.

Britain's Department for International Development (DFID) and the Montserrat government appear to be at odds over whether those who got building materials grants for constructing their houses were mainly poorer persons.

Sources close DFID said a recent review of the housing sector as part of the wider review of the Country Policy Plan (CPP) revealed that those economically disadvantaged did not benefit significantly from the materials-grant.

"It was apparent that a lot were not meeting the housing needs of the poorest Montserratian," the source close to DFID told the Montserrat Reporter.

The source said that it was obvious that persons who had a significant amount of personal funds or family assets were given the nod over those who did not.

When contacted, DFID's local manager, Mr. Doug Houston, would only say that the present materials grant scheme was under review, hinting that a means test might be implemented for the next phase of the materials grant.

Mr. Houston and top officials of the Housing Ministry, however, assured that those who have already applied for materials grants under the present phase would still receive their monies.
When contacted, Housing Minister P. Austin Bramble was adamant that everyone who received materials grants "satisfied the criteria as laid down to the letter."

The criteria are that individuals had to be relocated, not having any houses of their own and having access to land.

Other officials in the Housing Ministry, while confirming the complaint that DFID has voiced, said that a three-member committee set up to review the Materials Grant Scheme found that "the awards for the grants met the criteria."

The Committee comprises a representative of the Housing Ministry, a DFID official and a consultant.

At present those eligible for material grants receive funds that are "realistically" close to 50 percent of the cost of materials, when labour and transportation costs are included.

And according to well placed sources in the Housing Ministry, for the majority of the poorer persons to benefit, DFID would have to give 100 percent of the funds under the next phase of the materials grant scheme.

Describing the matter of the materials grant as a "very important and serious issue" on which government would in due course have to issue a position, Mr. Bramble and other Housing officials denied that the poor were marginalised from accessing the materials grant.

So far, 154 applications have been approved for accessing the materials grant out of a total sum of EC$7,048,800, which works out to an average of EC$45,000 per house-builder.
The Montserrat Reporter has been also reliably informed that a total of 16 persons were expected to be eligible for a 100-percent grant because they proved that they had no house as a result of the volcano, no money and lack of technical skills. The only requirement was that they had legal access to land.

The Housing Ministry was responsible for conducting a tender process and hiring a contractor to build the houses for those persons.

A 16 year old girl, believed to be pregnant, is now in Antigua after consuming what is also believed to be a poisonous substance, senior medical officials said Thursday.

When contacted, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Gordon Avery declined to comment, saying that any disclosure would amount to "confidential medical details" and the focus of attention was to ensure that the girl "gets well and makes a full recovery."

Other officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told the Montserrat Reporter that the teenager was "not in a critical state" but she was air-dashed to Antigua where better facilities are available.

While there various tests would be conducted because Montserrat did not have all the facilities to deal with problems like those, the officials said.

On the question of the girl's prospects for survival, the authoritative medical source said, "I can't comment on her chances but it's wrong to say that she is critical."

"With any poisoning of any kind, there is always the potential for complications and a secondary reaction complication can arise," the medical expert said.

Police Commissioner Chris Burgess told the Montserrat Reporter that under the law, the teenager was not liable for criminal prosecution if it was proven that she had attempted to take her life Tuesday, and because the person involved is a juvenile, authorities are obliged to withhold her name.

What is suspected as a possible suicide attempt occurred at a time when experts in the Health and Education Ministry have identified the need for support systems for cases of teenage pregnancy, drug use and criminal activities.

It was not immediately clear what type of substance the teenager consumed but the medical sources noted that routinely in such cases, if a pregnancy test proved positive, relevant authorities in the United Kingdom would be contacted to ascertain how the poison could effect an unborn child.

EDITORIAL

Christmas is 71 days away, to be followed one week later by the start of the last year of the second millennium.

Time marches on and so does the ever-diminishing circle of development priorities in Montserrat.

A circle indeed, with a pot of UK AID GOLD at the centre.

The post-volcano air travel miles of our leaders, and the supporting entourage of public officials and consultant advisers, continue to spiral, seemingly without limit, while the numbers struggling outside the circle wonder when it will be their turn for some help.

The earthworks being completed at Little Bay somehow reflect our focus. Government’s heavy plant and equipment have been diverted to preparations for Christmas activity that could easily be held in any car park, such as that of the Government Headquarters.

Despite all the talks about coordinated planning and the optimum use of Crown Land, we see the start of a restaurant, discotheque and entertainment complex at WELL BOTTOM, not far from, if not below sea level. In one swoop, prime real estate property, ideal for port and marina style development, has millions of dollars wiped from its potential value. It may be that the replacement for La Cave nightspot is, in fact, part of a beautiful layout of a model facility. If this so, in the interest of public relations and to avoid wild speculation, there should be information billboards such as those showing the proposed development at the V.C. Bird Airport in Antigua.

If the Little Bay entertainment facility is ready for Christmas, we will once again have a clear demonstration of how easy it would have been for us to build a landing strip for fixed-wing aircraft at Gerald’s Park and a better facility for surgical operations at St John's.

At Little Bay, we see an example of Government collaborating with the private sector to make things happen, an approach which could have enabled many property owners in the north to share with Government, the rental and mortgage revenues from the relocated residents of the lost areas of Montserrat.

Owners of properties in Richmond Hill, Weekes, Cork Hill and Foxes Bay continue to suffer under the pressures of debt, continuing to pay high interest for assets they cannot use or rent. Low-interest refinancing would ease the plight of these people, allow them to access the 30-percent discount being offered by the Building Society, and most important of all, make them free once again to borrow money with which to continue their lives and businesses.

What's there for the donkeys? If only they could hear the offer of the depot contraceptives injections and broadcast on ZJB. The Jennies who have been pregnant every year since the volcanic eruption would love to have a break.

People who choose to remain in Montserrat continue to be penalized, now having to pay higher rents than those occupying comparable council homes in the United Kingdom do. Like the migrants of the 1950's and 1960's, our lost middle-aged work force have improved opportunities and better quality of life, albeit on the dole (unemployment benefit). This valuable resource has been lost to Montserrat.

Development Priorities should reflect a "People First" approach, with jobs, homes, food supply and health care being top of the list. With such a focus, this shrinking circle can be overtaken by a swirling expanding vortex of economic development that will lift Montserrat to a sustainable level, by the end of this current millennium on the 31^st December, 2000.

This week a delegation left for England to discuss (listen to) the remains of the Soft Mortgage Scheme and it is just possible that there are some shocks still to come in this regard.

A DFID voice has conceded that it is venturing on unknown territory when it attempts to assist any economic development strategy. Since 1996, there was a promise to assist small businesses, (of course all businesses in Montserrat are now small), but it is suspected that they will even go the step further and assist those who may not be able to be gainfully employed other than by themselves. But as mentioned before, all of this may not serve its purpose, if the foundation is not properly prepared. Then we must wonder if this is not just risking what loss can be borne, knowing that indeed in the end other revengeful motives will be served.

Site for New Festival Village

Except for the editorial, opinion articles expressed in these pages are not necessarily those of the Montserrat Reporter editors, employees or advisers. Readers are encouraged to submit commentary articles. All viewpoints, unless libelous, in poor taste, or anonymous, are welcome. Send your contributions to The Editor, P.O. Box 306, Olveston, Montserrat, W. I., e-mail: editor@montserratreporter.org. Manuscripts will not be returned unless accompanied by a return stamped envelope. The Montserrat Reporter is a privately owned independent newspaper.

Dear Mr. Editor,

I am constrained to write you this letter after reading one of your Montserrat Reporter during the visit of Baroness Scotland, this paper was sent by Mrs. Verna Brandt. Brother Fred and I were very proud of our paper, which in our view can match any "World Paper," very important articles, and not flippant foolishness to take up space. We are so happy that some of our intelligent people are still holding on to the rock so as to bring us up-to-date with what is happening on the little half-destroyed Island. Congratulations to you Mr. Editor and staff, keep it up.

