.

International ferry and helicopter fares are to be increased by the beginning of next year when the new heliport is completed and certified by the British and Eastern Caribbean aviation authorities, a top aid official said Monday.

Ever since the W.H. Bramble International Airport was put out of commission by the Soufriere Hills volcano two years ago, residents and visitors have had to rely on the helicopter and ferry services between Antigua and Montserrat to get on and off the island.

Despite repeated efforts to get an idea of the new fares being considered, Mr. Houston refused to comment, but other well-placed senior officials involved in the negotiations said the ferry fare for locals and CARICOM citizens was expected to increase from EC$75, one-way, to EC$110.

Montserratians and CARICOM citizens travelling on the helicopter, the negotiator said, would most likely pay about EC$100 or EC$110 one-way , up from EC$89 one-way.

When the new fares are introduced, Mr. Houston said that DFID would be slashing by half its US$100,000 per month subsidy each for the helicopter and ferry services.

Another consideration was the eventual scrapping of the EC$75 round-trip ferry fare on weekends because, according to the DfiD official, the Montserrat Chamber of Commerce (MCC) was concerned that local businesses were feeling the squeeze by residents going to Antigua for weekend shopping.

He said the matter was discussed by the Chamber two years ago, when the reduced fare was first introduced, but it was not discussed recently and there was no plan to do so.

New Heliport under construction

In addition to the injection of EC$690,000 for the construction of a heliport, expected to gain international certification, £8 million have been earmarked for the rehabilitation of the W.H. Bramble Airport now that the scientists have confirmed that the volcano is cooling off.

The British and Montserrat governments will begin an eight-day review next week of how this island is spending a £75-million package, primarily on the reconstruction of this volcano-ravaged island, according to a statement from the Governor’s Office.
Britain’s Department for International Development (DFID), which is funding the three-year Country Policy Plan (CPP) that focuses on the construction of houses and other social and physical infrastructure programmes, is dispatching a delegation to be part of the review with the Montserrat government.

"The Country Policy Plan review is an important opportunity for the Government of Montserrat and DFID to consider progress on agreed projects and project spending against the 1998/1999 Action Plan," the Governor’s Office statement said.

Expected here for the September 27 to October 4 review are Mike Wood, Head of DFID’s Overseas Territories Unit (OTU); Dr Keith Wood, Economic Adviser at the OTU; Andrea Cook, Social Development Adviser at the OTU, and Peter O’Neill, Engineering Adviser at the OTU.

The four will be joined by three officials of the United Kingdom’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office- Head of the Caribbean and Bermuda Section at the Overseas Territories Department (OTD), Hugh Philpott; Economic Adviser at the OTD, and Desk Officer at the OTD Phil Ellis.

A seven-member Pricing Commission is being set to possibly include more goods on the list of controlled items in a bid to ease the burden of increased prices, an official said Monday.
"We hopefully will be making changes as that list will be more applicable to what is considered as basic goods," Price Control Officer Rudolph Christopher told the Montserrat Reporter.
The seven-member Commission, being re-established under law, includes representatives of the Civil Service Association (CSA), Montserrat Christian Council (MCC), Montserrat Union of Teachers (MUT), Montserrat Allied Workers Union (MAWU), government’s Development Unit, Montserrat Chamber of Commerce (MCC) and the National Youth Council.

Authorities have already confirmed that the prices of some basic consumer items on and off the price control roll have been increasing, largely due to a lack of storage space brought on by volcanic devastation of the south of the island, forcing importers to buy smaller quantities at higher prices.

When the new price control list is drawn up the recommendations would be taken to Chief Minister David Brandt, who is also the Minister of Trade.

The price control list has not been updated since 1982 and, according to Mr. Christopher, the Pricing Commission would consider listing "some of the items that were not put on in the first place."
A meeting between the Commission and Attorney General Charles Ekins is scheduled for early next month to get "any legal clarification pertaining to the legislation under which they will be operating."

Price control authorities have observed that prices of onions, a price-controlled item, have risen from EC$2.20 to EC$3.50 per pound, due to a seasonal scarcity.
Flour, another price-controlled item, has increased by as much as 13 cents in some cases, while the 900- gram package of powdered milk has increased from EC$14.43 to EC$15.42.

While the price of white sugar has fallen from EC$1.35 to EC$1.00, the price of brown sugar has increased from EC85¢ to as much as EC$1.53, since it is being imported from the United States instead of Guyana.

Other imported agricultural produce such as carrots, Irish potatoes and cabbage have gone up by 10 and 20 percent in some cases. Some tinned imports, packaged seasonings, chocolates, liquors and mouthwash, all of which are not on the price control list, have increased between 10 and 15 percent.

The prices of 90-percent of price-controlled consumer items are mainly based on 33-percent of the total landed costs, such as duties, consumption tax, service tax and cost insurance freight.

It may be useful to look back a bit to see what and if Montserrat and the British for that matter are really making progress, especially now that it can be concluded that life on Montserrat will continue for real.

Let us flashback to a visit of British Conservative Minister Sir Nicholas Bonsor and Mr. Andy Bearpark, who at the time was head of the Emergency Aid Department (EMAD) and Overseas Development Agency (ODA). This visit came early into the crisis, in June 1996.

Sir Nicholas had said at the end of his visit: "I have a very much better view of what's happening here and I've had a chance to have a good look at it."

He expressed his government's policy of going on the scientific evidence which he said: "…has been rather uncertain for long periods…but it is crystallizing and I think we can now base our future plans for what happens with a greater deal of certainty than we were able to do before."

The Minister spoke as though he had consulted long with his other government partners while he was in Montserrat for the two days when he concluded: "…it (the volcano) is unlikely to pose any threat to the North…it is on this basis that HMG have put our priorities…to ensure provisions of the basic safe facilities in the North and secondly through the provision of the United Kingdom Development Aid to help the government of Montserrat establish long-term private investment which will in turn secure employment and prosperity for all the people of Montserrat."

That was three years ago and during that time there was never a doubt that Montserratians were determined that the island would move forward no matter what the volcano did. But something did go wrong!

The Minister announced the construction of the jetty in Little Bay, "to provide an alternative route for re-supply if Plymouth Port for any reason could not be used." He said further that in the long term that could produce a basis on which to build a good development of tourism and other industrial activities.

He left behind Mr. Bearpark to discuss with the Governor and Chief Minister plans for roads, hospital, classrooms, the permanent monitoring of the volcano and a permanent observatory and plans for budgetary support. "This emergency work is not a substitute for long-term development work as was originally planned," he reminded us.

