The Chief Minister and his government were proud to announce this week, that they are planing to make available a maximum of $150,000 in low interest loans to individuals who wish to build new houses in the north of Montserrat.

These funds will be in addition to funds of about $26,000.00 which has been made available to individuals to assist in the purchase of materials to build.

A release from the Government Information Service says that the program will initially be with help from Her Majesty's Government and will start by the end of October, 1997. It will:

1. help persons to purchase lands.
2. finish existing structures.
3. start new structures.

The first to qualify for these loans will be persons who have resided in the declared exclusion zone or the central zone and the loans will be offered through the Bank of Montserrat and other selected financial institutions at concessionary rates.

BRANDT AND THE BRITISH

The Honourable David Brandt, newly appointed Chief Minister following the resignation of the Southern representative, Bertrand Osborne among his very first duties, visited London shortly after his appointment. Two weeks prior, International Development Minister Clare Short angrily turned on islanders for being greedy, saying they would next be demanding "golden elephants" in their requests for help.

George Foulkes, a junior minister at Short's department, was rapidly flown out to repair the damage and announced a package of measures including a 6.5 million pound ($10.4 million) emergency housing program.

Foreign Secretary Robin Cook said in a statement that housing remained a high priority and that the Montserrat authorities would be contacting people still in the unsafe area threatened by the Soufriere Hills volcano.

The authorities had been given Britain's authorization to rent spare rooms in the safe, northern part of the island and to use buildings intended for schools to house people.

Speaking to the press there, Brandt urged Britain Monday to pledge further cash to help the population of the island, many of whom are homeless.

"I hope to get something concrete to help us start over again," Chief Minister Brandt said when asked what he hoped to achieve in crisis talks between Britain and its colony.

"It is an amount of money (we are asking for). Not a specific sum at this time but there are some things that are critical. There is the question of housing," he said.

Brandt met Prime Minister Tony Blair, Foreign Secretary Robin Cook and International Development Minister George Foulkes, during this visit probably creating history for a Montserrat Chief Minister being able to have talks with British ministers at that high level. It prompted a scientist to point out that previously, our government ministers were relegated mostly to meeting with civil servants. "This is a change and the government and Mr. Brandt must make good use of the opportunity," one head scientist said.

It was an exuberant Chief Minister on his return to the island went directly to ZJB radio station to report to the nation, not realising that Montserratians were tired listening to the commitments of the British Government. In an interview later with Mr. Brandt, he remarked, "I will wait and see if and how they come through, then I will give my opinion on this question of promises."

Of the promises made by the British Government, one was new. In Robin Cooke's statement he said: "Air and sea links will be necessary. The Government of Montserrat attaches a high priority to an airstrip. There are good reasons for that. This will be an important issue David Brandt's visit. Indeed it was the Prime Minister himself who made the promise that this matter would receive his government's attention.

Brandt while still in England, said then, that many on the island still required temporary housing in the wake of their evacuation from areas threatened by the volcano. Today that situation has not changed much but roads are being cut there are houses (temporary, unsightly and too small) being constructed. Plans are well under-way for the commencement of 250 houses of a more permanent nature, but at a meeting of the National Consultative Forum on Wednesday, it was pointed out that there were still many problems with land acquisition for housing.

It was decided that government should focus its full attention on the resulting depopulation of the island as a direct result of the shortage of accommodation.

The Forum was recommending to government, to make available its lands wherever available, providing it did not go against good town and country planning for the north development.

Governor Savage and later the new Governor John Abbot, acting for the British Government (BG), the scientists also, mostly employees of the BG and local Government under its new leadership David Brandt, took the island one step closer to full-scale evacuating of Montserrat.

Residents have posed a series of speculative reasoning, some attempting to justify this recent decision, while others just think it is the disguised continuation of efforts to bring this island down to a population that will be forced to admit their inability to exist viably in Montserrat.

Several weeks ago, during Bertrand Osborne's last days in office began, they hastily ordered the immediate evacuation of Salem, pending the composition of new risk maps. This, the result of a report supposedly compiled, to bring into focus the current state of the volcano. It had devastating consequences for the island and its residents and homeowners.

Governor Savage, who seemed to have assumed complete and total control of Montserrat, told the island, "It's a day we have been battling to avoid for over two years." Taken at face value, it's a concerned statement, but the Governor must have known that this was an ultimate desire of his Government.

The Salem evacuation has left little option with the scarcity of accommodation further north. Residents are leaving the island, but, before Osborne had submitted his proposal to Her Majesty's Government (HMG), there were British personnel on their way to Montserrat, to facilitate an off-island evacuation. They pounced on the Report, did not seek the scientist's guidance and with the British press proceeded to destroy further Montserrat's insurance coverage.

Since the damaging consequences of the scientists' report, there were other unprecedented moves. Professor Steve Sparkes, professor of geology at Bristol University in England, then head of the British funded Montserrat Volcano Observatory, publicly denounced the Governments for misunderstanding the scientific report delivered in mid-August.

The statements by British ministers, including Under Secretary of State George Foulkes, promoted by the press who jumped on the worst-case scenario, promoting a next to zero probability of serious volcanic explosions destructive to the island.

