In an unexpected move yesterday morning the two opposition members of our Legislative Council walked out of the Budget debate, which had moved into its third day.

Honourable Reuben Meade and Brunel Meade excused themselves from the Legislative Council sitting when the Honourable Minister, P. Austin Bramble rose to address the house, in what turned out to be a well put together, rebuttal to the addresses put forward by opposition and other members to the budget speech, made by the Honourable Chief Minister last Thursday.

Both opposition members reminded the house of their dissatisfaction with the appointment of Bramble, while explaining that they considered the budget an important matter in which they must participate, hence their presence.

The former Chief Minister Meade went further to say that they should all, no matter what persuasion , put aside political differences and seek to contribute to the future development of Montserrat.

Brunel Meade, considered by at least one analyst to be the best speaker in the debate, called on the government to seriously consider using opposition members in formulating 'the way forward' for Montserrat. He called on the Chief Minister and Mr. Bramble, who should have a vested interests in the relocated people from their constituencies, to do more and provide better housing.

Both ministers Weekes and Tuitt made only brief inputs in support of the budget highlighting areas in their ministries which will receive special attention. The hospital received dual mention, while the reconstruction and repair of roads featured in the address by Weekes.

Mr. Osborne had delivered his budget address last Thursday evening, which the Reporter labeled as 'unusual', primarily because it had no new revenue measures and for the first time in our history relied heavily on grant-in-aid from Britain. It was no surprise to most because of the circumstances this humbled island now finds itself in the wake of an erupting volcano, which has been ongoing since July 18, 1995.

The debate of the budget was adjourned to Wednesday of this week instead of Monday to accommodate some of the opposition members.

It was believed that the Honorable John Osborne, former Chief Minister, who was re-elected to the Legislative Council after a humiliating defeat in 1991 when his government lost to the newcomer party National Progressive Party (NPP), would have returned from his trip to England. He did not show and critics and analysts feel that Osborne is showing little interest in the affairs of the country, since he and the other opposition members, including one of his party members, walked out of the house at its last sitting.

Both Meades returned to debate the budget, saying that it is an important matter that demands their attention and participation.

The debate was much of the expected. Mr. A. Bramble took time to castigate former C M Meade for saying that the government was not doing enough in concessions. He said that in four years while Meade was chief minister he did not do any thing to ease the poor finances of Montserratians, and now that this government did, he was complaining. Mr. Bramble said of Brunel Meade used copy-book quotations which had no relevance whatever to the issues he was discussing.

Back-bencher Brandt was the third person to speak in support of the budget and in true style spoke of the expectations of the government. His address was the longest, as he touched on almost every aspect of life in Montserrat and the budget.

The Chief Minister was almost apologetic as countered on the argument that no support was given in his budget for private enterprises and workers. He said that, it was pointless to ask the British for any support in this area because they would say no. He said however that following a survey done recently help would be forthcoming for small businesses, particularly in the way of factory shells and other facilities.

The Chief Minister hopes and expects that the expenditure outlined in his budget will provide the necessary springboard to jump-start some form of economic recovery.

The Honorable Frank Edwards, took the Speaker of the House chair, at the final session of the debate as the substantive speaker Dr. Howard Fergus is acting as governor in the absence of Governor Savage, who is on vacation.

Following their weekend drug arrests two weekends ago, the police, on Friday, 25th April, one week later, made a single bust and arrested Peter O'Garro of Lees at the W H Bramble airport.

O'Garro was arrested on charges of importation of (crack) cocaine into the Colony. He was also charged with possession with intent to supply and possession of (crack) cocaine.

The Lees man had just arrived on a LIAT flight from neighboring Antigua and the discovery was made in a joint operation by Customs and police, described by police authorities, "an ongoing operation by Customs and Police to rid the country of illegal drugs."

Police reports say that a visit to the man’s house two days before, he was very cooperative when he allowed a search, which produced a large sum of small notes.

It is alleged that the substance weighing approximately 5.12 oz was found in the shoes of the accused man. He has pleaded not guilty after he was taken before the Magistrate, who set bail in the sum of $20,000. He was also ordered to surrender his passport to the authorities. He is to appear again in court to answer the charges on May 22, 1997.

The British Labour Party wins its first leadership in 18 years as John Major outgoing prime minister concedes, 'We have been comprehensively defeated'

Tony Blair will become the first Labour Party prime minister in a generation after his party trounced the incumbent Conservatives in Britain's general election.

"A new dawn has broken!" Blair told cheering party workers as the sky began to lighten Friday at the Labour victory party.

"The size of our likely majority now imposes a special sort of responsibility on us. We have been elected as 'New Labour' and we will govern as 'New Labour.'"

Conservative Prime Minister John Major went to Buckingham Palace today, Friday, to tell Queen Elizabeth II that he is dissolving his government.

Soon thereafter, Blair made the same trip with the news of his plans to form a new government. From there, he made an appearance at his new residence, 10 Downing Street.

The new Parliament convenes Wednesday, and the government will lay out its program a week later in a speech to Lords and Commoners by Queen Elizabeth.

Blair, 43, will become Britain's youngest prime minister in 185 years. He first became a member of Parliament in 1983.

After staying up all night, Blair spoke energetically at the pre-dawn rally, stressing unity and holding up Labour as "the people's party."

"As a party today, we represent the whole of this nation and we will govern for the whole of this nation," Blair said, his wife Cherie smiling at his side.

"This vote tonight has been a vote for the future, for a new era of politics in Britain, so that we can put behind us the battles of this past century and address the challenges of the new century. It will be a Britain renewed."

He noted his late predecessor, John Smith, had said, "All we ask is the chance to serve."