Shockingly true, at the same time the scientists were telling government and people, "…we need to decentralize things because even if the eruptions end it would not go back to the resting state that it was in."

Yet one year later, just after June 25, 1997, our leaders were telling us that they always had in mind returning to Plymouth. By now little or nothing had been done and volcanic activity had escalated to the point where the British moved into high gear, perhaps forgetting about developing the north and with no other plan but clearing the island of human beings.

All this time we were calling for planning to be done, remembering that Sir Nicholas had also warned that we were short of the necessary skills. Nothing was done to improve on that or to take up the British offer, nor that of our Caricom and OECS partners, who were willing to assist us with project writers and other technically skilled workers. Nothing new when these days we hear of CDB arranging for us to have these technicians, they are two years late.

The British Labour party had by this time been voted into power and soon ran into trouble with the crisis, blaming their predecessors, while Clare Short’s "golden elephant" scandal overshadowed this. Sadly everything all but ground to a halt. Even when Minister George Foulkes came to make peace and offered forward motions, we didn't help but remained in neutral, doing little by way of planning and blaming the British) for slowing things down.

Today we have the Sustainable Development Plan (SDP) and the Country Policy Plan (CPP) and an allocated £75 million to be spent by 2001. Mr. Foulkes was asked what would happen when this money ran out during this period and he hastily replied, "Spend it first."

Well-known Mr. Richard Teuten came on the scene and he was a hated man because, in the universal complaint, "he cut down on everything." But by the time he was ready to move on, senior civil servants praised him for the lessons he had taught them. But did we learn really? It is being said that even the £75 million was a 50-percent improvement on what we had asked for,

It is being said that every project is sent back for restructuring and suggested increases in the time for completion which naturally affects quantum; it is also being said that there is no way we can spend the £75 million in the allotted time; it is also being said (SDP) that government is to be the catalyst for the economic development and improvement on the island; it is also being said that the government has turned down or shown little interest in every single investment idea that's been passed by them.

We now have only to ask ourselves, have we made progress. For one thing, a certain number of houses have been made available to some needing them, but we still hear in the speeches that many more are still needed, so our #1 priority has not yet been met. We are going five years into the crisis and it is the only business activity that makes an impact to the economy.

Well, the CPP was organised in such a way that measurements can be made at certain points. We have arrived to the first of such breaks. Let us wait to see if there are some pleasant surprises.

Dear Editor,

Last week, Baroness Scotland, the newly appointed Foreign and Commonwealth Minister for the Dependent Territories, came to see Montserrat for herself, something the resentful scold Clare Short, Secretary of State for International Development, continues to disdain more than four years into our volcanic crisis.

During Baroness Scotland’s press briefing, in which she distinguished herself with eloquent and informed replies, a two-part question was posed directly to her about the long delayed soft mortgage scheme and the prospects for repopulating those unthreatened communities South of Belham. She had answered the first part of the question when Gov. Abbott, with a peremptory "by your leave," elbowed his way in to question the Baroness’s interpretation on funding and, more importantly, to prevent any possibility of her commenting about the situation south of Belham.

Heaven forbid that Montserrat should hear, even from a first-time visitor, a viewpoint, however uninformed, that might differ in any particular from the gospel according to Peter Baxter, whose report on "health hazards" now appears to be etched in stone.

Is this the Tony Abbott who arrived on Montserrat professing that he was a "diplomat" and not a "politician"? Of course, that was more than two years ago, but still one has to wonder at the speed with which the rigors of Montserrat can grind away the tact that once characterized representatives of Britain’s Foreign Service.

We who own property South of Belham have long since adapted to Gov. Abbott’s dismissive responses to our concerns and the litany with which he addresses any questions about British aid to Montserrat. Should someone suggest the need for additional sums for Montserrat, they are reminded that it will be impossible to spend in the target three years the already allocated £75 million pounds. But let anyone suggest the use of promised funds to hasten the repopulation of Cork Hill, Delwyns, Weekes, Foxes Bay and Richmond Hill, and the response is that those £75 million are already heavily overcommitted.

Those South of Belham property owners who are, like this writer, already in their seventies, clearly understand that the Baxter Report’s professed concern about the dangers of cristobalite is a red herring. Most of us could inhale cristobalite unmasked daily with no risk of dying from anything other than a current illness or old age long before we could possibly develop silicosis.

Dr. Baxter’s highly touted report has little to do with science or health but everything to do with miserly hindrance.

J. Donald Brandt

Woodlands/Foxes Bay

DearEditor,

Mornings were so much brighter with Basil Chambers.

Is not compassion the best part of wisdom?

Is there any of us without fault?

Basil, like every one of us, is a package of good and bad. Do we have to throw out the good bathtub with the dirty water?

Basil on ZJB Radio is one of the better things that came out of the volcano. His show on ZJB made mornings so much brighter.

Ashy days became more tolerable

Rainy days became more bearable

Cloudy days became much brighter

Now the sun bears down angrily on our heads drawing beads of sweat from our bodies… From sunrise to sunset.

We need him to Jim Jam start our day with smiles and laughter. Let us find a way to lessen his punishment and ours. We cannot afford to chase another Montserratian.

Please join me in the cry for compassion and mercy -- and the return of the Basil Chambers morning so much brighter show to the air waves.

Thank You

Man From Baker Hill

The Lord is good to all, and his compassion is over all that he has made. Psalm 145:9

In the parable of the prodigal and his brother, the older brother refuses to go into the house for the celebration. The father was celebrating the younger son's return home after a long time of wasteful living. The father had great compassion on the younger son because at last the young man had realized his error and come home. The older son held a very different view and expressed absolutely no compassion toward his brother.

Notice the older brother's attitude. He refers to the returning son not as his brother but instead as "this son of yours." The older brother shows no love; he does not want to acknowledge his brother. And then he accuses his father of never giving him anything special. The older son does not appreciate his father's love, even though the parent did nothing wrong.

Many of us are like the older son. God showers upon us blessings both spiritual and material; and instead of appreciating our own blessings, we look at what others have received. We grumble because we thing others do not deserve the good that comes to them. But God is more generous than we are. God loves each of us the same, and we can see God's good gifts all around us if we look at our lives with an open heart and a sprit of true gratitude.

PRAYER: Holy God, help me to see your hand at work in my life. Amen.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY

God offers each of us the same love and care.

Montserrat will next week observe "Tourism Week 1999" under the theme "Tourism-Towards Health and Wellness."