We are still concerned about our Island,

Loma-Linda, California

I often feel overwhelmed by the violence and hatred that seem so prevalent today. The small town where I live has fewer than 400 residents, yet in one year four, murders were committed and one young man took his own life. The newspapers are filled with stories of murder and mayhem.

In the face of these events, what difference can I make? I helped raise money for the mother of the young man who committed suicide. I also attended a community prayer meeting called by the pastors of several local churches. But did I make a difference?

In these turbulent times, we may be tempted to turn from troubling situations and concentrate instead only on ourselves and our loved ones. But God calls us to do good works and assures us that our actions make a difference. Even if we do not see their results, we have the promise that our works will be "excellent and profitable for everyone."

Prayer: God, encourage us when we are downhearted. Help us to continue in your promise that our good works will make a difference. Amen.

Thought for the Day

The Rotary Club of Montserrat postponed its weekly meeting by one day this week to enable Suresh Ramlogan, Governor of Rotary International District 7030, to make a one-day helicopter visit to the island.

District 7030 comprises a region reaching from Antigua in the north to its southernmost country, French Guyana. Governor Ramlogan has pledged an official visit to each of the district’s 58 clubs during his one-year tenure, which ends June 30, 2000.

The District Governor congratulated the club for surviving during difficult times, despite the loss of more than half its 25 members during the volcanic crisis. The club, now led by President Charmaine Daley, has begun recovering and currently has 13 members.

Mr. Ramlogan told the club he appreciated the opportunity to see for himself the devastation wrought by the volcano and the courage and determination shown by those Montserratians who persevered despite straitened circumstances.

He encouraged the club to continue its efforts to grow, but warned against hasty recruitment of persons who might join for reasons other than Rotary’s primary purpose of service to others.

He urged, instead, that potential new members be gauged by their willingness to adhere to the guidelines of Rotary’s 4-Way Test of the things Rotarians think, say and do:

Is it the truth?

Is it fair to all concerned?

Will it build good will and better friendship?

Will it be beneficial to all concerned?

The visit also proved to be Mr. Ramlogan’s first flight by helicopter

Three men jailed eight months ago for being involved in the stealing of EC$922,000 dollars from Barclays Bank in the now abandoned capital of Plymouth are yet to know the fate of their appeals.

The Appellate Tribunal that heard legal arguments by the Crown and lawyers for the appellants from Monday to Wednesday of this week has reserved its decision until a later date.
Clement Cassell and Austin Howe were found guilty of burglary and sentenced to two years imprisonment, while Eric Williams was imprisoned for 15 months for conspiracy.

The trio were convicted on February 20, 1999, and their sentences imposed two days later.

The prosecution said that the money was stolen between October 31,1997, and May 11,1998.

It is not yet known when Chief Justice Dennis Byron and Justices of Appeal Albert Matthews and Albert Redhead will hand down their ruling in the appeal case.

Lawyers Ralph Francis, Dr Henry Browne and Dane Hamilton represented Williams, Howe and Cassell respectively in the appeal case, as they did in the trial.

Those representing the Crown during the appeal were prosecutors Ms. Ernesta Weekes QC and Mr. Colin Meade.

In other appeal hearings Cartwright Charles appealed successfully against his conviction for burglary and handling stolen goods and had his jail sentence set aside and walked away free.

John Allen who received a five-year sentence after pleading guilty, had appealed against the sentence. His appeal was successful and he had his sentence substituted on terms of paying compensation to the virtual complainant in the sum of $10,000.

Cultural artists from several Eastern Caribbean Central Bank member territories performed in St. Kitts last Friday night, at the opening of the ECCB's new auditorium and conference centre.

The 500-seat facility is part of Phase Two of the Central Bank's headquarters complex, which has taken just under two years to complete. The complex will also house the soon-to-be-established Eastern Caribbean Stock Exchange.

Last Friday's opening was addressed by the current Chairman of the ECCB's Monetary Council, Anguilla's Chief Minister Hubert Hughes, and by Deputy Prime Minister of St. Kitts/Nevis, Sam Condor. Both speakers commended the ECCB on its work among member territories and on having completed another milestone.

In his remarks, ECCB Governor Dwight Venner thanked host country St. Kitts for the support given the institution over the past 16 years.

Among the cultural performers at the opening ceremony were the Mayoumba Strings of Anguilla, Waitkubull Dance Theatre from Dominica, Heritage Theatre Company from Grenada and the Emerald Community Singers of Montserrat.

Progress is being made in restoring the island's botanical gardens and its museum of collections dating back to 500 AD, according to Stephen McNamara, Director of the Montserrat National Trust (MNT).
"The Executive of the MNT had put together an action plan and in it was proposed this project as the History Centre and Botanical Gardens were all destroyed in Plymouth by the volcano," he said.
The MNT has already acquired 1.75 acres of land to recreate the botanical gardens and construct the building to house the Natural History Center, both of which were destroyed by volcanic activity.

The MNT Director said the Center would house Carib and Arawak artifacts dating back to 500 AD, photographs, the island's complete collection of stamps and post cards, and documents on Slave Emancipation Day.
Depictions of the island's cotton and sugar cane production would also be on display.
Those were all retrieved from the museum in the volcano-ravaged south of the island and would soon be "sealed and bolted away" after they have been scanned and recorded on diskettes and CD-ROMs, Mr. McNamara said.
A film on the 100-year history of this island with indigenous Amerindian, Irish, French and English connections is in the process of being made.
The MNT has appealed to persons who may have historical records, photos and other material to turn them over to the organisation for preservation and educational displays.
At least EC$122,000 have been donated by a U.S.-based American family for the construction of the Centre and at least 10 requests have been dispatched overseas for the remaining EC$148,000.
With money already in hand, the MNT has planned to move ahead with starting some construction work.
The gardens, a herbarium center, museum, gift shop and the offices of the Montserrat Tourism Board and MNT are to be housed in one central area, to be named the Oriole Complex after the island's national bird.

Runaway Ghaut, a popular thirst-quenching spot for islanders and tourists, is now barely a trickle because, according to a top official of the Montserrat Water Authority (MWA), the water is once again being distributed through taps.

In response to concerns by some members of the public that there is a reduced volume of water from the ghaut, Acting General Manager of the MWA Mr. Michael Duberry, said "that might appear so the public" but it was not the case.

He told the Montserrat Reporter the water had been flowing freely down to the edge of the public road because repairs to the spring were being done during the past two years.

Now that the repairs have been completed, the MWA official, said the spring water was being distributed to Olveston, Woodlands, Olde Towne and areas in the rest of northern Montserrat.

While the spring was under repairs, daily production of potable water was down to 300,000 gallons but has now increased to 450,000 gallons with the completion of the works, Mr. Duberry said.

Some observers believe that even though there is a pipe by the Ghaut, turning on the tap cannot replace drinking the "real thing" that washes away to ensure, as legend puts it, that visitors who drink are bound to return to the Emerald Isle of the Caribbean.

The Montserrat National Trust (MNT), whose legal mandates include advising on the conservation and enhancement of the beauty of the island, said that it was unable to confirm that "anybody is trapping" the water.

But the voluntary group ‘Jus Do It’ that plays an active role in the preservation of the Runaway Ghaut for local and foreign sightseers promised to persuade the MWA to allow some of the water to flow down the slope.

"We have asked if we could have a run-off from the excess because, before the volcano, it was not running at all due to the conservation of water," Mrs Valerie Romeo, a key player in ‘Jus Do It,’ told the Montserrat Reporter.

With the blessings of the MNT and government, the group has been maintaining that area including the cutting of a trail through a section of the area rich in flora and fauna.

Among the species are the Oriole bird and the Heliconia, the island’s national bird and flower respectively.

Governance and Development was the theme of the Fourth Annual Development Conference hosted by the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) this week at its headquarters in St. Kitts, a statement from the bank said.

Ninety conference participants were expected to hear presentations by officials from the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Dartmouth College, North Carolina State University; University of the West Indies (UWI) , and the ECCB.

Governor K. Dwight Venner was scheduled to deliver the opening address.

