cultural Entertainment

Slave Feast Brades Primary

Masquerade, String Band School 2:00p.m.

Junior Calypso Competition Festival Village 7:30p.m.

Saturday March 18

St Patrick’s Day Dinner Vue Pointe Hotel 6:30p.m.

Tel: 664-491-3378/3463 Fax: 664-491-6780 e-mail: gismedia@candw.ag

The March assizes of the high court began Monday.

Several cases were brought before the presiding judge, Justice Adrian Saunders.

These included burglary, theft, possessing a controlled drug, wounding with intent, unlawful wounding and escaping lawful custody.

Winston Gage pleaded not guilty to all charges brought against him. These were three charges for burglary, damaging property, arson, handling stolen goods and escaping lawful custody.

The charges for burglary and damaging property were dropped because the victim proprietor is deceased.

Carlton Frye pleaded guilty to theft, then changed his plea to not guilty after consulting with his lawyer. His co-defender Alton Aaron also pleaded not guilty to theft.

Fredmond Meade, Darren Weekes and Reddick Ponteen pleaded guilty to the charge of burglary, while Marlon Meade, who is still in custody, pleaded not guilty.

Fifteen-year-old Daren Weekes, who has to appear before the Justice Saunders for burglary later in the March assizes, was sentenced to 15 hours of community services.

Weekes had four convictions for theft within the last year.

Kenneth Tuitt pleaded not guilty to possessing a Controlled Drug, while Fredmond Meade pleaded guilty to burglary.

Four juveniles were answering charges of burglary.

Alvis Corbett, Daren Weekes, Roland Fenton and Dolston Tuitt all pleaded guilty to the charge of burglary and were each sentenced to 15 hours of commmunity services.

Peter Silcott, represented by Barrister at law Kharl Markham, pleaded guilty to unlawful wounding, while the wounding with intent charge was withdrawn.

Silcott was ordered by the judge to pay the plaintiff $4,000 over a period of 6 months, $1,000 of which was to be paid in one week.

The authorities have closed access to the east of the island.

The decision was taken Monday morning at the weekly meeting of the Volcano Executive Group (VEG).

At the meeting officials expressed concerned about the new lava dome and the risks it poses to the Exclusion Zone, particularly to the east of the island.

His Excellency Governor Anthony Abbott and the Honourable Chief Minister David Brandt got a good look at the dome from the helicopter Monday.

The Honourable Chief Minister David Brandt says the step taken Monday was a cautionary one.

The dome is growing steadily and is approximately 30 million cubic meters in size.

The Labour department is soon to embark on a skills training programme.

The announcement comes from Labour Commissioner Joe West.

He says the Government has re-established a job center to find employment for people.

The job center also offers a service to businesses which need assistance in filling vacancies in their establishments.

Certified netball coach Rachael Collis has reached another milestone.

Miss Collis has just taken completed a Masters Course for Conductors Training Exercise in St. Vincent.

The course was organized by the Commonwealth Sports Development Association.

The Honourable Chief Minister David Brandt says the Government is still pursuing the construction of a modern sporting facility at Geralds.

Mr. Brandt says plans are being finalized plans for making a submission to the Department for International Development (DFID).

He says both the Montserrat and British governments have had verbal contact over the matter and documents on the project will shortly be formulated.

The Chief Minister says the construction of the facility is important as a social and integrating factor for the people of Montserrat.

Another book focusing on Montserrat’s volcanic crisis has been published in the United Kingdom.

"Fire from the Mountain – the tragedy of Montserrat and the betrayal of its people," is written by British journalist Polly Pattullo.

It was launched at the Islington Town Hall in London on Wednesday, March 8.

The launch was attended by Islington’s Deputy Mayor Jeanette Arnold, the sister of Dr. Howard Fergus; former Governor of Montserrat David Taylor, and David Ellis, desk Officer for Montserrat at the Foreign Office.

According to reports, Miss Pattulo believes the book resonates with the 1768 slave revolt with the struggle of the people confronting terrible circumstances.

Montserrat two utility companies the Montserrat Water Authority and the Montserrat Electricity Services (MONLEC) are jointly developing an information system.

The system will allow both companies to present bills to customers on the same bill form.

This would allow customers to pay their electricity and water bills at cash desks, either at MONLEC or the Water Authority.

According to officials, this is an attempt to maximize the resources of both organizations.

Plans are ahead to form a Home Economics Association on Montserrat.

The initiative is being taken by Miss Althea Allen, Home Economics teacher at the Montserrat Secondary School.

Miss Allen is also a member of the Caribbean Association of Home Economists.

Health Promotions Officer Almae O’Garro is quite concerned that lifestyles in the region have not changed despite statistics showing an increase in the infection rate of AIDS.

Mrs. O’Garro says the Caribbean is now second behind Africa in the rate of infection of the deadly disease.

