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Temporarily Replaced P. Austin Bramble Is Abruptly Dismissed 

by Bennette Roach

Sacked - P. Austin Bramble

Three weeks ago Government House announced the appointment of the Honorable Brunel Meade, member for Plymouth elected in the 1996 general elections, as a Temporary Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Housing and the Environment (MALHE).

Hon. CM David Brandt and new minister Hon. Brunel Meade

The substantive Minister the Honourable P. Austin Bramble had been away on a six-week vacation and it was thought at the time that Chief Minister Brandt was reacting to the strain of managing and acting in the place of two of his absent ministers.

Two weeks later, many were taken aback when it was reported that Minister Bramble, upon his return to the island, received his letter of dismissal from the Immigration officer. The Chief Minister, in an interview later, said that his other ministers complained about the manner of the dismissal but not with the act itself. He said he had the support of the leader of the opposition, the Honourable John Osborne, as well as the new recipient of the post, Brunel Meade.

Mr. Bramble was appointed the second nominated member to the Legislative Council. Later, when Chief Minister Bertrand Osborne fired the Honourable Reuben Meade from his ministry position at the MALHE, Mr. Bramble, amidst protest from the opposition members that he was not an elected member, was appointed to that office.

Mr. Bramble told the Montserrat Reporter, and said in a statement to ZJB, that the Chief Minister invited him to meet with the other ministers at his office, but that he left the meeting after telling the Chief Minister that the decision had already been made and "after I had already adjusted to the new situation created by his decision there was now nothing to talk about."

In his statement to ZJB radio, in which he expressed no animosity toward the Chief Minister, he said: "The CM of the island has the constitutional right to change or replace ministers even when the change may be unfair or without good reason." He however had reservations when he said, "…the manner in which the CM communicated his decision to me was certainly not up to the expected standard of conduct at that level."

Reacting to the concerns expressed by some members of the public and indeed his other ministers, one of whom confirmed his feelings as to the manner of the action, the Chief Minister told the Reporter that he was left with little choice. He said he was never informed of Mr. Bramble's address while he was on vacation. Mr. Bramble had not communicated with him, his permanent secretary or the Governor, at any time during his absence. The Chief Minister pointed out that he had written to all ministers that they should leave with him their forwarding address and telephone number whenever they leave the island, and this was not done. The Chief Minister further said he did not know the exact time of his return. As a result of this last stated fact, he said he wanted to avoid at all cost any embarrassment to the temporary Minister and Mr. Bramble by having them come upon each other at the Minister's office.

Mr. Bramble in his statement, which he voiced in spite of the fact that he was obviously suffering from a cold, continued that it would have been, "more dignified and statesmanlike on the CM's part if the letter had directed me to visit with him and communicated the decision to me then."

The Honourable Ministers Adelina Tuitt and Rupert Weekes made public criticisms on the matter as described above, while former CM John Osborne remarked that while he was a minister when Mr. Bramble was chief minister, Mr. Bramble had sent him via the police a dismissal letter while he was in his sick bed at home.

Although he denied any animosity toward the Chief Minister, at the end of his statement Mr. Bramble called on the Mr. Brandt to resign, saying that there is a cloud hanging over his head.

He said: "Let me say that at this point in time, my most pressing concern is the question of how the people of Montserrat will emerge from the disastrous cloud that presently hangs over the office of Chief Minister and the entire family of Montserratians at home and abroad. Continuation of the status quo with business as usual would be a national catastrophe. In response to the current national dilemma, the Chief Minister owes it to the population to immediately hand over the post of Chief Minister to another elected member of the Legislative Council in order to preserve the dignity of the office."

Mr. Bramble was asked by the Reporter to explain the "cloud" to which he referred in his statement. He said that he was referring to the recent rumour that existed both and home and internationally surrounding the Chief Minister. He said that while in England he had been contacted by several persons concerning the rumour.

"I have no basis to say that this is true or not, but given the kind of issue it is, while it cannot be seen as a punishment, while in service in a certain office…a people's Chief Minister…should take the burden off the people's office."

Mr. Bramble said further, "there must be transparency of integrity at the top," adding that our situation is very fragile. He expressed concern at what he termed, 'political immorality,' saying that "we have never attempted to demand that political integrity is maintained."

He said it is simply one's misfortune that something like this could happen, but in the situation, "he should take the burden off the people's office" and remove himself from office.

Mr. Bramble said he felt strongly about the matter and that he would begin a campaign to achieve his request. Asked whether he would have made the call for the Chief Minister to resign if he had not been dismissed, he said: "I would have raised the issue."

Earlier Governor Abbott had confirmed that while he does not comment on rumours, he had been approached by the Chief Minister and, at his request, had asked the police to conduct an investigation. The Chief Minister had very categorically denied any knowledge or involvement in the rumour or how this could have come about.

On December 16 the Governor issued a release on his findings, announcing that the investigation had been closed. The release from Government House said:

"A number of people have drawn HE the Governor's attention to rumours alleging that a prominent member of the community had been involved in the commission of an indecent act with a minor. Given the wide circulation of these rumours and at the request of the prominent member of the community, His Excellency asked the Royal Montserrat Police Force to conduct an investigation with the aim of establishing whether the rumours had any substance. The police interviewed a number of people but, in the absence of an official complaint and sworn testimony to the effect that an offence had been committed, have concluded that there is no evidence to support the allegations contained in the rumours. The investigation has therefore been closed."

The Chief Minister when asked to comment on Mr. Bramble's call for his resignation with a cloud over his office, said: "He is always calling for resignations of high officials. If he has a specific allegation he must say what the cloud is, I cannot answer a phantom and when he does I will answer him. Please ask him to say publicly what it is and then I will answer him in the correct forum."

The Honourable David Brandt, in a press conference on Monday this week kept his promise of this past October when he said, "that all remaining steps would be completed for the Soft Mortgage Scheme to be activated between now and yearend, or soon thereafter, so that eligible persons would get EC$150,000, part of which would be a grant."

Mr. Brandt told the Montserrat Reporter that in the end the grant portion of the scheme had delayed the final approval. He said that he argued all along, "It would be wrong" for those who accessed the Materials Grant Scheme to get free-money while those eligible for the Soft Mortgage Scheme would have to repay the full sum borrowed." He had said earlier, "For that reason, I prevailed so part of the grant would be free,"

On the same day of the press conference, Government House had issued a release which stated: "The project will enable those people who have been permanently evacuated from their homes in the south of the island to apply for mortgage finance to build and own property in the safe zone. "

The Chief Minister noted in his statement that to be eligible, persons must have relocated from the Exclusion Zone, and "construction must take place north of the Belham Valley, but this did not include Isle's Bay Hill which is now legally considered to be in the 'safe zone."

This "Soft Mortgage Scheme," as it has come to be known and as stated in the Government House release, "honours a long-standing commitment by both local and UK Governments." It was finally approved by Mr. George Foulkes, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Department for International Development (DFID), who took it on board just over two years ago, when he visited Montserrat right after his boss, the right honourable Clare Shor, had said that Montserrat would soon ask for "golden elephants." It was the National Consultative Group who, with the blessings of the government, had made the proposal to him.

Under the scheme the Bank of Montserrat will make available about EC$15 million to be guaranteed by the UK Government, who will support this with a grant of $4 million to enable applicants to receive a subsidy on their loans. Loans will also be made available for the purchase of lands.

Mr. Brandt could not say what the interest rate would be on the loans, having said earlier that all that was left were the legal ramifications to complete the agreement on the scheme

Previous reports had said the interest rate would be at least 1 percent below the going prime interest rate at commercial banks and the Chief Minister repeated this possibility.

The Government House release also stated that a paper on the scheme had been laid before Parliament on 17 December and now awaits its approval.

Details of the scheme follows:

Eligible applicants will have access to a maximum of EC$150,000 for those who need to purchase land upon which to build; and a maximum of EC$120,000 for those who already own land and only require financing to build. Those applicants who had previously taken out loans to purchase land will be able to apply for EC$120,000 plus the amount they borrowed to purchase the land up to a maximum of EC$30,000.

Eligible applicants will receive a subsidy, which will have the effect of reducing the loan amount. The maximum available subsidy is 27% of the maximum loan provision. However, subsidies will be calculated on the housing need of the applicant. That is a housing needs assessment will determine the applicant's need for a 1,2 or 3 bedroom house, and will be consistent will the principles established by the existing DFID financed Self Build Schemes. The subsidy levels will be as follows:

Applicants eligible for EC$150,000

1 bed EC$30,000

2 bed $35,250

3 bed $40,500

Applicants eligible for EC$120,000

1 bed EC$21,900

2 bed $27,150

3 bed $32,400

There will be a two staged approval system. Applications will be first be submitted to the Housing Unit, who will determine the eligibility of the applicant and the housing need.

Successful applications will then be submitted to the Bank of Montserrat for financing under the Bank's normal criteria. The final decision to approve the application will be taken by the Bank of Montserrat's Credit Committee. However, provision will be made for approval of a small number of applicants (approximately 15%) who do not meet the criteria on grounds of their age or debt service to income ratio. It must be made very clear that these applicants will still be expected to honour their loan repayments as normal.

Mortgages will be granted for periods between 20- 25 years. The Bank will follow its normal procedures in managing problem mortgages including repossession of properties where appropriate. All successful applicants are expected to meet all repayments in full and on time.

The intricate details of interest rates and repayments schedules will be discussed at a later date when all the legal formalities have been finalized with the Bank of Montserrat.

Even though the project has been formally approved, I must caution that there are some legal formalities to be worked out between the Government of Montserrat, Bank of Montserrat and DFID. We anticipate that all these formalities will be completed by the end of January and that the Housing Unit will be able to receive applications for the scheme from the beginning of February, 2000.

If the current festival mood and activity are any indication of the way things are moving in Montserrat, it is a good sign.

In spite of obvious problems, all functions that have been organised seem to be going fairly well to plan, and the number of visitors and Montserratians returning home is most encouraging. Already the general reaction of many is one of surprise at what they find in Montserrat, which they say is different from what they had either perceived or been led to believe.

Even the constant growth of the new dome seems not to deter the mood of people, and, as the chief scientist Dr. Simon Young says, "quite rightly so, since we do not expect to see any major activity in the short term and for the time being."