Being organized by the Montserrat Tourist Board (MTB), the September 26 to October 2 activities will begin coming Sunday night with a Gospel Fest at Brades Pentecostal Church.

After highlighting some of the major plans for beefing up the industry on a panel discussion, "Tourism In The Year 2000, Prospects for Montserrat," to be aired on Radio Montserrat at 8 p.m. Monday, the remainder of the week will be dedicated to a number of other public activities.

These are expected to include a Sports Tourism-oriented Women In Football programme, to be held at schools from around noon on Tuesday, and a "Taste Of Montserrat" to be held at Government Headquarters from midday, Wednesday.

On Thursday, a Get Fit Exercise Session is slated for St. Peter’s Basketball Court at 6 a.m., as well as the provision of Massage Therapy at Grand View Bed and Breakfast at 8 a.m. on Friday.

A Jam Session is billed for Treasure Spot Bar, Cudjoe Head, later Friday at 8 p.m.
The week of activities will end with an Art and Craft Fair, Goat-Water and Cook-Off Competition at McChesney’s Estate, beginning Saturday at 2 p.m.

As Montserrat continues to bounce back from four years of volcanic devastation, evacuees relocated elsewhere in the Caribbean, North America and Europe are expected to participate in a pilgrimage to their homeland next July.

In a 14-page proposal presented to government, Dr. Eddie Donoghue, Chairman of the "Paradise Regained Millennium Pilgrimage-Montserrat 2000" Subcommittee, said he expects the pilgrimage to be an economic spring-board for the island.

"A 'Paradise Regained Millennium Pilgrimage' would not only help to return Montserrat to the place it once held as one of the foremost tourist destinations in the world, but the event would stimulate economic activity on the island," the St. Thomas-based consultant said.

In addition to Montserratians who had migrated prior to volcanic activity, a voluntary evacuation programme saw thousands flee to neighbouring islands, the United States and Europe.

The private sector has been constructing new enterprises, virtually from scratch, in the safe north and according to one businessman the economy that once boasted a balanced budget would improve slowly to a sustainable point over the next five years.

Now that volcanic eruptions have ceased, although ash falls continue as unstable parts of the dome collapse, Dr. Donoghue is hopeful that more rental accommodation would be available in the reoccupied Salem village so that participants would get a chance to consider investing or retiring here.

Among planned activities is a briefing by officials of the private sector and government on retiring and investing on the island, including tours of buildings for sale and rent.

According to the plan presented to Montserrat's Chief Minister David Brandt and Governor Anthony Abbott, other activities envisaged are an Eastern Caribbean Domino Tournament "to be held in different locations of the island in order to provide economic injections to the businesses in these different areas."

The plan seeks to regenerate interest in the island’s culinary delights and medicinal plants, as well as to focus on the environment through bird-watching and other eco-tourism related activities, looking at how the remaining scarce resources of this 39.6 square mile island are being used by man and other species.

"Attention will also be given to the manner in which marine, human and plant life have been forced to adopt to the new ecological niche created by the volcano and the resultant competition which has evolved between these various species," the document states.

The devastation of once densely populated and commercial districts has seen the opening up of virgin lands in the safe north of the island for the construction of over 200 houses for a significant number of the remaining 4,550 persons, out of a population prior to the volcano that was upwards of 10,000.

Organisers also plan to have story-telling by pilgrims and theatrical and musical productions by Montserratians and an Irish musical orchestra.

Montserratians now have an opportunity to pursue a range of management courses through the Jamaica-based Management Institute for National Development (MIND).

The courses include Human Resource Management, Supplies Development, General Management, Project Management and Training of Trainers.

Mrs. Maria Jones, Chief Executive Officer of MIND, said in a statement from the organisation that the courses were targeting both the public and private sectors.

"Representatives of MIND are now visiting a number of Caribbean islands to promote the programme among public and private sector organisations," the statement issued by the six-year-old agency added.

MIND, a recently named executive agency of the Jamaica government, is certified by the University Council of Jamaica, responsible for tertiary level education there.

The Montserrat Cricket Association (MCA) has announced that its 1999 Under 15 program is threatened due to poor attendance. MCA President John Smith stated that since practice began in mid July, average attendance each Saturday has been only nine boys.

"It is very disappointing," he said, "as we have a program which is significantly better than anything we have been able to offer before."

The MCA planned to take a squad to St. Kitts in late October and Anguilla in mid November, prior to the Leeward Islands Under 15 Championship to be held in Antigua from December 12^th to 22^nd. Even if attendance improves immediately, it is expected that the St. Kitts element will have to be cancelled as the team will not be ready.

In addition to the preparatory tours, the MCA intends to provide players with whites and a travel shirt. Parents are asked to supply cricket shoes and track pants for training purposes.

Mr. Smith remarked that it was noticeable that the 4^th form of the Secondary School, which would be expected to provide the bulk of players, was almost totally unrepresented. "The only 4^th former we have is Lionel Baker, and he has just returned from the UK," he said. " I can only conclude that the absence of compulsory sport beyond the 2^nd form is a significant factor."

The MCA believe the players do exist for Montserrat to enter a team but everyone close to selection needs to come to practice regularly. "We have about six regulars of whom five – Lionel Baker, Kendrick Fenton, Taveo Fenton, Ian Osborne and Dolstan Tuitt – are in contention for a place in the Leeward Islands Under 15 team as well as the Montserrat Under 19 team," Mr. Smith said. "Others have come to practice who are good enough to make the team but not on a consistent basis."

The MCA has held preliminary discussions with the Leeward Islands Cricket Association to ensure that Montserrat’s best players get a chance to compete in the December tournament, even if Montserrat are not represented. A decision on entry is likely to be made by mid October.

"We should not underestimate the impact that failure to compete will have on cricket in the future," Mr. Smith said. "Youngsters under 15 are the lifeblood of the game. If we are not getting sufficient interest in this age group, then it will not be long before we are unable to field an under 19 team also. Then the viability of the game in Montserrat as a whole will come into question."

In an effort to improve attendance, the MCA has switched practice sessions from Saturdays to Monday and Thursday afternoons. Transport is supplied from the Secondary School to Salem Park and then home afterwards. Players are asked to take their cricket gear to school with them.

One of several areas in the south of the island in which authorities contend that volcanic dust posed a serious health risk could be reoccupied once properly cleaned up, according to the latest report on the health hazards of volcanic ash.
Authorities have long reported that the respirable ash and dust belched by the Soufriere Hills volcano over the last four years contain a high concentration of cristobalite, a form of silica to which prolonged exposure could cause silicosis, a potentially deadly lung disease.