When the Bertrand Osborne historic coalition government was sworn in late November last year, there were many niceties of words, promises and offers from all over the Legislative Council.

It seemed for the most part hypocrisy, but for the good of Montserrat, we hoped it would all be real.

Of course, it was but a vain hope as in exactly four months, the coalition was broken, heralding in the November negotiations-outcast, David Brandt to become a back-bencher and keep alive the coalition, much to the surprise and even disappointment to other members of the opposition.

What followed created another political crisis, which seems to be still on-going matter, Bertrand Osborne decided to appoint nominated member P. Austin Bramble, who had lost at the polls, as his new Minister of Agriculture, Lands and Housing having fired Reuben Meade.

Against this setting and with the British government allocating just over $100 million for the crisis, Mr. Osborne delivered a budget address, which did little more than review the actions of government during the past year, offering a token to the civil servants, and tax concessions to Montserratians on tax arrears, as a means of easing the financial burden they face. All the plans put forward were attempts to make life less arduous and get us through the crisis and survival in the north of the island.

But lacking was any definite strategy to provide Montserratians with the economic means to do more than merely exist, and move beyond the housing exercise which was pointed out to be a huge problem, mainly because of the land crisis and Britain's adherence to policies, that are unsuited to deal with our emergency needs.

Most of the speakers on the budget addressed the slow pace at which the aid funds are being disbursed even with aid office personnel placed on island with the promise of speeding up the process of project approval.

Yet the chief minister pointed out that there are at least three levels of approvals. He did not specify amounts, but the impression was that only small amounts can be approved locally, still requiring approval from higher up; then another level in Barbados and yet another in Britain.

Suddenly it becomes obvious that the 25 million pounds may well run us well into three years, which would mean that Britain may even spend less than they would in aid in normal circumstances.

The chief, in the face of some criticism, tried to show some attempt at working towards improving conditions for businesses to operate. This area will require much more attention by government.

However, the businessmen of this island need to show much more interest and initiative than they have so far in this crisis, if only to bring pressure to bear on the government that it may better understand the role that it is required to take.

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Dear Editor,

Permit me sir, to use a section of your paper to make a valid point, that I think is long outstanding. After hearing the announcement of the practice squad selected for the Leeward Islands tournament for 1997, I was very much outraged by controversial selections made.

I must say it's of no surprise the selections made, considering the level of intelligence and intellect exhibited by the selectors. Permit me to interject here that a large percentage of the players selected are either under-disciplined or don't give three kicks about winning in any form or fashion. I could then come to the realization why Montserrat continuously loses in the recent tournaments played. It all starts right here around that selection table. There are players who richly deserve to be included, at least on the practice squad, who show a lot more determination and commitment than some of these interlopers selected to represent the future of Montserrat cricket.

I could name names and point fingers but I'm quite sure that at least 90 percent of the country agrees with me on this subject, who the selectors and their acquaintances are.

It is very disappointing to see players with love and passion for the game, and excellent batting averages been omitted for some unknown reason. The cricket association needs to look very seriously at this matter, but maybe they are one big family, what a fight. The criterion for selection needs to be looked at seriously so the public would have the same perception when a decision on selection is be made; make it close. There is a detection of envy, grudge, selfishness and favoritism on the part of the selectors. It's time for the island to get back on a winning streak. The youth team showed much spirit on their recent tour, thanks to hard-nosed coach, Sammy Kirnon.

If I was a selector I would also include seven youth players in the practice squad instead. I have no problem with that, its the players who have only played one match with no performance, players who always show no time management, and players who are being selected by past performances. Every year is a new year, there's no such thing as past performance when it comes to cricket. Everyone selected should be chosen according to their statistics for the season. This past performance thing is crap.

I hope these points are taken into consideration by the higher executives in the cricket association and by these so-called selectors that do the selection because there is a serious cavity in our cricket future right here in little Montserrat...I thank you for your time...

If any one of the so call selectors are to rebut, it will be challenging if they can do so.

Dear Sir,

The Association of Montserratians at Cave Hill write to express their continued growing concern over the perpetual negative news reports about our island home. While we believe that it is of paramount importance to keep our brothers and sisters in the rest of the Caribbean region, and indeed the rest of the world, abreast of the ongoing volcanic situation, we are nevertheless perturbed by the recent news item concerning the "only Secondary School in which it is alleged that marijuana is readily available" and that further, this is being attributed to the volcanic crisis.

This news item in our view damaged the reputation of the school which has for many years produced outstanding external examination results in the region.

We take issue on several points:

• Was any attempt made to inform the management of the school, in particular the principal, of the police investigation prior to the release of this news item?
• Is police working alongside the school in order to eradicate this alleged drug problem?
• Was the school informed that such a news item was about to be released which showed the school in a negative light?
• Are the police working alongside the Parent Teachers Association whose children are the ones being accused of this practice?

This news item caused much embarrassment to the Montserratian students here at the University of the West Indies. It implies that marijuana is "legalized", that everyone, including teachers, are aware of its existence on the school; that there is a community of drug takers and drug sellers; and further, that the administration is doing nothing about it.

This kind of biased reporting, which we realize that the Governor may have limited control over, only further serves to exacerbate an already poor image of Montserrat which is constantly being portrayed on the regional and international media. We seem to be continually being portrayed as a people without values; as a people without the necessary moral framework to guide our attitudes, feelings and actions.

We realize that the school will mirror both the ills and splendors of the larger society. This may well be a problem and we "are certainly not advocating that the authorities turn a blind eye to what could be a real problem. However, we feel that this situation should been thoroughly investigated with the full knowledge and cooperation of the school administration.

The issue of negative news reporting we believe is a serious one and needs to be addressed at the highest possible level. We trust that our concerns will be taken in the spirit of love and concern for our native land.