Among the topics discussed were Economic Reform and Governance; The Role of International Institutions in Enhancing the Regulation of Financial Institutions; Good Governance: The Collective Responsibility of the International Community; Fiscal Transparency in the OECS Countries and Governance in the ECCB Area.

Deliberations ended with a panel discussion on Aspects of Good Governance.

As part of ongoing efforts to create a sub-regional Securities Exchange, the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) this month will be intensifying a review of existing legislation in its eight member territories, according to a senior bank official.
When the Securities Exchange is born next year, Montserratians would be able to buy into the island's lone public company, the Bank of Montserrat Limited, for instance.
Sybil Welsh, Research Officer in the Financial and Enterprise Development Unit of the ECCB, said a group of experts from Aries Group Limited, a United States-based consulting firm, is perusing the Companies Acts and their amendments of ECCB member countries.
Upon completion of the review, a team from the consulting firm is expected to visit Montserrat and the seven other countries later this month to meet with the Attorneys General, Bar Associations and the National Steering Committees of ECCB members "to put some more meat to this framework that they are conceptualizing."
"Once they have the framework, it sets the parameter for what legislation do we have to develop, what laws do we have to put in place," Ms. Welsh told reporters while here on a fact-finding mission for the establishment of the ECCB Securities Exchange.
Accompanying the Exchange will be a Central Securities Depository and Registry, all of whose functions and roles will have to be first governed by the legislation, expected to be passed by the legislatures in individual territories.
"If you are going to have an exchange where you are going to have persons doing various activities, you need to have some body which is having oversight of what is going on, making sure that the opportunities are mitigated in terms of fraud, improper practices," Ms. Welsh said.
The ECCB expects the now two-month-old project to be completed by next March, in time for the Exchange to begin trading in government securities such as Treasury Bills, Treasury Notes and Treasury Bonds.
Currently, there are 27 public companies across the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) sub-region that are eligible for offering securities on the Exchange upon creation.
The ECCB is relying heavily on a continuing vigorous public awareness and education campaign through the media so that the grassroots can become actively involved and benefit from the trading in securities and shares.
"Of course, the education is long-term. It's not going to happen in six months. We are going to be taking a developmental approach so year after year, come the next century, we'll still be educating," Ms. Welsh said.
When the financial network, which will include telecommunication-linked terminals in each member state, gets on stream, member governments will be able to procure funds at a lower interest rate and investors would reap non-taxable profits.
In that regard, the ECCB official said the regional central bank is paying keen attention to the impact next year's dismantling of the telephone monopoly will have on the sub-regional economy.
"The Research Division in the Central Bank is currently putting together a paper, looking at the implications of the development of telecommunications in our region given the de-regulation coming," she said.
Already the Cable and Wireless monopoly in Dominica has been legally dismantled but another dispute has emerged, with the locally owned phone company claiming that Cable and Wireless was delaying the provision of interconnectivity.
The fact that the eight member territories are scattered across the Caribbean Sea, a Securities Exchange will require secure, high quality and cheap telecommunication services for the transmission of financial information to the eight scattered islands
Ms. Welsh expressed optimism that a more competitive telecom market would provide a better service at a cheaper price, something that would be beneficial to the proposed Securities Exchange.
"Economic development comes with business creation and job creation so this deregulation is something that will influence in a positive manner the securities exchange," she said.
Ms. Welsh and Harry Greene, Export Credit Officer Financial and Enterprise Development Unit in the ECCB Governor's Office, were here to discuss the next steps towards the setting up of the Securities Exchange.

Mobile telephone users throughout the Eastern Caribbean will soon have the newest digital technology. Cable & Wireless has begun the conversion of its cellular networks from analog to digital in five islands. Antigua & Barbuda, St. Lucia, Dominica, Anguilla and Grenada will all have digital service by yearend and plans are underway for upgrading in St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Turks & Caicos Islands, St. Kitts & Nevis and Montserrat.

The new digital system has unique features and benefits, including longer talk time. The digital system is more efficient in its power use facilitating Caller Identification, that allows the cellular user to see who is calling, and a "Short Message Service" that will allow users to receive a text message.

Chief Executive of Cable & Wireless Caribbean, & Atlantic Islands, Odie Donald says, "this conversion is another example of Cable & Wireless’ long-term commitment to the Caribbean. By investing in the latest digital technology throughout the region, we can give our customers an entire new range of services and benefits."

The first phase of the digital conversion is an investment of US$20 million. According to Mr. Donald, "this is not just an investment in technology. It is also an investment in our people, in training, and in building a wide range of new skill sets for our employees."

Customers will still be able to use their analog phones, but they will not receive the full benefits of digital without a digital phone. To this end, Cable & Wireless will assist customers by offering them trade-in credits.

"Our customers will see a major improvement in the quality of our service," according to Gordon Grant, Director of Mobile for the Caribbean. He adds, "there will be clear voice communications, no static, and total privacy and security with the use of digital technology.

The calling of names on the radio as part of the hassle of picking up cooking gas at specified times could be a thing of the past in another 6 weeks, according to the manager of the Fuel Depot.

With the installation of the pipelines from the beach to the terminal already completed, Mr. Basil Lee expressed confidence that the cooking gas storage tanks "should be ready sometime next year."

At the moment Liquid Propane Gas (LPG) cooking gas is still being ferried in tanks from Nevis to satisfy local demand.

Assurance about a more reliable supply of cooking gas came this Wednesday when the Fuel Depot began using its floating hoses to connect directly from the ships to the tanks at the Fuel Depot to discharge diesel and gasoline.

Mr. Lee also assured that there would be "no fuel shortage" because the barge was always moored at the Delta wharf, loaded with fuel after re-stocking at the refinery in St Croix.

"If I am going short on fuel, all I have to do is pick up the phone and call Delta and they could be here in five to 10 hours, so we shouldn’t have a shortage of fuel," he said.

Even though the Montserrat Electricity Company (MONLEC) consumes close to 15,000 gallons of diesel each day, the Fuel Depot Manager said that there was additional storage capacity in flexi-tanks.
Given that capacity, authorities were able to stockpile 70,910 gallons of diesel Wednesday of this week.

The newly installed tanks at the Depot could store 40,000 gallons each of diesel and gasoline.

Former President of the local branch of Partners of the Americas, Richard Aspin recently received a lifetime achievement award from the international organisation.

Partners of the Americas is a network of citizens from across the Americas who volunteer to work together to improve the lives of people across the region, through nonpolitical, community based activities.

The award was presented in Puebla Mexico, where Mr. Aspin attended a seminar in International Community Development sponsored by Partners and the Kellogg's Foundation in his role as Caribbean Advisor to the programme.

The award was presented on September 22nd at a surprise ceremony by President of the International Board of Partners of the Americas, Eleanor Jones of Jamaica.

Also present at the ceremony was Chief Executive Officer of Partners, Mr. Norm Brown.

The citation read "for services rendered to the organisation as a volunteer, staff member and advisor working for the good of the hemisphere".

Richard Aspin became a founder member of the Montserrat/Oswego branch of Partners of the Americas in 1982 and became its second President in 1985.

During his term of office, Mr. Aspin was responsible for sending over 200 Montserratians to train in Oswego, New York at a variety of training institutions there.

In 1988, Mr Aspin became a staff member of the organisation as Caribbean Regional Representative and spearheaded regional technical training programmes, drug education programmes, and Emergency Preparedness Programmes Caribbean wide.

In 1995 Mr. Aspin brought his Emergency Preparedness expertise back to Montserrat to assist the Emergency Department in public education & information on the volcanic crisis.

Since 1996, Mr Aspin has continued to advise Partners in a voluntary capacity on Caribbean affairs and in 1997 was appointed by the organisation in association with the Kellogg's Foundation of the U.S.A. as a regional advisor to the Fellowship in International Community Development.

Mr Aspin is currently the Press & Public Affairs Officer at the Governor's Office in Montserrat.

