S.Atlantic : Sartma Daily (06/11/05)
Submitted by SARTMA.com (Juanita Brock) 07.11.2005 (Article Archived on 14.11.2005)
A brief run-down of South Atlantic news
SARTMA DAILY (06/11/05)
Compiled by J. Brock (FINN)
CONTENTS:
Section 1: Articles by FINN
Section 2: Committee News
Section 3: Police News
Section 4: Falkland Wool Growers Report
Section 5: Business News from St. Helena
Section 6: Election News
Section 7: Announcements
Section 1:
FISHERIES ROW COULD AFFECT THE FALKLANDS
An Editorial by J. Brock (FINN)
In a deepening diplomatic row between Chile and Peru, a fisheries law has been passed in the Peruvian Parliament that lays claim to fishing rights belonging to Chile. According to an article in La Prensa Austral, Chile by law lays claim to the disputed area and the law passed in Peru’s parliament is illegal. At stake are very rich fishing grounds in the Pacific off the western coast of South America.
What wasn’t reported in the article was the arrival in Chile of former President Fujomori from exile in Japan. Mr. Fujomori wants to run for office in Peru but it is expected that he will be arrested should he return to that country. Mr. Fujimori has dual Peruvian and Japanese citizenship.
Perhaps this news will take the heat off the fisheries row, which could cause unnecessary trouble for the industry throughout South America and a war between the two countries. There were no reports of contact between delegates of Chile and Peru during the Summit of the Americas held in Mar del Plata over the weekend. Hopefully this problem will be resolved sooner rather than later.
JCR ON HER WAY SOUTH
By J. Brock (FINN)
The RRS James Clark Ross left FIPASS on Friday morning for her first voyage south this season.
Section 2:
COMMITTEE NEWS: Stanley Lands Committee
A meeting of the Stanley Lands Committee took place at 1330 hrs on Thursday, 03 October 2005 in the Liberation Room of the Secretariat. Present were Cllr. Richard Cockwell (Chair) Cllr Roger Edwards (in place of Cllr. Norma Edwards), Mr A. Dawson (Building Advisor) Mrs. Phyl Rendell, Mrs. Alison Ingles, Manfred Keenleyside and Fiona Wallace, who took the minutes.
After apologies and declarations of interest the minutes of the meeting held on Thursday, 06 October 2005 were confirmed. In matters arising from the minutes, the issue of the Government Boat House had not been resolved because there was a technical issue dealing with one of the Sea Cadets trustees. The Sea Cadets would be pressed to resolve the issue.
There has been no comment from FIDC regarding the lease of land at Gordon Lines so the Committee still don’t know what they want to do. Ex-co has approved grazing rights but there still is a problem with the triangle as Ex-co had not been informed about it. Evidently Ex-co did not read the request as an instruction but only a minute and nothing had been done.
The land search had been done and the fence at Ross Road West would have to be moved. The GSM Lattice behind the Town Hall was turned down by the Planning and Building Committee. The Murrell River Draft Management Plan page 4 Item 9 didn’t go to Ex-co because the Chief Executive wanted more detail and felt it had been rushed and fishing policy for the area needed to be reviewed.
As far as land sales, a case arose where there was an uncertain boundary between FIDC land and FIG land. FIDC evidently gave a builder permission to erect a structure on land it didn’t own. The problem has been resolved. Manfred Keenleyside recommended that a land search be done with the sle of any land in the Falklands.
The Pontoons at the East end of the Harbour have been dealt with and the owners of the structure would be asked to take the private property signs down to provide public access as the area was set aside for recreational activities and the pontoons were on public land.
The pipe and wind turbine for the fish hatchery were dealt with in the Planning and Building Committee meeting in the morning. The pipe would go as far east as possible IAW the Marine Officer’s drawing and the wind turbine as far away from the Gas Bottling facility as possible.
As for Motor Bikes on the Common, it was thought the Rugby Pitch, while inconvenient, was the safest place for riders as it was near to the road and would have easy access should someone get hurt and need an ambulance.
The paint balling venture was approved in principle but the area where it was proposed was not approved. The Committee felt that there would be a suitable place as one had been searched out for the motor bike course and was found to be unsuitable. It conceivable go there but further discussion would be needed.
Plots for more sheltered housing in East Stanley were discussed. It would be an Ex-co decision but Manfred Keenleyside mentioned that better sites should be identified and developed before a need arises. Discussions with the Director of Health and Social Services would have to take place.
The date of the next meeting is set at Thursday, 01 December 2005 at 1330 hrs in the Liberation Room of the Secretariat.
Section 3:
POLICE NEWS: 04/11/05
Compiled by J. Brock (FINN)
At 2100 hrs on Wednesday, 02 November 2005, Officers on patrol reported a fire in a rubbish bin at Arch Green. Youths in the area were spoken to but no information was gained.