Professor Sparkes wrote in an English newspaper under the title 'Blinded by Science', that Mr. Foulkes had denied that he mis-interpreted the report. Sparkes observed that he did, and that the report was mishandled by the Government.

"First, Mr. Foulkes started his statement with the words, 'Over the past 24 hours, the volcano has become much more dangerous.' This incorrect statement bears no relationship to the context of the report, which was concerned with a long-term view of the volcano with no relevance to what the volcano was doing on a day-to-day basis," he said.

Those left on the island at this point belong to the business community, or already have some relatively safe accommodation (like residents from the north) or those who simply do not have anyone or anywhere to go overseas.

Many residents of Salem have been defying the evacuation order, for obvious reasons. But it seems the authorities have been making a very basic error. They documented and agreed long ago, "The level of risk at which action (to evacuate an area) should be taken is often referred to as the "acceptable risk". It is the maximum level of risk that is acceptable by the individual or the community in preference to the inconvenience and hardship associated with implementing the evasive measures. Volcanic Crisis Management is a three-way affair between the scientists monitoring the volcano, the administrative authorities and the public."

Unfortunately this has never been practiced and it seemed that most decisions with respect to the management of the volcano rested with the Governor.

Minister Foulkes has visited Montserrat and following discussions with various local groups, the Governor and Government, the recently strained relations seemed to open the discussion doors, but the Salem situation did raise many questions.

Rumours circulating Montserrat yesterday that emanated from electronic mail saying that the island was to be totally evacuated immediately have been denied. Officials of the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) said that as plans for Operation Exodus is being fine-tuned and this might have led to the rumours.

Operation Exodus is a plan for the total evacuation of the island only if the situation deteriorates enough to make life on Montserrat untenable. Comments from officials close to the EOC have said this will be if the most unlikely event of a very serious eruption takes place.

The EOC official said that forward planning for all contingencies is good common sense and that aspects of the plan will be made public in due course.

It is expected that all the parties, which include the neighboring French, Antigua, British governments and the local government, are in the process of updating and completing these plans.

If Chief Minister David Brandt has the desire or recognizes the need to bring an aggressive style of leadership to the Government of Montserrat, he has the support of at least one person, the new Governor John Abbot.

Governor Abbot in one of his early remarks has said: "Montserrat is facing extraordinary times and it will require extraordinary action to deal with it."

The volcano will not be outdone in its own style of behavior and its ability to force new thought of how to deal with it, always posing new problems for its students and those trying to decipher its next move. It is causing the unsuspecting to be worrying about the safety of the north, thus causing the politicians to look over their shoulders at the actions of the British Government and the ever-worrying thought of whether they will carry through on their promises.

It is here that Brandt will be tested very early. He has to bring a completely new approach to getting action, at a time when the work force of Montserrat has dwindled to almost zero unemployment.

Does he understand that in this crisis, it cannot be business as usual?

Unfortunately or fortunately Brandt is Chief Minister at a time when there are departments in government who are so short of personnel they have to hire people who reportedly can barely read their own names. What this means is that the kind of work force necessary for action may well be very lacking. That of course is the result of the successful depopulation that has taken place for the past two months. The question therefore begs, is it too late? Does it mean then that there will be the task of repopulating Montserrat.

Could it be that the current mode of the volcano, in spite of the serious inconveniences caused by the winds, blowing just about everything, more often than not, to neighbouring islands as far as St. Thomas, that it can cause us to hope that we have seen the worst of times?

Either way, we are faced with difficult problems, which seem to favour the British. What that does though, is to make us want to stem the depopulation tide and reverse it almost 100%.

Once again the ball is in our court to see that all promises are kept and do nothing that makes the ball come back like a slam-dunk or a smash.

Dear Sir,

My attention has been drawn to an article in the Caribbean Weekly that states of a village to be built by the CARICOM nations on Montserrat for the benefit of Montserratians in the shelters.

If this statement is true, I hope that this is not the temporary village that was rumoured earlier. There are no such things as temporary villages. I hope also that the government consults city planners before ground is broken. The village must be a 21st century one and not one that is put up haphazardly as to become a future slum.

I hope that this letter is not too late to ask that whosoever is responsible for building the village. (A) grade and landscape the site. (B) - Cut and build an adequate street, or streets that can accommodate the vehicular traffic in the 21st century (22ft is not adequate for streets or roadways. Two of Walls trucks should be able to pass each other easily at the same time, going in different directions). (C) The streets should have pedestrian walks or sidewalks on both sides. (D) - There should be properly covered drains or gutters build below the street or sidewalk and should be deep and large enough as to allow a person to enter to maintain and clean. The drains or gutter must be capable of carrying the run off water from rains, in a sense they must also be storm drains. Electric underground lines and water mains should be brought to the site. All of the above utilities should be in before the houses are constructed, when construction starts the houses should be of uniformed frontage.

They should be built at least 15ft from the sidewalks, that is the front of each house or dwelling is to be built that distance from the sidewalks and need not be of the same shape or size. The distance between houses should not be less than 30 feet.

I also hope that the Fire and Police departments were consulted for their input. The fire Department should insist that above ground hydrants be installed every 300 feet or parts thereof on any street and the police should ask for a call box on every street. Health too must be allow to pass on the plan before construction and the physical plan should be displayed under glass for the public to peruse.