But while all this is happening on the surface, we can all hope that we take time out to be thankful, that as nature continues its work on earth and the universe, that we have been spared the ravages of any further natural disasters, such as floods and hurricanes; that we be thankful for all mercies, kindnesses and other blessings, as well as the shortcomings of others and of our own.

We should take time out even during our festive mood to engage our friends, families and visitors as to how we should plan further into our future. We are quite accustomed to doing so for the immediate future, but for the times in which we find ourselves, our experience should be that we have to look way into the future now or make our children or even ourselves suffer now or in our old years, or go to England and die sooner.

But what should we be talking about?

Air transportation readily comes to mind. We are facing a serious problem in that respect, given the renewed activity at Soufriere Hills. We should actively engage and pursue the scientists for their opinions before we agree further to allow more waste in the pretense that something more sensible would cost too much.

Since it is so obvious that the economic effects of just beginning work at Thatch Valley were never considered first time round, it is time to revisit it. Let's talk to the Kittitians and see what they have to tell us about Frigate Bay and the peninsula. Not to mention that the consultants finally had to agree that the figures first presented, taking several other known factors into account, could not be correct.

Even though the short term arrangement for W. H. Bramble now seems remote, it should not be completely pushed aside, but we must avoid any more waste by way of costs, similar to the Government Headquarters, the Housing projects, particularly at Lookout, and now the new water tank high up in Dick Hill, which may turn out to be a huge waste.

Then there is the issue of our preparation to look after our own affairs - to make decisions which affect us, even when someone else is footing the bill. They will always have us holding out our hands until we make some decisions for ourselves. It is more than time that we stop allowing ourselves to be hoodwinked into agreeing to what we don't really want, so that when it goes wrong we are told, "Well you agreed - it is your plan isn't it?"

What we need to do is begin to talk more about the issues, creating the atmosphere to do this. It is not enough to sit back and wait for someone else to pay us, we should earn our living and if we do nothing about it, our children will be lost and so too would Montserrat. There is no better time to think about it - the mood seems right.

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.

Since the last issue of the Reporter, a flurry of political activity and speculation has left pundits scratching their heads and Montserrat open to the charge that it is the greatest incubator of intrigue since Byzantium.
First there was this rumour at home and abroad. The story so outraged Montserratians everywhere that red-hot fingers of accusation were soon pointed from across the globe and at home at one uneasy head.
Then there was a persistent whisper of a plot to chop off that head. Those in the know say one power-broker who was approached for support claimed he would rather make do with the devil we have than work with any of the other devils-in-waiting, so he blew the whistle on the plotters.
The upshot was that former Honourable Minster of Agriculture P. Austin Bramble had a less than triumphant return to Montserrat from a six-week hiatus in England.
Soon Mr. Bramble was on local and regional radio protesting, not the fact he had been fired, but the manner in which it had been done. In this he got able support from his erstwhile colleagues, the Honourable Minister of Education, Adelina Tuitt and the equally Honourable Minister of Public Works, Rupert Weeks.
The Chief Minister found it fit to jump on radio himself to explain the firing. He said Mr. Bramble had gone away without leaving a forwarding address in spite of a written directive to all Ministers that when going off island (unless it's to Antigua for the day) they should always let somebody in authority know how to contact them.
Mr. Brandt said since he had no idea, if, or when Mr. Bramble would return, he couldn¹t guarantee that he, Mr. Brandt, would be on island to tell Mr. Bramble to his face that he had got the ax. Also, in an effort to spare Mr. Bramble the awkward pain of returning to his former office to come head-on with his replacement, he was kind enough to leave a letter at each port that officially informed Mr. Bramble, the minute he put foot back on the Rock, that he was history.
No further counter punches have yet been thrown in this skirmish.
But a citizen who wishes to remain nameless said he personally admonished Mr. Brandt saying, "Good god, man, Austin come from mother too. De lease you coulda do was call Œe to you office and invite him to resign."
Our man said Mr. Brandt, who over the years has issued any number of poison-penned letters of resignation, told him, "One ting nobody will ever get a chance to say Œbout me is dat ahm a political dunce. If he was working in me law office I coulda ask him to resign, but not in politics. When he done say all he has to say in his letter of resignation, what would I have to tell de public. Dat ah gee him a chance to resign an' he betray me?"
According to our informer, at this point a crafty look settled on Mr. Brandt, who continued: "You tink me a go leh wha' happ'n to Sonny an he own dardee, happ'n to me, he shoulda tink again."
Mr. Bramble has called for the resignation of Mr. Brandt from the office of Chief Minister, saying there is a cloud hanging over him, because of the fingers of accusation pointed at his head.
Since then, Radio Montserrat has reported Governor Tony Abbott as saying an investigation was conducted into the rumors surrounding the allegations and that in the absence of any formal complaint or evidence the investigation had been closed.
One influential citizen said he has been bombarded with questions and requests to become active in a popular uprising against Mr. Brandt, so he spoke directly with Mr. Brandt. "The Chief Minister swore to me that he's innocent of the hideous charges being brought against him in the realm of public opinion, and in the absence of evidence to the contrary I have to give him the benefit of the doubt. We have to value our democracy more than to bring down a leader on the basis of a rumor."
But Mr. Bramble is making a grab for the moral high ground. He reportedly said even if the rumors are unsubstantiated the decent and moral action for Mr. Brandt to take is to resign.
A woman hearing this asked, "Have we learned nothing at all from the Clinton/Lewinsky affair? The lesson Austin should heed is that those who want to accuse and condemn from high-ground must first of all conduct an inventory of himself. If he doesn't want to suffer the fate of the likes of Newt Gringrich and Bob Livingston he would do well to contemplate the questions raised by the following: William-1, William-2, Potato Patch, Charlene and daughter."
For the past week, the political waters have been less turbulent but observers say Mr. Brandt is far from calm waters. A potentially more serious dilemma for him is a growing dissatisfaction among senior civil servants who accuse him of talking down to them, cross-examining them as if he has them on a witness stand and of being too quick to remind them that he's the Chief Minster.
A senior civil servant said, "If Brandt doesn't find a way to come better in the new Millennium, like Clinton did in 1996, he's going to find himself in very hot waters."
Mr. Brandt's advisers are said to have cautioned him not to go to sleep without keeping at least one eye open.

A few weeks ago, I had a wonderful surprise from my little granddaughter, Katarina, who is just 18 months old. Her mother telephoned to tell me that Katarina had just spoken her first complete sentence. Then she handed the phone to Katarina so that I could hear it for myself. I listened intently and heard Katarina say in a clear and unhesitating way, "I love you". What a joy it was to hear her speak those words!

On the first Christmas, God gave love to us in the birth of Jesus. Since creation, God has been saying in many ways to humankind, "I love you," but somehow the message had been ignored or misunderstood or forgotten. In the birth of Jesus, God said the words in human form. Jesus Christ made clear that we are loved by God and created to love others.

At Christmas, we celebrate what a difference that message make for our world. In both Isaiah 40 and Luke 3 we read, "Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be made low." All the spaces are filled in by the birth of One who creates a level and smooth walking path, straight toward God. No longer will we struggle to understand. God's word in Christ is unmistakable. The way has been made clear for us to hear and see the wondrous love of God.

PRAYER: O God, we thank you for sending your son, Jesus, so that we might hear your message of love and life. Amen.

Christ is God's clearest message of love.

Tropical Mansion Suites is the brain-child of Mr. Emmanuel Galloway, acclaimed for years to be the best and most efficient building contractor on Montserrat. He is the owner of J.E. Galloway Construction Co. Ltd. and Galloway Hardware & Building Materials Ltd.

The 18-room hotel located at Sweeneys, Montserrat, was created to meet the new needs of Montserrat since the volcanic crisis forced the abandonment of Plymouth and the closure, temporary in some cases, of all the hotel accommodation available in Montserrat.

There was quite an appreciably wide cross-section of the community in attendance to witness this formal opening ceremony. It included His Excellency the Governor and Government ministers, including the Chief Minister, all of whom gave brief addresses.

The Director of Tourism Miss Ernestine Cassell also gave a five-minute address.

All of the speakers expressed warm and confident congratulations to the efforts of the Galloway family, promising support for a well needed venture.

The hotel's general manager will be Mrs. Jadine Glitzenhirn, who is expected to take up the general manager position at the hotel early in 2000. She has international experience is completing a degree in hotel management, having begun her knowledge in the business in 1976 in Germany, where she owned and ran a bed and breakfast operation. She has had management stints at hotels in St. Lucia, where she has done a considerable amount of in-house training for the modern-day business. Mrs. Glitzenhirn also gave a brief address in which she stressed: "A well managed hotel is one in which service is found to be professional, efficient and courteously extended."

She continued: "The guest expects not only professional, efficient and courteous service, but also service which goes one step beyond to provide an extra measure of caring, hospitality and personalisation. Therefore this will be the criteria used in measuring service quality at Tropical Mansion Suites."

Calling for teamwork, inter-departmental co-ordination and co-operation, essential elements in achieving excellence, she promised that all members of staff will be properly trained and well informed, "and together we will deliver a total quality service experience to our guests."

It was the father and master himself, Emmanuel Galloway, who gave the vote of thanks to a host of persons and organisations, which included the other material and hardware suppliers, Bank of Montserrat Ltd., the Government of Montserrat, specially thanking Mrs. Verna Brandt, who, he said, did a fantastic job in decorating the hotel.

The master of ceremony for the occasion was his daughter Merle.

There was a toast and the gathering then moved to the front of the hotel where they witnessed Mrs. Emmanuel Galloway cut the ribbon and sons Ivason, an architect, and Adrian, an engineer, declaring Tropical Mansion Suites open.

A guided tour for the audience took place while Montserratian culture of masquerades in action entertained those waiting their turn to take a look at the rooms. Those are nothing less than could be expected in style completeness and comfort, far exceeding the modesty of the master contractor.

Although at opening the hotel had not yet received all of its furniture, it was sufficiently open to boast 18 rooms - 10 double room, three with kitchenettes; eight singles, two with kitchenettes. There is a honeymoon suite; ranging in price from US$90 - $140 per night, with 10- and 20-percent discounts respectively to Caricom nationals and Montserratians.

Other features include three conference rooms, restaurant and swimming pool. Rooms on the top floor all have balconies.

