Montserrat's Football Association (MFA) seeks incorporation through legislative action as it prepares itself for massive assistance from Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA).

In a Release by vice president and public relations officer, Lionel Nanton, says that the assistance is forthcoming towards the purchase of a property of over five acres in the safe zone, on which it hopes to establish a national 'Center of Excellence' for the development of football in accordance with the declared objective of the Caribbean Football Union (CFU).

The union's President, Jack Warner, studied MFA's proposal and has assured the local body of an initial grant in the region of US $300,000.00.

In a letter to the CFA's 25 affiliations, Mr. Warner revealed that with the exception of Trinidad and Tobago, member countries are yet to be incorporated by acts of Parliament in their respective countries.

Warner stipulated: "Incorporation of member countries is advised for the protection of not only individuals who serve football but also their families. In view of the fact the member countries will soon receive grants from FIFA, it is prudent to adopt such safeguards as soon as possible."

MFA's executive, has already approached the island's Attorney General in a bid to consolidate compliance with the wishes of the Caribbean Football Union.

FIFA, which manages world football with amazing efficiency, is not short of funds. This fact, along with the declared intention to distribute the huge profits from the world's most popular sport in a manner which will assist countries like ours, is spelt out in the introduction of a proposal for the purchase and development property, which the MFA has submitted to the Government of Montserrat.

Nanton says further: "According to our information, the conclusion of the FIFA World Cup - France '98 will usher international football into a new era for the sport. FIFA's sale of international TV and marketing rights has quintupled with the result being, that over US $1.1 billion for World Cup 2002 has been raised, increasing to US $1.3 billion plus for World Cup 2006."

While these new revenues will assist everyone of the 200 national associations of FIFA, it will be most significantly felt and most impacted in the 100 plus smaller national associations outside Europe, which includes Montserrat.

In presenting its case to CFU and FIFA, the MFA suggests that the acquisition of facilities would enable the association to achieve their objectives among others to: hold year-round football, basketball, volleyball, tennis, netball and track and field at all levels: programmes of formal training and coaching: generation of revenue to support activities: permanent offices for MFA: sports tourism: put Montserrat back in contention to host sub-regional tournaments.

Organized sport, with its emphasis on physical and mental fitness, opportunities for recognition, improvement of the performer's personality and possibilities for personal advancement, is sometimes considered the most effective means for harnessing the energies of our young people in a productive and positive way.

MFA asserts this in the conclusion of its presentation. MFA has also engaged the islands Secondary School children in a logo competition which has been won by Terrence Lee of the Junior Campus.

Commenting further on the expected funds, executive officers say they are confident that they will soon receive the initial funds promised to them.

The Royal Montserrat Defence Force has once again attained to the level of excellence.

Ten members recently returned home from a training exercise dubbed 'Tradewinds 1997', which lasted for one month, during which they successfully completed several military related scenarios in Puerto Rico and Grenada. This tireless 10-man crew, comprising Lt. Jerome Aaron, Sgt. Anderson White, Cpl. Adrian Gage, Pte. Vondel Allen, Pte. Tyrone Browne, Pte. Victor Daley, Pte. Lawrence LaPlume, Pte. Racquel Syers, and Pte Venice Wilkins were highly praised by several top ranking officers and other ranks, for their dedication, hard work and their willingness to accomplish any task assigned to them, while getting the minimum of rest.

A top ranking officer of the Defence Force said: "They have done well and have kept the legacy of excellence achieved by their comrades in previous Tradewinds excercises."

This week they are joined by two Irish soldiers

A three member delegation will represent Montserrat at this week's CARICOM summit with U.S. President Bill Clinton. Chief Minister the Honorable Bertrand Osborne, will head the delegation to the meetings on Friday and Saturday in Bridgetown, Barbados.

The delegation includes Minister of Education, Health and Community Services Mrs. Adelina Tuitt, and Permanent Secretary in the Chief Minister's Office Eugene Skerritt. They will join other Caribbean leaders to discuss critical issues affecting the region.

On the agenda are issues such as trade, finance, drug trafficking, and the U.S. stand on the European Union/ACP trade agreement. The leaders will also look at US/Caribbean partnership of cooperation, disaster management and response, security and educational cooperation.

Strengthening of the criminal justice system, sustainable development, and telecommunications will also be raised at the meeting. This is President Clinton's first visit to the Caribbean since taking office five years ago.

Leaders from the 14-member Caribbean Community (Caricom), Haiti and the Dominican Republic on Thursday concluded their preparatory talks for the summit, one day ahead of schedule.

Most of the leaders were heralding the summit, the first in the Caribbean to be attended by a U.S. president, as the start of a new era in U.S.-Caribbean relations.

"I don't think we must put our expectations too high, but it is a beginning, a new beginning," said Caricom chief trade negotiator Sir Shridath Ramphal, adding that while the United States needed to provide leadership in the post-Cold War era, "I don't think they have yet lived up to their highest traditions."

The leaders also planned to lobby Clinton to expand the range of exports covered under the Caribbean Basin Initiative and provide them with the same duty treatment Mexico received under the North American Free Trade Agreement.

The problem of drugs, as currently being highlighted in Montserrat, may well be one of the situations that will have a good result from the volcanic activity crisis.

The population is just about half what we are told it was over 40 years ago. The difference presently is that all of the 7,000 people now living in Montserrat are concentrated in the narrow half of the island. This has created several kinds of problems, and just as it seems that people are closer to each other, pay more attention to one another - that also has its problems, as people seem not to have the space they are sometimes accustomed to.

It helps to encourage short tempers, already suffering from the stress from all the problems created by the presence of the volcano bearing down on the southeast and southwest of the island, the more commercial and income-generating part of the island.

Serious examination about the drug situation, however, might cause one to wonder whether there has been any increase in its illicit use or existence in Montserrat. Just prior to the volcanic eruption, police officials advised that drugs was evident in Montserrat, but not yet to problematic stages, although the caution was issued that we should continue to be vigilant in keeping it from becoming a problem. The warning was also that we should keep watch for the island being used as a drop off and pick up point.

It was not correct, when suggested recently, that there were no hard drugs in Montserrat. People have been convicted in our courts as far back as 25 years ago for possession of such drugs, and some offenders deported. The police had been making busts and arrests continually over the years.

Today we are much more news conscious and the news is much more accessible. Besides, the news and the gossip have a much smaller area to cover. We should continue to be very concerned at any suggestion that illicit drug usage is on the increase and particularly among our young, and definitely, we should use these difficult, yet conducive times to eradicate it altogether. And, that goes for alcohol abuse as well. Every now and then we hear of some middle-aged person dying with the suggestion that alcohol was the cause. There is a serious problem among our young in this area and some attention needs to be paid to this as well.

However, there is at least one other scourge on the island, and that is sexual abuse of the young. That goes by undetected and unpunished far too readily. The problem here seems to be, that many people are involved and/or turn a blind eye. But, it is a problem that also is far reaching and does untold harm to our young.