The Inland Revenue Department (IRD) has threatened legal action against over 40 percent of the registered companies here in a bid to recoup millions of dollars in taxes outstanding for more than four years.
"The law provides a wide range of actions . . . we have not yet applied it but we are thinking of applying it . . . I hope we'll be able to apply the law," IRD Comptroller Haycene Ryan told the Montserrat Reporter,

Companies have been given until November 30 to file their accounts with the IRD.
While no figures were immediately available on the total outstanding amounts from pre-1995 to date, Mr. Ryan cited, as an example one company that recently submitted outstanding accounts for the past two years and, based on its computations, owed EC$1.5 million.
In the area of Company Tax alone, the IRD official noted that between 1992 and 1993 about EC$1.8 million were collected while for last year the maximum was about EC$300,000.
Because of the volcanic crisis that started in 1995 the IRD had decided to give remaining companies some "leeway" but, according to the tax chief, some have not even submitted accounts for as early as 1993.
"This is not good enough," he said, because poor revenue collection was hampering central government's ability to draw down on Britain's aid package.
"The British lay on certain performance requirements and if the local government does not collect the revenue, it weakens their negotiating position," Mr. Ryan said.

In a paid newspaper notice, the IRD pointed out that it "has allowed some leeway to company Directors in presenting Annual Accounts," given the difficulties experienced by some businesses during the past four years.
The IRD Comptroller lamented the commitment of defaulting businesses to the development of the island's economy.
"People do not care about their responsibilities to the society in which they live," he said.
Another area to which the IRD has been paying attention in order to collect as much revenue as possible was the failure by some professionals, small businesses and the self employed to file Personal Income Tax returns.
Mr. Ryan said some of those categories of workers have received letters because that is another of the "major areas in which people are not complying."

The Barbados government has offered to assist Montserrat in negotiating international treaties and agreements, Chief Minister David Brandt said at the weekend.
Montserrat is expected to seize the informal offer made by Barbados' Prime Minister Owen Arthur to negotiate treaties with other countries to smash money laundering rings.
With Montserrat suffering from a volcano-induced brain-drain over the last four years, he welcomed the invitation to use the services of Barbados' "permanent negotiating team."
"That was very important and a joy to me because you need specialists to deal with these areas and that is where CARICOM and this is family is important in that where one is weak, a stronger one is able to help," Mr. Brandt told reporters.
Messrs. Brandt and Arthur, who are both Finance Ministers of their territories, participated at the recently held Commonwealth Finance Ministers Meeting in the Cayman Islands.
One of the first priorities of Montserrat in utilizing the services of the Barbados negotiators is expected to be the drafting of a treaty to provide financial information to other countries, including Britain, on a reciprocal basis to counter money laundering.
The Draft Exchange of Information Act (1999) was withdrawn last Friday from the Legislative Council because, according to Mr. Brandt, it did not guarantee reciprocal cooperation.
The Chief Minister feared that if that Bill was passed investors in the financial services sector of the remaining British dependencies could collapse because confidentiality of information could have been in jeopardy.

Regional News

Kingston, Jamaica, CANA - Two of 23 prisoners in Jamaica who broke out of the maximum security Tower Street Adult Correctional Centre in downtown Kingston Friday are dead. Police killed them in a shoot-out Monday. Police identified the two as Carlton Drummond, who was in prison for murder, and Christopher Creary, who was convicted of illegalpossession of a firearm and robbery with aggravation.

Bridgetown, Barbados, CANA - A five-day-long sick-out by Barbados police appears to have hit an impasse, with Prime Minister Owen Arthur telling them his government will talk but only if they return to the beat.

Pressing for increased pay and better working conditions, police in the hundreds began submitting sick leave certificates Thursday. Mr. Arthur responded by describing the police action as outrageous and saying they should return to work before lawlessness breaks out.

Bridgetown, Barbados, CANA - Regional governors-general are talking about whether to retain or abolish the British monarch as head of state in several Caribbean territories.

St Lucia's Governor-General, Dr. Pearlette Louisy, said Wednesday, "Reform is always good, is always necessary. Nothing is etched in stone".

The heads of state met this week to review the role of the governor-general, as the Queen's representative, in the Caribbean.

Roseau, Dominica, CANA - Dominica received 2,292 Haitians over the past 12 months. Of that number, 202 left Dominica legally at the end of their stay, while 110 have been repatriated, Prime Minister Edison James said. "It is estimated that the remainder left Dominica illegally," James said.

The body of a 20-year-old clerk, Thane Pedro, was found by his father early yesterday morning hanging from a beam in the men’s washroom of the Guyana and Trinidad Mutual Life and Fire Insurance Company, the Guyana Chronicle reported.

The discovery was made some 36 hours after the young man went missing.

The dead boy's father, Tyrone Pedro, a taxi driver, told the Chronicle that Thane was the second of his three children and the most quiet one.

"My family is Seventh-Day Adventist and we observe the Sabbath on Fridays. Thane usually comes home before sundown for family devotions," Pedro said

