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Jose Barely Grazes Montserrat

By Denis Chabrol

Minimal wind damage caused by hurricane Jose

One day after Hurricane Jose just barely brushed Montserrat, a number of departments at government headquarters were engaged Thursday in a massive mopping up exercise as they heeded the order by Acting Governor Dr. Howard Fergus to re-open their doors.

"Government offices will be opened tomorrow (Thursday) but with the best will in the world, the workers will need to spend the first two or three hours reinstating their equipment and their tools of office," Dr. Fergus said in an island-wide broadcast on Radio Montserrat.

Their hopes of an early cleanup were, however, dashed as intermittent torrential rain yesterday continued to drench the island.

At the Post Office, workers were seen hanging out bulk-mail canvas bags to dry.

The rains forced workmen to cease screwing off the hundreds of plywood shutters from the visibly frail Government Headquarters Complex, but all departments except the Post Office and Treasury were in operation again.

Shutter's being removed from GHQ

"I am not aware of damage to equipment or documents," Permanent Secretary (Administration) Ms. Claudia Roach told the Montserrat Reporter, adding that the Public Works Department would soon determine if the estimated 45-mph winds damaged any section of the complex.

She said that the roof of the Post Office was leaking even as a new steel-framed roof was being installed, and rain was preventing the Treasury Department from moving back its equipment stored elsewhere.

In at least one department, there was a meeting to map out a mopping up strategy before equipment and vital documents were moved back from a nearby privately owned concrete building where they were stacked for safe keeping.

In some offices, some boxes and equipment were seen covered in plastic garbage bags.

In his order, Dr. Fergus also announced that pupils of the Brades primary school would stay at home Thursday to allow teachers to re-arrange classrooms.

However, students of the Montserrat Secondary School (MSS) were expected to be away from their desks yesterday and today on a scheduled mid-term break, while teachers would report for administrative duties, as well as to have their long-planned meeting.

Efforts to contact the hospital, he said, proved futile up to Thursday afternoon. "If there was anything serious, I would expect to be told," he said.

Dr. Avery assured that Hurricane Jose was not expected to leave in its trail any diseases or injuries on Montserrat.

The chances of water-borne diseases were "unlikely" because the hilly and mountainous nature of the island afforded easy drainage while the potable water supply system was "well protected and so it is unlikely that we will not get any contamination," he said.

Dr. Avery said he did not expect an outbreak of Dengue fever but predicted that the population of the Aedes Aegypti mosquito species could increase about 20 days after the storm because some existing larvae trapped in small pockets of stagnant water would mature.

Agricultural Development Officer Justin Cassell , in a very early assessment, told the Montserrat Reporter that damage to farm lands was expected to be minimal.

"We have had reports of mechanical damage to plants due to strong winds that caused a loss of foliage and fruits and we also expect some seeds to be washed out," he said.

A small number of the 50 farmers planting a total of 60 acres would expect to report small losses and, according to Mr. Cassell, no livestock died or were injured.

Emergency managers said it was clear that the 45-mph winds of Hurricane Jose only downed a small number of trees and knocked out power supply in at least one area.

A detailed island-wide damage assessment was not expected to be conducted until some time today.

Except for a single power interruption for just under an hour on Wednesday , electricity, water and telephone services remained largely intact.

The Public Works Ministry deployed two gangs to scoop up mud, bricks and foliage washed down cliffs on sections of the winding asphalt roads.

Eugene Skerritt, Permanent Secretary of the Public Works and Communication Ministry, told the Montserrat Reporter that there were very small landslides in some areas but none of them blocked roads or disrupted populated areas.

Volcanic mudflows continued to run down several flanks of the Soufriere Hills volcano and, according to Mr. Skerritt, workers would await the end of the rains before clearing the Belham Bridge entrance to the daytime entry and exclusion zones in the south of Montserrat.

Only if there were need for emergency entry into either of the zones would heavy machinery be moved to that area, he said.

After being grounded between Tuesday and Wednesday, the helicopter service resumed operations at 2 p.m. Thursday, but there was no rush to get on flights, a senior official of the Montserrat Aviation Services (MAS) said.

Instead, there have been some cancellations of advanced bookings because passengers preferred not to travel in poor weather conditions and connecting flights to destinations such as London have not yet resumed operations.

The ferry service was scheduled to sail again from today with its first trip from Antigua at 4 p.m., and departure on its return journey at 5:30 PM.

Port Little Bay was slowly trickling back to activity with at least one cargo vessel docking there Thursday.

Convinced that the worst had passed Montserrat, ZJB shifted around 7 p.m. Wednesday from its emergency studio operations on the ground floor back to its regular operations on the top floor, a senior official confirmed yesterday.

Fearful that the wooden roof would weaken and water from eight to 10 inches of torrential rain would damage equipment, Radio Montserrat operated from downstairs of what was once a house to take advantage of the concrete floor of the top flat.

Like the queue of numerous vehicles at the filling station Tuesday, the radio station also ensured that it had emergency fuel supplies for its generator.

The underground phone line between ZJB and the Emergency Operations Centre (EOC) was also tested, just in case the normal phone system collapsed.

Chelston Lee, spokesman for the Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO),said the small number of monitoring devices removed from close to the volcano Tuesday were expected to be replaced earlier today.

Those pieces of equipment retrieved were only able to withstand winds of up to 65 mph, he said, and forecasters had earlier predicted that the eye of Hurricane Jose, with winds of up to 80 mph, would pass over the island.

Asked what impact the heavy rain had been having on the volcano, Mr. Lee said up to 6 a.m. Thursday there were no mudflows down by the Belham River bridge or by the W.H. Bramble Airport.

"There is still a real possibility," he said, adding that the MVO would be more concerned Thursday and today that the rain water could soften the dome and cause pieces to collapse.

Collapses of that nature could trigger ash plumes and add more material to mudflow deposits.

While several houses at Davy Hill and Lookout remained boarded up as rains continued Thursday, nearly all private businesses opened their doors to signal that life was slowly returning to the state of gradual recovery from four years of volcanic activity.

About 13 months ago, Montserrat experienced its worst from a hurricane, that of Georges, since Hugo destroyed most of the island in 1989.