"Isles Bay could be reoccupied after appropriate dust level checks have been made...and after clean up measures...have been undertaken but the other areas would not fulfill the criteria and should be reviewed again when the rainy season is over," says the just-released six-page report by Dr. Peter Baxter.

Isles Bay, an area of expensive residences, is one of those areas on the fringes of the volcano that were ordered evacuated at the peak of volcanic activity, now in its residual stage.

The Baxter Report’s reoccupation criteria include the cleaning up of ash and dust by "properly protected teams" of occupiers and road crews to remove fresh accumulation of ash and so reduce the risk to persons suffering from asthma and other respiratory ailments.

"Areas denuded of grass should be re-seeded and watered" because, according to the University of Cambridge-based doctor, "grass is clearly the most effective means of preventing ash re-suspension from areas that are not asphalt or concreted."

Government is now tasked with restoring water, electricity and beginning the clean-up operation, all of which are to be financed by Britain's Department for International Development (DFID).

Other communities such as Cork Hill, Foxes Bay, Richmond Hill that are also South of the Belham River Valley, the report said, are to be reexamined towards the end of the rainy season to ascertain if any of them should be reopened.

Those so far reopened include Salem, Frith's and Old Towne.

Proposed New Law Intended To Fight Money Laundering
Attorney General Charles Ekins has said that Montserrat would be expanding its ability to deal with different types of money laundering when the Exchange of Information Act 1999 is passed.
"The rationale for the act itself is that it is increasingly important in the context of money laundering by regulatory authorities being able to exchange information where appropriate to do so," he told the Montserrat Reporter.
He noted that under existing laws, the ability to exchange information was "relatively limited and generally restricted" to money laundering associated with drug trafficking.
Other sources of money laundering, he said, could include theft of large amounts of money acquired from the sale of stolen art.

Authorities here envisage that the new law would give the Director of Financial Services power to acquire information upon request by regulatory authorities in other countries, while at the same time "leading us to a line of inquiry."

"There has to be a concern that we could be a target in the future," Mr. Ekins said.
But even when the legislation is passed in the nine-member Legislative Council, the Attorney General identified the need for trained human resources if constraints were to be reduced in looking for "signs" of money laundering.

Tabling of the bill in the Legislative Council is seen as part of efforts by Britain to make financial regulations in its remaining dependencies more fool-proof.

The Draft Exchange of Information Act 1999, however, does not "extend to any matters relating directly or indirectly to the imposition, calculation or collection of taxes."
Before Montserrat's Financial Services could provide any information to foreign regulatory agencies, considerations will include the "nature and seriousness" of the matter under inquiry, the importance of the information to the inquiries and whether the assistance can be obtained otherwise.
The Financial Services would also have to decide whether it is appropriate in the public interest to provide the information that may be requested.
Foreign regulatory authorities, according to the Draft Law, may not get assistance required from Montserrat if they fail to give a "written undertaking" to provide corresponding assistance to Montserrat, if required.

"Where a foreign regulatory authority fails to comply with (that) requirement, the Director may refuse to provide the assistance sought," the bill states.
If the foreign regulatory also fails to give a written undertaking that it will stand the costs of acquiring and transmitting the information, the requests may be turned down.
When the bill is passed, the Director of Financial Services would be empowered to "direct in writing any person" to furnish information, documents and assistance related to the request by the foreign regulatory authority.
If the person fails to comply with the directive, the Director can apply for a court order, compelling that the order be complied with.

Provision is also made for persons to be summoned to the court to be examined by the Director under oath.
"A person shall not under this section be required to disclose information or produce a document which he would be entitled to refuse to disclose or produce on grounds of legal professional privilege in proceedings, except that a solicitor may be required to furnish the name and address of his client," the proposed Exchange of Information Act 1999 states.
The bill also would empower the Director of Financial Services to seek the help of the Police Commissioner to investigate the affairs of a particular person or subject matter related to enquiries for a foreign regulatory authority.
While the Director or anyone he authorises could not be sued, anyone failing to comply with any of his directives or court order, or who "intentionally furnishes false information in purported compliance with any such direction or order" could be penalized.

The mutilation, obliteration, destruction or anything done to prevent the production of a document or provision of information related to a matter under inquiry on behalf of a foreign regulatory authority would also be an offence.
Penalty for offences under the new law upon summary conviction is a fine not exceeding EC$50,000.
The Draft Law, however, would bar the primary recipient from disclosing information supplied by a foreign regulatory authority or obtained in connection with a request for assistance without the necessary permission.

Information could also be disclosed in this regard to any person with a view to or for the purpose of criminal proceedings, disciplinary proceedings relating to the exorcise by a barrister or solicitor, auditor, accountant , valuer or actuary of his professional duties or disciplinary proceedings relating to the discharge of duties by a public officer.
Information could also be disclosed for executing any legal duty or international agreement to which Montserrat is a party, a court order for criminal or civil proceedings, to allow a competent authority to discharge any function under law or to the Governor, Finance Minister or the Director or approved officer.

Britain has assured that it valued consultations on matters that could affect its remaining colonies but emphasized that international human rights agreements on matters such as homosexuality must be respected.

Newly appointed British Minister for colonies Baroness Patricia Scotland cited the Consultative Council of Chief Ministers and her as an example that consultation "is very much alive" as envisaged in the White Paper 'Partnership for Progress and Prosperity.'

"I think Britain places a very high value indeed on the views and aspirations of its citizens living in the Overseas Territories," she told a news briefing just before wrapping up a visit here.

Political, educational and religious circles on Montserrat continue to oppose the planned legalizing of consensual homosexuality by persons in private but Britain has threatened to "impose" the new law if the local Legislative Council did not pass the legislation on moral grounds.

Baroness Scotland has restated that once Britain maintained ultimate responsibility for the colonies, they would have to also abide by the provisions of international pacts such as the European Convention on Human Rights and the United Nations International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights.

"The reality of the situation is, off course, that her overseas territories fall within her preserve and therefore the international community look to her to harmonise the position so that she (Britain) honours her responsibilities.

"The truth of the matter is going to be that there will be a dialogue but that dialogue has to be set within the context of Britain's international committments," she said.

At the moment the penalty for the indictable offence of buggery is 10 years imprisonment but some fear that if homosexuality is legalized, Montserrat could become a haven for financially better off persons who could lure locals into committing such acts.