We humbly await your response.

This letter was copied to:

The Commissioner of Police, Principal, MSS, Radio Antilles, ZJB Radio and The Reporter

Following a report quoting police sources that drugs are sold on the Secondary school campus here, Mrs. Camilla Watts, principal at the Salem campus has reacted.

She responded with the following release. "We at the Montserrat Secondary School have been always been concerned about the influx of drugs into Montserrat. At the school level, we have warned students individually and collectively about the harmful effects of illicit drugs, and within the curriculum have been attempting to develop students' self esteem and hence negate the need for illicit drugs. We have never seen anyone selling or using drugs on the school compound.

"In my weekly program "School" I have appealed to persons who have been insinuating that school children are using drugs, to come forward and give us the information so that remedial action can be taken. To date we have received no such information.

"We are extremely concerned that such information substantiated or not is on the BBC news, and nothing has been said to us at the school. In fact, students are with us for the greater part of the day - we are the Surrogate Parents and I feel that such serious charges should have been discussed with the management at the school well before being taken abroad.

The Public and those in authority need to work with the school if we are to assist our students to develop into citizens of whom we can be proud."

The Civil Service Association (CSA) held a much anticipated general meeting Saturday, April 26, to discuss a number of pressing issues facing the island’s public servants.

Of primary concern were salaries and conditions of service, and government’s proposal for a Limited Voluntary Redundancy (LVR) that seems set to be implemented before year end. The situation with the stagnant wages in an economy where inflation has averaged close to3 percent per annum since the last pay increase in 1990, was discussed at length with a number of proposals for a solution coming from the rank and file members.

The wage crisis within the public sector has become very contentious and has prompted calls by leaders of the Montserrat Union of Teachers (MUT) and the Police Welfare Association (PWA) for immediate increases and additional compensation. Salary increases were promised by the previous government in mid-1995, but were withdrawn as the early period of the volcanic emergency curtailed local economic activity and government revenue.

The situation with the Limited Voluntary Redundancy (LVR) was also on the agenda and the CSA hinted early this week that revisions to the system of calculation for payments need to be forwarded by government before the executive gives the green light for implementation. The LVR has a history which can be traced to public sector reform that was part of the Country Policy Plan (CPP) agreed to between the previous Reuben Meade administration and the British Government.

The plan called for ‘efficiency scrutinies’ within all sectors of government with a view to bring about the highest levels of productivity among public sector employees. Progress on public sector reform was running on schedule but had to be shelved when the Soufriere Hills volcano first erupted in July, 1995.

There was some consideration for the plight of the workers in the 1997 budget that was tabled in Parliament by Chief Minister, Bertrand Osborne. Mr. Osborne announced an immediate compensation that is equivalent to one month’s salary that will be free of income taxes. The compensation will be forthcoming in late May. The Chief Minister also announced that salary increases will be considered later in the year after the report of recent sector reviews are presented by the British Government.

Though not explicit, it appeared that once the British Government is involved in the recurrent budget, no salary increase will be forthcoming unless it is tied to the LVR.

Tangible support for MONLEC's emergency power is now coming from the British Overseas Development Administration (ODA). MONLEC has received a shipment of ODA-financed spares for its Caterpillar generating sets at Salem.

The following is a release by the manager of Montserrat Electricity Services Ltd. (Monlec).

"The two high-speed engines have each accumulated over 7,500 operating hours, in just over one year. They have performed very well in a difficult environment and will undergo major overhauls within the next three weeks. This maintenance task will be done by Monlec's staff with support from agents for the engine manufacturers, Plantrac. The engine spares are part of an Emergency Power Project which was the first to have been approved by the recently established Aid Management Office, on Montserrat. Also included in the project are a new 1000kw generating set to be installed at Brades later this year.

"Equipment for improving the protection of the power system and facilitating speedy restoration of the system after an outage. Noise attenuation equipment for the Salem plant. A new section of transmission line for bypassing the very vulnerable Webbs to Gages portion of the East feeder.

"A power system study is also being conducted with ODA funding, to assess Monlec's longer term needs."

Mr. Howson was pleased to say: "Innovation has been a major feature of the work of our technical staff, since the start of the emergency in 1995. Staff have helped to minimize the exposure of equipment to ash and have improved maintenance schedules to take into account the changed circumstances."

Speaking about the station which still operates in Plymouth, he said that additional saftey and operating procedures have also been introduced, adding: "With the approval of the additional safety and operating procedures introduced and with the approval of the manufactures, employees have been able to replace external air intake filter on No.4 set at General Turning Road with an internal filter, thus making the engine less susceptible to fouling by ash."

Meanwhile, the electricity company's emergency project is gathering momentum. Plans are progressing for establishing a new base-load station in the north within the next two years.

Mr. Howson concluded saying, "Much effort is also being given to anticipating our customer's further requirements and in spite of all the changes around us, we are still working to preserve the Montserratian way of life."

Montserrat will be represented at the 7th Board Meeting of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Agency (CDERA) to be held in Jamaica on May 1 and 2.

The meeting, which will look at techniques for improving the capability of countries to carry out rapid and reliable damage assessments following disasters, was preceded by a workshop, on 'damage assessment and needs analysis.' A common damage assessment report format for use throughout the region will also be introduced. Prior to the CDERA meeting another workshop will be held on development of natural disaster management programs. Earlier workshops exposed to the design and implementation of program to strengthen disaster management capability and to reduce vulnerability to disasters.