‘Story Telling’ at Little Bay on Monday evening 20 December moderated by Randy Greenaway, himself the main performer, though somewhat vitiated by rain, has to be deemed a success. The setting was near ideal - the wordscape, Bitter End Bar, the moonscape of a darksome sky with pools of light and the low baritone of a toiling sea, all conduced to success. I applaud the event with a recommendation for tightness and clarity on start time. It is a tribute to the performers that the audience sat out the wet interlude patiently. Story telling was broadly interpreted to include stories in song, and rightly so.

Randy Greenaway was the pick of the show but I am biased. He may lack the flamboyance of classical show-biz personnel but some of his songs are going to be classics and the interpretive expressions in his music together with his particular style, win the audience. He is my choice for artist of the volcano and there are a number of artists of note who grew with the volcanic experience, including photography and creative writers. When the history of this period of history is written, his songs will be valuable archival stuff and lively reference material.

My favourite for social comment is "Refugee". It serves as a constant reminder to us, if we are tempted to disparage and insult those who come from other countries to sojourn here, that some of us were refugees in our country. And how can we forget that there is a new Montserratian diaspora in Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, St. Lucia, Grenada and Jamaica and elsewhere. But back to the show. The choreography of the children’s supportive show in "shovelling" was dramatic, delicately evocative and touching. It was real life on stage which is what art is about, among other things.

As an actor-story teller Danielle was credible and effective. With experience and some professional training, there is a future for her and the island in acting. Bernie Irish’s audience laughs her on to the stage because her natural comedy does not fail to tickle them. She made important comments on cultural differences and the ability of Caribbean people to adopt copying strategies overseas, deliberately using the accent and idiom of the host country in order to survive; and does so in a humorous manner.

Basil Chambers in his inimitable style rendered rough-hewn, off the cuff comic comment which never fails to entertain. His sharp and ready wit surprised and delighted the audience. He has potential to be an even more powerful performer if his extemporary remarks are underpinned by detailed preparation, as contradictory as that may sound. And Rick Tyson (Mr. Sullivan). His is just an awesome talent; his voice and presence fill both stage and arena. His rendering of "He is a National Hero" illustrated his vocal range and depth and power of his art.

The Bitter End Bar arena took me a bit by surprise. There are possibilities here for some of the arts, among them, story telling á la Randy Greenaway and others! Respect to Wilford Moose Meade.

The choral group, Voices, is an important national resource (as is Emerald Community Singers, whom I unfortunately did not see this year). It suffered from the mass migration connected with the volcanic eruption, but is truly back performing to warm applause on two nights at the Pelican Room at the Vue Pointe Hotel.

The first thing to be said is that the performance started punctually. Quite a feat in Montserrat! But for Voices, this was not an accident. It is both a symbol and function of the discipline and dedication to the art which are indispensable to excellence on stage.

The challenge for Voices is that they have their own hard act to follow having performed to outstanding acclaim at the Reichhold Centre at the University of the Virgin Islands and elsewhere. The group has been assisted by and has earned the esteem of Noel Dexter of the famous University Singers. Besides, the Director is a consummate artist - being musician, soloist, poet as well as director. Fortunately the performance would still be a great success even without reclaiming the heights which the group has already attained and for which it is famous. That is my assessment.

Arranged in two sections set off by fitting attire, the first part took on the reflective mood of worship and spiritual celebration. This gave guest soloist, Chelsea Thomas the opportunity to surprise and thrill the audience with her soulful and melodious voice and quiet artistry. It is cliché and a bit too self-congratulatory to harp on the talent we have) but Chelsea is worth the song and dance. The second section was folksy with the rhythm of holiday but it was highly creative with some great moments of choreography. "Tell You Neighbour Marning" was superb. Singing is theatre too, but the artistic challenge of acting out songs is to maintain the delicate balance between the music and the theatrical message without the latter dominating the former. This has to be watched.

A feature of the performance was the utilisation of various talents in short solo parts. This was delightful and some soloists ( I don’t feel like name-calling today) were particularly effective and strong - a matter of superior talent, delivery and directing. Their contribution to the overall success of the concert was vital. (This incidentally includes the talented Director, to call one name).

Another fascinating feature was the extra creativity demonstrated in adapting songs to facilitate allusions to topical situations such as the call to "Open Cork Hill" and matters relating to the Look Out housing situation. This ensured that the emotional effects and audience engagement were richly earned.

On the whole this performance had the undoubted stamp of professionalism and Voices has attained a plateau of success from which to build further. And the audience which included the Governor and the Chief Minister and other members of parliament drank deeply. Cassettes and compact discs are overdue. Voices need to go on record.

Engineering Problems Prolong Water Shortage

Old water storage tank, New storage tanks

For some time management and workers at Montserrat Water Authority have been struggling with the embarrassment of not being able to adequately supply the north of Montserrat with water.

Manager Mr. Michael Duberry said: "We worked hard since in the days with Mrs. Annie Dyer at the head to put everything in motion to meet the new demands for water created by onset of the volcanic crisis."

Mr. Duberry went on to explain that they have put everything else in motion awaiting the commissioning of a 400,000 gallon tank high up on Dick Hill, but engineering problems have delayed this.

Mr. Duberry said that they had no involvement in the construction of the tank, but from his own observation did not think that the problem was insurmountable.

Minister of Communications and Works Rupert Weekes confirms that there is a problem with the tank, but says the problem is already determined. He said: "We have looked at several options to solve the problem and by the end of the first week in January, we hope to select a contractor to carry out the corrective works, following tender for the works."

The tank project turns out to be another DFID project going sour, not only in the additional cost, but the grave inconvenience being suffered by the constant shortage of water to residents in the far north.

The problem could have been worse, as the initial capacity of the tank was planned to be 500,000 gallons. The problem is reported to be poor engineering design, which did not provide proper footing for the structure.

The Water Authority manager also revealed that the larger tank of two others at lower Dick Hill, which currently carry the supply, should have been larger as they had requested. Again DFID personnel (at the time ODA) acted against their requests and built an additional tank to supplement the 30-year-old 40,000 gallon tank, bringing the total capacity to only 140,000 gallons.

The Ministry of Agriculture, Lands, Housing and Environment (MAHLE) on 15^th December, 1999, landed its first Agricultural Exhibition since 1992 and its first since the island was forced to abandon a half of its land space.

As the Agricultural Development Officer Justin 'Hero' Cassell said, "agricultural production continued even with the relocation of the farmers from the more productive areas in Long Ground, the central belt of Lees to Farrell's, Calloway's and Rileys mountains, Richmond and other southern portions of the island."

The ADO was the force behind the staging of the exhibition, receiving special mention by the new Minister, the Honourable Brunel Meade, in his feature address at the opening of the exhibition. In the impressive booklet produced for the exhibition, Mr. Cassell gave a background to the revival of agriculture since the "major collapse of the volcano dome in June 1997," pointing out that "the revival of agriculture could not take place without the farmers and fishermen."

"All seemed to have been lost," he said, "but we can proudly say that agriculture is again on the move." Mr. Cassell had the honour of delivering the vote of thanks concluding the opening ceremony of the show.

The exhibition had begun with the backyard garden competitions, which were sponsored by Cable & Wireless and the National Development Foundation (NDF). Daniel Ryan of Hope and Cynthia O'Garro took first prize respectively in the competitions.

The day of the exhibition began with reception of perishable goods early in the morning and judging began at 9.30 a.m. Prayers by the Rev. Joan Meade and a welcome by the new Permanent Secretary (Ag.), Miss Anne Marie Dewar, were followed by the feature address by the new Minister of MAHLE, whose name did not appear in the booklet. At the time the booklet was produced it was not yet known whether the substantive Minister of Agriculture would be the holder of that office on the day of the exhibition. The Honourable Austin Bramble's appointment was revoked upon the appointment of Mr. Meade only the day before the exhibition. (See front page story).

This was followed by welcome and opening remarks by Director of Agriculture Claude Gerald, who drew attention to the dismissal of Mr. Bramble, highlighting his belief in the former minister's character and performance during his tenure of office, and expressing his own dissatisfaction in the dismissal.

The Honourable Chief Minister was slated as the next speaker, but the duty was performed by the Honourable Rupert Weekes, Minister of Communications & Works, who apologised and explained the Chief Minister's absence due to illness.

<-- New Minsiter Meade at the exhibition

Mr. Meade in his address opened by referring to the exhibition as "an unusual one." He said, "But it is a tribute to our farmers and all the technicians in our food industry that we have on display such a fine array of produce from our fields, seas and kitchens." He added that as we will be entering the 21st century, "we have the opportunity to look back at what we have achieved over the last century, and forward to chart the path ahead for the future."

The exhibition was popularly praised as successful, especially because it came at a time when agriculture was starting almost again from scratch, the north being normally the drier section of the island.

There was indeed a wide array of exhibits, as shown and described in the categories and sections, featuring also cakes, breads and pastries, needlecraft, preserves, flowers and plants.

At the close of his address, Mr. Meade made special mention of Development Officer Cassell, "who undertook this project as a labour of love."

He closed by expressing his vision for agriculture: "We must foster economic sustainability and development through diversity and the commercialisation of agriculture…We will do our part as a Ministry and we invite the whole Montserrat community to support our local farmers, fishermen, and food technicians."

Two years after volcanic eruptions burnt it to the ground, Montserrat’s Community College will re-open in a limited form, early in the new year.

Project Co-ordinator at the OECS Technical and Vocational Education and Training Project (TVET), Paul Payne met recently with officials of Montserrat’s Ministry of Education and the National Development Foundation, and finalised a report on the feasibility of re-establishing post secondary education on the island. They also completed a project proposal for establishing a training office.

The Minister of Education agreed to seek funding to rehabilitate two rooms of the new block at the Salem Primary School to accommodate the Training Office and computer lab by the end of January.

His Ministry will then attempt to begin part-time classes at the beginning of February. These will focus on Adult Training in the construction trades.

The NDF has agreed to fund one full-time tutor and provide support for the training of the tutors.

The steady flow of returning nationals has increased the feasibility of post secondary education. The population is now more than 5,000, up from just over 3,135 when the College was destroyed in 1997.

The growth has led to a parallel increase in the demand for housing and for skills in the construction trades.