Editor: Bennette Roach

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Sir,

Why does former Chief Minister Reuben T Meade want to be known as the quackiest stone-thrower in the glass-house world of politics?

Motivated either by puerility or frivolity, Mr. Meade indicted Mr. Meade's own NPP Administration, by urging a coalition government constrained by grant-aid regulations to take all of the fiscal initiatives which the fiscally free-as-a bird NPP refused to take.

Many of us have grown accustomed to the inconsistent morality of Mr. R T Meade's politics; but personally, I find it difficult to let pass without constructive comment the revulsion that echoed from Reuben's cheap shot at Windward Legislator, David Brandt.

From the fragile glass house of his stolen BMW car deal and the brazen impudence that sent him to the High Court to reclaim it; from the broken window of unethical principles which convinced Chief Minister Meade it was okay to accept a traveling allowance to which he was not entitled, with the slick explanation that "I gave it to the poor among my constituents", he used the closing minutes of his contribution to the Budget debate to label Brandt as the person responsible for the alleged administrative irregularities which gave Britain the opportunity to close down the off-shore banking program.

Was R T Meade, the purist in opposition, taking a left-handed swipe at the absent leader of the opposition; or was he inviting us to wonder what would have happened if R T Meade himself had been the lawyer?

Having taken his cheap shot at Brandt, R T Meade, under the guise of continuing his protest to the appointment of a nominated Minister, disappeared from the Budget session as conveniently and mysteriously as the US $50,000.00 worth of Montserrat Sea Island cotton.

The public deserves to hear more from Mr. R T Meade and his deal-approvers and moral advisers like Mr. Randolph Riley.

With a modicum of magnanimity, an R T Meade who had learnt from his mistakes could have revolutionized politics on Montserrat by saying:- "Mr. Speaker, I rise to apologize to this Honorable House and to the people of Montserrat for my indiscretions with cotton and cars. Maybe the cotton will be found one day but I wish to thank the former Public Accounts Committee for electing not to put on record that my indiscretions as they relate to cars constitute behaviour unbecoming a holder of public office and particularly an office so important as that of Chief Minister and Minister of Finance.

"Mr. Speaker, when I studied this Budget I was persuaded to apologize to this Honorable House for the Johnny McBrownian Budgets which I so smoothly garnished with fine phrases, thereby deceiving this Honorable House and contributing in no small way to the pre-volcano decline of our economy.

"Mr. Speaker, I apologize for the faulty location of the Plymouth pier. That mistake I blame on my conceited attitude which convinced me that over 60 years of existence on earth had robbed Ken Sparkes of wisdom. I also apologize for having burdened future generations with a massive CDB loan for a project which would have been funded by HMG in the fullness of time.

"Finally, Mr. Speaker, I wish to join Mr. Eddie Buffonge in congratulating the Honorable Member for Windward whose forceful representation ended that extremely unfair rice transportation arrangement which my foolhardy Administration upheld for so long. I also appeal to the Chief Minister to continue my policy of letting bygones be bygones, since investigations could be so embarrassing."

There you have it Reuben, get on with the job.

Dear Mr. Editor,

A few days ago, Mr. Cabey gave me an opportunity to take part on his program 'Drive Time' on radio ZJB.

I wish to thank the host, allowing me to give some of the knowledge and experiences accumulated for some years working in an emergency service of a major city overseas, to the folks in my native land.

I hope that the ideas or items discussed will be received in the spirit they were given, that parts that can be applied or used, be acted upon and those that cannot now be of use, be catalogued and put aside for future consideration.

The reason for this letter is to complete the things I intended to discussed, but due to time, was not able to bring to the attention of the radio audience.

In response to the caller on siren-operated emergency vehicles traveling on the village streets:

Sirens call attention of other drivers and pedestrians to the emergency vehicles, as do the flashing lights. It should be known also that there are some emergencies when sirens cannot and should not be used. Green and red traffic lights are passive guardians of intersecting streets or thorough-fares. Montserrat does not have these traffic guardians. It does however have intersecting street and roadways.

An operating emergency vehicle with sounding siren, horn, or flashing lights should come to a stop at these intersections, until the driver is assured that other drivers and pedestrians have seen the vehicle and have yielded the right of way. He can then proceed on the mission. Driving at a high rate of speed is not recommended.

There are cargo trucks using the streets and highways with full loads of debris, rocks, soils and gravel not covered by a tarpaulin or any restraining agents. In a mild breeze driving beside or behind these loaded vehicles, you will experience particles of the load hitting your windscreen. This in fact, is a traffic problem and should be addressed by the traffic or transportation authorities.

The fact that most Government employees are guilty of the operation of these vehicles, makes it all the more importance to have this mitigated. A rock on this vehicle, or any object in a high wind of 10-15 miles per hour, can become a missile striking your windscreen with such force, as to be fatal to a person riding in the front seat.

A person who dons the uniforms of law enforcement earns the respect of that office, and should be given the attention due. A reasonable person should follow the advice of a police officer. He should know or be reasonably expected to know if the advice is criminal, and not carry out such advice. If a police officer stops you and asks that you place your child or relative in a safer position on your vehicle, one should obey readily without considering as to whether he has the authority or not. The first consideration is that he is law; obey and challenge in the courts later. My co-invitee on the program informed me that great things are coming to the emergency services on Montserrat, that safety equipment I had requested when I was an employee, are nearly ready to be put into practice.

I am elated that someone was listening and believed in the things I was trying to do. I hope that the person in training to use these equipment, continue the training more often, especially the fire personnel. They are the most obvious persons on whom rescue will come to depend.

Until Government looks into the two services, police and fire, and follows recommendations put forward by persons in authority, and separates the two, questions as to who is in charge, will always come to the fore. This one thing was one of the ingredients in my so called retirement. A fire chief must be independent as a commissioner. I hold that if it is good for Britain, it is also great for Montserrat.

Police and Fire should and must be separated, they are different sciences. A police officer no matter his color or where he is from knows very little about fire. A Fire Chief knows more, or should, and must know more about fire.

The onset of the volcanic crisis has severely effected one of the pillars of the Montserrat economy: tourism. Before the volcano, tourism accounted for almost half of Montserrat's gross national product. In 1995 tourist arrivals fell by 51 percent and consequently revenue from this sector decreased by almost two thirds. 8,700 people visited Montserrat in 1995, compared to 17,675 the previous year. Tourist arrivals dropped by 46 per cent from other OECS contries, 43 per cent from the rest of CARICOM, 62 per cent from the United States and 45 per cent from Canada. Estimated revenue in 1995 was $21.6 million. This fell to just US$8.4 million the following year.

The Government says it will not be daunted by these results. The Tourist Board will embark on a comprehensive programme in 1997. This will include projecting a new image of Montserrat, exploring and developing new market segments focusing on adventure tourists and cruises. There are plans to develop local awareness of the impact and importance of tourism and the role of Montserratians in reviving the industry. Projects also include identifying new trails and other activities to enhance the island's eco-tourism products, and to beautify the north.