The HPO, along with public health nurse Violet Browne, took part in a workshop in Barbados, which focused on Heightening Awareness of HIV/AIDS in the region.

Government ministers met with landowners Monday at the St. Johns Anglican Church, to discuss government’s plans to assist persons who are making claims to lands.

The meeting was attended by Ministers of Government, including the Honourable Rupert Weekes, the Honourable Brunel Meade and the Chief Minister.

Mr. Weekes says government explained plans to assist people who are having problems with surveying and other matters.

Women came together last Friday evening to celebrate with their counterparts around the world to celebrate World Day of Prayer.

This year’s celebration was marked by a prayer service at the St. Johns Anglican Church, under the theme Young Woman Stand Up.

Guest speaker Eugene Skerritt dedicated his message to the young people on the island, particularly the women.

A junior Calypso competition will be held on Friday, March 17^th as part of activities for St. Patricks Day.

The show will be held at Moose’s Place at Little Bay.

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The Montserrat Cricket Association (MCA) announced at its general meeting on 2^nd March that its campaign to gain the support of the private sector had realised significant results, with two companies supporting the association.

Trailfinders Ltd. are a travel company based in the UK, with operations also in Australia. They are the UK’s leading vendor of British Airways and Virgin Atlantic tickets. They will be the MCA’s lead sponsor for the next two years and will be sponsoring Montserrat’s teams in the 2000 and 2001 senior, under 19 and under 15 tournaments. MCA President John Smith stated that the connection with Trailfinders came about through a visit from their Chairman, Mr. Mike Gooley, in late January.

"Mr Gooley is a committed cricket supporter and left Montserrat with a clear determination to help us," Mr. Smith said. " In addition to sponsoring the association, Trailfinders are also supplying some EC$30,000 to assist with the completion of Salem Park.

"They are also prepared to consider providing a significant proportion of the funds for a new national stadium at Geralds Park, subject principally to the presence of a fixed- wing air link. I hope that Montserratians both at home and in the UK will contact Trailfinders for quotes when travelling between Antigua and the UK, as I understand tickets are available at very competitive prices. Publicity material will be available on island shortly."

The MCA also announced restoration of its relationship with United Insurance of Barbados, which will be supporting its youth cricket programme. In the first instance, United are sponsoring Montserrat’s participation in the 1999 Leewards Under 15 tournament, postponed from last December and now scheduled for later this month. It is hoped later in the year to introduce competitions within the primary and secondary schools so as to boost the number of youngsters taking an active interest in cricket.

Mr. Smith thanked Ms. Jacquie Ryan of Jacquie Ryan Enterprises for her role in securing the sponsorship: "United Insurance sponsor youth cricket across the region but this had been lost to us during the volcanic activity. I am very grateful for Jacquie’s efforts in regaining their support, which will greatly assist our cricket development."

The MCA’s Under 15 team will travel to St. Kitts on 16^th March for one-day matches against St. Kitts, Nevis and Anguilla. The team’s final match, against Antigua, is scheduled for Salem Park on Saturday, 25^th March, starting at 9.00 a.m.

The team is Lionel Baker (captain), Leroy Allen, Edward Andrew, Kenville Fenton, Calvin Lewis, Elton Lewis, Riddick Ponteen, Ian Osborne, Tequan Roach, Garnett Thompson, Randy Tourney, Dolstan Tuitt and Thomas Tuitt. Tyrone Greenaway will coach the team, with John Smith as manager.

The MCA has also revamped its two-day league in response to a three-week period where teams struggled to field full sides. The number of teams has been reduced from six to four, with players from Salem and Eastern joining with Cudjoe Head. In the first match in the new format last weekend, St. Johns recorded a convincing innings victory over Montserrat Under 19s, with Jeff Lane posting 115 to follow up the previous weeks 129 not out. Remaining fixtures are:

11^th/12^th March Montserrat U19s vs Police

18^th/19^th March Police vs Cudjoe Head

25^th March MONTSERRAT U15s vs ANTIGUA U15s

1^st/2^nd April Cudjoe Head vs St. Johns

8^th/9^th April Montserrat U19s vs Cudjoe Head

15^th/16^th April Police vs St. Johns

The powerful St. Johns batting line up was too much for the Under 19 team in the Montserrat Cricket Association two-day league on the weekend.

St. Johns for the third straight game scored over 300 and beat the youth team by an innings and 114 runs.

The Under 19 team batted first when the match began on Saturday but could only muster 144. Damien White topscored with 30. Sylvester Pointer Wade was the best of the St. Johns bowlers with six for 37.

The St. Johns strong batting tore into the inexperienced Under 19 bowling attack, piling up a mammoth 416 for nine declared.

The charge was led by Jeff Layne, who struck 115, his second consecutive hundred. Good knocks also came from his brother David, 62, Gregory Julius, 60 and Tyrone Greenaway, 52.