Dr. Howard Fergus, local Resident Tutor with the University of the West Indies School of Continuing Studies, was among a number of University workers who were recently honoured in Jamaica for periods varying from 15 to 40 years of service. Dr. Fergus joined the then UWI Extra-Mural Department in 1974 following a career in the Montserrat education service in which he attained the position of Chief Education Officer. Since joining the University, he has been promoted to the position of Senior Lecturer and has acted as Director of the School of Continuing Studies on more than one occasion. The most recent was September to November in 1999. Dr. Fergus has declined further promotion offers for personal reasons.

It is the Resident Tutor’s view that it is not really the length of service which is important, although there is something to be said for long and dedicated service. It is the quality of service which really counts, he insists. It is hoped that over the last 25 years he has served the cause of adult education in Montserrat to good account.

University of the West Indies Manjack

On Monday morning at about 6.45 an earthquake shook Montserrat and reportedly was felt by many.

There were several reports of people who said their minds were jolted back to just before and after Soufriere Hills sprang to life back in 1995. Their fear, now that there is new magmatic activity at our volcano pushing up a dome within a dome, is wondering if this is really a new beginning all over again?

Reports stated that the earthquake was felt mostly in Antigua with its centre about 12 miles (20 km) east of Antigua. It shook Antigua quite strongly and was also felt in Guadeloupe, Martinique, Montserrat, and St. Kitts and Nevis.
One local resident reportedly remarked that lamps sitting on dresser tops shook for about 10 seconds.

A remembered Joan Latchman, who spent many days at the Montserrat Volcano Observatory (MVO) at the height of the volcanic activity, is a seismologist with the Seismic Research Unit in Trinidad. She reportedly called the earthquake moderate. There was very little or no damage reported from the tremor, which had a magnitude of between 4.8 and 5.7 on the open-ended Richter scale, meaning it could have been strong enough to cause heavy damage in populated areas.
Its epicentre was located at 17.09 degrees north and 61.59 degrees west at a depth of 11 miles (17 km) under the sea, according to the Trinidad unit, which monitors all seismic activity for the English-speaking Caribbean islands. It listed the quake at 5.2.
Of special interest to Montserrat, the MVO reports that the earthquake was not related to Montserrat, where the Soufriere Hills volcano was quiet on that day.

Rev. Canon Dr. Harold B. Daniel, rector of St. Michael's and St. Patrick's churches, Kingston, has been chosen Bishop-elect of Mandeville in the Anglican Diocese of Jamaica by the vote of clergy and laity who participated in a special Synod and Elective Assembly held in Mandeville on September 14.

The new Suffragan Bishop of Mandeville will be consecrated on Friday, February 11, in a service to be held at St. Mark's Parish Church, Mandeville.

The Archbishop of the West Indies, the Most Rev. Drexel Gomes, will officiate. This will be his first consecration since he was elected Archbishop of the Church in the Province of the West Indies last October.

The consecration will be attended by members of the House of Bishops, who will remain through the weekend to participate in the 175^th anniversary of the arrival of the first Bishop of Jamaica.

Bishop - elect Daniel is the son of the late Mr.and Mrs. John R. Daniel of St. John's, Montserrat, and the brother of Millicent Bass and Joseph Daniel in Montserrat. He is also the brother of Irene Isles and Walter, Kenneth and Mildred Daniel in Boston, Mass., U.S.A.

Canon Daniel, 61, was born in Montserrat and went to Jamaica in 1960 to work as a Church Army officer, having graduated from the Church Army College of Evangelism, London. He later studied at the United Theological College of the West Indies (UTCWI), where he gained the Bachelor of Arts (Theology) and the University of the West Indies where he was awarded the B Sc. in Social Work. In 1983, he gained the Master of Education degree from Boston College, Massachusetts, and a decade later, in 1993 he was conferred with the Doctorate of Ministry by Columbia Theological Seminary, Atlanta, Ga., U.S.A.

In the church, Dr. Daniel is noted for his evangelistic focus. He heads the Jamaica Church Missionary Society (JCMS), the major outreach organisation of the Anglican Diocese. Among the many community organisations he has served is the Jamaica Association of Social Workers, of which he is a past president. He is chairman of the Church Army Council and a member of the Worldwide Anglican Communion's Mission Commission, a Canon of the Cathedral, Spanish Town, and a Justice of the Peace for Kingston.

Bishop-elect Daniel is married to the Rev. Judith Daniel, who is one of the first women ordained to the priesthood in the Anglican Diocese.

The Trustees of MAC89 are grateful to their supporters, that once again through their continued goodwill, they were able to send much-needed goods to Montserrat.

The recipients this time were the elderly of the Golden Years Home and the Education Department.

A consignment of primary school books were sent to the Education Department and the Golden Years Home was sent 52 bedspreads plus, through the endeavours of Mookey and Ros Rathouse, mattress covers and hospital aids.

MAC89 would like to thank the staff and Directors of Leapman Exports Ltd. of Luton, England, for supplying the transportation from England to Antigua . Leapman is an export house, dealing in consumer products including household and clothing with outlets in the Caribbean, South America and the Pacific.

The gifts arrived at the Golden Years Home for the elderly on Friday December 17, 1999 and Management would like through this medium to express sincere thanks to Mookey and Ros Rathouse, MAC89 and Leapman Exports Ltd.

In Barbados on Thursday, December 16, 1999, the ministers of Environment for St..Lucia, Dominica and Montserrat signed the Memorandum of Understanding between OECS Member States and the Government of Canada for the OECS Environmental Capacity Development Project (ENCAPD).

The Honourable Duane Van Beselaere, High Commissioner for Canada, was present to sign on behalf of Canada.

The ENCAPD Project is a four-year, $4.5-million program funded by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) which aims to strengthen the capacity of national and sub-regional environmental institutions to enable them to address environmental management issues affecting the OECS Member States.

This project reflects Canada’s commitment to help developing countries protect their environment and contribute to addressing global and regional environmental issues.

The project responds to priorities set out in the 1994 SIDS Program of Action, and it was developed with the OECS Secretariat in response to priority needs expressed by Member States.

The Main focus of the project will be on coastal and marine resources management, and components will include institutional strengthening through technical assistance and training, and the development of an environmental information system strategy. Activities will address institutional and technical gaps in priority areas as identified by the Member States and the OECS Natural Resources Management Unit (NRMU).

The executing agency is Dillon Consulting limited of Halifax, Nova Scotia, which will work collaboratively with the OECS-NRMU on the project. Last month, members of Dillon and the NRMU visited Member States to discuss priority environmental issues. The Project is expected to begin implementation early in the year 2000.

In 1998, ECCB member countries as a whole experienced an overall balance of payments surplus of EC $133 million. However, growth in the region’s important tourism sector slowed to 1 percent compared with growth of 5.4 percent in 1997.

This information is contained in the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank’s 1999 Balance of Payments publication. The balance of payments, or B-O-P, is a record of all the transactions, private and public, undertaken between businesses, individuals and the government of one country with other countries. The latest publication covers the countries’ 1998 performances individually, and as a group.

The ECCB report indicates that in 1998 foreign direct investment in the ECCB area grew by 15.3 per cent, much of which was channeled into the construction or expansion of hotels. The region also benefited from increased inflows of capital grants, which assisted in the construction of housing, roads, fisheries complexes, and other public infrastructure.

The 74-page balance of payments publication provides detailed and summary data for the eight ECCB Member countries and the currency area over the period 1994-1998. It was compiled by the ECCB, with input from the Central statistical Offices of member countries, and from public and private sector entities which provided information on their transactions. Annual balance of payments surveys are held in each country during the first six months of every year.

Copies of the publication are available at ECCB headquarters in Basseterre, St. Kitts, and from the central bank’s agency office in member territories.

Royal Bank of Canada & Bank of Montserrat Ltd. will close for business to the public on the following days as indicated.

December 24, 1999 - 12 Midday

December 29, 1999 - Extended service to 3:00 pm

Rachel Collis' 'My Montserrat'

Released in time for the Festival Season, and with something to please everyone, is Rachel Collis’ "My Montserrat," on CD and audio-cassette.

The bouncy "Montserrat One Way" is an excellent opener, the lyrics evoking sentiments to which we can all relate. Memories of the traditional Montserrat Christmas are made more poignant for those in enforced exile.

The musical backing is excellent throughout and the back-up vocals effective. The Latin rhythm treatment of "Pyroclastic Jam" makes it a great dance number. (The instrumental version is repeated at the end of the CD).

There is strong social and political comment in "Time for Action," and the hard-hitting and beautifully crafted "Determination." The "Proposition" sees the woman drawing the short straw, and having to put her cards on the table of last resort, however still hitting back with the line "Whatever yuh pick up, don’ bring it home". "La Flor (The Flower" symbolises resilience in adversity, by now the national watchword.

The music arrangements and technical work of Steve Ryan and Hodge Daley on this album are very creditable, and augur well for the future of these two gifted young men in the music industry.

My personal favourites are the title song "My Montserrat" and "Tribute to Plymouth" - each a gem in its own right. In these two songs Rachel’s voice is stronger, and the lyrics full of power. One feels the emotion that comes from deep within.

This album is nicely packaged with songs to suit every mood and well worth listening to.

POSITIVE VIBRATION

The Lions are positive! The Lions are hungry for results! Did you know that the spirit of the musical prophet, Bob Marley, has inspired the high command of the West Indies team in New Zealand, and has carried this spirit into the first Test?

The three lions -- Vivian Richards, Clive Lloyd and Brian Lara -- are in positive mood, and inspired by the spirit of Robert Nestor Marley and the recent batting performances of the touring team. They have put away the "negative vibes" and are making "way for the positive day; a new day; a new time; a new feeling" as the prophet, preached in his classical and inspirational sermon, "Positive Vibration."

After the exceptional performances against the New Zealand A Team and Auckland, the coach, the manager and the captain of the touring West Indies team were in good spirits, obviously, very pleased about the efforts and positive about how things are going in preparation for the first of the two test series.

The practice sessions, which had been a problem with the wobbly West Indian team Marshall tenure, have been excellent under the Viv Richards. The King has brought a new approach, a new attitude to team preparation. Captain Brian Lara summed it up well during the press conference: "Viv has brought himself. He speaks from deep within whenever he speaks. Obviously, he has been a player of great ability and his presence has had a tremendous effect on the guys, as the great respect for him and his performances go before him. He tells it as he sees it and there is great pride coming back into our game. We think that he has done a tremendous job since his arrival. We hope that we can reap the fruits of his presence here for the future."