Key issues affecting the music and entertainment industry will be addressed at the upcoming Caribbean Music Expo (CME) , the latest bulletin of TRADEWATCH reported this week.

The statement said that CME will run from November 15 to November 17, and will include presentations by experts from around the region as well as overseas-based experts.

Lloyd Stanbury, CME Chairman, said he hopes that the Expo will contribute "increased awareness and an improved approach to business by Caribbean-based music and entertainment industry personnel."

Topics to be covered include recording contracts, copyright administration and enforcement, digital distribution, Internet/radio and websites, collaborations and fusion, music and tourism in the Caribbean, distribution in the Caribbean, and music and social development.

Particular attention will be paid to the areas of copyright administration, music and the Internet, music and tourism and the distribution of Caribbean music, TRADEWATCH, a service of Caribbean Export said

The presenters are expected to be Patrick Moxey, Vice President of A & R at Virgin Records; Kendal Minter, New York-based entertainment attorney; Allison Demas entertainment attorney and board member of the Trinidadian national music copyright collection society (COTT), and Phil Phillips, Manager of Krosfyah and President of Crossfire Ventures Limited.

Strong winds accompanied by a mysterious "ice" shower on Saturday ripped off the roofs of houses and uprooted several aged trees in Timehri, East Bank Demerara, the state-run Guyana Chronicle reported.

The strange phenomenon, which occurred at around 2 p.m. along Cemetery Road, also known as the `Kali Mai' district, lasted almost two hours.

Reports reaching the Chronicle stated that the strange storm affected visibility at the Cheddi Jagan Airport and caused several international flights to be delayed before landing.

The sources said that the freak weather, which featured heavy rainfall and fierce winds, may have been influenced by a hurricane in the Caribbean. Weather experts are said to be investigating the incident.

Police and soldiers were trying Wednesday night to flush out three remaining bandits from a cane field after one was shot dead following a daring daylight gun robbery in Georgetown that left five persons wounded.

Relatives feared that three men who had not turned up by late last night had been held hostage by the bandits hiding out in the dense Mocha/Arcadia, East Bank Demerara cane field.

Police said they had no confirmed reports of hostages, but relatives said they were told the men had been seized by the gang.

Police and Army units tightened up a cordon that they threw around the area with the help of an Army helicopter, road blocks and high-powered search lights.

The suspected mastermind of the robbery, Linden London, former Army special forces member, and two others were reported caught in a Police/Army dragnet near Mocha.

Police said they suspect the three are armed with sub-machine guns and hand grenades.

The bandits also carted off an undisclosed sum of U.S., Canadian and Eastern Caribbean currency from D. Singh and Sons.

Police said at about 10 a.m. four well-dressed, masked men carrying firearms pulled up in a white Toyota Corona PFF 7962 and attacked a vehicle used to conduct cambio business which was parked outside the Sadia

Police recovered a bag of weapons dropped by the three.

Kingstown, St. Vincent, CANA - Teachers in St.Vincent and the Grenadines don't want government's latest 12-percent pay offer. Fitz Jones, president of the teachers' union, said yesterday that they have replaced on the table a package of proposals for consideration by government. The union, which originally demanded a 30-percent pay hike over three years, said it would settle for nothing less than 20 percent.

Jamaican Airport Warehouse Burns
Fire of unknown origin on Monday night destroyed the 50,000-square-foot Queens Warehouse and its contents at the Norman Manley International Airport in Kingston, leaving damage estimated at well over $100 million., the Jamaica Gleaner has reported.
The facility, owned by the Airports Authority of Jamaica (AAJ) and operated by the Customs Department and AJAS Services, a cargo handling firm, went up in smoke shortly after 10 p.m. AAJ president, Earl Richards said the warehouse alone was valued at between $80 million and $100 million.
In addition, he said, it "had an extensive stock of goods at the time of the fire, most being materials imported, some for export and some which were due to be auctioned".
Mr. Richards said the building was collectively insured along with the rest of the airport complex.

Roseau, Dominica, CANA - As the Dominica government proceeds with plans for the construction of an international airport, it faces complaints from farmers and hoteliers about its the strategy for improving air access to the island.

The Hotel and Tourism Association this week called for a review of plans for the airport, saying what was needed urgently was an upgrade of the Melville Hall Airport, with night-landing facilities.

Some farmers who have been resisting government's efforts to re-locate them to make way for the airport have vowed to remain on their lands.

Child Chopped to Death, Others Injured in Jamaica
A child was chopped to death and four other persons chopped and injured Monday during a domestic dispute at Ramble District, St Ann, the Jamaica Observer has reported.
Dead is 5-year-old Christopher Williams, while in hospital are 60-year-old Milton Berbic, 24-year-old Andrea Berbic, 11-year-old Tashana Williams and 3-year-old Denmar Brown, all of Ramble district in St Ann.
According to the police, Clement Dixon, a 37-year-old mason, and his common-law wife, Andrea Berbic, were involved in a dispute at about 10 a.m.. It is alleged that Dixon became enraged and used a machete to inflict wounds to the head and neck of Milton, Andrea, Tashana and Denmar. They were taken to the St Ann's Bay Hospital where they were admitted. Denmar was later transferred to the Bustamante Children's Hospital where he was admitted in serious condition.

At about 5:20 p.m., young Christopher's body was found in bushes with machete wounds to the head.
The Claremont police have since taken Dixon into custody as they begin investigations into the incident.

The Montserrat Authority is currently working on the distribution phase of the project. Work is currently taking place in the Woodlands area, where pipes are being laid.

The project, aimed at increasing the availability of water to the more populated northern side of the island, also involves the development of existing springs.

While Phase II is focusing on distribution, Phase I concentrated on increasing storage capacity with the building of reservoirs and pump stations.

Both projects combined will increase the available in the north by 20 percent.

Undersecretary of State Baroness Patricia Scotland is looking forward to closer relations with the Government and people of Montserrat.

Baroness Scotland, who has responsibility for Overseas Territories, made the remarks on Thursday at the end of her brief visit to the island.

She is scheduled to hold her first meeting with leaders of dependent territories at the first OT’s consultative meeting in London next month.

One of the issues on the agenda is the offshore business sector.

Baroness Scotland says there is support for Montserrat to get back into the lucrative offshore banking sector, which played an integral role in the Montserrat economy before a probe by the British Government closed in down in early 1990’s

The Montserrat Year 2000 Commission is promising assistance for groups or individuals planning major activities for the Millennium celebrations.

According to the Commission, the assistance is to ensure that planned activities are successful.