A survey is being conducted on past students of the Montserrat Technical College. It is focussing on students who participated in the electronics, electrical appliance repair, plumbing and refrigeration courses in 1983. The courses were carried out in conjunction with the Humber College and the Canadian International Development Agency. CIDA. Professor Robert Day, who is conducting the survey, says it is aimed at assessing the present needs of the students and how they have utilized the training. The professor is also hoping that the results of the survey will persuade CIDA to conduct other courses on Montserrat in the future.

Minister of Education the Honourable Adelina Tuitt is leading a delegation to the OECS Education Minister's two-day meeting in Antigua, which includes permanent Secretary Joseph Daniel and Director of Education Oslyn Jemmotte.

High on the agenda for the meeting which began yesterday is the education reform strategy, which has been launched in all OECS member states and is geared towards improving education in the sub-region .

The OECS human resource development project, sponsored by the European Development Fund, and projects sponsored by the Caribbean Development Bank are also scheduled for discussion. The Ministers will also deal with the primary education programme funded by the British Development Division in the Caribbean (BDDC). Other issues include harmonizing the names of classrooms in the OECS, Setting education standards and the harmonization of education. The meeting will also attract participants from the CXC, OCOD and Commonwealth learning institutions.

There is a shortage of cell space for male inmates at the a Cayman Island's territorial prison. According to the Government Information Service there are 195 male prisoners at the facility, 33 more than the stated capacity. The prison has requested an additional 62 cells to handle current and anticipated increases in the population.

The Jamaican government has reached a maritime drug trafficking agreement with the United States. The agreement allows US drug enforcement agencies, in co-operation with Jamaican counterparts to enter the island's airspace and territorial waters in pursuit of suspected drug traffickers.

Prime Minister P.J. Patterson says the agreement has several features that distinguish it from the standard shiprider agreement signed by other regional governments.

The Montserrat Allied Workers Union (MAWU) is ensuring that workers rights are maintained particularly during the ongoing volcanic crisis. MAWU officicials have completed negotations with the management of Barclays Bank. Negotiations focussed on basic salary increase and the signing of a agreement on terms and condition of work. MAWU's Acting Secretery Hilroy Bramble says the agreement was favorable, and that the negotiations will begin with the management of the Montserrat Water Authority on May 7 and Cable and Wireless shortly after. Negotiations are expected to focus on the terms and conditions of work.

From reports coming out of St. Kitts, the Montserrat choral group "Voices" thrilled a packed audience at the Basseterre High School Auditorium and the Roman Catholic Church, over the Labour weekend in St. Kiits.

The group, which comprises 32 singers and five accompanists, reportedly brought cheers, standing ovations, and teardrops from some as they performed sacred music, Negro spirituals, pop songs, and Caribbean music, including folks songs, calypsos and reggae.

Keisha Silcott, Ann Marie Dewar and Adrian Jeffers (singer/drummer) were named for excellent performances.

Those who heard the concert said the music was excellent and congratulated the group on a job well done.

Voices has been together for nine years now and although members have changed, Miss Dewar, organizer of the group, says the core of the group still remains. She attributes their success to the love of singing, commitment to hard work and the goal of excellence, and the willingness to experiment with new forms of choral theatre.

She expressed satisfaction with the performances in St. Kitts and revealed that the proceeds from the concert will go towards the 'Golden Agers Building Programme'.

A vital part of Montserrat's industry, Agro-Processing, has been feeling the strain of the ongoing volcanic crisis. The industry prior to the crisis was thriving. Raw materials such as guavas, mangoes, and other fruits were processed, packaged, sold to supermarkets, and in some instances exported. Mrs. Teresa Silcott who has been involved in Agro-Processing for about 30 years explains the impact of the crisis on the Industry: " The decline is due to the significant loss of raw materials, even prior to the volcano, where lands are now used for other purposes such as housing and various vegetable production."

"There is also a reluctance among farmers to go deeply into tree planting to produce raw materials. It is not fashionable, but we need to keep that Agro-Processing plant busy, particularly that we have our own niche in the market." She says that the fruit content of the products is much higher than produced by the bigger countries and therefore commands a stronger demand for the product and a better price. Mrs Silcott says the demise of small industries is a crisis in itself, since they were the backbone of the Montserrat economy.

The Ministry of Communications and Works is moving to procure new equipment to handle Government's development thrust in the north.

The British Government has been approached to assist with the procurement of new plant and equipment. These will include a bulldozer, road sweeper, grader, a back hoe, and an excavator to assist with the housing projects. A front end loader, Land Rover, compressor, and water pump are also on the list. So far the Government has received a D-6 bulldozer, from the Emergency Aid Department . Officials have expressed concern about the equipment and plant at PWD, which in some cases are over 25 years old. This has resulted in frequent breakdowns, which has been made worse by the high cost of repairs, and the difficulty in accessing spare parts.

As the problem of drugs continues to provoke much debate on Montserrat, one of the island's top lawyers has responded to criticism about representing accused drug offenders in court. Barrister-at-Law David Brandt has successfully represented some of these offenders in court.

Speaking to ZJB News the experienced lawyer, who just days before had all the other politicians following his lead on budgetary matters during the budget debate, says these clients have a basic right like everyone else, that is to be represented in court. He made reference to a recent case in which the court upheld an appeal against the conviction of two men, who were fined $10,000 for cultivation of marijuana.

However, sources close to the police have confirmed that the men won their appeal on very technical grounds and that the law officers have vowed to correct the loophole that afforded the men the opportunity to have their conviction overturned.

Meantime, efforts are made to fight what appears to be an increase in drug use on the island. The Psychiatric Unit within the Ministry of Health has launched a drug education program, involving all schools on the island. It was launched recently at Brades Primary School. According to officials, the program is geared towards increasing children's awareness of drugs and their harmful effects. It is hoped that such programs will help alleviate the problem which has been highlighted in various forms recently, including an increase in drugs-related arrests.

Oswego, in up-state New York is Montserrat's twin town under the partners of the Americas program. The partnerships is now in it's 15th year. One of the most enduring programs the partnership has offered is it's scholarship program to help young Montserratians to build on to their basic skills and to enhance their professional capabilities.

Over 70 Montserratians have benefited from the program over the years, the majority of them attending the Burton Raymer Technical Careers Centre at BOCES. Currently there are three Montserratians on Scholarship programs. They are Carl Edgecombe (studying Music at the state University of New York's Oswego Campus), Lynette Skeritt of Montserrat Aviation Services (studying travel and Tourism at BOCES)and Albert Miller ZJB'S technician (studying Electronics at BOCES).

The three are all on course for honors at their respective institutions.

Their funding comes from a variety of sources creatively put together by the Montserrat branch Partners of the Americas. Over the years funding has come from American Express, Avon, USAID, American Airlines, the private sector in both Montserrat and Oswego, BOCES and the State University of New York, Montserrat Government contributions and from fund raising events held locally.