This year all the hurricanes before Jose kept their distance well east of us, leaving us occasionally with a lot of rain. Just as last year the weather channel said that the "wobbled" just before reaching within striking distance of Montserrat and reportedly became disorganised, the same could be said of Jose this year.

It was described by our regional meteorologists as a minimal hurricane, even though its winds reached 100 mph when it slammed Antigua with a direct hit. But when it was still 60 miles off Guadeloupe it turned a little further north, moving it away from us, then turned again, moving directly at Antigua.

Again it was like divine intervention, that even a small hurricane should spare us its ravages, which had its strength east of centre. That also meant that the further away it was from us, the less we would be touched even by its storm force winds, which extended as much as 115 miles outward.

It seemed puzzling that while Antigua was being battered by the hurricane passing directly over, the north end of Montserrat was experiencing 45 mph winds and rain. But following the path of the hurricane it continued a northwesterly path, bringing its outer bands closer somewhat to us, dropping off its tail winds with small gusts and rain, which we experienced late last night.

The joy for Montserrat about all this, is that although the rains according to the scientists have somewhat unsettled the dome, causing collapses, we have no damage of consequence to report.

Never mind that the temporary Government Headquarters for which we are most fearful in the event of a full-fledged hurricane, suffered some rain damage, they had taken away important documents and stored them in Bruce Farara's new building across the way.

It is unknown how long good fortune will be with us, but we would not care to hear of such names as Katrina, Lenny, Maria, Nate, etc. which are just some of the names waiting for further hurricanes for 1999.

Last Saturday night, a Montserratian received the 1999 Ernst & Young "Entrepreneur of the Year Award" in Trinidad. He is 49-year-old Joel Webbe of W&W Electronics Ltd., who also won the prize for excellence in manufacturing. The award was given for his work relocating and rebuilding W&W (as it was well known in Montserrat) in Grenada, having suffered disaster from Hurricane Hugo in1989 and then forced to leave because of the volcano in 1995.

Attending the black-tie gala banquet at the Trinidad Hilton Hotel were Trinidadian President A.N.R. Robinson and Gordon "Butch" Stewart, owner of Jamaica-based Sandals Resorts. There were other awards in food processing and distribution, retail and services..

Reports from Trinidad state that business leaders in Trinidad and Tobago, Guyana and Grenada are eligible for the annual award. This was the first time that someone outside of T&T had received the award.

W&W makes connectors for the computer industry. In 1996 it became apparent to Mr. Webbe that the volcanic crisis would threaten his manufacturing company, still struggling since its establishment in the late 70's with the assistance of the Austin Bramble PDP government. So he planned his move. Still trying desperately not to cut his ties with Montserrat, contested unsuccessfully the 1996 general elections.

Joel Webbe still feels deeply about his homeland and says about his award, "I would like to make this a Montserrat story," having spoken about the company beginning in Montserrat in his acceptance speech at the award ceremony and revealing to the Reporter later that he plans to bring back some of his business.

He no doubt remembered his difficulties receiving support here, as he struggled much of the time, when he spoke about the tremendous support his company has received from the Grenada government since arriving there. W&W employs 351 people there, several of whom are Montserratians who moved with the company to Grenada.

Reports out of Grenada claim that W&W now means more to Grenada than bananas and it is perhaps because of this that their five-year plan is to employ nearly 10 times the number now employed, moving it to 3,000.

It is not surprising also that Grenada’s Prime Minister Keith Mitchell would send him the letter which appears here.

Recapping on Wednesday evening, perhaps just a little prematurely, retired Frankie Michael from the Emergency Office Centre (EOC) teamed up with the new man in charge, Horatio Tuitt, to talk about the just supposedly passed storm. He called on everyone to take seriously something he had tried to leave behind -- the idea that disaster preparedness is an on-going business and deserves more full-time support and attention.

Since to date he has not been taken too seriously, one must wonder if that had much to do with his retirement. But here he was, having retired in the midst of the hurricane season and the volcano, not considering sleep again, back out receiving the praise of his associates for the assistance he has given in the smallest possible needs.

Surely as one listened to them taking turns at reading the U.S. National Hurricane Center general reports, without comment or interpretation, we are reminded of our observation last year following Georges, which read: "Yet with the seeming misinformation that floated around — not only this time with Hurricane Georges but with previous hurricanes — it is time we begin to use our local air traffic controllers, who have the expertise to discuss coordinates when they are published and how they affect us locally. There is far too much information available technologically for us to have to rely on forecasters who always seem to depict only doom for Montserrat."

This year Antigua was much better as far as its comments related to Montserrat, but we depend so much on them. There wasn't any misinformation except perhaps the misread at about 6 o'clock, when it was suggested that it was all over. It was night, and that helped, as we might well not have been prepared for the downpours, although the forecasts had said the storm would bring a lot of rain and we had not received much for the day.

It is up to us again to impress on the authorities, this time to be specific, the British government (HMG), those things which we consider to be vitally important to our safe existence. It is becoming often difficult to believe that this does receive serious consideration and if there aren't some serious blocks in their minds.

Just this week we learn of a government computerisation project, either proposed or approved, which leaves the question, "who negotiates these, and why are we so willing to be abused?" The total project amounts to £700,000 and the consultancy amounts to £425,000.

"Nothing new," you say, but what is worse we are the ones who keep asking for the consultancies. Of course it suits the British, since always the consultants are British firms one way or the other. What this does mean is that if we take this as the modus operandi, it means that of the £135 million that would have been allocated to Montserrat to the year 2001, just under £82 million would go back into British hands. We can ask ourselves, therefore, since we import every thing but water into this dependent territory, how much of the remaining £53 million moves around in Montserrat?

No, we must not forget to be thankful for even small things, like we must never forget that unlike what was being preached by some at the beginning of our volcanic crisis, that God doesn't have us placed somewhere to be punished over and over. We have been spared year after year any ravages from hurricanes, although we realise now that there cannot be anything worse than what Soufriere Hills has brought upon us.

It is just that we should not behave like undeserving children, unfortunate and underprivileged, who in spite of our ignorant acceptance, must seriously begin to stick out for what we believe is fair. What shakeup do we need this time? Since everyone speaks of the new millennium we should be thinking forward and not going half a century backward.