Therefore all groups or individuals with ideas are urged to submit information related to their programmes.

The Commission says early notification of events would help lessen the clash of activities and interested persons are asked to come forward with their plans.

All information should be sent to the Chairman of the Montserrat Year 2000 Commission at the Office of the Chief Minister at Brades.

Plans are being advanced for the staging of an agricultural mini-exhibition later this year.

A planning committee charged with organizing the exhibition held its first meeting on Wednesday September 15th.

Committee members are drawn from both the public and private sector.

Among other matters, they looked at the exhibition categories, fixing the date and venues, and fund-raising procedures.

The objective of the agricultural mini-exhibition is to give the agricultural sector a higher profile and greater visibility as the Department of Agriculture strives with all sectors to revive the industry on the island.

The committee believes that a more visible display of local produce will have a greater and longer lasting impact.

It was therefore decided that the exhibition should focus on vegetable production, cottage craft, ornamentals, fisheries and forestry.

Categories will include crop production, leafy vegetables, root and stem crops, fruit vegetables, fruit tree crops, best market stall and plants and flowers.

Other sections will involve preserved fruit and drinks, cakes, buns, bread and pastry, and needle and handicraft.

There will also be a forestry and horticultural display.

There are also plans to introduce a Farmer of the Year Award.

The committee is currently working on criteria for the competition, which seeks to honour the best former on the island.

The Ministry of Health is planning to reintroduce an eye care programme on Montserrat.

The matter was discussed with two eye specialists who visited the island this week, along with an official from the Caribbean Council for the Blind.

Ophthalmic surgeon Dr. Ian Walwyn, Professor Garth Taylor, and the CCB’s Programme Officer Frank Bowen held talks with Chief Medical Officer Dr. Gordon Avery.

Meanwhile, the Caribbean Council for the Blind is hoping to establish a long-term relationship with Montserrat.

Programme Officer Bowen says the CCB, the only NGO that provides eye care in the Caribbean, is willing to work with the Ministry of Health to help the visually impaired.

Chief of Staff in the Office of the Chief Minister Salas Hamilton says there is concern of how Montserrat is being portrayed in the regional and international media.

Mr. Hamilton notes there is a general misunderstanding of what is happening on the island as it embarks on recovery programme.

This, he says, makes the job of the government more difficult as it tries to convince its partners that the island is trying to rebuild after the devastating volcanic crisis.

The Chief of Staff also believes the negative portrayal presents a significant challenge to the government’s public information strategy.

A university student from the United Kingdom is wrapping up research on Montserrat on the Montserrat Oriole.

The student, Jennie Flemmings, attends Southampton University, where she is preparing her final year dissertation leading to a degree in environmental science.

During her stay Flemmings has been working with officials in the Forestry Division, including advisor Tony Hill and forest rangers.

She is interested in research associated with the impact of the volcano on the survival of the oriole, the ongoing monitoring project and the future survival of the national bird.

Part of the research includes a count of the oriole, which took her through the mountainous terrain from Water Works to the abandoned airport.

A delegation from Montserrat will travel to the United Kingdom next month to work out arrangements for the soft mortgage scheme.

The scheme, which is scheduled to come into effect at the end of the year,will make loans available on concessionary terms to residents to build homes.

Director of the Development Unit Mrs. Angela Greenaway will head the delegation, which is scheduled to meet officials in the Treasury Department in London.

The Montserrat delegation will also include representatives of the Bank of Montserrat, which will administer the loans.

The Honourable Chief Minister David Brandt is satisfied that the bank of Montserrat has been chosen to facilitate the soft mortgage scheme.

He says it is the goal of the government to house all the people on the island.

He says this is being achieved through the materials grant programme in which individuals can access up to $50,000 and through the direct-build project at Lookout, where 200 homes have been built.

The Chief Minister also says 104 acres of land will be divided into 230 lots, which will be serviced and distributed.

The Governments of the United Kingdom and Montserrat have accepted the report of the Elections Commission with some minor amendments.

A Government House Press Release states that one of the amendments concerns recommendation 1.12 where it was agreed that agents of candidates should be excluded from polling booth but incapacitated voters should be accompanied by the presiding officer and one other official appointed by the Electoral registration office.

The other amendment concerns recommendation 1.4.

According to the press release the Government of Montserrat has proposed that a short period of residence should be added to the criteria for Montserratians overseas to be able to cast a vote.

The length of this period of residence will be left open until after the Electoral Registration Office has been established and members of the Elections Commission have been consulted on whether or not the proposals put forward are workable.

A minor amendment to the proposed declaration from overseas voters was also agreed.

The Elections Commission, chaired by Dr. Howard Fergus, has recommended that the single-member, multi-constituency, first past the post electoral system be replaced by the single constituency electoral system under the modified FPP arrangement.

Elections in Montserrat are constitutionally due in the year 2001.

The United States Government has extended the Temporary Protected Status (TPS) under which Montserratians can reside in the country.

The TPS was first introduced two years ago based on the extraordinary and temporary conditions which prevent nationals of Montserrat from returning home in safety.

The new extension means the programme will run through to the year 2000.

Eligible Montserratians can now register for TPS and an extension to employment authorization.

Re-registration is limited to persons who registered for the initial period of TPS, which ended on August 27, 1998, or who registered after that date under the late initial registration provision.

Persons who are eligible for late initial registration may register for TPS during this extension.

MAN FROM BAKER HILL

"The Pain of New Dentures Recalls Earlier Schoolboy Terrors"

Now that I am back from vacation, people tell me how slim and trim I look; and that I look nice, I lost weight. I tell them thanks. But little would they know I could not eat well. I went on vacation with new dentures.

Last year I received a new set of dentures about two months before I went on vacation. That was a mistake. Throughout my life, I was warned about the agonies of new dentures, especially the lower plate. Besides, despite the best effort of the best dentist, new dentures always cause some pain and discomfort. Yet, I thought because mine was only two (molars) "Jaw teeth" and of a special style, that I would have been spared the discomfort of lower plate new dentures. That was a thought wasted.

During the first two months with my new dentures, my gum was on fire. The denture bruised and cut its way into my gum as if it was in a hurry to settle down. As a result, the teeth spent more time in a glass of water than in my mouth. Every lunch hour they were either in my shirt pocket or wrapped in Bounty paper towel and tucked out of sight on my desk. It should not surprise you, then, to learn that during my vacation they spent all the time in my toiletry bag, in company with the toothbrush and toothpaste.