SPORTS

CONGRATULATIONS ARE IN ORDER
By Peter Adrien
Author and Sports Commentator

In last week's column, we cried aloud and made known our lamentations. The merciful God heard our cry and gave us a breather - a sign of good things to come. The good Lord gave us something to glory in, and the basis for our
hope in the future.
Brian Lara scored an ODI century in only 45 balls against Bangladesh at the Bangabandhu Stadium on Saturday October 9, 1999. The double-world record holder, Brian Lara, hammered a superb ton off only 45 balls to become
the second fastest centurion in ODI cricket. The century was the second quickest century in ODI history after Shahid Afridi of Pakistan scored a 37-ball ton against Sri Lanka in Nairobi in 1996 bettering the record of Sri Lankan Sanath Jayasuriya, who reached the mark in 48 balls against Pakistan in Singapore.
Lara also entered the 6,000 runs club in ODI cricket as the fourth West Indian after Desmond Haynes, Sir Vivian Richards and Richie Richardson.
He thrilled the local fans with masterly cuts, drive and pulls and scored his 13th ODI century with 18 fours and three sixes. He plundered 22 runs off Khaled Mahmud Sujon in the 14th over. The swashbuckling 117 off 62 balls by captain Brian Lara allowed the visiting West Indies beat Bangladesh by 109 runs at the floodlit Bangabandhu National Stadium to clinch the Biman Millennium Cup.
Chasing the massive West Indies total of 314 runs, Bangladesh was dismissed for 205 in 49.1 overs. In fact, Bangladesh was defeated in the very early overs when Caribbean captain Brian Lara winning the toss opted to
bat first and he along with the other opener Sherwin Campbell started to slaughter the Bangladesh bowlers.
The West Indies batting was so aggressive, especially against the medium pacers, that captain Amino Islam Bulbul didn't have the courage to ask new ball bowlers Manjurul Islam and Shafiuddin Ahmed to continue. Both Manjur and Shafiuddin, in their 3-over first spells, conceded 30 and 32 runs respectively. Manjur, called again only for the last over, gave away 8 more runs. Khaled Mahmud Sujon gave away 78 runs from 8 overs while Bulbul 50 and
Enamul Haq Moni 45 from their 10-over quotas.
Habibul Bashar Sumon, who took the important wicket of Brian Lara, was the most successful Bangladesh bowler who cost 31 runs in 10 overs. He bowled Lara with the score at 185 for 3 in 19.4 overs but not before the batting superstar had Lara played a hurricane innings of 117 runs off 62 balls with 19 eye-catching boundaries and three huge sixes.
But did you know that Lara was making up for the inexplicably long lost time and, partially, for the emotional trauma that he has caused the West Indian public for his short unproductive period, lack of application and acts of
indiscipline, and his strong self-headedness.
Before 30,000 spellbound Bangladeshis around the Bangabandhu Stadium, and the 11 bemused countrymen representing them on the field, the West Indies captain blasted his way to his first hundred in a one-day
international for almost a year and a half off fewer balls than anyone but the precocious Pakistani teenager Shahid Afridi had ever done.
Again resuming his position at the top of the order, as he had done in the previous one-day match, Lara peppered the boundaries in all directions with shots that cracked off his bat like rifle shots. He arrived at three figures off his 45th ball with 4, 4, 4, 6 from successive balls from the trundling medium-pacer Khaled Mahmud. Afridi got there from 37 balls against Sri Lanka in Nairobi in 1997 when he was a 17-year-old in his debut innings. His eventual 117 off 62 balls formed the foundation for what might have been an unimaginable West Indies total. By the time he was destroyed by the same flashing blade, had hit four sixes and 18 fours as his main scoring strokes.
It was really Lara's day. The gods were obviously with him. They blessed him with the required measure of luck and they gave him the right type of bowling - no threatening bowling. Dismissed for 2 by the first ball of the second over in the first match, luck and a fielder at first slip who was up too early from his stance prevented Lara suffering a repeat and subjected Bangladesh to their disdainful punishment. The edge off the tall fast bowler Shaffiuddin was definite but the possible catch sneaked under Al Shariar's fingertips. He spent 26 balls over his first 50 that included 12 fours, a mere 19 balls over his second with six more fours and four sixes.
His 60 against India in Singapore a month ago was the highest he could manage in his previous 30 matches, dating back to his 110 against England at Kensington Oval on March 30 last year.
There is no doubt that when Lara gets his mind-set right, greatness follows. But his sporting genius is often overcome by his apparent inability to manage himself. Sometimes we wander if he would self-destruct. We remember thoughts like: 'The bigger they are, the harder they fall.' We sometimes entertain the classic thought that the gods destroy those that they raise up. The Oxford Dictionary of Quotations does not confirm this line of enquiry but the 17th century line goes like this: ``Whom God would destroy He first sends mad.''
There was more than a hint of imbalance apparently affecting the life of Brian Lara as he spiraled downwards from the heights of record-breaking and run-scoring to the lower level of barely scratching a living at the game. And how can we account for Lara's magnificent revival in the second and third Tests against Australia? Was it simply that the gods relented and, gave him back peace of mind? We can immediately see that he is in a very special, if not unique category, having been gifted to an extraordinary degree by the gods in the first place. When he buckle down and
accept his responsibilities, he brings out the best in him. .
We have seen Headley, Rowe, Sobers, Richards and Hooper. When he is discipline, this graceful left-hander can rank high against all sporting genii. And whenever he exhibits his class to the international public, he gets his just rewards. In June, following the disappointed summer in England, the West Indies gained some consolation for their World Cup failure when Brian Lara received an international honour. The Federation of International Cricketers' Associations (FICA) named him the International Cricketer Of The Year.
Lara received the award - given annually for ``the most consistent performances in Test cricket over the past 12 months.'' He won the honour ahead of six other nominated players: captain Steve Waugh and fast bowler Glenn McGrath of Australia, all-rounder Jacques Kallis and fast bowler Allan Donald of South Africa and batsman Sachin Tendulkar of India. His outstanding series against Australia in the Caribbean, in which he scored match-winning innings of 213 in Jamaica and 158 not out in Barbados and followed up with an even 100 in the final Test in Antigua, had given the edge over his competitors.
In the latest Pricewaterhouse Coopers, released on October 4, 1999, Brian Lara maintained his number one position as the best Test batsman in the world. He is still rated before Steve Waugh, Sachin Tendulkar, and Aravinda de Silva (4), who have moved up four places.
More importantly, Lara positioned himself in his ideal place - in the top order. With our present batting stock, he is the most technically capable for the number-three position. And we hope that he will re-establish himself in that spot.
Congratulations Brian!

GOVERNMENT INFORMATION

Honourable Chief Minister David Brandt says the Government will impose a higher rate of tax on land left undeveloped by non-Montserratians.

Mr. Brandt says such a move would encourage persons to sell or develop their properties.

This, he says, will help ease the problem of land shortage which the island is now experiencing.

According to the Chief Minister, if the land is sold to a non-Montserratian it would have to be developed during a specified period of time or it will be forfeited to the government.

Mr. Brandt goes on to say that the government could also acquire land for public purposes, which it is entitled to do under the Land Acquisition Act.

He says this move is to ensure that those non-Montserratians who have left large areas of land undeveloped for years do not keep back the progress of the country.

The Department of Agriculture is reporting progress in its effort re-establish the commercial production of pineapple on Montserrat.

Chief Agricultural Extension Officer Easten Farrell was in Guyana last week to monitor the collection and shipment of pineapple suckers from that country.

According to Agriculture Development Officer Justin Cassell, the plants are due to arrive in Montserrat in a refrigerated container during the latter part of October.

He says a meeting was held with a number of farmers last week to finalize details of their involvement in the pineapple bulking programme.

Meanwhile, the Department of Agriculture’s self-sufficiency programme has received another boost, with the sourcing of more planting materials from overseas.

Quantities of planting suckers and yam tubers have been ordered from St. Vincent for distribution to farmers.

Director of Agriculture Claude Gerald says the planting material should be available to farmers in early November.

Plans, Budget Advancing For Agriculture Exhibition

Plans are being advanced for the staging of the 1999 National Agriculture Exhibition.

The committee planning the event has submitted its budget to the Honourable Minister of Agriculture Trade and the Environment Austin Bramble.

However, three executive members of the Exhibition Committee are concerned that any adjustments to the proposed budget, especially to prizes, could seriously compromise the integrity of the show.

The committee is hoping that private sector sponsorship, in addition to the Government’s support, will result in high quality participation in the exhibition.

The exhibition is viewed by the Department of Agriculture as a motivation for farmers and a precursor to the planned Christmas activities.

The Department of Agriculture is in the process of upgrading the local breed of goats by introducing a new bloodline.

The new bloodline is a South African Breed called Boer.

Agriculture Development Officer Justin Cassell says the Boer produces good quality meat and has performed well in neighbouring Antigua.

He says the male goat will be on island later this month.

Meanwhile, Director of Agriculture Claude Gerald says a programme to make it accessible to all goat meat producers is being put in place.

In response to health concerns the Government of Montserrat says it is pursuing vigorously plans to build an abattoir.

The Honourable Minister of Agriculture Trade and the Environment Austin Bramble says the urgent need for an abattoir has been recognized.

He says agreement has been reached with Her Majesty’s Government for funding.

This follows the completion and submission of a report by consultants.

However, Minister Bramble says the one significant limitation in the proposal is the absence of any chilling facility, which he feels ought to be a minimum requirement.

He says the Government is still in negotiations to secure the land, but construction should start before the next budget presentation in April.

As part of moves to curb the loose livestock problem the Ministry of Agriculture is continuing efforts to set up a pound in the central part of the island.

The Honourable Minister of Agriculture Austin Bramble says aggressive efforts have been made to establish the pound in Salem, where an area of land has been secured.

However, he says the ministry’s efforts have been stymied by difficulties in finding someone to keep the pound.

He says the ministry has had discussions with several individuals but to date no one has been willing to be responsible for the pound.

According to the minister, the pound space in the north is limited and it is this fact which contributed to the decision by the Government to reduce the time for the impounding of animals from 72 hours to 48.

Other plans announced by the government to control loose livestock are the tagging of animals and an increase in pound fees.

The Government is moving ahead with plans to construct special needs housing and a community center at Lookout.

During last week Friday’s meeting of the Legislative Council members passed a resolution for the acquisition of 2.5 acres of land in the area.

Minister with responsibility for Lands P. Austin Bramble says the decision was only taken to acquire the land after failure to reach an agreement on the price with the landowner.

The Honourable Chief Minister David Brandt said plans for the special needs homes and the community center at Lookout are a reflection of the Government’s concern for the elderly.

He said the Government’s support for the elderly is further evidenced by plans to construct a road to the Golden Years Home in Brades.

The Chief Minister also announced that commercial, sports and other facilities will be developed at Lookout.

Cudjoe Head beat Salem in another close encounter in the Montserrat Cricket Association one-day league at Salem Park.

Set 121 to win Cudjoe Head scored 127 for six off 19 overs.

They were led to victory by Dion Weekes and Phillip Tuitt, who each remained unbeaten on 43 and 16 respectively, while former Montserrat player Mark Stephanie contributed 36.

Sylvester "Ben" Greenaway took three for 29 and Gary Barzey three for 33.