The batters and bowlers have had to adjust in compressed time on pitches, which are a bit slower and less bouncy than those in the Caribbean and even Australia. The adjustments have been almost similar to that required for the English conditions in May and June, when the pitches are very freshened with grass and moisture, conditions with which some of the West Indian players are not too familiar. But it is encouraging that some of the batters are putting their heads down and getting some runs, despite the

conditions (although the quickies have lacked sting, as Rose, King and Collins should have made more impact thus far).

In the Auckland match, the tourists batted first on a pretty moist tract and recovered well after losing four early cheap wickets. They used the practice in the first innings and the tough bowling to produce some good quality batting later on. The batters in the second innings did well, with no-one getting out and the two openers, Ganga and Campbell getting hundreds.

But even withh this performance, Ganga could not make the team. That is certainly good news for the sustainability of the team.

And the management has been particularly encouraged by the response of the younger players, those with no real international or Test experiences. The enthusiasm is there. The youngsters or "kids" as Viv often refers to them, seem to want to learn. They want to obviously improve their game and they have been going out there and performing well. They are providing the required additional energy to supplement that of the more

experienced players. They are pulling their weight.

Although Ricardo Powell has begun to exhibit more resilience, the recent performance of youthful opener, Darren Ganga, is particularly encouraging and did help to somewhat sort out the Test selections. It may have created some headache for the selectors, who will have to choose between him and Adrian Griffith, but as Lara noted, "It is a great feeling to know that you have every batsman and every bowler competing for a spot."

Ganga, on his second tour, having been to South Africa, has just gotten his first

century for the West Indies. After scoring a duck in the first innings, he amassed 100 not out from 150 balls in 196 minutes, in the process of compiling a partnership of 196 with the other opener, Sherwin Campbell.

Those who have played many Test matches before, and scored runs on big occasions, have also shown glimpses of form and fortitude that we have always known them to have. Jimmy Adams batted for 207 minutes for his 65 in the first innings against Auckland. Shivnarine Chanderpaul was out cheaply against Auckland but scored 216 in 560 minutes against the New Zealand A team.

There is therefore not a lack of runs leading into a Test match. Sherwin Campbell is in good form. He amassed a century in both innings, 112 in 294 minutes and 109 retired-hurt in 146 minutes. Moreover, the tourists have scored four centuries so far.

We need to turn the table, as the West Indies team has not won an overseas Test series for more than five years. And the youngsters' "vibes" are positive, signaling that they are ready to deliver the goods for the "King" and the "Prince." The firm of Campbell and Griffith broke amassed combined assets of 276 runs in the first Test at Hamilton, surpassing the record set by the firm of Greenidge and Haynes (225) and equaling the all-time record against the Kiwis.

Senior partner, Sherwin Campbell, who scored a three centuries in succession, amassed 170 in 244 minutes; and junior partner, Adrian Griffith has so far piled up 103 runs in 357 minutes. He may be thinking of a double. Go for it lad!That is the business performance we have all been waiting for, and that is the vibration that Bob has been calling for. The merciless critics may argue the Hamilton wicket is batting-friendly and that the Kiwis bowling is not threatening, but the West Indian batters are positive.

Now that we are "picking up," may "Jah Love protect us" and give us "redemption song" in a strange land.

PHOTO CAPTION: Sherwin Campbell, the senior partner of the firm of Campbell

and Griffith.

Photo Caption: Chanderpaul at his best. Could he anchor the team in New Zealand?

Richie Richardson To Play in Montserrat

The Montserrat Cricket Association announced that a team representing Lashings Hotel in Antigua will be visiting Montserrat on 8^th-9^th January. They will play two 40 over games against a full Montserrat team at Salem Park. Their party will include former West Indies captain Mr. Richie Richardson, the managing director of Lashings Mr. David Folb, and a number of young players from England who are visiting especially for the matches.

Both matches will start at 12.00 noon. The MCA hopes to have barbecued chicken, fish and pork ribs available in addition to their normal bar service.

The Cricket Association has announced a squad of 13 players to represent the Montserrat Under 19 team in the forthcoming two-day league, which is expected to start on 15^th January. The squad is: Nesta Piper(captain), Lionel Baker, Caville Greenaway, Jarron Harris, Leroy (Stockie) Lee, Ian Osborne, Tequan Roache, Wendell Thomas, Garnett Thompson, Dolstan Tuitt, Thomas Tuitt, Valice Weekes and Damion White.

Kenville Fenton and Riddick Fenton have been asked to play with the Eastern Team.

Other players who wish to attend under 19 practice sessions are asked to note that they must be registered to play in the two-day league. They should contact either Fitzroy Buffonge (Eastern), Leroy Bramble (Cudjoe Head), Sylvester Greenaway (Salem), Gregory Julius (St Johns) or, in the case of difficulty, MCA President John Smith. Twice weekly practice sessions will begin during the week commencing 10^th January. Players should be under 19 on 1^st September, 1999 in order to be eligible.

The Cricket Association continues to improve facilities at Salem Park ahead of a decision on whether Montserrat should re-enter the Leeward Islands Senior tournament in June 2000. A grant from the Emergency Department has facilitated the refurbishment of the pavilion, formerly used as a shelter, which is expected to be complete in early January. It is hoped also to convert the remaining metal shelter to provide a lunch/tea room and storage room for ground equipment. Other plans include the installation of sightscreens and the relocation of the park entrance to address the serious problem from water erosion at the current entrance. The Sports Department has relocated their nets from Brades and it is hoped these will be available for use early in the new year.

MCA President John Smith commented: "These improvements will go a long way towards making Salem Park a suitable venue for Leewards tournament over the next couple of years while we are waiting for our new national stadium at Geralds. The main issue outstanding is the small playing area, which needs the completion of the perimeter wall at the south end of the park and an additional wall along the Olveston House side."

He pointed out: "This is necessary both to maximise the playing area and improve the safety for the players. We propose to run an appeal to local businesses and the general public in January requesting the donation of building supplies so that this work can be completed as soon as possible. In the short term, we hope that Public Works will help us by providing top soil so that the extension at the south end can be included in the playing area."

GOVERNMENT INFORMATION

(Government Information Services (G.I.S.) is an information service produced and prepared in the office of the Chief Minister and published as a paid for service.)

Montserratian students continue to excel overseas.

This time, the celebrated student is Marion "Vandita" Estwick, who has had a fantastic academic year in Barbados.

She graduated from secondary school as an honour student, achieving nine CXC passes, which earned her the best CXC student award at the school foundation.

Miss Estwick is currently doing "A" Level courses at the second-ranked Queens College.

The 17-year-old, who started her education in Montserrat, says the high level of competition in Barbados inspires her to excellence.

She wants to become either an accountant or an actuary.

Miss Estwick credits her parents' support for her achievements.

The Bank of Montserrat (BOM) continues to upgrade its systems to make them Y2K compliant.

The bank has installed new software and hardware which are Year 2000 compliant.

The financial institution has also successfully completed a proxy test of its system, which was sanctioned by the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank.

The Bank of Montserrat is part of a group of 13 regional banks which have come together and will be sharing resources to ensure they can assist each other in the event of a glitch.

The bank is assuring the public that it will continues to work with this group well into the new millennium in order to provide continuous and efficient service.

The Ministry of Health has confirmed that Glendon Hospital in St. John’s is Y2K compliant.

Assistant Secretary, Finance and Systems, Karen Duberry, says critical and non-essential bio-medical, associated and other equipment are year 2000 compliant.

Ms. Duberry says contingency plans have been completed for the provision of goods and services, in light of the uncertainties and complexities that may arise, as a result of the year 2000 issue.

She says the Glendon Hospital thanks all for their continuous and consistent support throughout 1999 and looks forward to a good working relationship in the year 2000.

The Honourable Chief Minister David Brandt has been providing more details on the approved Soft Mortgage Scheme for Montserrat.

The scheme, which totals $15 million plus another $4 million in subsidies, is to assist displaced families to construct homes in the safe zone.

To be eligible for the scheme, applicants must have relocated from the Exclusion Zone and construction must take place north of the Belham River Valley.

Eligible applicants will have access to a maximum of $150,000, which will include monies to purchase land on which to build; a maximum of $120,000 for those who already own land and only require finances to build.

Eligible applicants will also receive a subsidy which will have the effect of reducing the loan amount.

The maximum available subsidy is 27 per cent of the maximum loan provision.

There will be a two-staged approval system. Applicants will first be submitted to the Housing Unit, which will determine the eligibility of the applicant and the housing needs.

Mortgages will be granted for periods between 20 and 25 years, but details of the interest rate are not yet known.

This, along with repayment schedules, will be discussed later when all the legal formalities have been worked out with the Bank of Montserrat.

However, Mr. Brandt says the rate will be less than the prime rate offered by commercial banks.

He says discussions on the interest rates will be completed by the end of January, and the Housing Unit will be able to receive applications for the scheme from the beginning of February 2000.

The Soft Mortgage Scheme will be administered by the Bank of Montserrat, which will provide financing under its normal criteria.

The Chief Minister says provisions will also be made for a small percentage of persons who do not meet the criteria.

Police Are Concerned About Increase in Violence

The Royal Montserrat Police Force (RMPF) is concerned about an upsurge in violence in recent times.

In a statement, the RMPF says the evidence that violence has again raised its ugly head was bourne out by two reports of wounding during the past week, where a combination of stones, cutlass and alcoholism were involved.

There have also been reports of violence and threats of violence within recent times of other Caribbean Nationals on island whose countries have a reputation for violence.

The RMPF says Montserrat is a fun-loving community and the majority of its inhabitants detest violence.

The police therefore appeal to all Montserratians, friends and visitors to Montserrat, particularly CARICOM nationals who are criminally oriented, to leave these practices at their places of origin.

The police are reminding proprietors of bars and liquor licensed premises that it is their responsibility to refuse the sale of alcoholic beverages to persons who appear to be highly intoxicated.

They are also appealing to persons who witness heated any argument that shows potential for violence to play a part in quelling it before it gets out of hand.

The public is also called on to play its part by drinking in moderation to ensure an incident-free and accident-free festive season.