Lionel Baker took five wickets.

Behind by 272 runs The Under 19 team folded for 128 all out.

The only resistance came from Vicky Kiron and captain Nesta Piper, who both struck 31.

Sylvester Wade, Sylvester Allen, A. Carty and Tyrone Greenaway took two wickets a piece.

Scores in the game: Under 19 144 and 128, St. Johns 416 for nine declared.

by Peter Adrien

Surprised? No, I was not surprised by the turn of event. Were you jolted by Brian Lara's decision to quit and to withdraw from the game a third time?
Well, I anticipated the move and intuitively called for Lara's replacement with the only worthy replacement, Antiguan Ridley Jacobs. The very morning, we went to press, the prodigal star batsman made his intention public.
Some readers credited me with a gift of prophecy others blamed or chastised me for his decision to quit. But, I am sure, that we all agree that apart from Lara's failures as a leader, he needed to give up the added responsibility in the interest of his own development. I mentioned that to him in a press conference since his epic performance against Australia at the Kensington Oval, Barbados and he responded very angrily but I knew that his cravings would have orchestrated his demise.
Having sent seven million West Indians into shock a week ago by giving up the captaincy, Brian Lara induced haemorrhage by pulling out of the Test and one-day series against Zimbabwe and Pakistan that begins here
in less than a fortnight. It is not yet clear whether he will be available to tour England this summer.
Lara wrote to the West Indies Cricket Board of Control advising that he had decided it was "essential for personal reasons" that he take "a break from cricket for a short period with immediate effect".
The 30-year-old from Trinidad and Tobago said that his decision came after: ``I had several discussions with Dr Rudi Webster prior to my resignation as captain of the West Indies cricket team and further discussion more recently with Pat Rousseau, president of the West Indies Cricket Board. .I have come to the conclusion that it is essential for
personal reasons that I take a break from cricket for a short period with immediate effect.''
Why had I as a fan of the youthful Trinidadian athletic genius, taken the position that his exit would have been the logical development if he were pushed against the rope? His behavioural trend had indicated his likely decision. First, the undiplomatic decision not to talk with the press on his return from the ill-fated tour of New Zealand reflected a resurgence of his arrogance and disrespect for his popular mandate and indicated a fossilization of an independent state of mind.
Franklyn Stephenson captures the attitudinal context very well when he noted that Brian Lara's decision to take a break from cricket at this critical time "shows what respect he has for the feelings of the people in the region." The angry interviewee concluded that "to stop like this shows how he (Lara) feels about West Indies cricket." Well, this is a clear sign of the young man's disrespect for the Caribbean people. After all, Lara 's announcement came a day before he was to fly to Jamaica for a training camp ahead of the West Indies' home series against Zimbabwe.
The former West Indies fast bowler is of the view that the WICB should also take some blame: "The board should really take stock. They have failed and they have got to start soul-searching. They are to blame for a lot that has been happening in regional cricket."
Second, it is rather easy to repeat an indulgence once it has been indulged more than once. And he had withdrawn his labour power twice before. Third, Brian is intelligent, and he is quite aware of his unpopularity and his like replacement should the circumstance change.
Although Lara's language was carefully couched so as not to suggest any disagreement with the Board but few West Indians believe his departure is due solely to the team's poor performance. The board's treatment of Lara's mentor, Sir Vivian Richards, can hardly have encouraged him to stay. He may have reasoned that his last hope of support was gone, having already lost Malcolm Marshall and Clive Lloyd.
Lara could not have been pleased, either, by the board's decision to begin a compulsory training camp on the weekend of the Trinidad Carnival, the island's biggest festival and one in which Lara is a highly visible participant. The Trinidad Cricket Board president Alloy Lequay said there was a long-standing understanding that Trinidadian players would be exempt from such activities at carnival time.
Lara would not have missed his grand carnival party at his palatial home on Carnival Sunday. The tickets are TT$300 each - about 30 pounds sterling or 50 United States dollars, and the tickets are difficult to get. Most
of the main carnival artistes, like Alison Hinds and Square One are to be highlighted. Reports are that tickets sold regionally and internationally and the fete had been heavily advertised in local and international media.
The business opportunity is there as everyone obviously still wants a piece of Brian Lara, in any form, especially since he has teamed up with soccer superstar, Dwight Yorke, as co-producer. Reports are that they have even started a new company, LAY (for Lara and Yorke) Productions. Lara needed a break from cricket to play Mas. He was expected to be a section leader in "Poison", one of the largest and most skimpily dressed bands in the carnival.
But Lara's departure presents a golden opportunity for the selectors and for the development of the West Indies cricket. This is a two-fold opportunity. An opportunity for molding a future captain and an opportunity for nurturing a cadre of youthful West Indian test batsmen.
It's an opportunity for Jimmy Adams who has been elected captain for the two-test series featuring the West Indies and Zimbabwe, and for the three-test series featuring Pakistan. The real challenge for Adams is: Can he transform the group of players into a West Indian representative team?
Can he motivate them to act out the intent of their hearts? The least he would have to exhibit is that he has the ability to make them fight manfully; battle unrelenting; and do everything with West Indian pride.
While this is a fitting reward for, Adams' many years of dedicated service and total commitment to West Indies cricket and good captaining year as captain of Jamaica (as they won the Caribbean's first class competition, the Busta Cup). There is no doubt that Adams has the capacity and the proper attitude to do well, as was demonstrated in his handling of the team in the recent Busta Cup tournament, he will have to lead with his flashing blade or his prodding pads or suffer mercilessly like Richie Richardson.
Adams has scored 2,326 Test runs (from 39 tests) including five centuries at an average of 45.60, and 1,797 runs at an average of 30.45 in limited-overs internationals but his batting has come under the microscope of late with some observers arguing it would be difficult for him to find a place in the current side.
Our batting have been letting us down and to be deprived of Lara 's services, someone would have to come forward and establish himself as a Test batsman of genuine quality. Jimmy Adams and Shivnarine Chanderpaul, two players who once held high reputations at Test level, but have fallen off for some strange reason, would have to mature in compressed time or make way for the younger and energetic brigade. Adams would have to reproduce the form of yester-year, although I don't think that he still has it; and Chanderpaul will have to mature into our Dravid on the battlefield.
Lara's absence has left a great void in the West Indies' batting, but it has also opened a big door for the young talented batsmen. While it is a serious blow, given the fact that he is our one really world-class player, the "young, gifted and black" batters would have to occupy their places. In the short to medium term, and in the long term,
fortune of West Indies cricket depends heavily on the rapid development of young batting hopefuls like Chris Gayle, Wavell Hinds, Ricardo Powell, Runako Morton, Darren Ganga and Ramnaresh Sarwan. At the same time, Lara's departure may prolong the involvement of the two work-horses, as we would need bowlers who can bowl teams out when the board is dry.
But thank God for the opportunity to develop our cricket product!