Batting first Salem reached 121 for 8 off 30 overs, with former national captain Fitzroy Buffonge topscoring with 40.

I. Richman and Leon "Spinks" Greenaway each took two wickets.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry Communications and Works Eugene Skerritt says the Area 4 project in central Montserrat is progressing well.

He says workmen from the Department of Public Works have been doing road cleaning and patching in Salem, Olveston and Old Town.

Mr. Skerritt says the PWD is also working closely with the utility services such as MONLEC and the Montserrat Water Authority to avoid any further inconvenience to the public.

The Area 4 project is financed by the British Government to improve the road network and restore utility services to areas in central Montserrat that were previously evacuated.

Meanwhile acting Minister of Communication and Works Chief Minister David Brandt says the island will be given a facelift before the end of the year.

He says this would include the cutting and cleaning of roadsides.

The Chief Minister says he is concerned about the indiscriminate dumping of garbage in some areas such as Dr. Woods in Salem and the Great North Road.

He says the Government will also be encouraging persons to dispose of waste properly.

Mr. Brandt says if this fails the Government will take steps to ensure that offenders feel the full weight of the law.

Farmers Encouraged to Grasp Agro Forestry Grant Scheme

More farmers are being encouraged to take part in the Agro Forestry Grant Scheme.

Under the scheme, which is part of the Watershed and Forestry Management project, farmers are encouraged to invest in planting trees.

Forestry Adviser Tony Hill says it took a while to get the message across to farmers but the programme is now picking up pace.

He says the main objective of the scheme is to encourage farmers to plant more trees in the north to compensate for those lost in the south.

Mr. Hill says it also helps animal farmers during the dry season when there is not much food around.

A new economist has taken up duties at the Development Unit.

Briton Gareth Forber has begun a two-year assignment with responsibility for designing and developing projects.

Mr. Forber is a recent graduate of Exeter University, where he achieved his degree and postgraduate degree in economics.

During his stint here the new economist will be working closely with various ministries and departments on a number of development projects.

A delegation led by the Director of the Development Unit is on the way to the United Kingdom to finalize plans for the soft mortgage scheme.

The team, which includes Economic Adviser Oral Martin and the Managing Director of the Bank of Montserrat, will meet officials from the Department for International Development (DFID) and the Treasury Department.

Officials are hoping that the finalization of details will pave the way for the programme to be implemented by the end of the year.

Under the plan $6 million will be made available to persons who have relocated from areas south of Belham.

Individuals will be able to borrow up to $150,000 for housing construction.

There is also an element of subsidy in the package.

The rate of interest for the loan will be set at 8.5 percent.

The main qualification is that borrowers have relocated from south of Belham and intend to build in the north.

Heliport Upgrading Off to Flying Start

Construction work has started on the buildings for the Gerald’s Heliport.

The upgrading work includes an air traffic control tower and a terminal building.

The project is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

It will ensure that the heliport receives certification from civil aviation authorities in the United Kingdom and the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States, which would allow a commercial service to be operated here.

The upgrade of the heliport will also ensure that it meets the International Civil Aviation Organization’s standards.

Students from Montserrat have a chance to win a scholarship from the Emanuel College of the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom.

The college is offering the Lord Northfield Scholarship to students of outstanding academic merit to pursue an undergraduate course.

The course could be in any subject relevant to the needs of Montserrat.

The scholarship is open to anyone under the age of 21 at the time of applying and who expects to obtain excellent ‘A’ Levels or equivalent before October 2000.

The scholarship will cover the University Composition Fee at the overseas rate, an annual return economy airfare, and a generous personal allowance for a single student to enable him or her to take a full part in Cambridge and College life.

Interested persons should contact the training division.

Meanwhile the Cambridge Commonwealth Trust and the Cambridge Overseas Trust are offering a number of scholarships to students to pursue graduate studies.

To qualify for graduate studies, local applicants must be under the age of 26 by October 2000 and must have a first class honours degree or its equivalent from a recognized university.

A new law has been passed in the Legislative to enhance Montserrat’s preparedness for natural disasters.

The Honourable Attorney General Charles Ekins, who introduced the bill, said the Disaster Preparedness and Response Act provides for the effective management and control of disasters.

Among the key provisions is the appointment of a Director of Disaster Preparedness and Response.

The Director will be responsible to the Governor for the co-ordination of general policy of the Government relating to the mitigation, preparedness, response and recovery from emergencies and disasters.

The director would also be required to prepare a National Disaster Preparedness and Response Plan annually.

The Attorney General told the Legislative Council the law calls for the setting up of a National Disaster Preparedness and Response Advisory Committee.

Such a committee will be chaired by the Governor and will include officers from various ministries and departments such as the police, defense force, fire service, public health, and the environment.

The safety of the general public should be improved with the passage of the Fire and Rescue Service Act in the Legislative Council last week.

The law calls for the installation of fire extinguishers in all public buildings on Montserrat.

All public buildings including bars that are in excess of 1,000 square feet should also display diagrams showing the layout of the building on each floor.

The diagram should clearly mark all exits.

Meanwhile, the question of who will command the Fire and rescue Service has been resolved.

Attorney General Charles Ekins said given the numbers of the service, it would not be justified to have a commander appointed to stand on his or her own.

Therefore, he said, it was felt that this responsibility should stay with the Commissioner of Police until such time that the service should expand.

He says other issues such as discipline and pension provisions have been resolved.

The Honourable Chief Minister David Brandt says water will be restored to several public standpipes around the island.

The Chief Minister says he took the decision because of the problems this has caused to many people in communities who still depend on standpipes for potable water.

The Montserrat Water Authority stopped the supply of water to the standpipes because of alleged abuse.

According to reports, some persons were making direct connections from the standpipes to their homes, therefore those without meters were shut off.

One of the main objectives of the Water Authority is to ensure that every household in Montserrat has a safe supply of water.

However, the MWA will be installing meters on standpipes in an effort to monitor the use of the service, which is very costly to provide.

Meanwhile the Chief Minister says he has taken steps to reopen the public toilet in St. Peters.

He said that this is in response to public health concerns.

The toilet has been closed for many years, but the Chief Minister says its closure has denied a much-needed service to the community, especially bars that operate in the area.

The Ministry of Agriculture has announced Wednesday November 3^rd as Tree Planting Day.

During that day the Forestry Unit will continue its practice of distributing trees to households across the island.

This year each household will receive three plants, including two ornamentals and one fruit tree.

Forestry Officer James "Scriber" Daley says 16 different species of plants will be distributed this year.

The first ship-to-shore transfer of fuel since the evacuation of Plymouth took place at Carrs Bay on Wednesday.

Gasoline and diesel were discharged from a tanker offshore to storage tanks at the Carrs Bay fuel depot.

The storage capacity of the tanks is approximately 240,000 gallons.

The tanks, along with the floating hose and other facilities, were installed with funds from the Department for International Development (DFID).

The Honourable Chief Minister David Brandt has welcomed the commissioning of the new system.

He says it brings to an end many difficulties in the discharging of fuel at the port.

Mr. Brandt is asking the public to be patient as the Government works hard to ensure life on Montserrat returns to a state of normalcy.

The Government is moving ahead with plans to develop Little Bay.

The Caribbean Development Bank has agreed to fund a study called the Little Bay Town Center Area Action Plan.

The general objective of the consultancy is to provide guidance and advice to the Government of Montserrat on the most effective strategy for the development of the Little Bay area.

This will involve establishing the site’s potential for the development of a new urban center and determining the infrastructure requirements of a new town.

The consultants are expected to conduct an assessment of the infrastructure requirements such as access roads, drainage, power and water, and assist the government with preparation of a detailed layout of the area, including hotel, commercial, recreational and residential.

According to officials, the study will be completed within 48 days of the signing of the contract.

The 15 houses of the CARICOM Village in Lookout will be officially handed over to the Government in November.

All 13 heads of Government from the Caribbean Community (CARICOM) have been invited to Montserrat for the event.

According to officials, although all leaders are not expected to attend, most have expressed a keen interest in the project, which is part of CARICOM’s commitment to help Montserrat.