Because this village could be the foundation for a new Plymouth, it is necessary for it to be correctly laid out so that in the future, extensions can be added. Thank you, for allowing me to put my ideas and opinions before your city planners.

Dear Editor:

Thank you for allowing me to use the Reporter to thank all who participated in the "Many Happy Returns" Concert on Sept 15. To all the performers who worked so hard rehearsing; to "Crisis" and the Police Band (Force 1) who rehearsed tirelessly, not only their own sets but those of the artists they backed up; to the sound crew who provided so much equipment and expertise; to the Department of Education, to the Royal Montserrat Defense Force and MONLEC who performed so many tasks creating the venue; to the Royal Montserrat Police Force for their contributions; to the St. John's Ambulance; to those who provided food and refreshments; to Bankie Banks; to the men from the Climax Blues Band. To the "Many Happy Returns" Committee; to everyone who worked so hard and so tirelessly just to make "Many Happy Returns" a success, and especially to all who came and enjoyed the show, I say THANK YOU...It was a great night, and a great night for Montserrat.

There's talk of the possibility of a "Many Happy Returns" II. It will be hard to top MHR I but who know what can be done with more time to prepare, a little sponsorship and a wonderful team of dedicated, talented people to work with? Anyone ready to start?

Sincerely

His Excellency Mr. Anthony John Abbot, Montserrat's new Governor, Anthony John Abbott OBE arrived on island on Tuesday, September 9, 1997. He arrived alone and was met at the Geralds Park Heliport by members of LEGCO led by Acting Chief Minister Mrs. Adelina Tuitt, other Government officials and senior civil servants. His swearing in ceremony was held the following morning at 10 o'clock.

After the usual courtesies and introductions, he had a brief encounter with the press where he revealed that this was his very first time , not only in Montserrat, but in the Caribbean.

The Governor said that the paramount aim is to insure that those people who wish to remain on the island are allowed to do so as long as it remains safe. As long as they continue to say that the north of the island is safe, we will continue to do our best to safeguard the welfare and wellbeing of the people of Montserrat."

The Governor since then has made the reference to "as long as the north is safe,' in just about any statement with reference to the volcano and Montserrat.

In response to a question on the fact that the scientists are employees, like civil servants, of the British Government and a guarantee that they will act independent of directives from their employer, Governor Abbot said: "I'd like to reassure you and all Montserratians that the scientists are not in any way being given any steer on what they must report. They must report to the Government as absolutely correctly as they possibly can, within their own scientific information. That is what we are depending on. There is no preconceived notion whatsoever and the scientists are certainly under no direction."

Asked about whether he thought that decisions should be a 3-way affair with the scientists, himself and government and the people, he said: I would assume the government of Montserrat, which has great responsibility for the government and control of Montserrat, of course, that they would be fully representative of the people. I would assume that the government of Montserrat would be cognizant of the wishes of Montserratians."

Mr. Abbot said that his immediate plans then were to get to know the problems intimately, repeating this at his swearing-in ceremony, to get to know the people intimately, to see how people are living and see what needs to be done. "That, I think, is going to take me quite some time."

At the swearing-in ceremony, he noted, "the courage and stoicism of the many Montserratians who have chosen to remain on-island to ensure the future of your island home. I've watched with admiration, along with the international community, how Montserratians have faced their difficulties with such fortitude. It's my privilege to be here to sign up to help combat and overcome those difficulties."

The new Governor made reference to a matter which continues to be very troubling. He said: "I'm also aware many of you feel assistance from Britain has not been as full or as rapid as many would have liked. I wish to reassure you that your concerns are being fully addressed by the British Government, all of whom, including the Prime Minister, are deeply sympathetic to the cause of Montserrat.

He closed his speech by saying that as governor he expected the government of Montserrat, the British Government and himself must work in close consultation and cooperation.

He has since been joined by his wife, Margaret and he has been making the rounds with her familiarising himself with government officials, offices and the people, seeming very willing to make his own mark on how the affairs of Montserrat are conducted.

They have three sons and one daughter.

The Montserrat Reporter was on hand to greet the Governor and welcome him to Montserrat. We hope and trust that he will indeed be able to carry out his function as governor in a manner, which will do justice to his office.

The financial sector of Montserrat continues to face possible disaster, directly resulting from the pull out by some or nearly all the insurance companies from the island. The severe problems became more serious when the British government announced to the media that a "cataclysmic eruption" was likely in Montserrat.

Things began to happen and the Montserrat Building Society with many of its homeowners holding mortgages with them, lost their property in Plymouth and other areas without being able to recover close to their mortgage commitment, it created a further problem. To crown the problem, rumours said that the society was closing and some big depositors mostly from overseas sought to withdraw their funds.

It seemed that panic set in and the Society fearing a run, closed its doors. Manager Hixon said that withdrawals totaled as much as $300,000 some days. Once that move was made, the Society had compounded the problem and the Board moved to protect its clientele by petitioning the court seeking an injunction restraining any of its shareholders from "making a withdrawal which exceeds 35% of any amount held to their account" in the Society, "and from making more than one such withdrawal".

The Court Order was made and when the Building Society opened its doors on September 22, 1997, it needed police protection to keep customers orderly.