Montserratians with travel plans for the next two months can benefit from LIAT's 40th Anniversary Promotions & Celebrations. The regional air carrier, LIAT, has announced a 40% reduction on standard fares to all it's destinations. The special package comes into effect from May 1 and will run for two months until June 30. However Manager of Montserrat Aviation Services Sarah Silcott says the package comes with conditions. Tickets bought under the special package will only be valid for persons spending at least three days, and no more than 14 days at any one time. Flights must also be booked 10 days in advance to qualify. It is expected that Montserratians will make good use of the reduction on airfares, especially those people who have relatives who left the island since the volcanic crisis began. According to Montserrat Aviation Services (MAS), LIAT has also reduced its daily flights to Montserrat to three per day, starting as usual at 6:45am, 10:35am and at 4:45pm. Previously there were four daily flights in and out of Montserrat, the other flight time being 11:55am. The reduction came out of a recent review of LIAT's operations, but has been the norm over the years. The number of flights into Montserrat during the tourist season were always increased and reduced during the other months when the number of visitors to the island decreased. The reduction of flights also affects other destinations.

Montserrat is expected to be featured in a supplementary edition of the regional newspaper Caribbean weekly, which will be published on May 10. Mrs. Susan Goldin-Miller has been given the task of collecting the advertisements and articles for the edition on Montserrat. According to Mrs Goldin-Miller, the feature will contain an address by His Excellency the Governor and the Montserrat Tourist Board. It will also include articles on mountain biking and diving on the island. She says the supplementary edition, is aimed at informing Caribbean neighbors, that Montserrat is still opened for business and tourists. The Caribbean weekly newspaper highlights activities, sites and culture of the Caribbean.

Ms Beatrice Fenton, Product Development Officer of the Tourist Board attended a Regional Eco Tour Operators workshop held in Trinidad from April 21- 24, 1997 along with over 40 other participants from the OECS islands, and Trinidad and Tobago.

The workshop was made possible by the Tourism and Industrial Development Company of Trinidad & Tobago Limited (TIDCO); the University of the West Indies Centre for Environment and Development (UWICED) and the Trinidad and Tobago Government.

The Objective of the workshop was to:

Provide well trained, more efficient and effective tour operators capable of providing a well-planned, authentic eco-tour that satisfies visitor expectations and meets with international standards and;

Improve and update the skills, knowledge and ability of industry members, empowering them to perform and consequently upgrade the overall standard of the OECS tourism product.

Ms Fenton reports that the workshop was a fully compact and extensive training opportunity, and that knowing your eco-tourism product and being able to market it effectively, were priority areas covered in the agenda.

The Montserrat Defense Force and the Vue Pointe Hotel have been thanked by Grace Cephas-Lewis, president of the Rotary Club of Montserrat, for their contributions to Fun Day at Salem Park. MDF provided and erected the tent used as the refreshment area during the event and the Vue Pointe donated all the ice needed for the day. Fun Day was jointly sponsored by the Rotary Club of Montserrat and the Rotaract Club of Montserrat. Members of both organizations staffed the refreshment stand during the morning cricket match on St. Patrick's Day and the afternoon long games for youngsters. Proceeds were shared equally by the sponsors. Rotaract used its share to pay travel expenses for representation at its recent district conference. President Cephas-Lewis also gratefully acknowledged the contribution of Rotarians in Barbados, who donated the items awarded as prizes during the games.

Fifteen elderly Montserratians enjoyed a brief respite from their shelters in St.Peters and Cavalla Hill last week as guests of Rotary Club of Montserrat. It was the first outing in more than a year for most, and the first sight of the island's towering volcano for all. Two aides from each shelter accompanied the party. The tour of two and one half hours, on Tuesday, April 22, took the group to W.H Bramble Airport, where they stopped to view the volcano and to thrill to the arrivals and departures of three aircraft.

Light refreshments were served by the Cockpit Bar, after which the residents re-boarded their buses to revisit areas long-closed to their view. Since the alert level was Amber, the tour took the shorter eastern route from the airport, though Harris, across Lovers Lane near Plymouth, and back to the places the passengers now consider home. The event was planned and carried out by the Vocational Services committee of the Rotary Club of Montserrat. Carl Roberts, Vocational Services director, and members William Bramble, James Hixon and Bennette Roach escorted the quests. Buses were provided by Eustace Dyer and John Bobb.

Five persons have been arrested in the Cayman Islands for selling drugs to children. The arrests were made following reports that marijuana, was being sold as cigarettes, to school children at a shopping centre. More than two ounces of the illegal drug and two cars were also confiscated in the incident.

The Guild of St. Luke was formed about 16 years ago by Fr. Martin from England, Parish Priest of St. Anthony with St. Patrick. He became disturbed with the conditions of the shut-ins, the sick and the elderly of the Parish. Mrs. Pauline Jeffers who volunteered went around with him when he visited these parishioners, and with the help of Mrs Lystra Osborne, other members of the congregation were co-opted into forming a the group.

Fund raising became a high point in the goals of the Guild. Many tea parties, dinner, breakfast and other forms of fund raising functions took place, not only with the idea of accumulating funds but to serve as a getting-together of the Parishioners and friends in a social setting.

The anniversary of the Guild is on St. Luke's Day in October, and a week of activities fills this week, and during this period, time is taken for members to go off by themselves in the form of a retreat to further strengthen our commitment to fellowmen and to the service of God.

Every month, food parcels are distributed to those who need them. Visits are made to the sick, the lonely, the elderly and the shut-ins as the Guild tries to meet their other personal needs and to be there when they are need ed.

The Guild of St. Luke would like to thank the General Public for their support in the Walkathon in raising the sum of $3,050.00 for the home of the Elderly.