<---  Shivnarine Chanderpaul will have to step as leading batsman.
(Photo: Peter Adrien)

CANA-Reuters - The West Indies kept third spot in the Wisden World Championship cricket rankings in spite of their recent (2-0) series loss to New Zealand, according to the latest rankings issued on Monday.
South Africa closed the gap on Australia at the top of the rankings list with their 2-0 series victory in India.
India dropped to seventh in the table, with only England and Zimbabwe below them.
If Australia lose their forthcoming series in New Zealand --the last was drawn -- their record will be identical to that of South Africa and the two countries will share top billing.
Further ahead, if England beat Zimbabwe and West Indies in their test series this summer they would move up to equal seventh.
Rankings:
1. Australia
2. South Africa
3. West Indies
4. Pakistan
5. Sri Lanka
6. New Zealand
7. India
8. England
9. Zimbabwe.

Greetings brothers and sisters. Welcome to labour speaks. After last Thursday’s program I feel compelled to speak again on the issue of a cemetery, and from the numerous complaints about the welfare system, I must speak out again on this issue. I may sound monotonous but these are issues from which we cannot hide and which will affect society greatly in one way or the other.

Comrades since last Thursday’s program, persons who heard that program have raised several issues in relation to the Carrs Bay cemetery with me.

It is mandatory that the dead be buried in graves six feet deep. From my understanding this is done mainly from a health perspective more than anything else. Let me draw you an example: dogs are flesh-eating scavengers with a very high sensitivity for smell and they are also very adept at digging. If a body was interred in a shallow grave and dogs somehow got into that grave and got rotting body parts or dead bones, as we would say in the living environment, this could pose some very serious health problems. I am mentioning this because one gentleman told me that he witnessed a body interred in a grave at Carrs Bay where one could have seen the grave diggers waist above the edge of the grave while he was standing in it. This tells us that that grave could not have been six feet deep, for from the soles of a person’s foot to his waist is not six feet.

Something needs to be done with the cemetery at Carrs Bay. Before a body is interred somebody, preferably a health environmental person, needs to ensure that the graves meet the required specifications.

I said on Thursday that land was allocated in the Nances River area for a public cemetery for Salem. Folks, this land was allocated a long time ago. As a matter of fact it was allocated during John Osborne’s government. I think in all honesty it is time to start utilising this site.

I know there will be dissenting voices, but irrespective of where a site is chosen, there will always be dissenting voices. However, we cannot live with the dead bodies in our homes and the law, as far as I know, makes no provision for them to be buried in our yards, so we need to put them some place. It is an established fact that from the beginning of time cemeteries and communities have always coexisted, and this will continue to be so until the end of time. Therefore the government needs to put its foot down and face the fact that the Carrs Bay cemetery has reached its capacity and urgently find and start utilising another site.