In a letter its President and Chief Executive Officer told shareholders: "The Directors have sought, and are continuing to seek assistance from the Governments of the United Kingdom and Montserrat to guarantee the existing shortfall so that your investments may be protected."

Mr. Hixon craved support, patience and cooperation while hoping that normal trading activities will resume.

The Aid Management Office (AMO) is reporting that the master plan for the North of Montserrat is being developed. The lead consultant Jane Arnot has arrived on Montserrat and will over the next ten weeks direct the process of developing the physical plan for the development of the safe north, in collaboration with local planning agencies and resident consultants.

The Aid office is also reporting that it has initiated action on several recent decisions made at Ministries in Montserrat and London. The Sustainable Development Plan which is being prepared by the Development Unit is receiving requested inputs from the AMO, and the recently agreed soft loan mortgage scheme is being developed as rapidly as possible in conjunction with the Bank of Montserrat and the Development Unit. The Small Enterprise Rehabilitation project is also in the process of being developed and is expected to be operational before the end of October.

Sir Kenneth Calman, accompanied by a small team of medical experts, visited Montserrat from 21-23 September.

Sir Kenneth said in a press conference on the last day of their visit, "we are visiting Montserrat to assess the public health risk from volcanic ash and the other health needs of the local community." He said that he was responding to a request from the Chief Minister.

On the weekend of September 13, 1997, British Foreign Secretary Robin Cook said "I am urging the Government of Montserrat to step up its campaign to ensure that people on Montserrat are fully aware of the potential risks to health associated with volcanic ash. The British Government will do everything to help in this area."

Further in a joint statement, the Chief Minister and the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for International Development, said on the September 16, "The Chief Minister will continue to ensure, that the people of Montserrat are fully informed of the physical and health risks associated with volcanic activity to those in the exclusion zone."

It was announced further that Mr. George Foulkes had informed the Chief Minister that he had already placed in the Library of the House the external assessments of risks to health report of HMG's Chief Medical Officer."

Dr. Baxter who is also currently on island revealed at the press conference that he had been conducting studies of the effects of volcanic ash on Montserrat. He said that the study is ongoing and, "one year (of exposure to the ash) is not significant enough to cause silicosis." He added that there has been no previous study as no one before has been exposed to this kind of ash.

Over 2,000 Montserratians turned out in full force, Monday night to witness "Many Happy Returns" concert at Gerald's Park. This free event twinned Sir George Martin's fund raising concert of international stars in Albert Hall London.

The audience danced and gyrated to music by Caribbean and international star Bankie Banks, "The Golden Elephants," (included some old-timers from Climax Band) Crisis and the police band "Force 1", and many local artists. The Concert, which was a collaborative effort organizers Chadd Cunberbatch, Douglas Darby and Peter Filleuil, turned out to be a huge success.

"It's stunning, exhilarating, humbling and just so much fun," Filleuil explained as he looked at the spell bound crowd listening to the explosive and captivating voice of Bankie Banks.

Bankie Banks performed moving songs like Amazing Grace, Redemption Song, Emancipate Yourself from Mental Slavery and one specifically composed for the occasion "I see Strength."

Bankie feels that the British Government needs to "get its priority straight."

The renowned international singer also remarked that he sees the light of hope, strength and pride in the eyes of Montserratians living under the threat of the volcano.

"It would be very easy to move away - to leave the island. I'm very touched by what I have seen," said Bankie.

He encouraged Montserratians to "continue to be strong, keep believing and keep on doing what they are doing."

"Climax," a musical Band known to be the first band to record at Sir George Martin's recording studio "Air studio" came back to give hope and courage to Montserratians they grew to love and cherish when they first played here in 1979.

The heavy pulsating music from this now defunct band caused the audience to sway, dance and scream in response.

One rastaman remarked approvingly: "Those musicians are definitely 'bad'. They know what they are about. They are experienced."

Richard Brunto, freelance guitarist in the band told the Reporter that they came to support the spirit of "solidarity, regeneration, redevelopment and continuity in adversity," in Montserrat.

Local artist Robert Howe, popularly known as "The Mighty Ash," performed his sensational songs "Fire" and "Ash" which cause huge crowd response. The audience went wild as his wife, Manager of Water Authority, Annie Dyer Howe, dusted them with powder to assimilate an ash cloud. Another sensation was comedian Chadd "Cheese" Cumberbatch, who spellbound the crowd as he commented comically on the volcanic scene on the island. Other local artists include Hartford Bramble, Cepeke - backed by the Police Band; Crisis, Belonger, Cutter, Cupid, Hero, Rachel Collis, Saltfish, and Technical.

British psychiatric nurse, Ivan Redman said the concert was a splendid idea. "It's nice to forget the volcano; forget the ash; forget everything and enjoy yourself. People here are connecting with each other and experiencing a sense of community," Redman said.

George Piper, local businessman agrees with Redman.

"Montserrat is so much in the dumps. The people are so tensed. The uncertainty is so depressing. They really needed something to divert their attention," Piper said.

One 45 year old man indicated that "such a huge attendance on a Monday night, shows that Montserratians need entertaining places" to attend. Many expressed the desire that such and event should be repeated on an annual basis.

Commenting on the idea of having a regular event, Darby said this depends heavily on the feed back from the audience.