Caribbean Sports Fishermen are among the latest to contribute to the Montserrat Red Cross, 'Golden Years Home for the Elderly'. A cheque for $7,558.00 was handed over to Mrs. Lystra Osborne, Director of the Montserrat Branch of the British Red Cross.

Mr. Bruce Farara handed over the cheque and explained that the funds were the result of a request by the Antigua and Barbuda Sports Fishing Club, for each boat to donate a part of their catch caught in their 30th Sports Fishing Tournament, to assist with Montserrat's volcano relief. The fish was sold, and Mr. Farara was asked to select a worthy project to donate the funds to. Mr. Farara said that he was moved by the response and some boats even gave the only fish they caught in the tournament. A list of the contributors was attached to the cheque and is listed below.

The new shelter being built at Mongo Hill by the Seventh Day Adventist community on Montserrat will soon have a complete commercial kitchen, thanks to the generosity of two Rotary Clubs in Vineland, New Jersey, U.S.A. Three members of the Vineland Breakfast Rotary Club, George Lods Sr., Craig Urie and Francis M. Ciancarelli, delivered the equipment personally during a one- week visit to the island. During an earlier visit to Montserrat, Mr. Lods learned of the shelter's need from George Piper, a past president of the Montserrat Rotary Club and a member of the SDA committee creating the shelter. The Vineland Breakfast Rotary Club and the Vineland Lunch Rotary Club, named for the time of their weekly meetings, acquired the donated equipment from the Vineland YMCA and Urie Associates, a commercial equipment suppler. Jimmy Buffett, known to Montserratians for his recorded songs about the island's volcano, had offered to fly the equipment here in one of his planes. When the cargo proved to be too large for that, the two Vineland clubs paid to have it shipped to the island. Mr. Piper reported this week to the Rotary Club of Montserrat that the SDA shelter project also had received a donation of $2,500 from Joe Ranchasoon of Trinidad, past district governor of District 7030, which comprises the Rotary Club in the Caribbean. Those funds will go into unfinished portions of the shelter project. Still to be done, according to Mr. Piper, are electrical installations for the kitchen, plumbing and tile work. When completed, the shelter is expected to be able to house 200 persons overnight, and to provide comfortable longer-term accommodations for about 160. Although the shelter is a volunteer effort of Seventh Day Adventists both here and abroad, when completed it will be open to persons of all faiths.

Special guest at the ceremony for graduates of the UWI School of Continuing Studies, was the new director Lawrence Carrington, who in his feature address reminded graduates that education is an ongoing process, which should never be put on the backburner.

The ceremony, which took place almost two weeks ago, was chaired by former student Alfreda Meade. In her brief remarks Miss Meade recognized the work of the University of the West Indies in continuing the process of education.

UWI Resident Tutor Dr. Howard Fergus has expressed gratitude to the hard working staff of the UWI and sponsors of the creative writing competition. During his speech he recognized the contributions made by these organizations.

It is perceived that the makeup of the Montserrat cricket team for this year’s Leewards Islands tournament will be dominated by players of the 1997 Leewards youth champions, the Montserrat Under-19 team. This has been demonstrated with the selection of seven players from the youth team in the 24-man training squad.

The Montserrat Cricket Association (MCA) named a few questionable players in the training squad who it is believed are going to make it into the final thirteen based on their knowledge of the game and not necessarily their form and talent. I am appealing to the MCA not to allow our cricket to go backwards. In the 1996 tournament, Montserrat took a bold step (one may say experimental) in introducing five youth players, who in some critics minds were not ready for that level of cricket, but it almost paid off with a tournament win. I will argue that we did not lose because of lack of talent, but because of our mental approach towards the games. So why then am I hearing that our youths who continue to perform so consistently at the local level are not ready?

The earlier we expose our players with talent and promise to the higher level, the more of them will go on to gain international experience. We must all remember the mistakes with Lesroy Weekes and Lesroy Irish when our selectors thought they were not ready for the higher level and kept them out of the team for one season too long. We must also focus our attention on Angelo Bass. When he first played for Montserrat in 1995 several cricket pundits said then that this was not a wise move but two years on he is in the Leewards training camp and is now on the verge of stepping into the Leeward Islands team.

Let us all stop fooling ourselves in believing that Montserrat can just put together a team in one year and win the Leeward Islands tournament and come to our senses and see that the only way we are going to win is by building a unit that is able to work together. We started something in 1996 and I insist that we continue. Again, I leave you to ponder what will happen next.

After a three-year absence, the Montserrat Undertakers will return to the Leeward Islands Basketball Association (LIBA) tournament scheduled for Antigua July 13 to 20, 1997. The Undertakers, which placed second in the 1991 tournament held in Montserrat, are set to undergo intense training in the coming months after a training squad is announced by MABA.

The tournament will be run by LIBA, which is taking over the administrative matters from local associations beginning with the 1997 tournament. LIBA president Wayne Wattley said that the move is designed to facilitate a more efficient staging of the championship. LIBA is also seeking closer association with the CARICOM Basketball Confederation based in Trinidad, and is trying to secure opportunities for Leeward Islands players in North America.

Meanwhile, play in the local league has been extended to two rounds to allow players a longer than usual season.

The results of last weekend matches are:

Volcanics 92 (B. Dyer 37 points, 14 rebounds, M. Evans 26 points) Cork Hill Killers 55 (O. Murrain 18 points).

Gunz 68 (I. Ponde 28 points, D. Daley 21 points) Ghetto Rockers 67 (O. Dyer 20 points, C. White 19 points)

Swipers 94 (J. Lane 26 points, B. Daley 19 points) MVO 81 (P. Galloway 22 points, C. Buffonge 22 points).