On the other hand, comrades, lands are of great necessity at this time and I would not agree for government to just acquire people's prime property for a cemetery. Since at this time it is basically impossible to find large areas of land located centrally that can be used by all, I will now like to throw another scenario into the picture. In a letter dated July 9, 1999, this union suggested to the planning department that instead of one, two public cemeteries be put at the disposal of the public.

I will now go further to say put smaller plots in communities. For example, a site in Salem to serve the needs of the Salem, Olveston, Old Towne, Friths areas, up to a certain point in Woodlands.

Then one in St Peters to serve all areas from the Salem demarkation in Woodlands up to Forgathy. One in the Cudjoe Head area to serve all Cudjoe Head, including Banks, Baker Hill, Cavala Hill, Brades and all areas to Carrs Bay Bridge. One in St. John's to serve from Carrs Bay to St. John’s, including Gerald’s. A small one in the Mongo Hill/ Barzey’s area for that vicinity and one in Lookout to service Judy Piece and Lookout. While this may not be the perfect answer, this is probably the only way we can have the issue of where to place a cemetery mutually resolved.

It makes no sense whatsoever to have a funeral service at the Methodist Church in Salem and then have to take the body to lets say Jack Boy Hill, or even Carrs Bay for that matter, for burial. This would be an added cost and it would put the graves out of the reach of persons who would like to tend the graves of their departed loved ones.

At the same time, in the interest of providing further employment I am of the opinion that a system of graveyard maintenance workers be put in place -- one where those person are employed by the Health Department full time. Then instead of paying that person to dig a grave, the money is paid to the Health Department, which is paying the worker a regular salary. It is done elsewhere and works well. That is why we see graveyards in other countries so well kept.

Comrades, I come once again to the ill-fated, ill-conceived, ill-implemented -- and all whatever other ills have you -- welfare system. Too many people are suffering because of the inadequacies of this system. Persons are being told to come in and discuss their situation only to be rejected a second time based on the same flimsy explanations.

The other day I read a letter that was addressed to a 91-year-old lady who originally came from the east. One Maudlyn Sweeney signed the letter. This was a letter of rejection stating that she does not qualify for assistance. Madam Sweeney, what must this lady do?

Must she go to the Labour Department and ask Mr. West what jobs are available so she could go and work. I should think not. If I were to advise that lady, I would tell her go to government and let them provide her with a house. Then they would have to provide all the other amenities. This is one lady you can’t put in Golden Years, for she is still very physically active, and to put her in a home could kill her.

Mr. Chief Minister, she is from your constituency. Go and look for her for it seems that someone believes that $300 dollars is too much for someone who is almost 100 years old.

Now it has been brought to my attention that the Welfare Department is sending the welfare cheques of some people to selected grocery shops. I would be glad if all the shops in Montserrat could do big business, but this idea is ludicrous and an immediate stop should be put to this practice. Somebody has to be crazy.

A grocery shop only sells some foods. They do not sell clothes, shoes and some of the other things necessary for every day living. What they are telling me is that if a person does not eat chicken and prefers balahoo and gar, but the shop only sells chicken, that that person must eat chicken whether he likes it or not, or not eat at all. This is utter nonsense.

At the same time, if that person needs to buy a pair of slippers, what must he do, walk barefoot? Remember where they send his cheque will only give him the goods that they sell and nothing more.

In the same breath,why would the cheque of a welfare recipient living in Salem be sent to a shop all the way in St, John’s. Comrades, this again is ignorance to the highest degree.

Comrades, in my opinion and in the opinion of others with whom I have conferred on this issue, there is a reasonable solution to this problem. Even if these people are indigent, mentally or physically challenged in some instances, they are not stupid. There is somebody or some organisation in the community that that person could trust to assist him in looking after his welfare -- somebody or some organisation that will see to it that he gets his money and the things he most needs in a timely manner.

Let the person bring that person forward and let the Welfare Department hand the cheques over to that agent. If the monies go directly to the shops the person will be always placed at a disadvantage.

Two weeks ago, I asked if the new welfare system would be a catalyst for increased crime. This is what we are heading for if we continue on this trend. For if you send a man’s money to a shop, and he wants a pair of shoes and can’t get them, what will he do? Simply steal from somebody else to get what he wants. Something needs to be done, and done quickly, otherwise we are in trouble.

Comrades, I am of the opinion that what is going on in relation to welfare is not ridiculous any more, it is downright stupid. By the way, Madam Minister, you must tell your Welfare Department staff to stop telling people their children will look after them. This is nonsense.