CM Brandt to Evaluate Training Opportunities

The Honourable Chief Minister David Brandt will soon announce a programme to evaluate the availability of training opportunities for Montserratians.

On a recent visit to the United Kingdom, Mr. Brandt was pleased to see a number of Montserratians in London, Leicester, Birmingham, Leeds and other cities, who are receiving training in a wide variety of skills.

Mr. Brandt says he is looking at an investment incentive that will encourage Montserratians abroad and at home to pool their skills resources to start businesses that will bring about full economic recovery of the island.

He says early in the New Year, he would be making announcements about the new economic plan.

Dr. Howard Fergus Honoured in Jamaica

Resident Tutor with the University of the West Indies here, Dr. Howard Fergus, was honoured recently in Jamaica for periods varying from 15 to 40 years of service.

He joined the UWI Extra-Mural Department in 1974, following a career in the Montserrat Education Service, in which he attained the position of Chief Education Officer.

Dr. Fergus was promoted to the position of Senior Lecturer after joining the service, and has acted as the Director of the School of Continuing Studies on more than one occasion, most recently from September to November 1999.

He has also declined further promotion offers for personal reasons.

Dr. Fergus says it is not really the length of service which is important, although there is something to be said for long and dedicated service.

He says it is the quality of service that really counts.

Dr. Fergus hoped that over the last 25 years he served the cause of adult education in Montserrat to good account.

The Temporary Government Headquarters in Brades is being converted into a permanent facility.

A steel framework is being added to the IPS container units structure to provide additional stability to protect the complex in the event of severe storm.

The basic framework has been developed to improve the general appearance of the complex and to add weather protection to the pedestrian walkways.

This will allow for the eventual removal of the container units and their replacement with permanent accommodation.

Officials say a range of possible future uses for the complex have been considered, including commercial, retail and professional activities.

The estimated cost of this phase is approximately EC $900,000. This amount includes provisions for construction costs, professional fees and contingencies.

Director of Tourism Ernestine Cassell says the Tourist Board will do all in its power to support the newest hotel to open on island – Tropical Mansion Suites.

In congratulating owner and builder Emanuel "Sarge" Galloway, Ms. Cassell refers to what she calls Mr. Galloway’s "Labour of Love" to be a true testament of his belief in the continued recovery of the tourism sector.

She says the Montserrat Tourist Board will do all it can to ensure the success of the hotel.

Miss Cassell says the tourism sector has undergone so many radical and rapid changes over the past five years that many industry partners and stake holders have often voiced their doubts about the survival of tourism on the island.

Residents Get Chance To Salvage Furniture

Residents of Lees and Dyers were able to salvage their furniture and other household appliances from their homes recently.

The Royal Montserrat Police Force took a decision to open the gate at Belham December 18 and 19 and allow two convoys into the area each day.

The convoys left Belham at 8 o’clock each morning and 1 o’clock in the afternoon.

The earlier’s scheduled return was 12 noon and the later, 5 o’clock in the afternoon.

The St. George’s Hill road was used to gain access to these areas. Trucks and four-wheel drive vehicles were used in the exercise.

In view of the ongoing volcanic situation, each convoy was accompanied by a police officer or a Montserrat Fire and Rescue officer.

The road was cleared by the Department of Public Works in order for the exercise to take place.

Montserrat Alive Magazine

SINK OR SWIM 

By Lowell Lewis

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to Montserratians and all readers of MAM. And a prosperous New Year to some Montserratians.

Not every one can afford to spend Christmas and bring in the New Year where they want to, but the spirit of cheer will be everywhere, whether it be in the cold terraces of Preston and Acton, the dusty volcanic sights of Salem and Friths, or the tropical splendour of Cudjoe Head and Banks.

Also everywhere will be the spirit of "Hope" that more people will prosper, hope that the dark cloud will lift to reveal, as Chad's Rasta character said in the production 'Ash, The Second Falling'--"A Mountain full of goal".

The last days of the century on Montserrat are marked by a dark cloud hovering over a pulsing dome, and tremors in the North, which one missed if having a shower or riding a donkey at the time. The year ends with uncertainty and shaky confidence in the present pilots of our destiny. We witness the awesome power of the X and money, for the receiver and the giver respectively, in the determination of who the 'some' to prosper in 2000 and beyond will be.

The architects of modern democracy designed their concept to preserve social justice and equity. One wonders how they would react to the realisation that disenfranchisement can be achieved not only by manipulation of constituency boundaries, and the restriction of domicillary options, but also by increasing the choice of one man from one vote to nine votes.

Literally, in choosing nine, one will choose none.

"The interest of the public", "the good of the many", "the best for the people at the present time", are common pronouncements to justify self-serving decisions, which ultimately preserve the status quo, and the power that dictates the choice of the 'some' for prosperity in Year 2000.

'Millennium Montserrat' could be a best-selling game to replace Monopoly or Snakes and Ladders. A game of political intrigue, natural disaster and difficult dividing domination. The players are communities, and the variable assets would include :- businessmen, politicians, civil servants with guts, civil servants without guts, skilled professional persons (native and non-native), the tax man, dependent elderly and children, single women, unemployed unskilled labour, overseas consultants, the clergy, the use of loaded dice, aid monies and elephants.

And what of the spirit of hope? The spirit that may bring us a Year 2000, where every one has a chance to prosper, where the protection of minors does not require the dispensable labels of 'official' and 'sworn'. Where collective responsibility and action avoids the need for resignation and the associated implication of admitted guilt.

A spirit of hope that generates the change that the Bear sings of, that delivers to us transparent, trustworthy and committed and visionary guidance that ends inappropriate use and haemorrhaging of the £75 million. Hope, that enough will be left to give us continuing employment opportunities, an airport, seaport, opened up new roads and residential areas in the safe northern area. Enough to bring our elderly folk out from the cold, isolation and exile.

A sinking ship takes barnacles with it. It is the duty of those able to throw a lifeline to do so, so that some strong swimmers will survive.

A Merry Christmas to all.

MAN FROM BAKER HILL

THE PARCEL TICKET

"I hear y'all get parcel. Tell your low lifeted Grandmother to send some of what she get in the barrel for me. And listen to me, tell she not to send back any more flour if soap powder throw way on it, eh."

I wonder if the parcel ticket, "the parcel post slip," still means the same to people today as it did when I was a boy. Back then, the receipt of a parcel ticket could overwhelm you with feelings of thrills, and wild expectations of the smell of nice clothes, the taste of toffee and peardrops, and the sensations of new toys such as yo-yo, marbles and toy guns.

However, if the parcel ticket is for your neighbour, you could go through a series of emotions such as anger and envy. You may become angry with your relative overseas for not sending you a parcel. You might even be filled with a mixture of envy and curious expectation towards your neighbour's children. But that would depend on how you got along with them.

Parcels always mean a lot! But some parents or relatives overseas never knew what crimes they committed against children back home, just for not sending a parcel to them.

For instance, my cousins next door got several parcels from England. And each time they got one, I went through episodes of agony, wondering what my father was doing in England; taking so long to send us even one parcel.

I wanted long socks and a short pants suit; I did not care for the peardrops or the toffee. I wanted to show off that I had somebody in England; but I waited in vain. My father never sent us a parcel.

At one time, there must have been a type of foot and mouth problem with the animals in England, because they slaughtered many of them. And you know what, my cousins got a parcel from England with lots of pickled meat. Some was spoilt.

Another source of my agony was a little boy in my village. He used to come to church in long socks, short pants and jacket. I was always jealous of the boy, and I used to wonder if he got a parcel every week.

As I said before, you could go through emotions of great expectations whenever you got a parcel ticket. But heaven help you, if that parcel ticket arrived on a Saturday afternoon. You would spend all Saturday night wondering if the shoes were too small or the clothes too big. You would go to church on Sunday, imagining all sort of things and comparing what’s in the parcel with what everybody else was wearing. And by Monday you would have tried on every shoe and socks in your dreams; yet you still can't wait for the arrival of the parcel.

"You drink tea; you study parcel". "You at school, no point anybody teach you nature study or your times table; All you want to know is that school over". You want to go home to see what’s in the parcel.

Parcels bring excitement to grownups too. I worked 10 years at the Port and I can recall the hustle and bustle at Port Plymouth, especially at Christmas, when the "huhu" barrels arrived from the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Oh my God… People from all over the Island - old people with walking sticks, and young mothers with children on their arms. Traffic was tight at Port Plymouth at Christmas time. I even watched a man tie his donkey outside the Port Authority fence and come in to look for his parcel.

Merchants couldn't get their goods cleared when Sam's boat or the Western Star pulled into Port. Hear the cry. A when they go to off load the boat! "You see anything with me name pan it?" "
"A just dem two little thing they send and look how much money them charge me. Look what trupidness dem make me hire truck and cone for."

No matter the times, whether it is a parcel arriving from the UK in the sixties or "huhu" barrels from the USA in the eighties or even today with parcels from the volcano evacuees in the UK. The emotions are the same - excitement, thrill, and wild expectations.

My goodness, do not say that me nosey; but I have seen some things come out of parcels at Port Plymouth which make me wonder how some people could pack so awkward. I have seen soap powder throw way pan rice, sweet oil leak out on clothes and soap with saltfish. Something always throw way or mash in a barrel; dishwashing liquid burst and leak on to spoilt ham too.

Some people try to pack smart, putting old clothes on top of the barrel to fool Customs.

You know Customs; they always a dig up, not to charge extra money but to fast I And believe me sometimes a dem turn over the sweet oil on the sugar.

Before the Post Office relocated to Brades, my office was downstairs the building in which they operated. In fact, my desk was directly in line with the stairs leading to and from the Post Office.

I saw the excitement on peoples faces when they collected a parcel and sometimes heard the grumbling too. "A who dem a send them old sudden ya fa". "Real stupidness. The sudden them can't share."

Even in old age, parcels still excite me. Early in the year somebody promised to send me a few things. But the box did not arrive as quickly as I expected. And see me, every now and then going to the Post Office to check -- can't wait on the notice.

It is no different today from the old days. Tell a man you sent him a parcel; he won't wait. He going to the Post Office to inquire. And if they see a big boat "passing up," people would go to town to inquire about a parcel; as if every big boat brings parcel from England and Merica.

Did you really get a parcel for Christmas? If you did, make somebody's Christmas merry, share some of the goodies with the neighbour's children. And be of good cheer for the New Year.