This year, I received a new upper plate denture on the day I was leaving for my vacation. Yes, I had ordered them about six weeks before. Yes, I expected a little pain, but I was supposed to be able to manage, because I had changed dentures several times before. And yes, I remembered the agonies of last year with the two new false teeth. I did not want to take them on that day; but they called from the dental clinic to say that the dentures were ready. I explained that I was going on vacation and I did not want a painful holiday. Surely, they gave me the assurance that I was going to be okay, because it was just a replacement, a new for old.

Although I was not convinced of a painless introduction to my new dentures, I had no choice. I was going on holiday. I wanted to look good. You see, my old denture consisted of a plate with five teeth scattered here and there on it. They were slack, and at times when I spoke, they would fall slightly, giving me the appearance of a Dracula. So, please understand. I had to have a new plate, especially for my vacation trip abroad. I wanted to look good going out, not just returning in new clothes looking sharp.

My holiday was fantastic! Great! It. was the best ever: but my dentures gave me hell. I had pains! Remember, they were not just two jaw teeth; they were five on a plate. I could not take them out without changing the way I looked. I had to keep them in. Yes, I carried the old one too, but they were even slacker -they would not stay up, the space had widened. And oh my God, I had pains. There was pain in my neck, pain in my nose, pain up to my eyes. I lived on aspirin. I almost preferred toothache to my new dentures.

Toothache, pulling teeth and dentures are part of the experiences of my age group. Why? Only heavens know. I believe that we took the best care of our teeth, yet "bad teeth" was very much Montserratian. Today I am very proud of, and, yet a little envious, of our young people for their wonderful teeth.

When I attended Cavalla Hill Primary School, the word "dentist" was not supposed to be mentioned at all. It could have caused a riot. The dentist used to visit the school now and then, but frighteningly too often, on Thursdays. If you know the road from Cudjoe Head leading to Cavalla Hill, you would agree that it was not possible to be in the schoolyard, (now the churchyard) and at the same time know that the dentist was on his way. Yet somehow, someone always knew when the dentist was coming. And when that somebody said dentist - it was a stampede in the schoolyard. Things change! If you bat, if you skip, everything stops. The school yard atmosphere of play, laughter and fight spontaneously changed to fright, tears and flight. Big boys ran away, big girls bawled, and little children cried.

In my day, there was a phrase, "school call in." That’s when all the children would "line up" by class in the yard, before marching into school for morning prayers. It was during "line up time" that teachers would check children's mouths on dentist day for bad teeth.

Oh what a scene! What a feeling for those unfortunate us who had to go through an extraction process. It was strong hands holding you to a chair, a queer voice saying "two upper left, three lower right"; the sight of needles; the rattle of pliers in your mouth; the sound of screams; and the taste of blood and potash.

The unusual extraction process was not restricted to children; for that matter. Extractions at the schools were quite civil compared to what some adults had to endure. Let me put it bluntly. Big people had to pull teeth too! I knew grown people who, after a sleepless night, at daybreak had to walk two or more miles from Baker Hill to St John's to have an aching tooth, and sometimes the wrong tooth, plied out without the bum being "deadened".

This also might seem to be odd, but not so long ago, being able to afford dentures or to wear dentures was a status symbol. And it was not unusual for some people to "pull out" the remainder of their teeth and get a set of dentures.

However, we have made tremendous progress in dental care, even though some of us still carry the legacy of our past. But the beautiful teeth and bounteous smiles of our young people will never tell the story of the strides Montserrat made in dental care management. Thank you Dr Buffong for your untiring services to Montserrat.

Yes, I am back on the rock after a gorgeous holiday. And you know what? Both sets of dentures fit nicely. They cause a little discomfort, especially when I speak; but gone are the glasses of water and Bounty paper towel; and I am eating much better, thank you!

Walking up to a department store fabric counter, a young woman asked the man behind the counter the price of some material she had been admiring.

"Only a kiss a yard for that," he said with a smirk.

"That's fine," said the customer. "I'll take 10 metres."

With expectations written all over his face, the man measured out 10 metres and wrapped it up. Then he held it out teasingly.

Taking the parcel and pointing to a little old man standing beside her, she smiled and said: "Grandpa pays the bills in our family."

A veterinarian fell ill and went to see a physician. The doctor took his temperature, used his stethoscope, and asked the usual questions about medical history and symptoms. The vet suddenly said: "Listen, I'm a doctor too. A vet. I don't need to ask my patients all these questions. I can tell what's wrong with a dog or cat by looking and feeling and taking tests. Why can't you?"

The doctor paused, looked at the vet with a smile of tolerance, wrote out a prescription, and then said: "There, that should help. But if it doesn't work, we might have to put you out of your misery."

A man celebrating his 47th birthday looked in the mirror and resolved to get a facelift. He spent $5,000 on cosmetic surgery and on his way home, decided to see what people thought. He asked a sales assistant at a flower shop how old he looked. She pondered a while, then said that he looked 35.

"Well," he declared proudly, "I am 47."

Flush with success, he went to a McDonald's and ordered a hamburger. He asked the counter person how old she thought he was. She looked him up and down and announced that he looked 29.

Overjoyed, he replied, "Well, I'm actually 47." Outside, he went to a bus stop where he was approached by a derelict who shuffled up and asked: "Excuse me, mate, can you spare a dollar?" The 47 year-old man said, "I tell you what. If you can guess my correct age I'll give you a $50 bill."

The man studied him from several different angles and said, "I would say that you are 47." Somewhat taken aback, the man responded, "That's amazing. How could you be so accurate?" Pocketing the $50 and moving away, the derelict said, "Well, I was standing behind you in line at McDonald's."

A woman at the cinema was surprised to see a man sitting in the best seats with his arm around a sheep dog. The dog seemed to understand the movie, growling at the villain and yelping happily at the wit in the dialogue.

At the end of the movie she tapped the man on the shoulder and said, "I can't get over just how much your dog enjoyed that film."

"It surprised me too," responded the man. "He despised the book."

A juggler driving to his next engagement was stopped by a policeman who saw six machetes on the back seat.

"What are you doing with all those knives?" the officer asked.

"I'm a juggler and I use them in my act," said the entertainer.

Not convinced, the officer asked the driver to demonstrate his juggling ability.

As the juggler tossed knives in a circle and caught them, two men drove by in a vehicle.

One said: "Boy, am I glad I have stopped drinking and driving. Look at the test they give you now."

EAT from the LAND not from the CAN

The Loose Livestock Division had a number of successful night raids island wide. These raids will continue for an indefinite period.