Even if we believe that our Chief Minister is wasting time discussing with the other dependent territories leaders and HMG this week in London, it is because we are still in "constitutional adolescence."

We are conducting a poll on our web site www.montserratreporter.org where we ask our Montserratians to vote, whether they would opt to keep their current status, become full British citizens, or belong to an independent Montserrat. We allow you only one vote per computer, but suggest that as many people as possible participate by using a friend's or business computer if he/she is not a Montserratian or not voting. We do not wish homes with one computer and more than one Montserratian adult to miss out on letting their desires be known.

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 Editor,

Please allow me to make some observations on DFID's reported concerns over the Materials Grant Scheme (Montserrat Reporter, 15 October).

1. The Materials Grant scheme has been a great help to many whose homes have either been destroyed or made inaccessible by the volcano. In many cases I am sure this scheme helped to keep people here, people who have stayed on to help build up the country, instead of relocating.

2. Many of these new homes are being/have been built by small business people, artisans, civil servants, people in low to medium paying jobs, people from a variety of backgrounds, who form the backbone of the country, and who stayed while others left - exactly the people that (I think) Montserrat needs for its future development.

3. If some of these people have used their own (hard earned) additional resources to make their new homes a bit "nicer" than the basic house expected, what is wrong with that? In fact, these people are doing a service to Montserrat, since their new homes will enhance the island, making it more attractive, more like it was before, exactly what (I think) everyone wants for Montserrat.

Some of the people who used "significant personal funds" to build their new homes are the very people whom the island needs. DFID should be glad that some people have seen fit to build a more elaborate home (if that is what they are objecting to), especially since they (DFID) did not have to supply any additional funds to build these homes.

4. Although business people are not mentioned specifically, it's quite likely that they might be the intended targets of the possible "means test" mentioned. So what about the famous "partnership with the private sector"? One of the priorities for a private sector person is surely a decent home for their family to live in.

Business people have lost so much, including in some cases their homes, businesses, and stock in the Exclusion Zone. Some have had to relocate their businesses several times. If some of them have used the scheme to build a home for themselves and family, adding whatever additional resources they could as they struggled to keep afloat, surely it's a plus for Montserrat. These homes may look elaborate to DFID, but some of their owners had even nicer ones before the volcano.

5. The additional "significant" resources added by some home builders have helped keep the economy turning around by providing employment for building workers of all categories. Employment helps ease the burden on the public assistance scheme, which is funded by DFID.

6. The very poor would in any case have been unlikely to benefit from the scheme because, in order to do so, one had to have legal access to land as well as the resources to supply the skilled and unskilled labour. This includes basic construction, electrical and plumbing work, transportation of materials, electrical connection fees, and all the other hidden costs of completing a house (although it appears from your report that some people with no resources are now getting 100-percent assistance)

7. Lastly, if the soft mortgage scheme had come on stream sooner, some of the very people that DFID is apparently objecting to might have been able to get a mortgage instead of using the Materials Grant scheme. As things were, they used what was available to good effect.

Yours sincerely

St, John's

Montserrat

Dear Sir

I would like to congratulate you for the inspiration and God given talent you have been empowered with. 

Reading the newspaper and more so the Editorials has given me as well as many other Montserratians a better understanding of how things are and hope for the future.  You are like a voice crying in the wilderness.  We need more stalwarts like you who would be willing to stand up for what they believe without fear or compromise.

There are so many who compromise their position because of Job Security, others because of fear of the unknown.  Our goal should be to put our shoulders to the wheel and do whatever it takes to rebuild a Better Montserrat and a Revitalized Generation.

To: The Montserrat Reporter

C/o Mr Bennett Roach

From: Stanley Keilman Dyer

I wish to express my sincere gratitude to the many Montserratians who in so many different ways, expressed their goodwill and concern towards me in the aftermath of my terrible accident.

As many of you at home may know I sustained severe injuries to my right arm, and subsequently lost the entire arm. As this injury required urgent and specialist medical attention I was forced to come to England where this kind of treatment can easily be obtained.

However, weren’t it for the generousity of so many of you our trip to London and eventual treatment would not have been possible. I have now obtained a prosthetic arm and my therapy is progressing well.

It would be very remiss of me not to give particular mention to a few individuals who showed unrelenting support in my time of need. These are : Mr Julian Romeo, Mr Reuben Meade,& Co. West Indies Real Estate, Susan Edgecombe, Ivan Hixon, Jimmo’s Step - up Bar, Evelyn Dyer, Mr John Wilson, Mr Robert Howe, Mr Desmond Daley,The Nursing Staff at the Glendon Hospital, and the rest of you who donated in whatever way.

Finally, I will be home in December for a short period and to personally express my thanks to you all. I have since composed a song entitled "Through the Shadows of Death" which focuses on my recent ordeal. This song will be released for Christmas1999.

So until I see you my people in December, keep the faith, Be strong and "One Love"

Comments: Congratulations, on your splendid web site. It was a pleasure to see your articles on the world wide web which I found very informative. Your articles on the latest developments in Montserrat was very uplifting. Now that I have found the Reporter's page I can keep up to date with everything at home just as if I was there.
Keep up the good work.

Beresford.Tuitt@aol.com

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1

I was working diligently at my computer, but I was having no success. I finally paused and glanced at the picture on the wall above my computer. It showed a peaceful lake surrounded by trees and a man standing in an old rowboat and gripping a long pole. I imagined that he was pushing the small vessel away from a clump of vegetation. I imagined too that he was frustrated by being stuck, and I could certainly relate to his situation!

As I looked more closely, I was surprised to see something in the picture that I had not noticed before. I had missed a woman on the side of the lake, nestled in tall grasses near a tree. Her arm was raised in a greeting. She was quietly present on the sidelines, offering support. If only the man would look up!

I felt amazed and suddenly at ease. I knew that just as the woman in the picture had been there all along, so God is always there for me, ready to help, to give encouragement, and to offer love and support. If only I would look up!

Now when I glance up at the picture, I remember that God is always with me and supporting me, especially during my struggles.