"Montserrat should be so proud of this success. We will go searching for more sponsors and more Caribbean participation," Darby said. He remarked that there was very little sponsoring - most of the work and funds "was out of pocket, and voluntary work." He said many regional bands and stars like Vision, and Burning Flames indicated interest, however lack of sponsorship, stifled their involvement.

"It's just so amazing how everybody pitched in and helped. Everybody did exactly what they said they would do," Darby told The Montserrat Reporter.

After almost two years of promising that areas north of Belham River Valley is safe the authorities have published a risk map that suggests that only one third of the island north of the volcano is safe.

The latest risk map puts the northern zone with a line running from Pelican Ghaut north of Bramble Airport in the east through to Lawyers Ghaut on the West. From that point south to Nantes River makes up the Central zone called by most, the 'buffer zone'.

Meanwhile as pyroclastic flows from explosions and rock falls continue to roll down the eastern flanks of the volcano, through Tar River and Tuitt's Ghaut the island gets larger as the deltas created on that side, grow.

Mr. Charles Farrell of Harris' who suffered severe burns to his hands and feet in the pyroclastic flows of June 25 has returned to the island from Martinique's Burns Unit. Mr. Farrell, who also suffered lung damage when he reportedly swallowed hot ash, was accompanied back to Montserrat by a specialist Dr Tixier at the Martinique special unit.

In a short thank you ceremony at Government House Tuesday, both the Governor H.E. Mr. Anthony Abbott and the Minister of Health Hon. Adelina Tuitt thanked Dr. Tixier and the French authorities in Martinique for their help and assistance and their on-going offer of continued cooperation during the crisis.

Dr Tixier, during his short visit, also trained local nurses at the St Johns hospital in the dressing and treatment of Mr. Farrell's injuries as he will have to attend the hospital for some weeks as an outpatient. Dr Tixier recalling their own volcanic disaster of 1902, reiterated that the Martinique health authorities were ready to assist Montserrat in a number of ways during the volcanic crisis.

In announcing their willingness to continue the ongoing cooperation during the crisis, he said, "Although we are French and you are British we are from the same area."

The Montserrat Secondary has reported the following 1997 Overseas Exam Results.

‘A’ Level results for June fell below the average % of the 1996 results. Also worthy of note is that fewer students wrote the examinations this year. Most outstanding student was Lachlan Dyett, who passed all the subjects he took. He gained C’s in Biology and Geography and a B in General Paper. Dietrich Edgecombe passed Chemistry and Echelle Wells passed History. There was a 75% pass rate in General Paper.

These results have not arrived yet.

75% passes were record at General I & II levels and 60.2% at Basic I & II levels i.e. an overall % pass rate of 73.3 compared to 73.3 compared to 70% of 1996.

100% passes were record in:

BASIC PROFICIENCY

1. Social Studies
2. Integrated Science

GENERAL PROFICIENCY

1. Clothing & Textiles -General
2. English Literature - General
3. Food & Nutrition - General
4. Geography
5. History - 30 students who wrote this examination 23 of them gained General I; the other 7 General II.

% passes in the other subjects are as fellows:

GENERAL PROFICIENCY

• Biology 80%
• Chemistry 66.6%
• Electricity/ Electronics 87.5%
• English Language 87.2%
• Integrated Science 89.2%
• Principles of Accounts 76.9%
• Principles of Business 92.8%
• Spanish 66.7%
• Technical Drawing 75%
• Typewriting 78.9%

BASIC PROFICIENCY

• Electricity 75.0%
• English Language 81.8%
• Spanish 66.6%

Only two subject areas recorded percentages below 50.

Several students performed with distinction at the General Proficiency Level. Most outstanding among those were:

Other students who gained seven passes are: Sheldon Allen, Sotonye Dublin, Oyintare Kagbala and Vekeisha Sweeney

These, like some other students are waiting their Cambridge ‘O’ Level results.

Eight P.V.P students wrote Electricity/ Electrons Basic Proficiency and six of them were successful

Mrs. Camilla Watts, principal of the school said, "I am very pleased with the results and must take this opportunity to commend the Ministry of Education, the parents, and students, and teachers for pressing on in the time of adversity. Even though the 1996 examination students were adversely affected by the volcanic activities this batch of students were more severely affected. I mentioned that to emphasize the fact that no praise can be too greater for all persons who contributed to the outstanding results.

"As educators we are anxious to begin the academic year 1997/1998 so we can proceed with business of educating our children. Until we are ready for that parents please ensure that your children spend time reading. Let them also enjoy whatever healthy leisure activities they can because once school get stared it should be many hours, weeks and months of hard work."

Congratulations to all students who perfumed with distinction and many thanks to a dedicated team of teachers.

Sister Ann Daley said that she was a great admirer of Princess Diana. That is the reason that she was moved to attend her funeral in England taking flowers, joining thousands of others who did the same to show their adoration for the very popular English princess.

Sister Annie said: "She has done so much for the world, she had great consideration for people of colour. "She took the flowers on behalf of the children of Montserrat travelling all the way to London to attend the funeral..

She hopes that people would take a patter from princess Diana's life. "She did so much other people. "Sister Annie said she was very pleased that she was able to attend the funeral.