Our photographs show Albert Miller testing out a piece of equipment in the electronics Lab at BOCES and Lynette Skeritt with her instructor Mr.Dick Knowles also at BOCES.

Meantime the local branch of partners has announced that their vice president, Elizabeth Piper, has been elected for the prestigious fellowship in International Development program sponsored by the Kellogg Foundation. Miss Piper becomes the third Montserratian to be awarded a fellowship. Previous winners are former Chief Minister Rueben T Meade and the Executive Director of the NDF, Roselyn Cassell.

The fellowship takes the form of five international seminars to be held in different parts of the Americas to look at developmental issues as they relate to NGO'S. The program includes a self-learning grant and a grant to carry out a major community project. Miss Piper will be one of 40 fellows selected from over 400 applicants from 30 countries. It has also been announced that Richard Aspin has been selected to be the Caribbean Advisor to the fellows group He takes over from Dr.Howard Fergus, who has served in this role since 1994

Director of Health Services Doctor Ronnie Cooper, commenting on the improvement and additions, has welcomed the establishment of a Search and Rescue Unit on Montserrat.

Doctor Cooper says the chances of additional injuries after an accident has been greatly reduced. The Search and Rescue Unit was created several months ago as part of the Royal Montserrat Police Force. He confirms that its main purpose is to carry out search and rescue operations in mass casualty situations that may arise from the volcanic crisis or in serious accidents.

Doctor Cooper says it is important to utilize the services of the unit in such situations.

With the establishment of an aid management office here the government of Montserrat expects the speedy implementation of infrastructure projects in the north. That is the hope of the Chief Minister, the Honourable Bertrand Osborne. He expressed this during his budget address in the Legislative Council saying that there are already evidence, of this happening.

It was Christmas in April for the 750 plus students attending the St. John's Brades, Salem and Cork Hill Primary School thanks to Ed and Barbara Gough.

The Goughs, who live in Woodlands, handed over to the four head teachers a collection of gifts, including children's games, toiletries, crayons, etc. as well as pens and stationery. to the principal of the Montserrat Secondary School. The items, 16 cartons of them - had been sent to Montserrat by Missionary Ventures, an organization based in Orlando, Florida.

The idea for the donations (which had been intended to reach the island for Christmas 1996) originated with former AUC (American University of the Caribbean) students who wanted to do something special for the children of Montserrat, many of whom were spending their second Christmas away from their homes. Parents of AUC graduates became involved, several church organizations, a Christian day school, children's groups and eventually Missionary Ventures, who undertook to ship the supplies with the gracious assistance of BBC Radio TV.

Missionary Ventures, a non-profit, religious organization, is registered in Montserrat and was represented here by Rev. Lyn Stephenson, who had been living here when the volcanic crisis started. Rev. Stephenson had begun to lay foundations for the construction of a camp and retreat centre at Hermitage when the eruptions forced his relocation from the island. He is still expecting that this project will be realized when the crisis is over. Local school children are responding with personal letters of thanks to their donors. The Goughs are hopeful that the exchange of gifts and correspondence will mark the beginning of life-long friendships between the children of Montserrat and their benefactors in Orlando.

We at the Ministry of Agriculture are very concerned about the increasing complexity of the problems with which the government has to deal. Not only do the problems of waste disposal loom larger and larger, but the allocation of assistance between many individuals who are trying to construct small houses for themselves is increasing in difficulty.

We have hundreds of deserving applicants, some of whom have been waiting for the assistance with materials for months. To many of these, the hope that they will receive assistance is probably the only straw that is keeping them from cracking up under the hardships and frustration.

To speed up the process we tailored an application for funding within the limit which could be approved by the senior resident ODA representative, but this amount would only meet the needs of maybe half of the deserving applicants. If we opt for an overall project there will certainly be further delay while the application is processed through DTRS in Barbados.

Austin Bramble

The Golden Agers continue to work towards their goal of building a new shelter. A concert has been planned for Mother's Day to raise funds for their much needed shelter.

The concert on Sunday will feature the St. Peter's Church Band, and the Golden Agers themselves. Work on the shelter has not yet started due to a few set-backs.

The Montserrat cricket team is busy training for the 1997 LIAT Leeward Islands tournament and everything seems to be going well. The batsmen who are expected to make runs are performing very well and the bowling, despite a few injuries, is at even par.

There is one thing that is very surprising and I have to ask about it. Is the poor support given to the players a direct result of emigration or are we more interested in foreign sports? I am appealing to the Montserrat public to recognize that cricket is still our national sport and that we should still give every support we can to our national team despite any disappointments we might have gotten in the past. Salem Park is the only park where afternoon practices and practice matches are being conducted and it is not asking too much for more of us to go out and support the national players since all their matches will be played overseas for a second straight year. If we also want to be acquainted with the names and identities of our players when they are away on national duty we need to go out to the park and let them know that they have our full support.

I, unlike much of the reading public, have attended most of the practices held and that is why I can give you an idea of how I think the make-up of our national team will be. The opening spots still have a few question marks but I see three openers in Gary Barzey, Amon Aymer, and McPherson Meade. For the rest of the batting I see Devon Williams, Owen Roach, Zhuan Sweeney, Olson Murrain, Earl Hyman, and David Lane or Rohan Ryan. As far as the bowling goes, it seems that by the time we are ready for tournament all our bowlers will be injured, because in the space of one week, two of our main bowlers in Aurrell Kirnon and Tyrone Greenaway have been sidelined with hand injuries. Let us hope that they are fully fit come tournament time. The rest of the bowlers are Lesroy Irish, Angelo Bass, Naris Gerald, St. Claire Thornhill and Earl Hyman.

I know there are 16 players whom I have named, but this is because for some matches we will be without the services of some of the players who have exams and other commitments that conflict with match dates.

So you see I can name my team based on the fact that I have been inside the camp. I expect that from this coming weekend I will see more of the public at Salem Park giving the players their support.

I leave you with his quote: "A negative society will bring out negative results and a positive society will bring not only positive but successful results." See you next time.

It took some time for the Montserrat Amateur Basketball Association (MABA) to take action in a league that was widely reported to have gotten out of hand, but when the organizers of the 1997 Basketball League made their move this week it was swift, direct and decisive.

Following a series of complaints that implicated both players and spectators for a string of incidents that could only be described as undesirable for a league that attracts such a large following, second round play was suspended with immediate effect and the league will be drawn to a close as early as this weekend. This means that the players and their supporters have robbed themselves of at least five games per team in a year when well organized sporting activities are of paramount importance in harnessing the boundless energy of our young people and focusing it in the right direction.

Sports Officer, Fitzroy Buffonge was quick to support the MABA officials urging that disciplinary action be taken against the offenders so that a few players not be allowed to disrupt the entire league.

MABA officials announced a new format to decide the championship in which the top seven teams will move forward to the playoffs, while the bottom three, MVO, Cork Hill Killers and MSS, will have to wait until next season for their crack at the national title.