Prayer: Dear Lord, help us remember that you are always with us, giving us encouragement and love. Amen.

Heavy rain dumped on the island by Hurricane Jose during Wednesday and Thursday has begun triggering heightened activity at the Soufriere Hills volcano, a volcano watcher said Friday.

Speaking on state radio, Dr. Simon Young, Chief Scientist at the Montserrat Volcano Observatory, reported that the rain softened a section of the unstable dome, causing it to collapse and sending a huge ash cloud into the air around 8:00 PM.

"The hurricane, with all the rain that followed it, we were anticipating that there could be small collapses because of all the rain that's destabilising the lava dome so it was not that unexpected," he said.

Residents in the central area of the northern safe zone woke up to a busy Friday morning, cleaning their vehicles, verandas and stairs of ash belched by the first such actvity in nearly one month.

As usual, most islanders hardly worry about ash eruptions, which have become a way of life with a volcano that scientists have assured is "going back to sleep" after devastating the south and killing 19 persons in 1997.

Heavy fumes of sulfur dioxide gas emissions from the volcano were also reported to have blown across the island late Thursday night as rainwater seeped into the hotter parts of the volcano.

Dr. Young predicted that there could be more collapses of the dome should rain continue over the next few days.

There were also mudflows at, among other areas, the Belham River where the entrance to the daytime entry zone and exclusion zone in the south of the island was closed since Tuesday night.

A team of MVO officials were expected later Friday to conduct a reconnaissance of the volcano.

A16-year-old Montserrat girl, believed to be pregnant, up to today was still in Antigua’s Holberton Hospital, where doctors are battling to save her life after she consumed what is believed to be a poisonous substance just over one week ago, according to senior medical sources.

Asked to confirm unofficial information that the girl’s chances of survival were slim, the official told the Montserrat Reporter, on strict condition of anonymity, that latest reports at press-time stated that "she was still seriously ill…I understand that the prognosis is not very good."

The official noted that the latest available information on the status of the girl was based on a report from the Holberton Hospital before the passage of Hurricane Jose.

The official said there was no information of the fate of any unborn child but pointed out that in cases of serious poisoning, the fetus could be affected and nature could dispose of the child rather than a medical termination of the pregnancy.

Given the fact that permission could not be sought from the patient or her parents who are all in Antigua about the possible official release of other medical details, the authoritative medical sources maintained that any additional information would be a breach of medical confidentiality.

No official was prepared to state whether the poisonous substance consumed was a pesticide.

About 28 donkeys appeared to have got a new lease on life through the donation of US$1,600 by the World Society for the Protection of Animals (WSPA).

Agricultural Development Officer Justin Cassell said the money would be used for another month to feed the animals coralled at Lookout.

The donation of the Boston-based U.S. organisation has come at a time when efforts have crumbled to ship the animals to Grenada and neighbouring St Kitts-Nevis, forcing authorities to seriously consider "humanely putting the animals to sleep."

When Montserratian Agriculture Ministry officials disclosed that Grenada was being explored as a possible new home for the donkeys, the government and animal rights organisation there dissociated themselves from knowing about any such effort.

In the case of the St. Kitts-based Ross University Offshore School of Veterinary Medicine, the Agriculture Ministry is said to be discouraged by a number of postponements to take the animals.

After the WSPA's money runs out, it is not yet clear whether authorities would resort to killing the donkeys, known for their destructive capacity in the Lookout village, because the animals' upkeep has so far drained the coffers of EC$30,000 since September.

If that is done this island, already suffering from a volcano-battered image, could come in for harsh criticism from international and regional animal rights activists.

Mr. Cassell said, "We are buying time while we work out arrangements to ship some of the animals to Cuba." He told the Montserrat Reporter that the WSPA has also agreed to fund the transportation of the animals to Cuba, as well as to Haiti.

The Agriculture Ministry official disclosed that Cuba has expressed an interest in dispatching a team of veterinarians to conduct blood tests on the beasts of burden.

Hurricane Jose was downgraded to a tropical storm Thursday after striking a chain of Caribbean islands, ripping roofs off homes, hurling sailboats out of harbors and disrupting tourism.

By Thursday afternoon the storm was passing east of northeastern Puerto Rico with winds of 65 mph heading west-northwest into open seas. The storm had reached winds of over 100 mph on Wednesday.

``We didn't sleep well last night, but we should be thankful we were spared a direct hit,'' said Charles Turnbull, governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands. He lifted a curfew in the territory by midday, but schools and government offices were to be closed through Friday to assess damage.

Jose marched through the chain of tiny islands in the northeast Caribbean from early Wednesday, causing structural damage and flooding and leaving jangled nerves because of a zigzag course that befuddled forecasters and at one time brought hurricane warnings as far west as Puerto Rico. There were no reports of deaths.

One of the more severely affected islands was St. Kitts, where more than 15 hours of rain caused severe flooding -- reportedly up to 5 feet on some streets of Basseterre, the capital -- and landslides.

On the sister island of Nevis, up to 1½ feet of water flooded roads around the airport, according to Kathryn Wyatt, who manages Hurricane Cove Bungalows.

On Antigua, winds up to 100 mph ripped roofs from houses and a new church. Rains flooded the airport, which officials hoped to reopen on Friday, flattened palm trees and left islanders without power and water service.

Trees were uprooted and electrical and telephone lines mangled in Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands, where airports and seaports were closed.

Police on Dutch St. Maarten, where dozens of yachts sought safe harbor, said high seas flung three sailboats out of Simpson Bay.

``We have two homes with roofs entirely torn off, and the airport (runway) is covered with sand,'' said Gendarme Frank Lacailla on St. Barts. ``But everyone seems to be okay, so that's the important thing.''

Government and Britain are still debating the precise amount of money to be injected into a British-funded soft-mortgage scheme to further ease the volcano-induced housing crisis, a top government official said Tuesday.

Mrs. Angela Greenaway, Director of the island's Development Unit, said the amount of money and the yardsticks to determine who the most vulnerable groups should comprise were still being ironed out by Montserrat's Chief Minister David Brandt and the British government.