Don’t they believe that while some of the children will try their best at times, that these children have commitments which they themselves must meet? While I think it would be a good thing for a child to be supportive of his parent in every possible aspect, tell me, Madam Minister, is it a legal obligation that he does so? It is not, so tell your welfare staff to stop telling people this, for it is neither here nor there in respect to applying for welfare as far as I am concerned.

Then people keep complaining they are told that the system is to help the old people (and I am using the term exactly as it was used to me). But comrades, if this was so, the elderly to me seem to be the persons who are being marginalised the most. Again Madam Minister, a question for you: from what age does your department term a person as being old or elderly?

Comrades, on the cemetery issue I will say no more than one is needed with some urgency and the government need to come to grips with the situation, put down their feet and have one or several as the case may be put in.

In relation to the welfare system, the poor and the elderly are being marginalised -- this to the point where people are going to suffer serious hardships if the system is not righted quickly. The excuse that the system is new is a very poor one and cannot gloss over the fact that it is not meeting and will not meet its objectives if it is not revisited and done properly. So I appeal to the government to awake, work and unite in an effort to get these two issues speedily and properly resolved.

Thank you for listening to today’s edition of labour speaks.

From my childhood days, my computer was permanently configured for the year 2000. All my systems were programmed and focused towards one printout. So all the hocus pocus over Y2K compatibility did not distract me. I could not deprogram. Mention the year 2000, and my computer went into one mode - the age calculation mode - to calculate how old I would be in the year 2000. That was all. Now I am in the year 2000.

I made it. I am alive. I am as old as I thought I would be. But how did I get here? From how far did I come? I shall reflect!

By Jove -me, we, us Montserratians have come a damn long way

I recall that as a young boy the roads were everything. They were your concert hall, your park, your play area, your athletic track, your cricket pitch or even your dance practice hall. You name it, anything; it was done in the roads. You skip, you bat, you play marble, you spin top, you fight, and in the cool of the night you would sit on the road and tell stories. Not one motor would disturb you.

I recall the river -- call it the stream, or brook, or ghaut. For me, it was the river. Where has all the water gone? I really do not know; but it was in the river that I learned to swim. It was in the river that I learned to catch fish. On Good Friday, after church, we went to the river to catch fish.

Many swimming and diving competitions took place in the river. I went to Cavalla Hill School, where Friday afternoon long recess, from 2 to 3 o'clock, seemed like half a day. I almost always found myself at the river - having a good swim between 2 and 3 o'clock every Friday.

I recall mango seasons. It wasn't like these days. There were never too many mangoes in the trees. We never allowed them to fall and rot, as happens these days. Maybe there were many more children back then. But one thing I know, you would hardly ever find a mango under a tree - somebody done picked it up! You see, us children at daybreak would head for the mango trees, and we would pick up every mango, and we would eat all - everyday - none used to "wase."

I recall standpipes and buckets to fetch water. On washing days, children fetched water all day. There were very few people with private water pipes in their yard. In fact the whole of Baker Hill had not more than six or so public standpipes. Forgive me. I am really reflecting. Looking back! I am trying to remember how often I used to bathe my skin. Certainly not more than once a week.

In the morning, to go to school, I washed my feet only. And in the evening, before going to bed I washed only my feet. That's all! Only on Sundays, I used to go to the river with the boys to bathe my skin. We would carry soap to the river on Sundays.

I recall living without latrines. Until I was about 7 or 8 years, there were no latrines in my immediate neighbourhood. Us children just went aside, together, after meals. We would just stoop together, with small stones in our hands. Chatting and doing what came naturally. Toilet rolls were not in our vocabulary. And my extended family, which was very large, did not use grass as some other families did. I guess it boiled down to style or cultural differential habits and uses among families for what nature provided in our times of need

We seem to have eaten nutritiously, because constipation was rare - except when a child abused soursop or guavas. And let me tell you this, we did not have septic tanks and soak away. We did not need them. The yard fowl kept the place clean. Up to this day I am still wondering what times the older folks used to go aside. I knew where they went aside, but I never saw them going there.

Whatever freak in nature that created so many stones on Montserrat must be praised. We used many small stones. I went to Cavalla Hill School up to age 11, and all I used in the latrines were small stones. Seriously!

I recall looking for firewood for my mother to cook on . Bundles and bundles of wood we would carry home, in the summer time, at Easter time and at Christmas time. I had two brothers and a tough mother. As a result, it appeared in the village as if our home had the most firewood for cooking. And every now and then my mother would still buy a donkey load of wood.

We always had firewood, enough to share. Even if rain fell and the wood in the yard got wet, that would not bother my mother - because she always had a bundle or two cut up and stored in the kitchen. So, food was always cooked on time. Not so with some other boys; their mothers always had to bawl them out to go look for wood. But not us; like I said, we always had enough wood.