Front runners, Monstars (formerly Wolverines) have been given a bye to the semi-finals and the Friday night’s games will see second place Ghetto Rockers against seventh place Gunz, third place West Side Rebels against number six Renegades, and fourth place Volcanics against fifth place Northern Swipers. The semi-final games will be played on Saturday, May 10, and the championship will be decided starting on Sunday, May 11. At the end of the championship, a 13-member team will be chosen for the LIBA tournament in Antigua that is set for mid-July.

Montserrat’s preparation for the 1997 LIAT Leeward Islands tournament was put into full gear last weekend when the 24-man squad played the first of three trial matches at Salem Park.

Olson Murrain, the fast improving LI Under-15 and Montserrat Under-19 middle order batsman, pushed his claim for debut selection to the senior team with two polished half centuries that included a number of exciting shots. Earl Hyman, the left arm orthodox spinner, took six wickets in the match and there were also half centuries for Gary Barzey, McPherson Meade, Roderick Murrain, and Zhuan Sweeney.

Scores: Aurrell Kirnon’s XI defeated Devon Williams XI by 31 runs.

Kirnon’s XI 136 (C. Lake 38, A. Aymer 32, S. Kirnon 4 for 49, E. Hyman 3 for 45) and 353 (Z. Sweeney 67, G. Barzey 59, R. Murrain 54, D. Lane 44, E. Hyman 3 for 27).

Williams XI 226 (O. Murrain 52, D. Williams 44, M. Meade 31, L. Irish 3 for 9, G. Barzey 3 for 67) and 233 (O. Murrain 74, M. Meade 58, E. Hyman 32, A. Bass 4 for 67, S. Thornhill 3 for 32).

In an effort to keep Netball - Montserrat’s premier female sport - alive, the Letts Revelers team is in Dominica for the OECS Club Championships that shoots off this weekend.

The team named for the tournament includes several seasoned players and a few debutants. Avonelle Thornhill is the captain and is joined by sister Gloria Thornhill, Zenith Lee, Valerie Samuels, Shirley Collins, Estelle Furlonge, Annesta James, Elva Sweeney, Cordella Yearwood and Jill Norton. Norton is one of the scientists at the MVO and has taken part in several sporting activities since coming to Montserrat.

Local netball suffered a setback when their brand new three-court facility in Plymouth was rendered unplayable by the volcanic emergency and players are forced to make do with temporary courts at Salem Park and at the Salem Police Station.

Letts Revelers and Pacesetters are the only active teams in Montserrat currently, and the game may get a shot in the arm with new courts scheduled for construction in the safe zone.

The Year of the Co-operatives is meant to recognize the contribution that this unique system of co-operativism has made to the socio-economic development and advancement to Caribbean citizens.

There are 661 co-operatives with 1.1 million members in the 19 Caribbean countries that are affiliated with the Caribbean Confederation of Credit Unions. These 19 countries include all the member states of CARICOM, as well as Bermuda, Suriname and the Netherlands.

The Co-operative movement in the Caribbean employs over 5,000 persons directly.

The first Credit Union in the Caribbean region was registered in Jamaica in 1941, just 16 years before the start of our own St. Patrick's Credit Union. Today, Jamaica has the largest number of Credit Union members in the region, just under half a million members, while Trinidad with 92 Credit Unions, has the largest number of Credit Unions.

But Dominica boasts a special achievement. It is said to have the highest penetration of co-operative members in the world! Approximately 70 percentof the population are either members of a Credit Union or members of a productive co-operative.

The Cayman Islands Co-operative movement can also boast of special achievement. The Cayman Islands Credit Union members have an average savings of EC$14,000.

The movement in Montserrat is 40 years old this year and is made up of one Credit Union, a Pool Co-operative, a Fishermen Co-operative, the Harris Women Co-operative and a Leatherworkers Co-operative. There are some 3,200 members in all.

The Co-operative Movement falls under the department of Agriculture. In the Agricultural Department there is the Registrar of Co-operatives, Mr. Claude Gerald, and the Co-operative Officer, Mrs. Juliana Meade.

In order to recognize the contribution that volunteers and regional bodies have been making to the Co-operative movement on Montserrat since 1957, the St. Patrick's Co-operative Credit Union Ltd. will host an Awards Banquet on June 18, at the Pelican Room of the Vue Pointe Hotel.

1997, the Year of the Co-operatives. The Year of the St. Patrick's Co-operative Credit Union Ltd.: The Year of every Co-operative member on Montserrat.

American's ATR42 (American Eagle) is no bigger or better than a Dash-8, to the best of my knowledge, and Dash-8s land in Montserrat with no problem. Why cannot a reliable LIAT Dash-8 service fly direct to MNI from Puerto Rico, with rapid and reliable interline baggage transfer from American to LIAT, with flights leaving San Juan at a sensible time to pick up incoming AA passengers? The answer is-organization. Why cannot people get off AA or BA or Continental or whatever in Antigua, get on a LIAT flight to Montserrat without going through Antigua customs and immigration, being harassed by rude LIAT staff, being delayed, having to recheck their baggage - the answer is organization - not a longer runway in Montserrat.

It seems we are talking about borrowing tens of millions of dollars, putting Montserratians in debt for decades and generations to come, because we believe Americans (i.e. AA) can do something West Indians (i.e. LIAT) can't do, with basically the same equipment. (The AA plane doesn't physically need more runway than the LIAT one, as far as I know). If this is really what we are talking about doing, let's admit it! Although it would be a 'very' sad admission to make.

Does anyone know what the proposed annual interest payment on the airport financing would be? And whether LIAT and/or Antigua or someone else couldn't be "induced" to run the kind of service Montserrat needs with that kind of money? Or whether Montserrat could run its own air service with that kind of money? (I know it's been tried once, but if you fail, learn your lessons and try again!)

OK, maybe I'm being devil's advocate. But can someone tell me if there is something wrong with my reasoning?

Tony Glaser

The following comments respond to the adequacy of the runway.

Not having been at the Montserrat airport I can't comment on it's adequacy, but on the matter of aircraft performance (required runway lengths) I can help out. I grabbed the latest copy of 'Jane's All the World's Aircraft' (1996-1997) to get the comparative figures for the Dash-8 and the ATR42.

Take off distances are the controlling factor. Nearly all aircraft can land on less runway than they can take off from. (This can lead to embarrassing incidents!). Here are some numbers for various models of both aircraft for T/O distance at maximum weight at sea level:

Dash-8 series 100A - 942m (3090')

" series 100B - 960m (3150')

" series 200A - 960m (3150')

" series 200B - 1000m (3280')

" series 300A - 1085m (3560')

" series 300B - 1177m (3865')

" series 400 - 1220m (4000')

ATR-42 - 1090m (3580')

ATR-42 500 - 1475m (4840')

There is another factor to keep in mind with American. They are planning to phase out the ATR's and other prop jets in the American Eagle fleet and replace them with small fan jet models. This has been one of the big sticking points in the negotiations with the Pilot's Union in the on-again-off-again strike against American. The fan jets, although of a similar size, would undoubtedly require more runway.