Ann Daley herself is known as a very benevolent person. She is known to have annual Christmas parties for children in Montserrat and is always associated with charitable organisations and functions.

The Montserrat Secondary School is finally expected to begin in full by Monday, October 13, 1997.

Yesterday, Chief Minister David Brandt visited the students and teachers at Brades where the first phase of the school was opened. He met with the teachers and pupils to observe the difficult conditions under which they had to work.

He spoke to the students about the value of education and urged them to cooperate with and support the teachers, expressing that government is doing all it can to improve the difficult conditions.

Noting the excellent performance of Montserrat in overseas exams over the past two years, he praised the teachers and students for their great effort.

Pointing out, that more accommodation for classes were being provided, as a result of the setting up of five porta-cabins at Look Out, he said: "With the provision of these cabins, all students of the Montserrat Secondary School, with the exception of sixth form, will be back in classes by Monday, October 13, 1997.

The total exclusion zone for the volcanic crisis in Montserrat is now the entire area south of a line drawn from Nantes River in the west to Pelican Ghaut in the east. The zone is under a 6p.m. to 6a.m. curfew and at any other time special permission must be obtained for entry.

EOC officials, the Parliamentary representative, the Honourable Reuben Meade for the district, and His Excellency the Governor all assisted in the move, the order for which for some time met stiff resistance by the residents who claimed that there were no suitable accommodation available further north of the Island. The majority of persons who have moved from the Salem district, have found private accommodation, have moved into new shelters constructed at Look-Out near St Johns, or have taken the ferry availing themselves of the voluntary evacuation scheme.

It has been reported that just over 3,700 persons have registered for the scheme and just over 1,000 people have used it for relocation.

The Aid Management Office (AMO), has announced that work has started on the rehabilitation of the St. John’s Hospital. The local contracting firm of Galloway’s Construction has been retained as lead contractors of this project.

Work on the project commenced on Monday, September 22, and phase one of the program which includes restoration of the main ward area of the existing facility, is expected to be completed by the end of March 1998.

Because the project involves work on an occupied health facility, alternative and suitable accommodation will be constructed into which patients can be decanted while the main part of the work is carried out.

Meanwhile, thirty five containers ordered by the AMO in response to a request from the Montserrat Chamber of Commerce and industry will be arriving on island this week. These containers are intended for use as storage for moveable assets presently located in the exclusion zone.

Governor Savage's Exit

Governor Savage in his farewell party address, gave a fair insight of his tenure as Governor in this tiny, volcano-ravaged island of Montserrat.

He said that he was ending his address on a controversial note by mentioning that some of the nice things that were said about him by speakers before him, "were unjustified." He personalised by mentioning that he and the editor of the Montserrat Reporter shook hands at church on the previous Sunday, both confirming there were no animosities between them. "As governor," he said, "I have a job to do and he has a job to do."

Not many will understand this at first glance. It certainly characterised a governor who tried to carry out his mandate as the Queen's representative here in Montserrat, hired by the British Government, while showing a kind of compassion and yes, an understanding of a people, with whom he became somehow involved.

It was that involvement that caused the Reporter, not long ago, to refer to him as being, "more of a politician from whom the local politicians can learn."

Former Chief Minister Reuben Meade was probably the more forthright of the speakers who said that there was often disagreements, sometimes significantly, between himself and Mr. Savage. Dr. Howard Fergus, speaker of the legislative council, began the farewell addresses.

He was full of praise for Governor Savage remarking that if the governor's plan for housing was followed at the time, much of the problems would not be experienced now.

Indeed, Governor Savage, will be remembered not merely as a Governor, but as one who served longest, up to now, who has had to endure more as far as natural disasters go. He will be compared with Governor Turner, who served during hurricane Hugo, whether the comparison will be fair or not. He has watched one Chief Minister go and issued the oath of office to two others in the space of one year, both heading a coalition government for the first time in Montserrat.

At around 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday evening, 59-year-old Samuel Ryan was found dead in a car in Davy Hill. Wilburn Fergus had just arrived home from work and was picking limes when he looked into his friend's car which is parked in his yard and saw what looked like a person's head. He then went to the car and immediately recognised. Ryan, opened the door, shook him and told him not to sleep in the car.

"He wouldn't move so I shook him again, and that's when I noticed he was not breathing," Mr. Fergus said.

He then alerted the neighbour to call the authorities. Ten minutes later police arrived on the scene.

Mr. Ryan has been known to be mentally ill since leaving England some years ago. He was last seen alive by one of the neighbours at around 7:00 a.m. that very day. His body was removed at around 6:55 p.m. by Undertaker John Joseph. Up to press time, the cause of death is still not known.

Pat Foley and I want to share something. For those who may not know, Pat works for Gibson Guitars in their drum division. He and Eloise live in Nashville where Eloise (Lynch Foley) has just completed a

new CD...Through Pat's diligence and the benevolence of Henry Juskiewitz, owner of Gibson Guitars who allowed Pat to commit Gibson resources without ever asking "what's in it for us" Gibson was a sponsor of the London Benefit.