I was once a boy - you know. I recall setting dove traps and pigeon traps to catch the birds. I recall raiding the birds' nests, the thrasher, the dove or the pigeon, to take the young ones away to roast and to eat them. We would watch the bird building its nest and we would climb the tree one hundred times to check when the eggs are laid; to check on when the chicks hatch; to check on the chicks, to see if they all feathered off or big enough, and then take them away. Let me tell you, I ate a lot of young doves, and old ones, too.

Now my strangest reflection is on stones. In my day the stone was a boy's best friend. The smallest ones we used them for many things - quite useful as an article for cleaning; as stated in the paragraph on latrines. Us boys, we always quarreled about where stones came from and whether stones grow. Many, many arguments about stones, especially the big ones, were left unfinished.

There is one huge stone, still on the Barzey's to St John's road; we called it "Ginger Rock." The older boys used to make us worship that stone each time we passed it. We had to beg Mr.Ginger Rock's pardon and permission to pass it. That was very serious business.

About 1994 or so, a Jamaican living on Montserrat asked me how was it that so many stones are on the island. He said that he had never seen so many stones in any one place in his life; and especially so many small stones. That question caused me to forever reflect on the usefulness of stones.

Since then I have often wondered how I could have survived on Montserrat without small stones, a boy's best friend. If you had to go on a journey, say, from Baker Hill to St John's, the fact that the stone was available every inch of the way made the journey a fearless one. You were able to pick mangoes, to stone cashews, to stone or even unhusk a coconut. With the stone on the road, you would fear no dog that dared to bark. In fact, the dogs of my day knew that young boys with stones were not something to bark at. And even the biggest bully could be humbled with a stone.

And if on that lonesome remote journey you had a call of nature, requiring you to go aside, the stone - a boy's best friend, the absolute cleaning article - was always available to wipe yourself clean.

Yes Sir, in the year 2000 I no longer have to wonder how old I would be. I can spend time reflecting on how so many stones came to be Montserrat. But now I know. It was our volcanoes that gave us the stone - a gift of nature, that "used to be" best friend of boys, and girls too.

By the way, could somebody tell me where the round worms have all gone? Or even tell me about castor oil, epsom salts and sea water and the dreaded worm oil.

This has been a reflection in the year 2000 on my pre-teenage days. And I am paaleased to it say loud... I have come a very long way… and I am proud!!!

General Information

DEFINITION--A continuing feeling of sadness, despondency or hopelessness with accompanying symptoms. Major depression occurs in about 1 in 10 Americans but there is continued improvement in treatment.

BODY PARTS INVOLVED--Nervous system.

SEX OR AGE MOST AFFECTED--Both sexes, but is more common in women; all ages.

SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

• Loss of interest in life; boredom.
• Listlessness and fatigue.
• Insomnia; excessive or disturbed sleeping.
• Social isolation; feeling not useful or needed.
• Appetite loss or overeating; constipation.
• Loss of sex drive.
• Difficulty making decisions; concentration difficulty; unexplained crying bouts.
• Intense guilt feelings over minor or imaginary misdeeds.
• Irritability; restlessness; thoughts of suicide.
• Various pains, such as headache or chest pain, without evidence of disease.

CAUSES

• A truly depressive illness has no single obvious cause. Some biological factors can play a part (physical illness, hormonal disorders, certain drugs).
• Social and psychological factors play a part.
• Inherited disorders may contribute (manic-depression runs in families).
• May relate to the number of disturbing events in a person's life at one time.

RISK INCREASES WITH

• Unexpressed anger or other emotion.
• Compulsive, rigid, perfectionist or highly dependent personalities.
• Family history of depression; alcoholism.
• Failure in occupation, marriage or other relationships; death or loss of a loved one.
• Loss of something important (job, home, etc).
• Job change or move to a new area.
• Surgery, such as mastectomy for cancer.
• Major illness or disability.
• Passing from one life stage to another, such as menopause or retirement.
• Use of some drugs, such as reserpine, beta-adrenergic blockers or benzodiazepines.
• Withdrawal from mood-altering drugs, such as narcotics, amphetamines or caffeine.
• Some diseases, including diabetes mellitus, cancer of the pancreas and hormonal abnormalities.

HOW TO PREVENT

Anticipate and prepare for major life changes. Avoid risk factors when feasible.

What To Expect

DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES-- Medical history and physical exam by a doctor (sometimes a psychiatrist). Psychological testing.

APPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE

• Self-care for mild depression.
• Psychotherapy or counseling along with drug treatment appears to obtain the best results for more severe depression.
• Hospitalization or inpatient at treatment center may be required for severe depression.
• Rarely, electroconvulsive therapy.

POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS

• Suicide. Warning signs include withdrawal from family and friends, neglect of personal appearance, mention of wanting "to end it all" or being "a burden to others", evidence of a suicide plan, such as buying or cleaning a gun, sudden cheerfulness after despondency.
• Failure to improve.