There are plans to build another 15 under phase two of the project.

The houses have already been allocated to 15 families who received their keys last week.

In related news the Land Development Authority has been given responsibility for the Government’s new housing stock at Lookout Davy Hill, Shin Land, Friths, Cheapend, Manjack, Drummonds, and Hope.

The Government has also appointed a new estate manager to handle the property management functions.

Reflections & Education For A New Society

I am delighted to be with you on this great occasion. I feel honoured to have been asked to be your guest speaker. As some of you may know, the teaching profession is in my blood. My Grandfather was for several years the Headmaster of the St. Peters Anglican School. He also served as Headmaster in schools in St. Kitts, St. Lucia and Dominica. He made all of his children become teachers and when my mother and one of my aunts, both of blessed memory, revolted and became nurses, they had to find alternative accommodation.

When I was asked to perform this pleasant task, I was told of your theme 'Educators moving prepared into the 21^st Century'. I liked it! If therefore it was a trick to entice me out of my field, you have succeeded for I have chosen as the subject of my address: "Reflections & Education for the 21" Century."

The aim of public education in Montserrat remained too long that of turning out by mass production youths who would meet the minimum requirements of survival, barely to manage in a society which was dependent on the three R's (reading, writing and 'rithmetic)! In the early part of this century only luck and a touch of genius took anyone beyond that boundary.

That our schools were at that time a place where persons qualified for admission to places of higher learning was an absolute farce. There were three scholarships annually from the 10 public schools to the only institution of higher learning, The Montserrat Secondary School. The qualification for entrance was placing first, second or third in an examination in which three papers were written in one day - Maths, English and General Knowledge.

Although I am certain this was not deliberately done, the General Knowledge Paper was partial to the candidates of the Plymouth Schools, and so the candidates of the country schools gained scholarships by outscoring the candidates of the town schools in the Maths and English papers. Further, candidates had to be not more that 12 years old at date of examination. As a consequence brilliant pupils who started late, whether through illness, worthless parents or for whatever reason, never had a chance!

Primary Education was stunted by two obvious limitations. The shortcomings and the inferior training of the teachers to whom it was entrusted and the excessive burden thrust upon those teachers in the interest of public economy.

Money for education was never a priority, and no one thought then that it should have been. Politicians of the day with their limited power were busy bargaining for better wages and conditions of work for labourers in the cotton fields.

When I attended the Cavalla Hill School I recall very vividly that on the first day of the cotton planting season, out of a roll of 320 children, there were as few as 60 children in school. Apparently, neither teacher, parent nor children thought there was anything wrong with this.

We all got together in what was then called a 'collective lesson' and sang our hearts out! The general attitude was one of laissez faire.What kind of educational system do you contemplate for the 21^st century? I think in order to answer that question it is necessary to ask yourselves another question. What kind of society do you intend to live in? Let us take a quarter of a century at a time.

The educational system you intend to set up must depend on the way you envisage Montserrat in the year 2025; on the quality of men and women on which you set the highest value and on the estimates you make not only of those who are gifted with greater intellectual capacities but on ordinary people.

We want a society in which differences in wealth and income will be much smaller than in this century and movement from one social group to another much easier.

We want a system, which will yield a much higher standard of ordinary behaviour. We want illiteracy, hatred, envy and ignorance to disappear soonest, never to return.

We want to make our ordinary people feel at home in any company, in any society, in any country.

If we must meet the requirements of such a society, we must find an educational system which includes all forms of education that can make people more useful, more dignified and happier in every walk of life.

Is it not beyond belief that with full knowledge of the scourge of illiteracy we are about to enter into the 21^st Century without ever having seriously organised classes for adult education?

Has there ever been any proper record kept of the number of illiterate voters voting at a general election? Has anyone ever thought of putting in place a simple programme to ensure that this number diminishes with each succeeding election?

The problem we have to face now is not that of diffusing more widely a culture of which a few of you are already in possession but rather that of devising a new mental training, appropriate to the needs of our new society in which our children will have to live, for what is happening to us is that the information age is creating a new range of skills calling for different types of training and mental approach, and we must be part of it in order to survive.

Educating for the 21^st Century puts a heavier but happier burden on teachers because it is on you that training children in the art of citizenship is bound to fall. You will need to be acquainted with the physical and moral problems of youth in order to be able to give the right guidance when the youth are struggling to find their feet and learning to adapt themselves to the critical life changes of adolescence. This is why for the 21^st Century I strongly advocate evening and weekend classes and a larger technical and vocational element in our general system of education, because it is my belief that education in the creative use of the hands has an important influence on character and tends in the right combination with academic studies to foster qualities of initiative and personal self expression.

No one should be forced into the teaching profession. I go further, no one should decide to be a teacher without first experimenting in actual teaching. I am aware that many teachers have risen graciously above the abominable conditions of their preparation and have worked wonders! Two striking examples of abominable conditions were - inadequate pay and misguided authority. I trust that things are better now!

Those of you who are trained and are eager for further and better training must bear in mind that it is vital to rub shoulders with all sorts and conditions of men.

Remember that the school is the cradle of democracy and creative capacity and it is on the street, on the bus at the bar where men's hearts and tongues are lightened and loosened by love or liquor that you will hear and see these in action.

I have summarized five groups of educational needs, which I consider vital to life in the new society. I will go through them very quickly.

Common Convenience
Education in the 21^st Century should be designed to put every boy and girl in possession of such knowledge, adaptability, initiative and presence of mind, as will enable them to get through life without being nuisances to themselves or to others, without being embarrassed by their ignorance of essential things and procedures, and without being prevented by sheer incompetence from acting in common with neighbours or workmates in those affairs which call for group action.

Every school leaver should read easily, write intelligibly and budget sensibly. He should understand the basic rules of diet, take care of his health and keep himself clean and tidy, sew on a button, darn a pair of pants, prepare a good meal for two.

He must behave with common politeness, control his temper and sing in tune!

He must know the essential facts of sex, fill out properly drafted forms, make a simple speech and behave himself in public.

Common Service
The educational system should be designed to equip every boy and girl within the bounds of their mental and physical capacities to earn a decent living and serve the community according to their several qualifications. It should allow for the needs of adults and for late developers. There should be no misfits in the new society. Education should pay attention to combining institutional instruction with gainful employment so as to make each help the other and help towards an understanding of the other.

Enjoyment and Appreciation of Leisure Time
The system should be designed to equip every man, woman and child with means of making the most satisfying use of leisure time. Everyone should be given a chance to show whether they enjoy creative writing, poetry, whether they can act, or are musically inclined. Every child should be given a chance to learn a foreign language, conversationally, and to travel and mix with foreigners, learn to play skillful games like chess, bridge or poker, take part in athletic sports and games.

Everyone should be able to swim and fish, ride a bicycle, drive a car and be fit enough to climb mountains!

Social Morality
The education system should be designed to endow every boy and girl with sufficient moral sentiment to enable them to live in peace with their neighbours and in harmony with the society to which they belong and contribute actively to its development. Without this, there will be no community and no power to achieve collective greatness.

Common Standards
The education system should be designed to assimilate healthy social habits of speech, dress and the highest standards of discipline without narrowing the opportunities for the expression of individual character. An educated man in the 21^st Century should be able to marry his maid without the probability of clashes of social behaviour. He must be able to do this to the delight and with the encouragement of his peers who need only to be convinced that they love each other. The question is often asked in this century, who or what are intellectuals, but no useful answer has ever been given, because mere intellectualism as we have often seen is apt to foster a critical spirit, which accepting no standards leads to conceit and practical inefficiency. Those who think they are intellectuals are usually dubbed eccentric, arrogant or downright square, and when this type of intellectualism infects teachers it is passed on to the pupils in diluted form with disastrous consequences.

What is most heartening is that there are among you individuals who can do everyone of the things I have advocated! You are going prepared into the 21^st century!

As the song leader would say 'all together now'. What resolutions are we prepared to make 87 days hence? You whom luck, experience, or intellectual cunning or divine inspirations have endowed with greater vision must come together with faith and courage to proclaim yourselves the architect of the New Society and to offer help and inspiration to the less fortunate who continue to labour under the stress of hurtful experiences.