She said, however, that the soft mortgage scheme was "good" because part of the money to be provided to at least 100 persons would be a grant, while the remainder would have to be repaid at an interest rate that is 1 percent less than the prime rate at the commercial bank.

"The softness occurs because part of the money will be a grant and the interest on the remainder will be less than the going rate," she told the Montserrat Reporter.

Before leaving for the United Kingdom, Mr. Brandt had said that the soft mortgage scheme would get up to EC$150,000 of which 27 percent would be a grant.

Under the scheme expected to begin by December, government was initially targeting 65 persons but it has now been extended to 100 persons who "must have the ability to repay."

Mrs. Greenaway, however, assured that every effort would be made to ensure that economically disadvantaged persons were targeted under this new housing project.

"Those who need assistance most of all will get it...they must be working people but of that we want to target the most vulnerable," she added.

The Director of Development declined to get into details, preferring to await a final disclosure by Mr. Brandt , now in London for the Consultative Council of Chief Ministers of remaining British dependencies of the United Kingdom government.

Gregory De Gannes, General Manager of the Bank of Montserrat Limited (BOML), declined to comment and referred all enquiries to Mrs. Greenaway, who led the soft-mortgage delegation to Britain.

Britain has so far spent £17.2 million on the construction of 600 houses in the safe north of the island as part of efforts to ease the housing crisis among the remaining 4,550 persons who have endured the four years of volcanic activity.

Mobile telephone users throughout the Eastern Caribbean will soon have the newest digital technology but those with analog phones would not get the full service, Cable and Wireless said in a statement Thursday.

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, the statement added.

The phone company said that it has begun the conversion of its cellular networks from analog to digital in five islands.

Expected to benefit from the digitized cellular service by year end are Antigua & Barbuda, St. Lucia, Dominica, Anguilla and Grenada.

Plans are underway for upgrading in St. Vincent & the Grenadines, Turks & Caicos Islands, St. Kitts & Nevis and Montserrat.

The first phase of the digital conversion is an investment of US$20 million.

Among the unique features and benefits of the new system, the phone company said, would be 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, the statement added.

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."

"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.

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."

Montserrat spotted seven HIV positive cases during last year and all of them were prospective migrant workers coming here, Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Gordon Avery said Monday.

While he could not immediately say from which countries the HIV positive persons came, the senior medical official told the Montserrat Reporter that routine tests were conducted as part of procedures for acquiring work-permits.

Most migrant workers here are Guyanese, Jamaicans, Dominicans, St Vincentians and Santo Domingans, all of whose samples are sent to the Trinidad-based Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC) for testing.

Even though no HIV-infected Montserratian was diagnosed last year, Dr. Avery said attention was being paid to those returning from the Caribbean, North America and Europe, where they were forced to resettle due to the volcanic crisis here.

Top medical officials said that at least one Montserratian who returned home might be officially registered as having died from AIDS earlier this year.

Returning Montserratians are not being tested at the moment, the CMO said, adding that "if you had started to pick up more HIV cases, then you would start to consider it (testing) a possibility."

Montserratians, he said, were only subjected to an HIV test if a person complained of a medical condition associated with a breakdown of the immune system of the body.

Dr. Avery could not say if the island's prison population had any HIV cases but pointed out that "it probably would have been obvious if a prisoner has an illness and that would alert us to the possibility."

Despite the "very low" HIV/AIDS population among the 4,550 persons remaining on the island, Dr. Avery warned islanders to "be careful that we don't get transmission of HIV among Montserratians and between Montserratians and other persons."

"Societies, as opposed to nation states will have to reconstruct the range of relationships which will help to maintain their stability and facilitate their potential for further growth, in an extremely dynamic and competitive environment. This is one of the main reasons for the emphasis which now being placed on the concept of governance."

So said the Governor of the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, Mr. K. Dwight Venner, Oct. 14, while opening the ECCB-sponsored fourth annual development conference at the bank's new conference facilities in St. Kitts.

Governor Venner pointed to the need for some form of global governance, which, while challenging the sovereignty of individual nations, would preserve the integrity of the global village. He reminded participants that the concept of governance should be placed in context to international, national and corporate levels, to ensure its application is relevant and appropriate.

The Conference is being attended by 90 participants drawn from the public and private sectors in ECCB member territories.

Migratory birds have begun arriving here from the United States but none so far has shown signs of carrying the West Nile-like virus, a senior Agriculture Ministry official said Monday.

"We haven’t seen any dead or suffering up to late last week," Mr. Tony Hill, Forestry Adviser at the Agriculture Ministry, told the Montserrat Reporter.

The Caribbean Epidemiology Centre (CAREC) has issued a region-wide alert for health and agriculture authorities to be on the lookout for the potentially deadly disease that is spread from birds to humans by the Culex mosquito.

Mr. Hill said if the "regular" monitoring of the migratory birds on Montserrat revealed any "sign of ill health," help would be sought from the United States Department of Agriculture to conduct tests and autopsies.

CAREC has warned of a real possibility that the virus could be spread to the Caribbean and South America as migratory birds, generically called waders, escaped the winter season in the United States.

The West Nile-like virus has killed at least four persons in the United States and infected about 17 others.

After five to 15 days of incubation, symptoms of the disease could include fever, headache, and body aches, often with skin rash and swollen lymph glands, while more severe infection is marked by headache, high fever, neck stiffness, stupor, disorientation, coma, tremors, occasional convulsions, paralysis and, rarely death.

"When I was a boy of fourteen, my father was so ignorant I could hardly stand to have the old man around.

But when I got to be twenty-one I was astonished at how much the old man had learned in seven years."

The Authorities here are working on a new grading system for the public service.

A British consultant has been hired to do a review in this regard.

Eric Hampshire of Barnett Consulting group says the review will include a look at comparative salaries both in Montserrat and in neighbouring islands among others.

The grading system, which will be completed by the first quarter of next year, is part of a job evaluation exercise conducted by the Department of Administration.

The Government of Montserrat is moving to regularize fares for taxi and bus operators on island.

The Honourable Chief Minister David Brandt says it is the responsibility of his Government to ensure that a reasonable fare structure is put in place.

He says the time has come for the government and the taxi and bus operators association to meet to discuss the issue.