Connections! Connections! Connections! How often we are reminded that we need to connect. We need to connect with the proper means of transportation if we want to get to our desired destination. During crisis in life, like the last two devastating hurricanes, Jose and Lenny, people feel the need to connect, whether in person or by means of radio or telephone. Also, if we are just entering the work force we need to connect with someone who "knows the ropes" as to procedure, or who knows someone in order to vouch for our integrity and competence. And, of course, at Christmas time we definitely need to connect with members and close friends in order to renew love and friendship. Connections! Connections! Connections! It is all part and parcel of the human condition, isn't it? To connect is to become who we are, to belong, and to develop.

It is within that context of connections that Christmas must be seen when we joyfully recall that wonderful but real mystery of the Christian faith, God becoming Man. The reason why Christmas is so captivating to the least as well as to the greatest amongst us is because the ultimate objective of humanity's existence is made possible, namely the realisation of the divine reality of the person. That is what the Christmas story is all about, the divinisation of humanity in the person of Jesus Christ. Isn't that the consequence of what John the evangelist wrote: "the Word was made flesh, and pitched his tent amongst us" ( Jn 1:14)? The ultimate connection for us human beings is to connect with God. But we ourselves could not possibly make that connection; it had to be done by one who was God-Man, Jesus, the World who "pitched his tent amongst us." And that happened 2,000 years ago in a small, insignificant town, Bethlehem.

But that Bethlehem occurrence must be applicable to us today. In other words, if it is true that the Christ event is the connection of connections for us, how do we go about profiting from it? We bear it in mind that to miss that divine connection is to miss our desired destination, not to know our true nature, not to become what we are meant to become, and not to belong to that larger family, the Family of God. There are two ways I wish to propose to all of us whose hearts are moved by the Nativity Scene. They are "humanity" and "simplicity."

Mary and Joseph were humble people who were compliant with the will of God. It was because of that essential virtue of humanity why God connected with them and was able to realise his divine plan of salvation. The all-powerful connected with the humble, and as a consequence the "Word was made flesh, and pitched his tent amongst us" (John 1:14). God reveals his secrets to humble people, lavishes them with his grace, draws them to himself and bestows on them his peace. God still connects with the humble that recognise their limitations and allow God to be God.

The opposite of humanity is pride, which goes contrary to the will of God. Self-righteousness, the by-product of pride, clouded the eyes of the religious leaders 2,000 years ago from recognising the Word-made-flesh "who pitched his tent amongst us". Another by-product of pride, which militates against the virtue of humanity, is inordinate love of power, which is symbolised in the person of King Herod. That vice led him to slaughter not a few boy children, in order to remain in power. So addictive and intoxicating is the excessive love of power. Today, as we look around us we cannot deny that those deadly vices of self-righteousness and inordinate love of power still exist. And there is yet another by-product of pride; it is a rebellious spirit, which is fueled by a destructive individualism disguised under the cloak of freedom.

Rebellion against God's will (which includes, here and now, the common good and the sanctity of life), holds sway in many lives and leads to the impoverishment of any real form of community, whether in church or in society.

In her Magnificat, Mary, the handmaid of the Lord who humbly bowed her will to the will of God, contrasts her virtue of humility with the sin of pride and all its by-products. She proclaims for our edification: "He (God) has shown the strength of his arm, he scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly" (Luke 1:51-52).

Clearly, God connects with the humble as the Nativity scene demonstrates so well. Would that we could learn that lesson once and for all, and let, God be God. Whenever we play God by holding back forgiveness from others while at the same time expecting forgiveness ourselves, we fail to learn the lesson of humility. Whenever we play God by determining who should live or die, be it by means of abortion or capital punishment- we fail to grasp God's symbol of humility shown forth in the Babe of Bethlehem.

This anniversary of the 2,000 years of the Saviour's birth is a time to take stock of our camouflaged pride, which makes us project blame unto others, so as to exalt ourselves. Let us confess humbly before God our own fallings and limitations in order for us to connect with the source of our acquaintance. Then God will be in our lives.

Today more than ever people in the Caribbean live beyond their means. As the saying goes, "they have champagne taste, but mauby pockets or income," and how true that is. Brain-washed by cable television and other propaganda from the north, we aspire to mimic others in taste and fashion. We must have more in order to live. Even the mad rush to buy Christmas presents, many of which are "obscenely" expensive, are perhaps indicative of an unhealthy preoccupation with material things. The result is that we ignore the true source of happiness and fulfillment, and forget the "reason for the Season."

God it is who desired to connect with us while we were yet sinners so that we might "have life and have it to all to the full " (John 10:10). But this fullness of life is not measured by "having more" in a quantitative sense, i.e. in terms of material things, but rather in the quality of life lived. How many rich people have committed suicide during this past decade! The great St. Ireneaus reminds of the quality of life the Saviour came to give. Ireneaus said: "The glory of God is the human person fully alive, and the glory of the person is the vision of God." Apart from Mary and Joseph, who were the first to enjoy the vision of God-made-Man? Was it not the shepherds, simple, ordinary shepherds who were on the lowest rung of the social ladder of the day? And yet, God chose them to be the first apart from Mary and Joseph to receive the Good News of Salvation brought by the Divine Babe wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a Manager.

Would that we Christians, who yearn after brand name clothes, the top-of-the-line everything and opt for the fast track of life, would heed the lesson of simplicity portrayed in the persons of the shepherds. In no way is this appeal for simplicity of lifestyle a romanticizing of poverty, for that in itself is no virtue. Rather, simplicity of lifestyle is an invitation and a challenge to "use the things of this world as though we use them not" (Cor. 7:30), so that material wealth or possessions remain exactly what they are, things for assisting us and others in our faith journey, and not hindrances. They become hindrances to our faith life when the acquisition or hoarding of them becomes our primary concern, and when we crush heads to possess such things, and become oblivious of the plight of the poor and disadvantaged amongst us.

We ask ourselves the question, "How, then, do we effectively connect with the beauty, splendour and mystery of the birth of Christ which we celebrate to the strains of "Silent Night, Holy Night" and other such Carols?"

First of all we must set aside some quality time to contemplate on the Mystery of Christmas in order to come to understand the loving, divine initiative taken by God for salvation. The birth of the Babe of Bethlehem speaks to us of a God stooping down to embrace our human condition in order to identify with and elevate our sinful humanity. That's divine connection! Oh, how our hearts would beat for joy, and what change will result, were we to drink deeply of this truth of our faith! Truly, "Jesus is the Joy of Man's Desiring!"

Secondly, we need to ask God for the grace to become convinced that this divine connection effected by the Incarnation, must now radiate, shine through the human channel of our very lives, just as the Divine was made manifest through the human Babe in swaddling clothes 2,000 years ago. If that conviction is realised, then God's peace, patience, love, forgiveness, and generosity will be made manifest in our dealings with our brothers and sisters in all aspects of life; domestic, Church and civil. Those would be the necessary connections, which would certainly enhance human solidarity and further a civilisation of love. Without this kind of human connection, the festivities and celebration of Christmas are a sham!

May the spirit of Christmas, which is Peace, remain with all of us throughout the Grand Jubilee Year 2,000, when relationships are renewed and restored and debts are forgiven? And all this will be made possible if we but learn Him who came to teach us humility and simplicity. Yes, he is indeed the Son of God and Son of Mary, the Saviour, the God-Man of connections! "O, come let us adore Him, Christ, the Lord!"

A most blessed Christmas and a very prosperous and peaceful new Jubilee Year 2000!

Yesterday scientists suddenly fired

another warning shot

across the battered bow of Montserrat

like the mysterious sound

of clouded thunder

and you wonder

why this volcano resurrection

couldn’t wait at least three years

why this easter of our fears

came round so unexpectantly

to catch us and our prophets napping

like a thief of midnight coming.

The message swiftly darkened

white-cuffed waves of our new

normality and we wondered if the few

who stayed will be called upon

to pay for their wise

stupidity. Is this the prize

for standing on the burning deck

when cat and dog had fled

to England - our patriotism in the red

of Soufriere’s anger? Were the jobs

we stayed to launder

from the ashes, prime time squandered?

Let me be wrong Lord but I pray,

preserve the hapless hulk of Montserrat

so that scientists may fire other warning shots.

Over the past seven months the nurses have been trying to educate you on various aspects of your health, and I am happy to say that we have received some comments as well as suggestions which are welcome and will certainly be used to make improvements to the programme.

I would therefore like to take this opportunity to thank a number of persons who have contributed in one way or another to the life of the programme.

To the public for listening and making suggestions, to the nurses for their participation, to Radio Montserrat for airing the programme and last but not least to the Reporter for featuring our programme on a weekly basis.

However, the time has come for us to seek sponsorship for the programme and I am therefore soliciting the support of the public to assist us in keeping this programme alive.

This week I would like to share with you some health tips that will be of benefit to you, especially during this festive season.

As we all know, at this time of year there is an abundance of food and drink and too often we tend to relax or change our eating and drinking habits, much to our detriment.

My advice to you, especially those on special diets -- i.e. Diabetics, Hypertensives etc. -- is to adhere as much as possible to your diet and not to eat more than is necessary, simply because it is available and free.

By the same token I would like to let the food handlers know that the onus is upon them to observe hygienic and safety measures when preparing food and to ensure that their consumers eat healthy wholesome food.

At this time of year also, alcohol is often consumed indiscriminately and in large quantities, thus impairing the judgement of the drinkers, making them careless in their conduct and more prone to accidents.

Let us therefore be moderate in our drinking habits and remember not to drink and drive.

Furthermore, alcohol compounds the effects of certain drugs so that the combination produces a greater and more damaging effect. It is therefore important that you do not drink alcohol if you are taking prescribed medication.

To those on prescribed medication, I say continue to take your medication and do not let your supply run out, especially if you plan to travel abroad for the season.

Whereas some of you may not engage in the activities mentioned, above you may throw caution to the wind and indulge in habits and practices that will compromise your health and later affect your lives and future.

In so doing you will not only suffer unnecessarily but you will cause your loved ones and others to suffer as well.

Please remember that unwanted pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and AIDS can be prevented. Therefore take the necessary precautions to protect yourself and if you are in doubt and need advice please feel free to contact us at the Health Department.