PROBABLE OUTCOME--Spontaneous recovery in many cases, but professional help can shorten the duration and help you learn to cope in the future. Recurrence is common. The recovery rate is high, despite one's pessimism.

How To Treat

• If symptoms appear mild to moderate, try some self-care ideas: talk to friends and family; exercise regularly; eat a balanced, low-fat diet; avoid alcohol; maintain your normal routines (if overscheduling is a problem though, try to slow down); see fun movies; learn relaxation techniques and practice them; take a vacation if possible; write down your feelings in a journal or diary; try to work out interpersonal problems (it's best however, to avoid making major decisions at this time); stay as active as possible.
• Seek support groups. Contact social agencies for help. Call your local suicide-prevention hot line if you feel suicidal.

MEDICATION--Your doctor may prescribe:

• Antidepressant drugs (often tricyclics) to accompany therapy.
• Lithium for alternating mania and depression.

ACTIVITY--No restrictions. Maintain daily activities--even if you don't feel like it.

DIET--Eat a normal, well-balanced diet--even if you have no appetite. Vitamin and mineral supplements may be necessary.

Call Your Doctor If

• You have symptoms of depression.
• You feel suicidal or hopeless.

From the Complete Guide to Symptoms, Illness & Surgery by H. Winter Griffith, M.D. © 1995 The Putnam Berkley Group, Inc.; electronic rights by Medical Data Exchange

The following two symptoms are an indication that something is wrong with the body.

These are:

1. Masses in the abdomen
2. Rigidity of the abdomen

1. Masses in the abdomen:

Some masses that may be felt with the abdomen are either normal or relatively harmless. In pregnancy the uterus can be felt in the lower middle area of the abdomen called the Pelvis. It increases in size and extends upward as the pregnancy progress or advances. A bladder very full of urine may be felt as a rather soft mass just above the public bone. In a case of constipation in a thin person, firm masses of fecal material may be felt usually on the left side.

In the course of performing a physical examination the physician may detect enlargements of the liver, spleen, or kidneys. There are many possible causes of such enlargement and the physician will take into consideration the laboratory findings as he evaluates such enlargements. Cancer of the colon often produces an enlargement that can be detected by the physician. In the female, tumors or growths, cysts and abscesses associated with the reproductive organs can sometimes be felt through the lower abdominal wall.

2. Rigidity of the Abdomen

Rigidity or stiffness of the abdomen occurs when the tissues inside the abdomen becomes inflamed or irritated, severe pain develops together within the muscles of the abdominal wall (particularly those overlying the irritated area) becomes contracted.

The muscle contraction we call rigidity. Some conditions in which rigidity of the abdomen occurs are:-

1. Acute appendicitis (more apparent on the right side)
2. Perforated peptic ulcer
3. Acute inflammation of the gall bladder
4. Peritonitis or inflammation of the peritonium
5. Bleeding with the abdomen
6. Strangely in cases of bite by black widow spider.

Should you experience any of these symptoms, always seek medical advise.

HE dismisses as ninnies

The critics he calls 'moaning minnies.'

If he could impair

The contemptuous Clare,

Perhaps there'd be fewer such whinnies.

HMG once again warns, 'Beware,

'All your travel should be without care.'

(All those tourists here spending

Might speed this isle's mending.)

'Montserrat? Don't you risk to go there.'

Jus wonderin who really responsible for the social welfare hardship.

Jus wonderin if the C.M. is losing his popularity.

Jus wonderin if the price controller was doing his job properly the ferry would not been so full on the month-ends.

Jus wonderin why this little country failed to run like it’s an educator is in charge.

Jus wonderin if the fourth ex-chief minister were to come back in power if the country would go back to the top best Caribbean Island.

Jus wonderin if it’s a good idea to never stop wonderin.

Jus wonderin if we have to do like the foreigners that come to Montserrat.

Jus wonderin if it’s because the C.M was slide into office that why he’s slipping.

Jus wonderin why Montserratian students leave Montserrat to go UWI and then end up in England pregnant with triplets.

Jus wonderin which British or government official will like to live next to the shit tank at Lookout.

Jus wonderin if now the containers are being moved from the bottom of Lookout if there will be a Supermarket in that Vicinity.

Jus wonderin if the Government will build family Unit where they supposed to put the Playground at Lookout.

Jus wonderin when jus wonderin will have so much gossip again as the one printed on the 18^th February.

Jus wonderin why the maids at the hospital are paid so little money.

Jus wonderin if 'he' can't keep a confidential secret.

Jus wonderin why persons with long term illnesses got denied for the new Social Welfare Programme

Jus wonderin what the Government will do with the Lookout ladies with their house rent to pay, now that the Food voucher office is closed.

Jus wonderin when there will be a full time pediatrician.

Jus wonderin why the minister did not allow the employment of the young female Montserratian doctor.