Chief Minister Brandt says the open system that is used at the moment makes it possible for taxi drivers to charge different fares for the same distance.

He says the government and the taxi operators should also work closely on a range of other important issues.

In an effort to fast track activities for the planned 2000 Millennium Pilgrimage, the Government of Montserrat have announced the coordinators of the July 8^th to 23^rd event on island.

Chairman of the Pilgrimage sub-committee, Dr. Eddie Donoghue, says several persons have agreed to spearhead the activities.

The Pilgrimage sub-committee is part of the Year 2000 Commission which is planning celebrations to mark the new millennium.

The Director of the Montserrat National Trust Stephen McNamara will assist with the Bird Watch and Eco-Tourism Day, Director of Agriculture Claude Gerald will carry forward plans for the Food Fair and Medicinal Day, while Sports Officer

Fitzroy Buffonge will help to organize the cricket tournament.

Dr. Donoghue says Richard Aspin will coordinate the beach picnic,

Gregory Willock the Eastern Caribbean Domino Tournament and the Montserrat Christian Council the battle of the Choirs.

He says no coordinator has been identified so far for the heritage Day, but the Director of the Development Unit, Angela Greenaway, will organize sessions on retirement and Investment in Montserrat.

Dr. Donoghue is hoping that as many Montserratians as possible will return home for the events.

He says a group from Norway, which has already indicated an interest, is willing to pass on the benefit of their skills to Montserratians, particularly, in the area of manufacturing goat cheese and fishing.

A recent surveillance exercise has revealed the presence of the Amblyoma Tick on Montserrat.

The tick was discovered in Cork, in the day-time entry zone, by a team, including officials from the Department of Agriculture, the Caribbean Amblyoma Programme and the United States Department of Agriculture.

The discovery of the tick means that Montserrat is no longer free of the parasite which poses a significant risk to the livestock industry here.

Dr. Perlinda Dupre of the Caribbean Amblyoma Programme Regional Coordinating Unit says the tick could’ve been transmitted to Montserrat by cattle egrets or through one of the island’s ports of entry.

She says there needs to be follow up surveillance exercises before Montserrat can be declared provisionally free from the Amblyoma tick.

Meantime, Veterinary Officer Tom Piper says a rigid monitoring and treatment exercise will be employed by the Department of Agriculture to control the spread of the tick.

He says farmers will also be educated about the problem.

The Ministry of Agriculture Housing, Land and the Environment is reminding persons laying claims to unclaimed land that February 1, 2000 is the deadline to submit their claims.

In a public notice, the ministry says the Crown Title Act which gives the government authority to possess lands that are unclaimed, comes into force on the first day of February 2000.

Legislation was passed twenty years ago requiring all persons who had a claim to ownership that their ownership of that piece of land can be adjudicated upon.

But the Ministry says there still remains a significant amount of unclaimed land on Montserrat.

Because of the volcanic crisis resulting in a shortage of land, the Ministry is saying that it is critical that the ownership of all land be identified with certainty.

Land which remains unclaimed is already deemed to belong to the crown although a claimant with evidence may still prove that the land is still his or hers.

The Ministry says claims which are received more than a year after the Crown Title Act comes into force will be entertained.

Alternatively, the Ministry says land which remains unclaimed for more than a year after the Crown Tile Act comes into force will become Crown land.

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

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

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

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

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

The Government of Montserrat is seeking the assistance of the United Kingdom Government to find a niche in the offshore financial market.

The Honourable Chief Minister David Brandt said Montserrat would not be able to compete with other countries that are well established, namely the Cayman Islands, the Bahamas and Bermuda.

Mr. Brandt believes Montserrat would experience difficulties in penetrating the market because it would have to operate in the same time zone as the islands mentioned.

However, the Montserratian leader thinks there may be some aspect of the offshore business that Montserrat may be able to develop with the help of the British Government.

Chief Minister Brandt says once this niche is found, Montserrat may no longer have to rely on the British Government for financial aid.

Shareholders of the Bank of Montserrat will be holding their annual general meeting on November 10.

One of the main items on the meeting’s agenda is the election of six directors, since six current directors are retiring as part of the normal rotation of the Board.

Chaired by Frank Edwards, the current board includes John Allen, John Skerritt, John Wilson, David Payne and Theresa Silcott.

Mr. Edwards says most of the directors, including himself, will be offering themselves for re-election.

The feature address at the Annual General Meeting will be delivered by the Deputy Governor of the St. Kitts-based Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB), Errol Allen.

The shareholders of Bank of Montserrat will give consideration to the auditor’s report and adoption of annual accounts for the years 1996 to 1998.

Montserrat’s lone indigenous bank, Bank of Montserrat recorded assets totalling $70.1 million in 1998.

The Honourable Minister for Education Adelina Tuitt is calling for greater collaboration between teachers and parents.

She made the call while delivering a recent address to the Montserrat Secondary School’s Parent Teachers Association meeting.

Mrs. Tuitt said the school should be seen as a team comprising teachers, parents, students and the community.

The Minister of Education emphasized that the co-operation between all the stakeholders is the central issue to the development of the education system.

She told the PTA meeting there is the tendency in Montserrat to communicate the view that better-paying jobs do not require much education.

She said, therefore, both the school and parents must collaborate and send the same message to students about the value of education.

Mrs. Tuitt also stressed that parents need to get more involved in their children’s education by monitoring and organizing the child or children’s time, helping with homework and discussing school matters.

She also observed that when all parties in the education enterprise work together, the challenges could be more appropriately negotiated.

The Department of Public Works is working feverishly to complete the main road at Lookout.

A senior official says barring inclement weather, most of the road should be completed by year-end.

Presently, workers are concentrating on putting in drains before starting to lay asphalt.

Public Works took over the roadworks from the international management firm Browne & Root, which built the British-funded homes at Lookout.

Meanwhile, in related news, the Department of Public Works is strengthening its Engineering Unit.

Officials in the department say a government engineer and a civil engineer, both from Britain, will soon take up appointments with the PWD.

And young Montserratian Dion Weekes, who recently graduated from the St. Augustine Campus of the University of the West Indies, has taken up duties as an assistant engineer at PWD.