Our ancestors did not come prepared into the 20^th century. They could not! Still bruised from the chains of slavery, fate dealt them staggering blows.

A hurricane in 1899, a world war 1914 –1918, another hurricane in 1924 and another in 1928, earthquakes in 1935, another world war in 1939 - 1945. They reached the halfway mark by faith and handed over to us and we dragged our feet. Yes, guilty, every one of us guilty. Hugo and the volcanic eruptions should never have met our people so spiritually and morally unprepared. They should never have gone away until the boat after the last one was leaving.

Somewhere in the second half of this century there was a gap in our development that we as a people would like to forget but will remember only to ensure that it does not happen to us again.

We must continue to invest in education and democracy more than we have ever done before. We must believe in ourselves, we must maintain and strengthen our faith in God we must show more love, more tolerance, more compassion. We must take off our blindfolds, look around us and see things as they really are!

There must be a new determination in the minds and hearts of every teacher, every parent, every preacher, every public servant and every citizen to polish and preserve this precious emerald for generations of future Montserratians to enjoy and when dawn breaks on January 1^st, 2000 there must be a smile of hope on the face of every child in this island and that smile must never fade.

We must not fail, we cannot fail!

Correction

Because of a makeup error, the final paragraphs of last issue’s article, "Men Learning to Behave Badly," by Everton Ryan, failed to appear. Those paragraphs are:

My view that the "system" has failed and is failing our men to be. I am inclined to agree that co-education is a major aspect of this failure, so too is the lack of males to provide guidance at home and school. You may agree or disagree this is not the essence.

The aim is achieved when you have read this in its entirety and think of knocking the arguments flat. But just don't continue to "take things"/ accept them without questioning.

Twenty-two farmers have been selected to participate in the pineapple bulking program. Approximately 50,000 suckers are to be planted on seven acres of land.

Farmers Harvesting

A number of farmers have been harvesting crops this week. Tomato, lettuce, cucumber, okra, carrots, pumpkin, sweet pepper and sweet potato are among the produce available at various outlets this weekend.

Tree Planting Day – November 3^rd 1999

Persons can collect trees on 2^nd November and 3^rd November. Call 491-2546 for more information.

Exhibition Venue Decided

The Ministry of Agricultural Exhibition and Fair will take place at the compounds of the Brades Primary School on 15^th December 1999.

HYPERTENSION

Hypertension is an abnormal condition of the small blood vessels of the arterial system in which the systolic and diastolic blood pressure is elevated. It is not a disease in the sense of being caused by a germ or resulting from deterioration of certain of the body tissues. Rather it represents the body’s response to conditions that trigger a constriction of blood vessels, throughout the body and thus increase the heart’s workload.

Doctors consider blood pressure greater than 160/90 within the range high blood pressure. A single blood pressure reading may not indicate truly a person’s actual level of blood pressure. Momentary excitement or nervousness may shoot the pressure up higher than ordinary. In fact temporary elevation of blood pressure is one of the body’s normal reactions to stress, excitement or any emergency. Therefore a series of at least three blood pressure readings should be taken at different times when the individual is at rest in order to determine his real average blood pressure.

In most cases the cause is unknown. However, researchers have many theories about what may cause hypertension. Overeating with resultant obesity is a common causative factor; the use of large amounts of salt in food is a contributing factor. Stress – physical, social and business -- is a factor producing high blood pressure. The smoking of a single cigarette may temporarily raise systolic pressure by 5-10 points. Persistent smoking is therefore a contributing factor to the development of high blood pressure.

1. Men under 50

2. Women over 50 years, women who are pregnant, and women taking oral contraceptives.

3. Blacks are more prone to hypertension than whites.
4. Overweight people.
5. Children whose parents have hypertension.
6. In reality anyone young or old can develop hypertension.

Always follow your doctor’s directions and remember treatment is a lifelong matter. You should never stop treatment, even if you feel better. Treatment for hypertension includes:

1. Special diet – A diet low in salt, fat and cholesterol
2. Relaxation - Through meditation, deep breathing or just taking it easy you can lower your high blood pressure.
3. Exercise – This is important, but be sure to consult your doctor before starting.
4. Medication – Special drugs for high blood pressure help to lower blood pressure, e.g. Aldomet and Nifedipine.

A combination of treatments is most effective and probably will be prescribed.

Be sure to report any side effects of medication to your doctor or nurse. He or she may be able to adjust the dosage or prescribe a different drug. Women who become pregnant should tell their doctor at once. A change of drug may be required for health and safety of the unborn child.

Protect yourself, see your doctor for regular checkups of your blood pressure, eyes, heart and kidneys, as uncontrolled hypertension can cause serious health problems such as stroke, heart disease, kidney failure and shortened life expectancy.

It is up to you to control your blood pressure by having regular blood pressure checkups. Balance your living with exercise, rest and eating the right food. Follow the advice of your doctor, take your medications, keep your appointments and do not smoke. Hypertension is a family affair. If someone in your family has hypertension, encourage him/her to follow necessary treatment. Many cases of high blood pressure are accompanied by practically no tell-tale symptoms. In fact, high blood pressure has been described as the silent killer. Remember hypertension can be successfully treated. Speak

Miss Gwendolyn White, RN, RM

Miss White received her basic education at the Cork Hill Primary School, Salem Junior Secondary and Montserrat Secondary School. Her ambition was always to pursue a career in Nursing and so, upon leaving school, she joined the Nursing profession in1987 as a Nursing Assistant. She later enrolled in the General Nursing programme in1989 and successfully completed it in 1992.

After graduating, she worked as a graduate nurse until 1997 when she pursued a one-year midwifery course in St. Kitts. This she successfully completed in 1998 and later that year was promoted to the position of Staff Nurse.

In addition to the above training, Miss White has been exposed to local and regional training in several areas including:-

-Immunization

-Management of Asthma

-Tuberculosis prevention and update

-Accident and Emergency Nursing.

Lookout is a point suddenly focal,

Making CM Brandt typically vocal.

There’s a need in that part

For a new super mart,

And the owner had better be local.

Your safety is really the crux

Of concern, instead of ‘big bucks,’

Seat belts are recommended

Save for those undefended

Standing up on the backs of our trucks.

QUOTES

"A man can't be too careful in the choice of his enemies."

"Always forgive your enemies-nothing annoys them so much."

Oscar Wilde

Jus wonderin how a certain worker in C&W gets so much holidays in a year.

Jus wonderin if it is the winter weather why Montserratians in England are making so many babies.

Jus wonderin why certain females don't join the police force since they guard their men like they are officers.

Jus wonderin what 'green girl' was doing naked on the beach with 'yellow man'.

Jus wonderin when the Chief Minister going to send back the Guyanese and the other foreigners.

Jus wonderin why some ministers and their cronies are behaving like they are to the manor born, rather than elected.

Jus wonderin when they goin stap callin de people niam fu true pan radio fu de li gas, lek a beg you a beg um.

Jus wonderin if they still planning to encourage the erection of a hotel on Potato Hill in the Little Bay Development.

Jus wonderin who so wicked to be giving the Montserratians returning from England, just EC$4.00 to the £ at Heritage Quay in Antigua, when it is ages since the rate has gone down below $4.20.

Jus wonderin in the population in Montserrat nearly reach 5,000 and how many are non-Montserratian workers including the UK government employed.

Jus wonderin what about the joker story enthused the UK employed community so much.

Jus wonderin when we will not have to witness the school bus crammed with children.

Jus wonderin when I retire will I also have access to a "G" car.

Jus wonderin if the heavy roller has a special dress code of black every Saturday or is it just camouflage.

Jus wonderin who's name rhymes with menace as being just that.

Jus wonderin who will be first to put a supermarket at Look Out.

Jus wonderin who walks on their head and thinks with their feet.

Jus wonderin why the sub-editor walks like his chassie is bent.

Jus wonderin how many African/Indian descendants we will have returning from England.