S.Atlantic : Sartma Daily (19/09/05)
Submitted by SARTMA.com (Juanita Brock) 20.09.2005 (Article Archived on 27.09.2005)
A brief run-down of South Atlantic news
SARTMA DAILY (19/09/05)
Compiled by J. Brock (FINN)
CONTENTS:
Section 1: Articles by FINN
Section 2: Committee News
Section 3: Business News from St. Helena
Section 4: Robert Hall’s Wool Report
FALKLANDS SAY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO CHILE
By J. Brock (FINN)
The growing Chilean community in the Falklands are saying “happy birthday” to Chile in a variety of ways on September 18th. There is a special disco at the Globe Tavern as well as Sunday dinner and other meals at the Falklands Brasserie. In the homes of the Chileans here in the Falklands Pisco Sours and Chicha will be relished and Empanadas will be consumed in great quantities.
The Cueca – a national dance featuring a white handkerchief, fancy footwork and balance as well as playing hard to get will be performed at some of the venues and at the larger home parties. Traditionally in Chile there are a few days off work to celebrate and recuperate.
Thanks to satellite television provided by KTV Ltd. Chileans will be able to watch the Military parade that takes place in the Parque O’Higgins in Santiago on the 19th at 1500.
Due to the windy and chilly (pardon the pun) weather, no fondas are planned but Chileans will be having a good time on their nation’s birthday.
FATE OF TWO ARGENTINE SCIENTISTS UNKNOWN
By J. Brock (FINN)
Two members of a five person scientific team on snowmobiles researching the interior of King George Island in the Antarctic have disappeared down a crevasse and their condition is unknown at the moment.
LaPrenza Austral reports that the incident occurred on the Collins Glacier approximately 8km from the Frei Chilean base on the Island. Though a rescue helicopter was sent it was impossible to rescue the two scientists and contact with them has been lost.
More information will be forthcoming.
FIDC CONDUCT ANOTHER ECONOMIC SURVEY
By J. Brock (FINN)
For the second time in 18 months the Falkland Islands Development Corporation (FIDC) are holding an economic survey. Since the last survey the economic climate in the Falklands has been changeable with the downturn of the Illex fishery and wool prices, as well as frustrations with Argentine economic terrorism. On the other hand, the Loligo season has been excellent and there are prospects that the new fishing regime will give the Falklands more prosperity.
To help FIDC assess the economic climate in the Falklands, a survey has been issued to all businesses in the Islands. And, as in 2003, there will be a draw for a free case of wine if you provide your personal details. And, you can get a summary of the survey as well.
The survey consists of nine sections that deal with what kind a business a person is in, number of staff, biggest obstacles to business, the rating of FIDC, personal business plans, rating the growth of various Falklands industries, the role of FIG and a section for comments.
The cover letter doesn’t say if there is a deadline for submitting the survey sheet.
Section 2:
COMMITTEE NEWS: STANLEY LANDS COMMITTEE
By J. Brock (FINN)
A meeting of the Stanley Lands Committee took place on Thursday, 08 September 2005 at 1330 in the Liberation room of the Secretariat. Cllr. the Hon Mrs. Norma Edwards chaired the meeting. Also present were Cllr. the Hon Mr. John Birmingham, Mrs Dominique Giudicelli, the Environmental Planning Officer, Mrs. Alison Ingles, Crown Council “A,” Mr. Neil Judd for the Department of Minerals and Agriculture and Miss Fiona Wallace, the Secretary.
As with all committee meetings there are two parts to this one. The first part can be attended by the public and press. The second part cannot be attended.
In matters arising from the minutes held on 14 July 2005, the lease of the Government Boat House was discussed. Mrs. Ingles said she was waiting to hear from the new management committee of the Sea Cadets and the lease could not be signed until this was resolved. Also discussed under matters arising was permission to erect signs on the Firing Range, the lease of land at Gordon Lines and the erection of masts. Mrs. Ingles reminded the committee that the Stanley Lands Committee ratified by ExCo had given permission to Cable & Wireless to use the site on St. Mary’s Walk.
Applications for building plots were considered with Andrew and Joanne Watson were added to list “A”, John and Michelle Jones had their application deferred and Miss Sally Owen was added to List “A.”
Planning applications were discussed with FIC’s application to reclaim land from the sea would need a Crown Grant as FIG owns the seabed. Neil Judd and Dominique Giudicelli would meet up and discuss the possible re-siting of dog kennels to the rear of the Department of Agriculture. And, Mrs. Ingles will investigate whether part of the antenna at Admiralty Cottage is actually sited on FIG land. Members agreed to a request from Cable & Wireless to erect a generator shelter on Sappers Hill. They unanimously disagreed to the erection of billboards and the committee agreed to a licence to Mr. Pole-Evans for the purchase of 12 Murray Heights. A standard commercial building licence was agreed to for FIDC at Gordon Lines, subject to boundaries being agreed by the Director of Public Works.
The next meeting will be held on Thursday, 06 October 2005 at 1330 in the Liberation Room of the Secretariat.
COMMITTEE NEWS: F. I. TRAINING AND EDUCATION COUNCIL
(19/09/05)
By J. Brock (FINN)
A meeting of the Falkland Islands Training and Education Council took place at 1330 on Monday, 19 September 2005 in the Liberation Room of the Secretariat. This meeting was chaired by Cllr. the Hon Mrs. Jan Cheek. Minutes of the meeting held on 18 July were approved and there were no matters arising from them.
The paper on Apprenticeships was sent to ExCo and approved.