The Inland revenue Department on Montserrat has given companies which are in arrears with their taxes until November 30^th to settle their accounts.

Comptroller Haycene Ryan says companies that fail to make good on the taxes owed could face legal action.

He says legal action may be taken if companies fail to act on requests by the Comptroller of the Inland Revenue Department for their accounts.

Mr. Ryan says the accounts outstanding cover the period 1993 to 1999.

In a public notice, the Inland Revenue Department says it has allowed some leeway to company directors in presenting annual accounts, because many businesses have been experiencing difficulties over the past four years.

However, some companies have disregarded the requirement to submit accounts.

The Inland revenue boss says this may cause a potential loss of revenue to government and the matter needs to be addressed now.

The Inland Revenue is therefore advising company directors that after November 30^th, 1999, the department will implement procedures to encourage compliance with the law requiring submission of accounts.

The Government of Montserrat will soon decide on an application by the St. John’s Medical School.

The School has applied to the Government for a licence to establish an offshore medical facility where students will learn mainly via the Internet.

The St. John’s Medial School has since been asked to satisfy certain requirements.

These include establishing links with an internationally recognized medical school and other medical institutions to give their students the required clinical experience.

A representative of the school is said to be currently in Croatia holding talks with the University of Split on the issue.

The Higher Education Board, headed by UWI Senior Lecturer Dr. Howard Fergus, will consider the application for the licence.

The United Kingdom Government says the term colonial status is no longer an accurate description of its overseas territories.

The comment was made in a recent statement to the United Nations Decolonization Committee.

The UK Government said the change would become clear as the committee explores, more directly, the position of UK non-self-governing territories, and the views of their peoples.

The British Government says it hopes other misconceptions, anachronisms and blind spots in the resolutions on decolonizations before the committee and the plenary of the General Assembly will be removed.

The British Government also welcomes a decision by the committee to reopen the process of informal consultation with administering powers.

The UK Government said efforts to ascertain the wishes of the peoples in the non-self-governing territories might ultimately lead to the future removal of the territories from the committee’s list.

Meanwhile, the British Government said progress has been made in efforts to transform the relationship with its overseas territories.

It said among the decisions being taken forward is the decision to offer British citizenship and the right of abode to people of the overseas territories.

Additional steps have also been taken to encourage good governance in the territories, through improved regulation of financial services to meet international standards.

The Government of Montserrat is putting measures in place to strengthen the small, medium and micro business sector.

Among the initiatives to be taken over the next three years are the expansion of the enterprise development project, revision of the small business development ordinance, and creating national level training to develop the island’s skills base.

Among other measures under consideration is the provision of a Resource and Library Centre for business operators and other support services in conjunction with the National Development Foundation (NDF) and other non-governmental organizations.

The provision of space for business is also under consideration.

Executive Director of the National Development Foundation Roslyn Cassell-Sealy says the provision of business space will come under phase two of the Enterprise Development Project.

She says $2.025 million have been provided by the British Government, through the Government of Montserrat for this phase.

Mrs. Cassell-Sealy says although the bulk of the funds will be used for loans, some will be available for business space and training.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Cassell-Sealy is confident about the ability of the business sector to lead Montserrat’s recovery out of the volcanic crisis.

She says the business sector is slowly re-establishing itself with the help of both the British and Montserrat Governments.

She believes the enterprise development project has had a significant impact so far.

Over $4 million have been made available to date, enabling business owners to purchase land, construct buildings and to replace equipment and stock.

This has enabled the economy to expand.

Mrs. Cassell-Sealy is also confident that the third phase of the Enterprise Development Project will continue this development.

Deb Levine, M.A.

We all fall into a rut sometimes. Without some concerted effort, you may do things the same way repeatedly, whether it's the side of the bed you sleep on, how you brush your teeth, or the way you and your partner have (or don't have) sex.

Relationships need attention. In fact, they thrive on it. Here are some ideas to get your love life jump-started today.

We give love to our partner the way we want it given to us. But it doesn't always work because we all have different needs and desires. Over time, as routine creeps in, many of us forget to show our love to our partner as often as she likes or the way he craves.

Take a moment to think about your partner. Then respond accordingly. If he's a party boy, take him out for a night on the town. If she loves opera, buy last-minute tickets. If he's a private person, take the kids out of his hair for the weekend. The possibilities are infinite.

You do it when you have a big project at work or when you have to find an activity to keep the kids busy. But it may surprise you to see what happens when you take a moment every day of the week to focus on your relationship.

When you first wake up, think to yourself, "What can I do for my partner today?" Some ideas include kissing him every time he walks by, flirting with her like she's a new date, wearing his favorite perfume every day instead of just for special occasions.

Sex -- the same as it ever was. But have you ever stopped to think about what it is that you do? Sit down with your partner and write down the sexual activities you participate in regularly. Then take turns adding activities you think you might enjoy to the list of what you already do. Write them down as you brainstorm together.

Don't judge your partner's choices as the list is being created, just let the ideas flow freely.

Now, take turns indicating your level of interest in each new activity by choosing a number from one to six (one = high interest, six = not much). Besides helping you set your own sexual boundaries, this exercise will give you food for thought as a sexual couple.

After a long time together we take on roles, most commonly "giver" and "receiver." It takes some effort to break out, and bring more equality to our positions. One great way to do this is through massage.

Take turns massaging each other. Ask your partner to tell you exactly where and how she would like to be rubbed. Massage one part of her body (back, hands, head or feet) for 10 minutes. The receiver gets to give both positive feedback when something's just right, and constructive feedback when the giver could adjust his pace, pressure or movements.

It's simple to transfer these skills to your lovemaking. Instead of sexual "status quo," take turns pleasuring each other. Each partner gives directions for what he'd like his partner to do. Then you switch. It's a powerful way to learn about your partner's needs and how to ask for what you want.

Silly as it may sound, setting aside one hour of quality time for sex each week can increase your satisfaction more than any other change you could make. You don't have to have sex during the hour if neither of you is in the mood or the conditions aren't right (one of you is sick, exhausted, sore, etc.). But if they are, you'll have an entire hour without distractions for an amazingly satisfying experience.