How long is the runway on Montserrat?

Bill Innanen

The Government Information Service (GIS) in Montserrat sent the following message, which was an eye-opener to me and maybe to others too - it certainly sounds like the way to go to Montserrat from the US.

Liat does have a service from San Juan to Montserrat using comfortable Dash 8 equipment. It departs at 13.50 every day and reaches Montserrat at 16.35 (via Antigua). In Antigua one is in transit and does not have to clear customs and immigration. All the baggage is booked through. I have taken the service many times and it is much more reliable than the American Airlines service which is constantly late out of San Juan.

Tony

In addition to this last bit of information - there is the weight disadvantage which limits each passenger to 20 kilos (44 lbs). The flight makes two stops before Antigua, i.e. Tortola and St. Kitts.

Randolph Riley submitted the following 'little information'.

Just yesterday, (15th April) an AA Eagle aircraft flew into the WH Bramble airport to drop off supplies. I don't have any idea of weight or any other technical details. (The supplies reportedly weighed about 7,000 lbs.)

There were two options for the new airport. Both options would have had the same length in runway. One option would have had the capacity for extension while the other would not. The difference in cost would have been EC$13M, the cost of the second option being EC$66M. The aid donors were going for the lower cost option.

Randolph Riley

A few weeks ago we featured comments and discussions on Garbage in Montserrat, among members of the Montserrat E-mail. I believe plenty has been said on the subject, and Montserratians have no doubt become a little more conscious of the problem. Here is a last comment on the subject, which we may find useful.

This comes from an ecologist in Ireland, Richard Douthwaite, who lived in Montserrat in 1973-74, where he was Government Statistician (some of you may remember him). He was asked for some comments and suggestions on the discussions:

The only off-the-cuff suggestion I can make is that each category of import to Montserrat have a disposal tax imposed on it. If the tax was based on the actual cost of recycling or disposing of the product properly at the end of its life:

1. It would give the government the funds to dispose of refuse properly, including the shipment of scrap cars and refrigerators to places where proper recycling facilities exist.
2. It would give manufacturers the financial incentive to switch to types of packaging or materials which are easiest - and therefore cheapest - to recycle or otherwise dispose of.
3. It would make production of certain goods more commercially viable since, say, a local brewery which used returnable bottles would have a price advantage (because of the tax) over an outside one which used disposable ones.

The proceeds of the tax would, of course, be available to set up local recycling enterprises. The disposal tax collected on a car imported this year could be used to clear one of this year's wrecks since, in ten years' time, when this year's car is itself a wreck, another import would pay for its disposal.

Since all the islands share similar problems, it would obviously be best if the tax was adopted by them all, as this would make it worthwhile for manufacturers to change their production or packing methods.

Doubtless some people will say that imposing such a tax will make life on the islands more expensive. This is undoubtedly true. However, why should those people who use products which create disposal problems be subsidised by the rest of the community and given no incentive to change their ways?

The following is humorous and came from "COMPASS" (yachting monthly newspaper), Chris Doyle's column :

A good friend met some bareboat charterers in Nevis Customs. When he heard they had come from Guadeloupe, he asked how they found Montserrat as they sailed by. "Well" the man said, "They seem to have a terrible problem with burning garbage at the top of the mountain. It makes a horrible smell and mess. I should write to the tourist board about it".

When my friend explained about the active volcano they said "An active volcano! They should tell us about that in the guide books." Well, sorry about that. It wasn't going off two years ago; please accept this as an interim statement.

Love and best wishes to all my friends in Montserrat.

(continued from April 25, 1997)

You've stopped menstruating and now your hot flashes are severe enough to induce you to see your gynecologist. You've also experienced some discomfort during love-making. "Why suffer?" your doctor asks.

Considering the epidemic of osteoporosis in the U.S. (it causes as many as 1.3 million fractures each year), HRT's effect in retarding bone density loss is a major selling point. But as new evidence shows (see the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM), Oct. 14, 1993) current medical advice--take estrogen for five or ten years after menopause--will not prevent you from having a hip fracture in your later years. That's because once estrogen is stopped, bone loss proceeds at its usual pace. Thus, by the time a woman reaches 75--when she's most susceptible to hip fractures--there's little difference in bone density between HRT users and nonusers.

So for "maximal protection" (here I am quoting the editors of the NEJM) against fractures, you have to start estrogen at menopause and never stop. But the catch is that long-term HRT use increases your risk of breast cancer, as I'll discuss shortly.

Recent studies, with a few notable exceptions, show that women who take estrogen have a much lower risk (35%-45%) of developing heart disease than women not taking the hormone. Estrogen increases the level of HDL ("good") cholesterol and lowers the level of LDL ("bad") cholesterol.

However, nutritional expert Alan R. Gaby, M.D., contends that the purported "heart" benefits of estrogen may be due to the fact that the hormone is most often prescribed to women who are at low risk for heart disease to begin with; they're well educated, fairly healthy, and health conscious. "Women with diabetes or high blood pressure, each risk factors for heart disease, are often advised not to take estrogen," notes Gaby.

Moreover, one of the unknowns about HRT is whether the recent addition of synthetic progesterone will counteract estrogen's benefits, as progestins have the opposite effect of estrogen on cholesterol levels.

If this isn't enough to make you wary of HRT, consider its risks and side effects:

Ten percent of women receiving HRT experience breast tenderness, fluid retention, swelling, mood changes, and pelvic cramping. Other adverse effects reported are high blood pressure, weight gain, and the risk of yeast infection.

Prolonged use of HRT--more than five years doubles your risk of breast cancer, according to a recent 14-year follow-up from the on-going Nurses' Health Study being conducted at the Harvard Medical School. This was reported in the April 1994 issue of Oncology News.

In women who have used HRT for less than four years, breast cancer risk is minimal, according to Graham A. Colditz, M.D., the lead researcher of the nurse's study. But five to nine years of hormone use raised breast cancer risk 59 percent, he reports. The study also showed an added risk of 35 percent in HRT users who were age 55 or older.

"Yes, Jane, I believe that the risks of HRT for me outweigh the benefits, but my hot flashes are interfering with my life," you say. "Isn't there a safe way to relieve this problem without taking a drug?" Yes, there is. Let me explain.

Your body produces three main kinds of estrogen. Two potent forms are estradiol (sold under the brand names Estrace and Estraderm) and estrone. A third type, estriol, is a weaker but safer form of estrogen that does not increase the risk of breast cancer. A small number of studies show that estriol also does not cause endometrial hyperplasia (a prelude to uterine cancer), as estriol produces less endometrial build-up compared to the other estrogens.

Estriol isn't new. As Dr. Whitaker pointed out in his January 1994 supplement, "Preventing Breast Cancer," Alvin H. Follingstad, M.D., back in 1978, urged his colleagues to prescribe estriol for patients who are at risk of cancer and therefore unable to take standard forms of estrogen.