Pat personally created a special drum kit for the event with a Montserrat logo on it (Pat, perhaps you can give more details, I didn't catch that...) and had Gibson create a one-of-a-kind Les Paul model guitar with an ingrained Montserrat Oriole and Heliconia on the body. After the show the guitar was signed by all the performers, and it and the drum kit were auctioned off at Sotheby's. The high bidder turned out to be royalty, I believe from Saudi Arabia. The total amount added by this gesture to the amount raised for Montserrat was $30,000. Quite a story!

Congrats to Pat, Eloise and Gibson Guitars for their contribution.

At the Montserrat Volcano Observatory, the post of Chief Scientist rotates every four to six weeks among a roster of Caribbean and British Scientist. Back as chief, just before the heightened pressure to depopulate Salem and it environs began, was Dr Simon Young, who is known among some of us, as Tsunami Simon. It was his prediction last December of huge tidal waves generated by the volcano that prompted a cruse line to cancel one of the few remaining scheduled tourist stops on the island. French scientists who later evaluated his "data" and dismissed his predictions as insupportable, quickly became 'persona non gratia' at the MVO.

Ever since significant pyroclastic flows were generated by the volcano and it began its cyclical pattern of explosive eruptions, Simon Young has talked wistfully of pyroclastic flows sweeping down the Belham Valley to the sea, and sending hot surges up the ridges into Salem. He has spoken warmly of explosive eruptions greater than any before that might drop rocks, even extremely hot ones, on roofs, north of Salem.

So, the possibility of depopulating Montserrat is not yet a lost cause, despite the most recent reassurances of support from the British Government. Objective science has less to do these days with decisions concerning the volcano, than it had when the MVO was an independent source of information for Montserrat and its former royal Governor, returned quickly to playing "Simon says." And Simon Young, currently the Chief Scientist at Montserrat Volcano Observatory, is like any royal governor, a paid employee of the British government.

Some years ago, a gentleman of our community saw fit to walk the streets of Plymouth and the surrounding districts, taking in the countryside, and the North where all who are on the island now seek shelter. As he moved, he spoke through parties of varied political entities, laying down his ideas firmly, with a foresight that left his colleagues baffled. He sought admittance to their confused and barraged questioning for years, with none of them any the wiser.

At this stage, he should have given up and gone home. But somewhere in his intelligent hypothesis, he reasoned that Montserrat had something better than squabbling politicians on its agenda. The non-sensical display of parties' antics towards the people brought him out in defiance, storming through the Houses of Parliament, pushing documents of accumulated fact-bearing evidence of a people disillusioned and discontented.

This gentleman climbed out on a limb, offering hope and dignity to those who had any self-respect to stand out there with him. It was an uphill climb, for everything was against him. He had shown them that it was possible to reach out and take hold of something better; but for years, they ignored him.

It takes the hand of God very often to bring us to our senses, for we have some sort of in-built persuasive force that keep us looking the other way.

It is a very sad reflection on this gentleman's ability, that we Montserratians should have waited until our backs were up against the wall before our eyes could see. It need not have been so, because this worthy man pulled back the veil for all to see, many years ago. He took on the ambiguous tantrums of female verbosity in the House, male defamatory and empty tactical approach and held up the results for Montserrat to observe. By the time that his Windward Constituency warmed to his method of operating, they began to tow the line in response.

It was the active volcano of 1995 that brought out the best and the worse in everyone and armed with the legal and adventurous live-wire of such a calibre, the people flung themselves into the fray for government...Liberal government.

They left it late, almost too late, for volcano stricken, many had left the island. The remainder, seeing the depth of sincerity in a man who placed the facts before them, promises of compensation, places for keeping their animals, even to building of permanent housing in the safe one, they took him at his word. Whenever he goes to London, he goes there on Montserrat's behalf.

This gentleman, who calls you his friends, his people, and reminds you that the darkest hour is before dawn; and that you have shown resilience and courage; that your finest hour is yet to come, has been trying for many years to restore your dignity and pride. This opportunity will not pass by you again. I implore you, in the name of God, stand behind this man. He stood with you throughout the hard times of government after government. Now give this man - this leader all the help that he asks of you - this Hon. David S. Brandt.

We, the fortunate ones who don't have her, or volcanoes, breathing down our necks, have been reading far too much recently about someone trading under the name Clare short.

So, unless you have something better to do, take a closer look at this Pavarotti-shaped (sorry, Pavarotti-loving) woman who waddles under the burden of her oxymoron-ic job description. "British International Development Secretary."

Is she, as aging Tony Blair fears, politically adept enough to seize control of his fragile government, cobbled from the ruins of the Marx Brother's Nationalizing People's Popular Socialist Party? And why he'll dump her in his next cabinet reshuffle?

Or, as Baron von Thatcher claims, a typical fringe office seeker who enters our lives and disappears again faster than a sudden attack of flatulence in a hurricane?

One thing. Never underestimate her. When everyone thought her fellow-100%-British-Montserratians simply wanted more LLL's, she snorted, "No stupid, they'll be after golden elephants next."

And why not? Selling -off 24 carat life-sized jumbos would nicely augment the piffling (sorry, staggering) amounts so unstintingly e-mailed from Britain.

Incidentally, that statement went over so well she'll use it again if her constituents in Birmingham Ladywood (named after her) ever suffer a similar fate.