Stray dogs continue to destroy small ruminants. The Loose Livestock Division is taking steps to eradicate these dogs. Meanwhile the Ministry is reviewing the Dog Ordinance with the view to having the act amended and enforced.

Pineapple was an important fruit in Montserrat, with production concentrated in the St. Patricks area. With the loss of planting material, emphasis will be placed on the importation of planting material from overseas and establishing a bulk plot for the expansion of pineapple production in the north of the island. This project will require a few years for the attainment of adequate acreage for pineapple self-sufficiency. The Montserrat Black Pineapple, which is a very sweet pineapple, will be the variety on which the project will focus.

A sum of money has been allocated to purchase pineapple planting material from a country within the region. The Department is expected to buy as much as 50,000 suckers. This amount is enough to establish four acres of this crop.

As the closed season for the taking of turtles approaches it must be noted that this does not mean that sand should be removed from certain beaches immediately after the closed season.

It must be borne in mind that it usually take between 60 – 65 days for turtle eggs to hatch.

At present young turtles are being observed making their way from their nests to the sea from three main beaches, i.e. Foxes Bay, Woodlands and Rendezvous beaches.

Current nesting beaches are Foxes Bay, Isles (Old Road Bay), Woodlands, Rendezvous, Barton Bay to O’Garros.

Twenty four donkeys have been requested by farmers. Distribution of these donkeys will take place on Monday and Tuesday September 27^th and 28^th. The Department will assist with transporting the donkeys to the various farms/plots.

Severe erosion of the lower section of Upper Blakes Road due to heavy rains last weekend has necessitated urgent repairs. Repair work involves an extension of the concrete road surface by another 55 feet and the installation of a cemented drain to divert runoff water from doing further damage to the existing road. Construction is due to commence on Monday September 20, 1999.

The Agricultural Fair and Exhibition committee held its first meeting on Wednesday September 15, 1999. The committee members consist of Mr. Claude Browne, Director of MCC; Mrs. Camilla Watts, Director of the Montserrat Red Cross; Mr. Anthony Maloney, former Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture; Miss Ernestine Cassell, Director of Tourism; Miss Rose Willock, Manager, Radio Montserrat; Mr Claude Gerald, Director of Agriculture; Mr. Justin Cassell, Agricultural Development Officer; Mr. Anthony Breedy, Agricultural Officer; Mr. Easton Farrell, Chief Extension Officer; Miss Odelle Lewis, Mr. John Keller and Mrs. Daphne Cassell.

Items on the Agenda for that meeting included date of the Fair/Exhibition, venue, categories and fund-raising.

Several farmers are currently harvesting crops. These include: Melon, Tomato, Squash, Okra, Corn and Pumpkin.

Three new farmers have been allocated plots at Duck Pond to grow Bananas, Dasheen and Plantains, among other crops. Several pounds of these crops are imported weekly. It is hoped that sufficient quantities of these crops will be produced to satisfy the local demand.

Agricultural Extension Officer Anthony Breedy has reported that most of the farm plots extending from Fogarthy to Salem have been prepared. Farmers are advised to stagger their planting to avoid creating a glut on the market.

Bad feeling, weakness, vomiting, loss of appetite, fever, abdominal discomfort and jaundice.

This is yellowish staining with bile of the skin, palms, soles and whites of the eyes. The urine also has a yellowish appearance and not the normal straw to amber colour.

Viral hepatitis B is transmitted by exposure of body secretion and excretion such as blood, saliva, semen and vaginal fluid. That means that one can get hepatitis B by having unprotected sexual intercourse and deep or french kissing with an infected person.

Hospital workers, first aiders, police, prison and fire officers, and anyone who handles or comes into contact with body fluids of infected persons.

• On admission to hospital, blood test is done to confirm the disease.

• Fluid is given via the vein to replace fluid loss due to vomiting.

• After vomiting has stopped, small frequent high calories, low protein and low fat meals are given.

• Tepid sponging and the use of fan for the fever.

• Treatment is given for pain and vomiting.

• Patient is placed in a separate room and their linen, clothes, plates, cups and cutleries, are disinfected and washed separately.

• Gloves are used when handling blood, urine, saliva, stool and vomitus.

• Visitors are restricted so that the patient can get adequate rest and for privacy.

Yes. A hepatitis B vaccine is available for prevention of the disease. It is 90 percent effective and is not given to people who are infected.

IMPORTANT TIPS TO REMEMBER ABOUT HEPATITIS B

1. One cannot get the disease by talking with, working with, or visiting the patient.
2. A person with hepatitis B can recover fully if medical help is sought early
3. Trying to treat hepatitis B at home with bush can be deadly.
4. Family members and close relatives of the patient can be tested for the disease.
5. The use of a condom during sexual intercourse will protect one from hepatitis B and sexually transmitted diseases.
6. The use of gloves when handling blood, urine, saliva and vomitus will prevent one from becoming infected.

For further information on hepatitis B, feel free to contact your District Nurse, District or Private Doctor.

Behold, HMG now possesses,

Along with its other successes,

A small isle head of state

Who steps in to translate

For visiting baronesses.

Sea captains are starting to fear,

When Montserrat calls say, "Come here."

They arrive here with ease

To find Little Bay seas

Too rough to tie up at the pier.

Jus wonderin' if Agriculture knows that memory's good and people know the pledged limit to sand mining at Isles Bay Beach runs out on 30 September.

Jus wonderin which radio DJ apparently knows only about 10 songs…

Jus wonderin why the Physical Planning Unit allows new business buildings to be erected without proper customer parking facilities.

Jus wonderin who needs to draw to the attention of the Tourist Board and the Ministry of Communications and Works the menacing and disgraceful conditions of the Woodlands Beach road leading to the only beach with any kind of facilities on the island.

Jus wonderin if it is because not many people will use a phone at the facilities at Woodlands Beach why C & W does not install a public coin phone there.

Jus wonderin why we need another plant protection officer.

Jus wonderin who the expat was that almost caught his house fire with the Reporter.

Jus wonderin what the government is doing to stop the spread of viruses through their computers.

Jus wonderin if the authorities prefer to pay compensation for damage to property or for personal injury by not covering the hole by Salem School Entrance.

Jus wonderin if it will make sense for the phone company to digitize its charge-limit so that subscribers will not exceed it.

Jus wonderin what is government’s overall public information strategy.

Jus wonderin if the other public servant will in any way chastised for his part in the weekend fracas.

Jus wonderin if the police is organised enough to put on another of their popular 'police week.'