Your health is our concern and we will continue to ensure that the health needs of the people are met. So at this Christmas, the last of the millennium, let us be health conscious as we enjoy and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas, and let us remember in a special and tangible way those amongst us who are less fortunate.

A healthy, peaceful and blessed Christmas to all and a prosperous and productive New Year from the entire nursing staff.

SCHOOLS UNITE IN ARTS AND CULTURE

A Schools Gala Extravaganza was held last week, with the two primary schools on the island and the Montserrat Secondary School taking part in a youth rally, an art and craft exhibition, and a joint schools concert. These activities were spearheaded by the Ministry of Education through a special committee, with the full support of Minister of Education the Honourable Adelina Tuitt, Permanent Secretary Alric Taylor and Ministry staff. Mr. Taylor explained that having the schools working together in combined activities was intended to give the schools a feeling of unity and co-operation.

Highlights of the concert included a skit by Brades Primary entitled "Don't Tell Lies." The children performed well and with confidence, and obviously enjoyed the acting and the moral of the story. Their words were well projected with the help of microphones, and there was no trouble hearing every word. Hopefully this experience has given the young actors a taste for drama. This performance was coordinated by teacher Miss Edith Duberry, who wrote the skit and was also closely involved in teaching some of the crafts on display at the exhibition.

St. Augustine's Glee Club were outstanding in their singing, under the direction of Miss Sarah Allen, former headteacher of the volcanically destroyed Bethel School, where she also raised the music to a high level. After a stint at the Ministry of Agriculture (after the Government's teaching staff were downsized as a result of the volcanic crisis), Teacher Sarah was snapped up by St. Augustine's, and their music and singing have benefited ever since.

These children have the grounding, potential and motivation to be future members of the MSS Glee Club, and later on perhaps the Emerald Community Singers or Voices. As usual their movements were well coordinated, and the choral poems done by the younger children, also under Miss Allen's direction, were also well done.

MSS were obviously well prepared, but unfortunately at this stage there were problems with sound projection, besides which the younger children in the audience (as well as some of the adults) were getting restless, and there was a constant ebb and flow of people in and out of the hall. This coupled with the not-so-good acoustics of the Brades School hall, the buzz of children outside, and at times the excessive volume of the accompaniment took away from the overall effect.

MSS groups performing included the Language and Cultural Heritage Group, coordinated by Mrs. Pat Ryan, who wrote the thoughtful poem, "On the Threshold of the New Millennium," which the group performed with feeling. The Glee Club performed a lively dramatized market medley, but were drowned out by the accompaniment, as initially were the Recorder Club. The Anansi story done by the Drama Club was again well prepared, with imaginative costumes and a good comic story line, but even with microphones they were no match for the background noise.

Nevertheless, this was a brave effort to bring the schools together in musical and performing arts, and full credit is deserved by the teachers especially, who fitted all this preparation and rehearsal into their busy end-of-term schedule.

An art and craft exhibition was also a part of the Extravaganza, featuring a variety of original and attractive art, craft and needlework items by the three schools. Again, full credit to the teachers who, in addition to everything else they had to do, put time and trouble into teaching the children so many skills and setting out the displays. Ministry staff and the coordinating committee also gave of their best to bring everything together.

In the MSS section, arts were broadened to include written work and even science projects. Several entries to the Commonwealth essay competition were on display and made most interesting reading. Several poems tastefully set out were also on display, and the science projects were interesting and informative.

The first event of the Extravaganza was a Youth Rally at the Brades basketball court. The selected students from each school and other uniformed groups looked smart and marched well; but it's a pity more of the other students (those who were not performing) were not present to hear the words of wisdom of the various speakers, including two ministers of Government and a student from each school.

Perhaps some of those who were not there most needed to internalize some of the sentiments in the speeches, and were least likely to listen. Some other way needs to be found to reach them. Michelle Cassell (Brades Primary), Jonette Silcott (St. Augustine's) and Lourraine Hoyte (MSS) spoke well on their vision for education in the new millennium.

The Extravaganza brought sharply to mind the Schools Arts Festival, which was staged every December for a few years in the early 1990's, in the days of the late Leslie Thomas, who as Education Officer was such a great believer in music in the schools. In those pre-volcano days, with 10 primary schools and three secondary campuses, there were three days of performances by the various schools.

Although this month's Gala Extravaganza, and the sentiments behind it, were most praiseworthy, the name seems a bit of an exaggeration, and it's important for children to learn not only the meaning but the connotation behind the use of words. My suggestion would be to go back to the original name of this event, which would also be a tribute to the memory of Teacher Leslie.

LITTLE ISLAND LIVE VOLCANO: THE STORY

Story by Carol Tuitt, Songs by Randall Greenaway, Illustrated by Etipou Kagbala

Book review by Cathy Buffonge

This most attractive children's book, which was published here a few months ago, has been a most welcome arrival, and makes an ideal Christmas gift. The book deals with the experience of living with Montserrat's Soufriere Hills volcano, in a style and presentation which is bound to appeal to children, and that children can understand.

'Little Island Live Volcano: The Story' is a great collaborative effort between psychologist Dr Carol Tuitt and teacher, musician and song writer Randall (Randy) Greenaway. It is beautifully illustrated with drawings by Etipou Kagbala, who also did the most attractive full colour illustration on the cover.

The simply and appealingly written 'story', together with around twenty accompanying songs, take the young (and older) reader through the experience of living with an active volcano on a small island, explaining the various events in simple language, and giving a glimpse of how people have coped with this awesome intrusion into their lives.

One of the book's main attractions is its layout. Each short section consists of one or two pages of 'story', followed or preceded by the words of the related song. The text of the story is broken up into short paragraphs enclosed in circles and boxes, and attractively arranged on the page, making it inviting and easily readable. The captivating drawings on nearly every page effectively highlight the story, bringing out many little details of life with the volcano, and draw the reader into the text.

The idea for the book sprang in part from the existence of several of the songs, which are recorded in the album 'Seismic Glow' by Randy Greenaway's musical group 'Zunky an' Dem'. These evocative songs, which provide a commentary on many aspects of the volcanic crisis, are well known in Montserrat, thanks to ZJB Radio, and these have been joined by several new songs written especially for the book.

Accompanying the book is a CD/tape, entitled 'Little Island Live Volcano: the Songs', which features all the songs in the book, both old and new, performed by Randall Greenway and his group. With titles like 'Are you done, Mr Volcano?', 'Helicopter' and 'Explosions!, Explosions!', these lively Caribbean songs bring out vividly the many different strands of life with the volcano. The songs also lend themselves to dramatized performance, as was done at the children's summer workshop last August.

Each song is intimately related to its nearby story section, which also provides explanation and clarification. The positive aspects of the situation are also highlighted, as in the song/story section 'Earthworks', which highlights the excitement of the rebuilding effort, as new homes go up in the north.

This book reflects in an easily readable form the momentous experiences and events that have impacted people's lives during the past four years, and the spirit of hope and optimism that have kept them going. The book is a great buy for children, as well as adults, who have gone through the volcanic crisis, and will prove most informative for those who have not.

I would strongly recommend the book as a Christmas gift, either to keep at home for one's children and grandchildren, to give to relatives or friends, or to send away to those overseas. It will also be a most useful teaching aid in the classroom,

Little Island Live Volcano is available in bookshops and gift shops throughout the island, and at the Montserrat National Trust. It can also be ordered from Randall Greenaway at PO Box 9, Montserrat, or e-mail Zunky@candw.ag

Christmas Carols Revised to Fit The Current Situation in Montserrat

Queen Show Contestants

Miss Victor's Grocery Name: Dalia Dew Country : Antigua Interest/Hobbies: Dancing / Listening to music
Miss Arrow’s Manshop Name:Kerry-Ann Grant Country : Jamaica Interest/Hobbies : Singing and Dancing Aspiration : Hope to pursue a career in Medicine
Miss T.K Contruction Name : Victoria Lindsey Country : Trinidad Hobbies : Netball, Reading and Partying
Miss M. S. Osborne Name: Trecia Pierre-Louis Country: Dominica Interest/Hobbies: Cooking and Dancing
Miss Cable TV Name: Ingrid Hamer Country: Guyana Interest/Hobbies: Reading, dancing and modeling Aspiration: Hopes to become a teacher
Miss NAGICO Insurance Name: Jodene Meade Country: Montserrat Interest/Hobbies: Dancing, cooking and track and field
Miss Angelo's Ltd. Name: Gesierrie Kagbala Country: Nigeria West Africa Interest/Hobbies: Art, dancing and designing Batik material

He points to a 'disastrous cloud'

That shades our political crowd.

We all are now waiting

For him to start stating

Details and specifics, out loud.

We're told by a recent broadcast

The 'brief petrol shortage' is past.

Why weren't we told

That no gas could be sold

Before all those long lines amassed?

JUS WONDERIN

Jus wonderin if DFID vehicles are not only to be driven by staff officials and employees.

Jus wonderin if Sepeke's next song will be called Layoff.

Jus wonderin if what I hear is really so?

Jus wonderin what jus wonderin will be giving it's writers for Christmas?

Jus’ wonderin’ whether scientists had any idea when they defined symbiosis as "two dissimilar organisms functioning in a mutually beneficial environment" that they were describing the British and Montserrat governments.

Jus wonderin if the British will now see the need for a breakwater at the Little Bay port.

Jus wonderin if the Cadet camp took place without making the soldiers sheltering there stranded.

Jus wonderin if the member of the CM's staff who fell on the highly dangerous wooden walk-ways has been compensated.

Jus wonderin why the Woodlands beach road is not yet repaired.

Jus’ wonderin’ if the expensive generator at the temporary-permanent GHQ is working satisfactorily yet.

Jus wonderin if the volcano needs a virgin in truth.

Jus wonderin if they have really given up the idea of refurbishing Bramble airport.

Jus wonderin what the new financial plans are for the ferry and the helicopter.

Jus wonderin why the officer refused to go and help the other officer take the body out.

Jus wonderin that policeman think he could arrest anybody without telling them what he arresting for.

Jus wonderin why we have to watch soap operas on television when we have in our own bakyards.

Jus wonderin why children of some civil servants not allowed on the job.

Jus wonderin why the government take so long to tell us about the Social Welfare new food system.

(flashback)

Jus wonderin if some people get rewarded for running away from the ash while the people who stayed here getting punished.