Monstars 81 (C. Meade 32 points, D. Greenaway 28 points) Westside Rebels 76 (R. Lewis 27 points, E. Aaron 15 points)

Gunz 86 (D. Daley 18 points, K. Bramble 18 points) MSS 50 (K. Thomas 12 points, T. Tuitt 12 points).

Renegades vs. Cork Hill Killers - postponed.

Frank Allen, Olson Murrain and Naris Gerald of MSS, and Roderick Murrain of Police were the only newcomers named by the selectors to a 24-man squad that will begin training for the 1997 LIAT Leeward Islands Tournament that is set to begin May 28th. Trevor Semper, Earl Hyman, St. Claire Thornhill and Lawrence Daley have been recalled, but the rest of the team is made up of players who were in the training in 1996.

The full team is Aurrel Kirnon (captain), Lawrence Daley, Owen Roach, Earl Hyman, Gary Barzey (Pyroclastic), Devon Williams (vice captain), Cecil Lake, Angelo Bass, Trevor Semper, Lesroy Irish (Eastern), Tyrone Greenaway, McPherson Meade, Zhuan Sweeney, Frank Allen, Olson Murrain, Naris Gerald, Everton Johnson, Rohan Ryan (MSS), Sammy Kirnon, David Lane, Amon Aymer, St. Claire Thornhill (Cork Hill), Oris Sullivan and Roderick Murrain (Police).

The first three-day trial match will be played at Salem Park on May 3, 4 and 5, beginning at 11:00 a.m. each day.

During his budget presentation last week, the Chief Minister said the government will pay close attention to the island's infrastructure in the new fiscal year.

He announced an extensive road rehabilitation programme for the safe zone. The programme will include upgrading the roads from Carrs Bay to Little Bay, from Hill Top to St. Johns, and Belham to Old Towne. Access roads to the proposed new MVO site in Flemmings, the prison in Mongo Hill, and the primary school at Look Out are also planned. These projects are expected to coincide with a new hot mix plant, which is due to arrive by September. The plant will be installed at Trants.

The island's energy needs are also receiving special attention. The Chief Minister announced significant investments in the development and extension of the operations of major utilities, including the Montserrat Electricity Services (Monlec).

The electricity company will enhance its emergency operations and implement new long-term plans for maintaining a dependable service to the Montserrat community. A site at Brades for its new power station, has already been selected. Later this year it hopes to complete a study funded by the British Government, which will establish plans for the first phase of a permanent generating facility.

Chief Minister the Honourable Betrand Osborne has announced a salary bonus for civil servants. He made the announcement during his presentation of the 1997 budget in the Legislative Council. Chief Minister Osborne says civil servants have been working without a salary increase since 1990. He says the bonus, to be issued shortly, will be tax free. Mr. Osborne says public servants could also get a salary increase. There was more good news for public servants, especially those who work in the unsafe zone. The chief announced a hazard allowance. He says many public servants have volunteered to work in emergency operations, some in cramped conditions, with inadequate equipment, and difficult environments, doing so with no special training other than the will and commitment.

The government will spend $112 million this year. A large portion is from development grants, which amount to $54.6 million. $10 million will be spent on the Little Bay Jetty and access road; $7.8 million on the rehabilitation and repairs to the northern roads, $4.2 million on the schools extension project, and $2.5 million to provide factory shells for industry.

A total of $10.5 million will be spent on housing, and a further $3 million on the new hospital. The Chief Minister believes this large influx of money will help the economy and provide jobs.

The Government of Montserrat has moved to relieve taxpayers and has announced a concession on tax arrears.

"Many companies and individuals owe the government, millions of dollars in taxes; these arrears are still too high, with company tax accounting for 8 per cent, personal tax accounting for 58 per cent, and property tax 34 per cent" the Chief Minister said, adding that the government wants to encourage individuals and companies to make prompt settlement. "Persons who have tax arrears and pay up early, will have a waiver on all penalties and interests," he said.

The Inland Revenue commenting on this says a number of people owe the government a fair amount of taxes. To become exempt, persons should contact the department to get details. Such persons are requested to fill out a special form, and make a minimum payment. The new measure allows for arrears on taxes such as company, personal and income tax to become exempt. The offer has a grace period of six months.

Residents who have relocated overseas are also eligible for the offer.

There will be relief as well for persons who own property in the unsafe zone. Government will also reduce taxes for these individuals. Head of the Inland Revenue Department, Haycene Ryan, explains: "The reduction in property tax in the unsafe zone, will have a significant impact on government's revenue."

It is not often that I single out individuals to comment on them. But Teach - you are an important person within our community and I believe that it is necessary to have a word with you. So please Teacher...may I?

Firstly, let me congratulate you on your elevation to leader of the Teachers Union.

Collie, it is quite clear to your contemporaries that you have leadership qualities. Please understand and accept that.

As leader of the Teachers Union, we expect from you much more than union rhetoric. We also expect that you will be an important bridge between the youths and the older members of the country, and an important force in the transition of power. We look at you as one who has been given the opportunity and the privilege of free education. We can trail your education from a Sunday School attendee to a master's degree, not only from the best churches in Montserrat, but also from some of the best universities in the world.

You are therefore expected to analyze and study situations and issues; and to give your views as an intelligent and progressive man.

Teach, because of your training and leadership position people will believe that you always know what you are speaking about. Therefore you must not only speak sensibly, you must always appear to speak as one who took the time to analyze and study each situation. In other words, whatever you say must sound like common sense.

Now Teacher, why did you ask for a salary increase of 28 percent? Did you study and analyze your employers statement of income for the past three years? Did you analyze the facts that show that government sources of income have dried up?

Or as a true leader, do you understand how each segment of the society depends on each other? Do you realize that the private sector, the major source of governments revenue, is unable to make any increased contributions to the salary of the government's employees? Did you consider the plight of the 50 percent unemployed before you asked for an increase.