Discussion of matters arising was followed by the Museum Manager’s report on her overseas training. All agreed that the grant for this important trip was well spent with Cllr Cheek saying that the Contacts made in attending such conferences were sometimes more important than anything that was learned. Leona Roberts gave a detailed outline of the costs incurred for this very worthwhile trip as well as an additional item for her attendance at a conference at Portsmouth University. Other visits carried out by Mrs. Roberts included the Royal Marines Museum and the Army Museum at Aldershot, the Weald and Downland Open Air Museum, the Imperial War Museum, the SS Great Britain, the Greenwich Maritime Museum, a trip to see the Trincomalee, a restored warship, and a visit to Naturalis in Leiden, Holland.
The training and development plan was discussed with Director of Education Mrs. Sylvia Cole acknowledging the work that had been done on it. There was still agap in skills available on the Islands and there was room for training employees and those seeking employees to take up the slack. The numbers responding to the survey about training needs seemed at first to be alarming with 50 being a high number and 24 being one that is considered a low number responding. Another anomaly was that in 2003/4 there were several items identified for training and the most recent survey showed hardly and consistency. Mrs. Cole explained it was a good sign in that it showed that the Training Department had listened to what the earlier survey had said and had catered to the needs as identified in it.
The Chief Executive, Mr. Chris Simpkins, called for a different approach and he might call for information about the self employed and how their training is paid. Committee Member Mrs. Karen Lee mentioned that the targets for development needed to be in line with the Islands plan.
Opportunities for school leavers provoked concern in that, as pointed out by the Chief Executive, limited options are open to them for work experience. They could observe what goes on in several areas, like carpentry and plumbing but there was no training. They could go on to the Employment Programme. Mrs. Sylvia Cole mentioned that young people who are just leaving school are falling through the net with not being able to get on to any of the schemes. Chris Simpkins pointed out that once Family allowance was lost school leavers were on their own and had to find the money somewhere for work experience and training.
Section 3:
BUSINESS NEWS FROM ST. HELENA
Compiled from St. Helena Herald
Education consultant leaves
Leaving on the RMS this Monday was Professor John Welton who spent two weeks on Island working with the Education Department in connection with the St.Helena support programme, which has been going since October 2003. The overall purpose of he visit is to support ongoing change and development in the Island’s education service by the development of planning processes within the education service as a whole so that the staff involved are better able to create plans which are: Integrated across the education service, focused on service improvement and development, clearly resourced, and created by processes which lead to widespread public support for the main planned outcomes.One of the key goals of this programme is the provision of the Human Resources Skills base for St.Helena.
World Tourism day
World Tourism Day is exactly 2 weeks away. The world tourism day was instituted by the World Tourism Organisation. Plans are being put into place for this annual event to be celebrated on St Helena. The St.Helena tourist office had 2 competitions, one was to design a logo and the other was to describe St Helena in a 100 words. The competition was closed a few days ago and the winner will be announced later. The occasion is being celebrated on Tuesday 27th September in many countries around the world. The aim is to create local awareness about the values of tourism and what St Helena has to offer.
On the Island, St Helena Tourism is arranging to have some facilities and activities that are on offer to tourists, available to members of the public. This will include a dolphin trip along with displays at the Tourist Office, and rooms open in hotels and self-catering accommodation for public viewing. In addition the Museum and Longwood House will open to the public and a town walk has been organised. It is hoped that as a result of these activities more people will eventually enter into the tourism industry or be inclined to use the services.
Fundraising on the RMS St Helena
There was a fundraising event that was held onboard the RMS.St.Helena before it sailed on Monday 12 September and was in aid of the International day of the Elderly, which will take place on the first of October. The event was a sell out with around 80 people present; the monies raised topped £490 that’s including a 100 from the raffle that was held on the RMS. Pounds have been raised and the money is still coming in, as there was also a raffle. Monies will be used to treat the Islands elderly to a meal; the RMS will be donating the Dessert from the ships charity fund.
Section 4
FALKLAND WOOL GROWERS REPORT FOR WEEK ENDING 09/16/05
WOOL REPORT: for the week ending Friday 16th September 2005
Auctions
Starting the week at 678 A cents, the Australian Eastern Market Indicator (EMI) lost a cent on Tuesday before adding two cents on both Wednesday and Thursday. The EMI thus closed the week up three cents at 681 A cents. “Small to moderate gains were recorded for most fine to mid-micron fleece categories.” WRWMR
In New Zealand, the Merino Indicator was not quoted, whilst the Mid-micron Indicator was quoted up five cents at 548 NZ cents. The Fine Crossbred Indicator (33-35µ) was quoted up three cents at 354 NZ cents, the Coarse Crossbred Indicator (35.1+µ) was also up four cents to 334 cents, whilst the Lamb Indicator was not quoted.
In South Africa the Cape Wools Overall Merino Indicator was quoted up 3.7 percent from 2,406 to 2,496 SA cents per kg clean.
Currencies
The Australian dollar was trading three cents stronger at A$2.36/£, thus giving sterling wool prices extra lift on the week.
The New Zealand dollar was also trading three cents stronger at 2.57 NZ cents/£.
Australian Background
“Several analysts forecast that the Australian wool market will continue on a downward trend, at least until the end of the year. The most pessimistic predict the EMI could fall as low as 600 cents, although Australia’s Commonwealth Bank is less gloomy, suggesting the market could fall ‘a little further’ over the next two months.” WRWMR
FWG Agency
Another batch of statements has been airmailed.
With no tested wool left to contract this season, any additional supplies of wool would be welcome, we would be particularly keen to assist in the sale of any unsold wool remaining of the 850 bale FIPASS stockpile.
With Regards, Robert
Websites: http://www.falklandnews.com. http://www.tristantimes.com, http://www.the-islander.org.ac, http://www.sartma.com, http://www.news.co.sh
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