Dr. Whitaker advises using a formula that is 80 percent estriol, 10 percent estrone, and 10% estradiol ("tri-estrogen") to rapidly alleviate most of the symptoms of menopause. Tri-estrogen,and estriol creams, which are particularly effective against vaginal atrophy, are available by prescription from pharmacies that specialize in the custom compounding of natural hormones. Pharmacies providing this service are: College Pharmacy in Colorado Springs, Colo. (800/748-2263); Wellness Health & Pharmaceuticals in Birmingham, Ala.(800/227-2627); Women's International Pharmacy in Madison, Wis. (800/2795708 or 608/221-7800); and Madison Pharmacy Associates, also in Madison, (800/558-7046 or 608/833-9102).

Switch to Natural Progesterone

All women with an intact uterus on HRT need to take natural progesterone or synthetic progesterone to counteract the build-up effect of estrogen on endometrial tissue. Owing to the way drugs are marketed, most doctors prescribe synthetic progesterone (Provera), even though natural oral or cream-based progesterone is readily available and has fewer adverse side effects.

But natural progesterone, which is made from the Mexican yam or soybeans and is the exact chemical molecule produced by your ovaries, has other advantages, too. John R. Lee, M.D., from Sebastopol, Calif., recommends it to both prevent and treat osteoporosis. In a three-year study, 100 postmenopausal women, ages 38 to 83, applied a natural progesterone cream (Pro-Gest) to their skin instead of taking Provera. Most of the women had already become shorter, or had other signs of osteoporosis, including fractures. At the end of the study, no further fractures had occurred and 63 of the women treated with progesterone had an increase in bone mass.

I had already ordered Pro-Gest ($31.95 for two ounces) from Women's International Pharmacy when I learned that it contains a weak 1.6 percent progesterone. In the future, I plan to have a doctor prescribe a more potent 6 percent formula. I want to make sure I am getting enough progesterone to have an effect on my bone density.

In Dr. Lee's view, natural progesterone is more than a treatment for osteoporosis-it's the answer to all menopausal problems. Lee contends (as his mentor, biologist Raymond Peat Ph.D., reported years ago) that it is progesterone deficiency, not estrogen deficiency, which causes menopausal symptoms. (For a copy of Dr. Lee's book, Natural Progesterone, send $12 to BLL Publishing, P.O. Box 32068, Sebastopol, CA 95473.)

As part of her research on the subject 'Marijuana' for presentation at school, a student used the following document for information. In light of the recent concerns aired and reported in this medium, we hope our community might find it useful.

Mayo Clinic Family Health Disc 2.0 Copyright (c) 1995 IVI Publishing Inc. and Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research.

The term "street drugs" is used to describe drugs sold illegally-often, these drugs are sold in the street. Many people abuse these drugs by using them "recreationally" in an attempt to relax, experience euphoria, enhance sexual activity, or heighten the senses. Some street drugs are used by athletes to try to improve performance. Whatever their intended use, illegal drugs are extremely hazardous to your health not only by their nature, but because of the unknown potency and risk of contamination with other dangerous substances. Most of these drugs are also highly addictive. If you are dependent on any of the following drugs, treatment is essential (see Drug Dependency.)

The most popular illegal drug in America is marijuana. A significant percentage of high school seniors have smoked marijuana, and studies indicate that at least a few of these students smoke it every day.

The hemp plant (Cannabis sativa) from which marijuana is derived contains more than 400 chemicals including tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The THC in marijuana is what gets someone "stoned" and is probably responsible for the hunger many people experience after using marijuana.

Marijuana cigarettes are made from the leaves and tops of the plant. The amount of THC varies from plant to plant and from cigarette to cigarette. Hashish, a more powerful derivative drug prepared from the resin of the hemp plant, contains far greater concentrations of the psychoactive THC.

If you smoke marijuana, THC is quickly absorbed from your lungs into your bloodstream and rapidly distributed to most tissues and organs of your body. To eliminate THC, your liver converts the substance into waste products (metabolites). Most of these metabolites are excreted through the feces and urine . The rate at which they are cleared from your body is slower than that of many other psychoactive drugs. If you smoke marijuana regularly and then stop, THC can be found in your urine for more than four weeks after use.

The effects of marijuana are almost immediate, especially if you smoke it. Your pulse quickens by as much as 50 percent, depending on the potency of the marijuana. People with a poor blood supply to the heart may have chest pains.

Most people experience a feeling of relaxation and mild euphoria. Some first-time users undergo an acute panic reaction in which they feel they are losing control. This panic usually subsides within a few hours. Depending on the level of intoxication, some people have trouble remembering events that happened while "high" and experience difficulty in performing functions that require concentration, rapid reactions, and physical coordination. High doses of marijuana may produce many of the same behavioral effects as severe alcohol intoxication. Although the high may subside, many of the negative effects may linger for up to six hours after you smoke marijuana. Chronic marijuana smokers show evidence of decreased lung capacity and chronic bronchial irritation. Marijuana also may contain the fungus Paspergillus.

Studies suggest that serious lung infections may result from inhaling this organism. Because chronic marijuana smoking may impair your body's immune system, your lungs may be more susceptible to this and other infections.

Regular daily marijuana smokers often inhale the smoke deeply and retain it in their lungs as long as possible to increase their "high." This practice also increases the risk of damage to the lungs.

Marijuana is occasionally contaminated by animal droppings containing Salmonella bacteria either at the time of drying or during storage. This organism, which is not destroyed by drying, can cause diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever.

A herbicide called paraquat, widely used by the government to destroy marijuana plants, poses another kind of health hazard. If plants sprayed with paraquat are harvested before exposure to sunlight, unaltered paraquat remains on the leaves. This herbicide is highly toxic to humans and can irreversibly damage your lungs.

Clinical testing suggests that marijuana may negatively affect your reproductive system, possibly causing irregular menstrual cycles in women and a temporary loss of fertility in both men and women. Some studies have suggested that there may be a significant relationship between use of marijuana during pregnancy and premature birth (see Pregnancy and Drug Use).

Depending on the length of use and the potency of the marijuana you use, you may experience withdrawal symptoms when you discontinue using it. Some of the mild or moderate symptoms include tremors, sweating, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, irritability, and sleep disturbances. However, these withdrawal symptoms are less severe than those heavy users of opiate or alcohol experience. Although often misunderstood and misrepresented to the public, marijuana is a drug of dependence. Regular use often results in the same type of drug dependence described for other substances (see Marijuana and Cannabis Compounds)

Cocaine

Cocaine was once referred to as the champagne of drugs, in part because it was an expensive drug preferred by the well-to-do. Today, it is one of the most widely used illegal drugs in the United States. Cocaine is eagerly sought by drug users because it creates a sense of euphoria. These effects are the basis of the profound psychological dependence associated with the drug.

Cocaine dilates your pupils and accelerates your heart and respiratory rates. It also causes a slight rise in body temperature. These effects are mostly short-term. They reach their peak about 15 to 20 minutes after you inhale the drug (snort it) through your nose in the form of a powder, and they dissipate in approximately one hour. Unwanted effects of chronic use of cocaine are a persistent restlessness, anxiety, and sleeplessness.