You see Teach, because you called 'Johnny Mac Browne' figures, other segments believed that you know what you are saying, and as a result they are expecting an increase of 28%. Teacher I respect the judgment of your fellow teachers. I believe that you have the potential to be a leader. But again I stress we need much more from you than union rhetoric. Trade union speeches are pass‚. Nothing new! Nothing innovative! The same old thing over and over again...the rights of the worker, fringe benefits, salary increases and the race to force the collapse of worthwhile and important pillars of commerce.

I challenge you Collie to become a true leader within our society. Seek to understand how things are done. Spend time at the Legislative Chamber. Study and analyze where the country is going.

Because you are one of the important bridges for the children, you must teach them and show them how to challenge issues and traditions. Here are some important issues on which you could begin to temper them.

Challenge them to discuss the funding for the old peoples home. We are begging two million dollars for the construction of the building-but our contractors association is not prepared to construct the building at cost. Suggest to them that the local contractors association should nominate one of its members to supervise the works...rather than individually bidding so that the successful contractor can make 1/2 million dollars in profit.

Show our children that matters must not only be honest and be above board, but they must also appear to be honest and be above board. For example, even an idiot will question the level of honesty of those involved in the purchasing of 1.2 million dollars worth of vehicles for government's use. Did we have to purchase 20 vehicles from one dealer? Teach, no amount of business acumen or enterprise will ever explain why only one dealer benefited from the grant given for the vehicles.

Yes Teacher Collie, challenge our young people to test the usefulness of single family retirement homes for post volcano land-scarced 21st century Montserrat. Tell them to question the architects and builders, who, like horses with blinkers, are designing and building million dollar retirement homes for Montserratians who will have to live below the poverty line to pay for these houses. Why should our youths who have not even begun to work be programmed to believe that a retirement home is the ultimate goal in life?

Ask our children to examine the issues of survival and move away from the path set for them by Burk Johnson and Associates over 35 years ago. Ask them to examine the astute building ways of their forefathers over 40 years ago, which allowed their grandparents to build houses without being debt-ridden.

Collie take our young people into the 21st century...Questioning, studying and analyzing the concept of private ownership of land. Test their views on how private ownership of land has kept our people in shelters for 20 months. Show them how the commercial sector of our country is waiting to be buried under a volcano erupting in slow motion; because private ownership of land is hindering sensible development in the north.

Mr President of the Teachers Union, this question is for you, why should Dominica, St Vincent, Trinidad or Guyana, with so many of their citizens living in sub - standard homes - give us their money to help us build expensive retirement shelters? Yes, why should they? When Montserratians are not prepared to give one inch of land to ease the volcano crisis.

Yes Teacher I truly wanted to speak to you........

Please endear yourself to Montserratians of the future, imprint your questions on their minds. Follow them into the future, teach them how to question tradition and how to test new ideas for their own development. Show the youths how to analyze and study situations and issues, not only to expound nice sounding solutions and overused rhetoric; but to present worthwhile solutions with common sense...

Having done that humble task ....you will be guaranteed of your deserved leadership position in Montserrat.

For most of this week the activity at the Soufriere Hills Volcano has been at a low level and because of this the level remains at AMBER. The seismic activity as reported by scientists at the MVO has been dominated by rock fall signals, small pyroclastic flows into the White River Valley and long period earthquakes. Many of these long period events have caused rock falls from the unstable parts of the dome above Galways Wall and all in all there have been in the region of 100 rock fall signals per day.

Ash fall has been much lighter during the course of this week but existing ash is being blown around by the strong winds being experienced during the entire week. Medical officials and scientists are advising everyone who are entering ashy areas to wear their dust masks as prolonged exposure to ash can cause health problems.

The dome has been covered by cloud for most of the week so very little visibility was possible, however MVO staff are reporting that the dome is still experiencing steady, moderate growth and that the active area of that dome is on the southwestern face above Galways Wall.

Mid week the scientific team visited the top of Chances Peak by helicopter to measure the cracks there. They reported that the cracks continue to widen and shear but only by very small amounts so there is no reason for concern at this time. A long occupation GPS survey was undertaken this week with the equipment being moved for 24 hour periods at various positions around the island. The results when published over the next few days will help scientists to determine if there has been long term deformation of Montserrat’s mountains as a result of volcanic activity.

As the Public Works Department moved into Fort Ghaut this week to clean out the Ghaut for the fourth time this year of all volcanic debris, scientists have been attempting to model the extent of possible mud flows if there is excessive rain during the upcoming hurricane season. In a phone in programme last night (Thursday) on local radio, scientists explained that there is a huge amount of ash and debris at the base of the mountains near to the top of many of our ghauts. This is in danger of being washed down towards the sea if heavy rains occur.

During the 1997 budget debate during the course of this week, government officials laid out plans for the year for the development of the northern safe zone of the island. This includes the construction of a new state of the art observatory to monitor the volcano from a new site at Flemmings.

IN THE BEGINNING

The St. Patrick's Co-operative Credit Union Ltd. celebrates its 40th year of service to the community this year.

The Credit Union held its inaugural meeting at 8.30pm at the Roman Catholic school house on Tuesday, June 18, 1957. The Honorable Bertrand Osborne, the current Chief Minister of Montserrat, moved the following motion:

"Whereas it is the wish of the working group who has been studying and following lessons on Credit Unions for the past six months that a Credit Union be established I move that a Credit Union be organized."

And with that motion duly moved and seconded, the Credit Union movement was born in Montserrat.

Among the members of the first Board of Directors were Mr. Bertrand Osborne, president, Mr. Joseph Eid and Mrs. Eileen Edwards.