Clare-about whom Harold Wilson once said admiringly, "She's a thick-sweater left-winger who looks best wearing three of 'em"-is a wyly master of international diplomacy.

The Pyroclastic flows were...well...flowing, when she looked at her empty diary and majestically proclaimed she didn't have time to poke her middle finger in hot Montserratian lava.

Who can blame her? Between arousing socialist in South Africa and opening a World Bank branch in Hong Kong with her ATM card she had pressing hairdressing appointments in Bangladesh, Rwanda and Uganda.

At 51, (the age female left-wingers become aroused in many astonishing ways) and blatantly seeking the title of Lady Ladywood, she proposes legalizing marijuana and lowering the consenting age for practicing homosexuals from 18 to 21. The two causes most favoured today by chinless members of Britain's new ruling meritocracy.

Finally, in this age of undiminished (sorry, diminished) political integrity who else has the ovaries to struggle upright before parliament and declare "It's not Britain's fault the volcano has blown up."

Since the dome collapse of September 21 when about 10 million cubic metes of material was lost from the dome through pyroclastic flows, an explosive phase of events have started at the Soufriere Hills Volcano. Up to date there have been 44 such explosions which are spaced about 10 hours apart.

There has been little in the way of seismic signals prior to the explosions but there have been roaring sounds from the volcano which could be caused by vigorous ash and steam venting. Scientific observers watching the dome at night often see incandescent glowing from their vantage point at Friths.

The explosions lead to pyroclastic flows and these have, in the past few weeks, reached the sea at White River, the Tar River Valley, and at Trant's as well as travelling through Harris' via the Tuitt's Ghaut. In addition, flows have gone down the Farrell's Plain, the Gages Valley to St. George's Hill, into the Amersham Plain and into the upper end of the Belham Valley. Following heavy rain earlier this week, steam was seen in the lower reaches of the Belham Valley showing that hotter material was reaching the lower end of the valley. This led officials to make every effort to clear the remaining residents of the area as they were exposed to increasing danger.

The explosions and resulting pyroclastic flows have caused ash clouds which have reached heights of above 30,000 feet in some instances and prevailing winds have blown ash over a wide area of Montserrat. Residents in the north were particularly hard hit with extremely high levels of ash in the earlier part of this week. Health and EOC officials were urging residents all week to wear their dust masks and at one stage the St. Augustine Primary School at Woodlands had to close because of high levels of ash in the area.

The current explosive phase is similar to the one in early August and MVO scientists are warning that it could continue for some time yet. Pumice and gravel falls have been common following some of the explosions and scientists have been urging residents to stay indoors under a sturdy structure during such events.

Heavy rains earlier this week have helped to wash away much of the heavy ash but this has led to some mudflows and at one stage the steeper hill roads around the island were impassable to all but 4 wheel drive vehicles. Police officials are urging everyone to drive slowly in these conditions.

Jus wonderin who the persons on Montserrat who are party to the plans for total evacuation of the island. Jus wonderin if the Speaker can help identify the culprits!

Jus wonderin how many civil servants will be left to receive thank you slip.

Jus wonderin who will be left to collect revenue.

Jus wonderin if the city and the port don't have to have the same name! Why not, for example, "New Plymouth" and another name for the port?

Jus wonderin if any member of the opposition could possibly be receiving a fraudulent salary.

Jus wonderin why our local politicians only ask for their constituency advise when their backs are against the wall.

Jus wonderin why some politician surround themselves with bap bap men who do no more than bap bap.

Jus wonderin if some of these men might be more of a concrete block tied around a drowning man's neck to some of our politicians.

Jus wonderin what changed why Salem is evacuated if both the UK and the Montserrat Governments "misunderstood" the Scientists?

Jus wonderin which plan the firm contracted to build the houses in the north, is using.

Jus wonderin why an English firm is contracted to build the houses who then subcontracts local contractors.

Jus wonderin if the members of the government asked Osborne to resign because they would not work with him as chief or with him as part of the government.

Jus wonderin, how comfortable the ex is, working now as an Indian with selected men whom he knew for years did not want to work with him.

Jus wonderin, if persons who are now allowed into Plymouth after signing disclaimers does not suggest that someone should be held accountable for previous loss of life and property in the unsafe zone.

Jus wonderin if the British Government is ready to change its mind on the voluntary evacuation.

Jus wonderin if according to a caller on the Tough Talk program, some of the persons who have been working for two years on the volcanic crisis do not need a l-o-o-o-ng holiday.

Jus wonderin if the British government think that they start to spend money yet.

Jus wonderin if the film crews who come on island can just push cameras in any one's face where they come from without first asking permission.

Jus wonderin why persons in Salem and other areas are being chased when there is a 90-99 percent chance that there would not be a life threatening explosion.

Jus wonderin where persons of the evacuated Salem are really living.

Jus wonderin which Britisher cause the ex-police to become a woman-beater and run where he born.

 We the people, aspire to build a healthy and wholesome Montserrat, founded upon a thriving modern economy and a friendly, vibrant community in which all of our people through enterprise and initiative can fulfill their hopes in a truly democratic society. We are committed to excellence in all spheres of individual and national endeavour, and will make the education and development of our people our highest priority as we strive for the goal of financial and environmental sustainability, and make our contribution in the region and the world.

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