Another problem associated with inhaling cocaine is a mildly stuffy or runny nose. Long-term use can cause ulcers on the mucous membrane of your nose and even cause a hole (perforation) in your nasal septum. In addition, people who chronically abuse cocaine may develop paranoid hallucinations, called cocaine psychosis, that may involve the sense of smell, taste, touch, or sight.

To be continued Next Week

A Montserrat Noah’d be dead

Should he try to obey what God said.

He could not reach the ark

With his beast to embark

If his checkpoint alert were at Red.

Rockfalls and small pyroclastic flows have dominated the activity at Montserrat's Soufriere Hills Volcano for most of the last week. These events have continued all week and have sent material into both the Tar River Valley in the southeast and the White River Valley in the southwest. Many of the rockfalls have been triggered by long- period earthquakes, which have dominated the seismic network for most of the week. Towards the end of the week there was a resurgence of volcano - tectonic earthquake swarms, something not seen by scientists at the Montserrat Volcano Observatory for several months.

MVO scientists this week completed a long occupation GPS exercise to see how much deformation of Montserrat's mountains there has been overall because of the volcanic activity. Deformation of mountains helps scientists to predict if there are going to be any major eruptions. Results show slight movements: for example the site on Chances Peak has moved about 73mm to the southwest during the course of this year and the site on the crater rim wall at Farrell's has moved northeast but at a slower rate than previously. These results are not causing undue worry to the scientific community, as such movements are expected. During most of the week visibility at the dome was poor because of low cloud cover. However, there were a few windows of opportunity and scientists observed that the dome continues to grow, although it is no higher than last reported. However, the area around the dome has filled in, which shows that it is still growing. The active part of the dome remains the southwestern face, although there are some new fumeroles (sulphur vents) on the northeast part.

There was some regional earthquake activity recorded at the MVO during the course of the week but this is not thought to have anything to do with the volcanic eruption in Montserrat. The seismic system at Gages, which is the closest to Fort Ghaut, recorded some flash flood signals in the Ghaut following heavy rain mid week but this did not lead to major mud flows. The Public Works Department continues to clean Fort Ghaut of volcanic debris to keep a clear waterway in case of heavy rains.

The recent rains have helped to eliminate the problems of swirling ash caused by strong winds in the Plymouth and Foxes Bay areas. However, health authorities are urging everyone in these areas to continue to wear their dust masks. Masks continue to be freely available at Health Centres. Following warnings by scientists of the dangers involved in visiting the Galways area, people have still been spotted trying to visit the area. Because of the extreme dangers involved, the Royal Montserrat Police Force has blocked the road to Galways Soufriere to prevent such visits. It must be reiterated that scientists do not visit this area by road, only by helicopter, because of the extreme dangers involved. This is a "no go" area in Zone A of the risk map.

A young boy leading a donkey passed by an army camp. A couple of soldiers wanted to have some fun by teasing the boy. "Why are you holding your brother so tight lad?" one of the men asked. "So he won't join the army," the unabashed youngster replied.

A man riding out in the bush fell from his horse and broke his leg. He was a long way out, so the situation looked pretty grim. Then the horse grabbed the man's belt in his teeth and dragged him to the shade of a nearby tree. He made the man as comfortable as he could and then galloped off to get help. The man discussed the incident a few weeks later with a friend, who--very impressed--praised the horse's intelligence. "He's not so smart," said the animal's owner. "He came back with a vet."

Jus wondering how many car agents on island got a sale from the over 1.2 million dollars worth of vehicles bought by the government and ODA.

Jus wonderin why the family units that were completed months ago are not yet occupied.

Jus wonderin if the Heath Department is considering closing some restaurant in the safe zone that do not meet the required heath standard.

Jus wonderin if the volcano is doing its final dance.

Jus wonderin why so many Montserratians who took up the British Government voluntary relocation to the UK want to return home already.

Jus wonderin if the police office at Woodsville is closed or the employees are on vacation.

Jus wonderin when lands for our livestock in the unsafe will be found in the safe zone, and I cannot help wonderin if it is only dogs are responsible for the lost animals in the relocated areas.

Jus wonderin if the one-way street in Salem that runs from Salem Centre down to Olveston House should not be turned into one-way up and the street that is called the John Osborne Street be made into one-way down.

Jus wonderin if the new taxi driver who charged $10.00 from Cork Hill to St. George's Hill will refund the poor lady $5.00 that was charged extra.

Jus wonderin if the volcanic ash can be put to some other beneficial use other than land reclaim.

Jus wonderin if drugs is really in our high school, and jus wonderin if teen pregnancy is also on the increase in the schools.

Jus wonderin why customer service in some banks is so slow.

Jus wonderin how many more animals in St. Patrick's village will die of thirst.

Jus wonderin why our brothers and sisters who have their homes in the safe zone, are refusing to give permission for emergency shelters to be built near their property for evacuees from the unsafe zone.

Jus wonderin why some who care so much for the environment and animals care little about human beings.

ECCB Building Officer

University of the west Indies Cave Hill Campus in Collaboration with the University of Guyana Guyana Justice Improvement Project funded by the United States of America Agency for International Development Guyana Office.

Applications are invited for engagement as an Archivist to provide service for one (1) month in accordance with the following Scope of Work :

1. To advise on the reconstruction of all damaged and destroyed registers and other documents in the Supreme Court of Judicature.
2. To advise on the indexing of all Supreme Court registered and law library books.
3. To inspect and make recommendations for the preservation of court records and law library materials.
4. To identify all records suitable for microfiching, and provide recommendations on the proper sequencing of any microfiching initiatives proposed, and to advised the microfiche specialist on the sequence in which the microfiching of the records can be organized and accomplished.
5. To develop the terms of reference of a preservationist to be retained under the project.
6. To assess the duration of the preservationist's engagement, the materials required and the physical resources necessary for the preservationist's assignment. The Archivist will be responsible to the Registrar (Ag.) / Court Manager (Ag.) with respect to providing satisfactorily the services for which the Archivist is engaged. The Archivist will be required, after two weeks, to provide on oral briefing on the progress of the assignment to the USAID Project Manager for GJIP, the Acting Registrar of the Supreme Court and UWI and UG Programme Managers for GJIP.

The Archivist must be proficient in the English Language, possessing a good relevant degree; The Archivist must have completed a course in the theory and practice of archival work and have at least five (5) years' experience in archival work.

Remuneration is negotiable and will be dependent on qualifications, experience and previous salary history.

Detailed applications (three copies) giving full particulars of qualifications and experience, date of birth, marital status and the names and addresses of three referees should be sent by May 14, 1997 to

Applications should be clearly marked Ref: Proj - 95. In Order to expedite the appointment procedure, applicants are advised to ask their referees to send confidential reports direct to the Campus Registrar without waiting to be contacted. The University will send further particulars for this post to all applicants.

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

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