The first day of business for the Credit Union was Sunday June 23, 1957, as the Credit Union was church-based and its bond extended only to Catholic Church members in Plymouth and St. Patricks. Business was transacted in Plymouth as well as in St. Patrick's at the Sacristy of the Church there.

The Credit Union's registered office was at the Convent Private School in Plymouth.

By July 21, 1957, the Credit Union had collected savings in the mammoth amount of $2,123.77 and had disbursed loans of $140.00. The maximum amount of a loan at that time was $100.00 and the repayment term was one year.

The St. Patrick's Co-operative Credit Union was not the only Credit Union started on Montserrat. There were two other Credit Unions: the Wesley Credit Union, and the Montserrat Co-operative Credit Union.

However, over the 40 years, the St. Patrick's Co-operative Credit Union is the only one still functioning today.

In 1960 the Credit union had 200 members.

In 1961 the Credit Union became involved in CUNA Insurance coverage whereby loans and savings are insured at no cost to the members.

In 1966 the Credit Union had its first full- time office staff in the person of Mrs. Vernon Lewis, but the first official office of the Credit Union was formally opened in October of 1983. At that time the St. Patrick's Credit Union shared offices with the Montserrat Credit Union.

In 1969, the Credit Union was registered as a Society under the laws of Montserrat and by 1972 the leadership in the Credit Union realized that it was necessary to open the Credit Union bond to all persons living in Montserrat although it was not accomplished until 1985.

Today the Credit Union can boast membership of just under 3,000 adults and 600 school children.

From its humble beginnings of Share Savings of $2,123 in 1957, the Credit Union today has Share Savings of $5 million and a loan portfolio of $4.8 million. From volunteer staff in 1957 the Credit Union now has a trained and motivated staff complement of eight who now assist other regional Credit Unions with management support, electronic data conversion and software and hardware trouble shooting and installation.

Today the Credit Union can boast of being represented on the Board of Directors of the Regional Credit Union umbrella body, the Caribbean Confederation of Credit Unions (CCCU).

Today the Credit Union can point to homes it financed and filled with furniture and appliances, to businesses it helped, to cars it financed, to marriages it made possible, to pilots who fly for LIAT whose education it made possible, to a myriad of lifestyles and life standards that it improved. Today the Credit Union can proudly stand and say that it contributed to the development of thrift habits, leadership skills, the spirit of volunteerism, and the acceptance of the notion that , not only together we can achieve great things, but that together we can run big things.

How many other Caribbean islands can boast of having had two Chief Ministers who served and volunteered their time and energy to their national Credit Union?

The Soufriere and the falls have

been filled

But still there are those who are thrilled

To sneak into the zone

And invite, on a stone,

"Here lies one curiously killed."

Who says a picture isn't worth a thousand words, or in this case a lifetime of friendship, togetherness and love?

When Byron Williams happened across a picture of his unsuspecting bride to be on an ordinary Saturday afternoon, Frances Allen could have never planned the course of events that followed.

You see, Byron found that picture of Frances in a dump called Whites dump in their home of Montserrat, and immediately fell in love. He kept that picture with him at all times, swearing to find her no matter how long it took. The beautiful part is he already knew he loved her and on many occasions was known to say that he was going to marry her. As fate would have it Byron had the picture out one day when he ran into cupid (Frances' sister) on his job. The two worked for the same company. Byron had noticed a resemblance between cupid and the woman in the picture so he asked cupid if she knew her. To which she replied, "yes that's my sister." That was 5 years ago and through friendship respect and a unified spiritualism, Byron and Frances became Mr. and Mrs. Williams under the eyes of God on April 20,1997 in the island of Nevis. Pastor E. Hanley did the honours at The Ebenezer Church of Jesus Christ in Gingerland.

Frances before she left Montserrat during the volcanic crisis, was employed at the Montserrat Printery Ltd. and previously worked with the Montserrat Reporter. She currently works with St. Kitts-Nevis Observer where she is the office manager

Q: If an honest politician, an intelligent woman, and a tooth fairy walked into a room at the same time and there was a $10 bill on the floor, who would pick it up?

A: The intelligent woman. The other two do not exist.

Jus wonderin if the Parliamentarian really forgot he could have acquired lands, give civil servants a raise of salary and all the other proposals he is now making as opposition.

Jus wonderin if is true that the private sector is crying foul with the 1997 budget.

Jus wonderin why the newly constructed jetty is not allowed to be used by the Port Authority, to relieve the men of the severe hazards at Plymouth, even though it is never expected to be used for the emergency it was built for

Jus wonderin which parliamentarian the representative from Windward was referring to when he said they invested in a supermarket outside Montserrat.

Jus wonderin if Radio Antilles will suffer from the volcanic activity at Soufriere Hills..

Jus wonderin if it is and why it is still illegal to remove sand from the beaches.

Jus wonderin if any of the prison officers who left or are leaving Her Majesty's service was accused of any wrong doing.

Jus wonderin why some politicians who have closet problems do not keep a more low profile.

Jus wonderin if congraulations are not in order and if the drugs fight on island has begun in earnest.

Jus wonderin which local media personnel is to be blamed for the notorius drug story on BBC.

Can't help wonderin when one of the big drug lords will be caught.

Jus wonderin when persons who really need the food vouchers will be added to the list.

The Montserrat Building Society Limited Is Now Making Loans Available To Purchase Land For Residential And Commercial Properties.

Get More Information from the Offices in Palm Loop.

Opening Hours: (During Relocation)

• Monday-Thursday - 8:30a.m. - 2:00p.m.
• Friday - 8:30a.m. - 3:00p.m.

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

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