Vernon C, Maynard, Presenter

Dr. James Robinson, Lecturer at Cornell University

I have chosen to elaborate briefly on three issues (religion, parental involvement and neighborhood support) that I think have a great effect on the conclusive behavior of children in today's school system.

Due to their lack of little existence in society today, children tend to stray away or allow themselves to be led into non-productive settings and incidents.

Primarily regardless of choice of religion or spiritual beliefs, we all can relate to serving a higher being.

Therefore, we should encourage in PTA meetings that prayer and brief Bible discussion is brought back into the school system.

I personally think that spiritual teaching is a universal language that promotes peace, love and harmony.

Others may tend to differ from this opinion, which is fine, but please forget the trivial grievances and let us focus on the big picture.

Parents and guardians have to work and go about their daily activities.

Wouldn't they like to know that their children are in harmony with their peers, respecting the faculty and staff in school and getting involved in teachings that enforce higher levels of morality?

I personally would say, one big YES!

Secondly, it is very important that parents and guardians, even when they are tired and exhausted, search for that "second wind" that would supply the energy to get more involved in their children's lives.

By saying this, I mean asking the children about their day at school, homework and find out what they liked or disliked regarding what they learned in school. Discussing the importance of being able to appreciate their learning experiences would further encourage children to look at things from a more open standpoint.

Last, but not least, our environment has a strong influence on our children.

Our children are our future, therefore, we should all take an interest in providing a comfortable or "blanket type" environment for them.

We should instill values by encouraging them to say hello on the streets and to be respectful to the elderly.

We should also encourage them not to loiter in the streets but to come home directly to their parents.

They should also be encouraged to avoid purchasing/selling guns and knives, or

purchasing cigarettes, tobacco and liquor.

We should also state the damage to their health if they indulge in the above mentioned activities, even if they show no interest in listening to what you are saying.

Finally, other adults should notify the parents if possible about groups that; their children might be involved with. Grouping is fine, but let us encourage positive motives, ideas and goals.

By doing so, we can all look forward to stronger children with more meaningful future purposes of living in mind.

POEM

TEACH OUR CHILDREN PEACE and LOVE

By Vernon C. Maynard

It may appear to be difficult

But it's simple and cool

To express love "oh yes "

Doesn't mean you are a fool

On the road in the park

And even in school

Let's join hands and sing

Our destiny is our stepping stool

For the parents I say

Never be too busy to ask,

How was school today?

A real discouraging task?

Drill them, test them

Applaud them while the time is at hand

Let them know you are proud of them

Now or later, whenever you can

Let them fully express

The ways in which they feel

State the reasons why

"Thou should not steal"

Encourage them to voice their thoughts

Even if it is against your will

Explain the truth and importance

Why thou should not kill!

Last, but not least

To the neighbors I say

Bring back the sharing

And the caring of yesterday

Don 't let egos and silly pride

Overshadow you goodwill

Tell em "drop that cigarette, quit cursing

Let ugly actions be still "

In necessary circumstances

Be gentle and mild

Please enforce the proverb

"It takes a village

To raise a child

EAT from the LAND not from the CAN

After several weeks of relatively no rainfall, several inches of rain fell due to passage of Hurricane Jose. The heavy downpours did not result in any significant soil erosion.

Agricultural Damage Accessed

Montserrat having been speared the wrath of hurricane Jose did not sustain much damage to the agricultural.

1. Crop Damage – minimal

A survey of farmers plots revealed no extensive damage to crops. However most of the damage seems to have been done to the foliage of the plants with some loss of fruits

2. Animal Damage

There has been no report of any loss of livestock.

World Society for Protection of Animals (WSPA) has agreed to provide funds to feed the donkeys at Lookout. Mr John Walsh, WSPA boss in Boston confirmed that this organisation will provide the amount of

* EC$4800.00 needed to feed the animals for a month.

WSPA has been involved in animal rescue and care on Montserrat throughout the volcanic crisis.

Individuals interested in small amounts of pineapple suckers for backyard type productions are asked to contact the Department of Agriculture on 491-2546.

The following seedlings are available at Brades Nursery: -

Cabbage

Lettuce

Sweet Pepper

Tomato

The following local vegetables are in the market place this week: -

• Carrot
• Sweet Pepper
• Spinach
• Okra
• Tomato
• Squash

Two days later, we hasten to say,

Once we thought you the devil to pay;

You turned our thoughts sober

So late in October,

And we thank you for turning away.

Jose’s strongest winds were so low,

They spared us a damaging blow;

Why do those who disable

TV’s overpriced cable

Restore at a pace worse than slow?

Jus wonderin if Jose was booked on the helicopter why it didn't come.

Jus wonderin why the heavy roller dresses in 'black' every Saturday - is it a uniform or just camouflage.

Jus wonderin why the Nations Station could not find a balance between cricket and hurricane preparedness.

Jus wonderin where were the leaders during the storm, why everything had to be acting and if they'll return now there is a calm.

Jus wonderin if rumours are true that Government rented a wall building to store its equipment's.

Jus wonderin why the Government Headquarters building could withstand wind and not rain.

Jus wonderin if JUS WONDERIN is being used and abused.

Jus wonderin where the manpower would have came from had the need arisen especially now that they got rid of the soldiers.

Jus wonderin whose name rhyme with 'Menace' is being just that.

Jus wonderin how come only a portion of the houses at Look Out was boarded up.

Jus wonderin what we would have done without that retired voice on Emergency.

Jus wonderin if the names of the new tenants at Look Out will be published.

Jus wonderin why the criteria for getting one of the volcano support houses were never published.

Jus wonderin if its not time again for us Montserratians to come together and thank the Master for his gracious mercies.

Jus wonderin who it is that has sticky fingers at the General Post Office.

Jus wonderin what some Miss at ZJB, and another at the Development Unit have in common.

Jus wonderin why certain Montserratians in NY remain unemployed.
Jus wonderin why no one seems to like 'shortie'.

Jus wonderin if someone is paying for some of those agreeable pronouncements on labour….

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

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

Jus wonderin who takes the claim of walking on their head and thinking with their feet.

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