At 1119 hrs on Thursday, 03 November 2005, the Royal Falkland Islands Police received a report of a Road Traffic Accident that occurred near Mt. Usborne on Tuesday, 01 November. The vehicle suffered serious exterior damage but the driver only suffered whiplash injuries.
At 2305 hrs on Thursday, 03 November 2005, Officers on patrol saw a person laying in the road near the West store and a group of people around him. As Officers approached the person got up and he was spoken to about his behaviour. This was not an alcohol-related incident.
At 1030 hrs on Friday, 04 November 2005, the Chief Fire Officer spotted a column of smoke rising from the Mount Pleasant Complex. It was confirmed that the fire was on the clay pigeon range and there were three fire tenders as well as the MPA Fire Chief and other fire fighters on scene to contain the blaze and put it out.
At 1150 hrs on Friday the Royal Falkland Islands Police received a report of a vehicle reversing into a person on foot. There were no inuries.
Section 4:
WOOL REPORT: for the week ending Friday 4th November 2005
Auctions
Starting the week at 666 A cents, the Australian Eastern Market Indicator (EMI) lost six cents on Wednesday and eight cents on Thursday. The EMI thus closed the week down 14 cents at 652A cents, the lowest level since 24 March 2000. Pass-ins reached 27.4% in Freemantle on Thursday, with the national average rising to 17% for the week. European buyers were in evidence.
In New Zealand, the Merino Indicator was quoted down seven on the fortnight at 882 cents; and Mid-micron Indicator was quoted at 531 cents, which was down 19 cents on 20/10/05. The Fine Crossbred Indicator (33-35µ) was quoted up three at 341 NZ cents and the Coarse Crossbred Indicator (35.1+µ) was down three to 325 cents. The Lamb Indicator was quoted at 352. There was a 76% clearance of the 12,320 bale offering.
In South Africa the Cape Wools Overall Merino Indicator was quoted down 0.4 percent on the week from 2,410 to 2,400 SA cents per kg clean. European buyers were again very active.
Currencies
Towards the end of the week, the Australian dollar was trading weaker at A$2.39/£ whilst the New Zealand dollar was trading weaker at 2.55 NZ cents/£.
Background
Merino wools of all descriptions were significantly cheaper in Australia and New Zealand, even after allowing for the weaker local dollar currencies. Seasonally high volumes both in New Zealand and Australia are pushing the Merino market down on lack-lustre demand.
Several leading European manufacturers report business is busy but at current levels, with deliveries going out and new business being placed.
FWG Agency
Early bale specifications have been received with thanks.
During my Falklands visit between 23rd November and 8th December, I plan to be on West Falkland during the last week of November and on East Falkland at the start of December. I will endeavour to visit as many farms as possible however if anyone would especially like a meeting, please advise soonest.
With Thanks and Regards, Robert
Section 5:
BUSINESS NEWS FROM ST. HELENA
PORTLAND PORT NEWS
RMS ST HELENA ARRIVED IN PORTLAND ON
SATURDAY 29 OCTOBER
Welcome renewal of links with South Atlantic Island
26th October 2005
The Government-owned St Helena Lines passenger-cargo vessel RMS St Helena, serving St Helena and the United Kingdom’s Island Dependencies in the South Atlantic, made a welcome return to her English terminal port, after twelve months absence at 0800 on Saturday 29th October.
In the year since her last visit, the ship has been on a trial schedule that has kept her south of the equator, operating out of Cape Town and Walvis Bay but, as announced by ship managers Andrew Weir Shipping in May, the call this week will be the first of two to Portland Port either side of Christmas. St Helena’s arrival will be well received by the St Helenian community and by the Island’s friends in Dorset. The link is an important one for Islanders living in this country and many will doubtless be joining Mrs Jenny Pattenden, Chairman of the St Helena Association in the UK, at the Port, when she meets friends and relations amongst the crew and the 40 or so passengers who will be disembarking.
St Helena Lines are members of the Niche Cruise Alliance and, before the ship sails on Wednesday 2nd November with two and a half thousand tonnes of cargo and some 70 passengers, the same number of UK travel agents will board on 1st November to be briefed on the attractions of St Helena for visitors seeking a unique holiday off the beaten track and on the very special cruise experience that the RMS, with its 128 berths, can provide. This initiative comes at a time when the profile of Portland Port as a cruise destination and point of embarkation is being raised through its recent membership of Destination South West, the regional cruise marketing organisation, hitherto restricted to Devon and Cornwall but now to include Dorset ports and tourist destinations. At the same time, the Britannia Passenger Terminal, through which RMS St Helena’s passengers will pass, has had a facelift and plans are in hand to extend it to cater for turnaround visits by larger ships.
Throughout the ship’s absence, Portland-based Albion Shipping Services have continued to organise the shipping by other means of cargo and personal items destined for the Island. This has included the books collected by the Portland churches for distribution by St Helena Social Services. The Reverend David Botterill, vicar of St John’s Church and Missions to Seafarers Chaplain on Portland, is the co-ordinator of this work and reports that he is preparing another consignment, which will be dispatched when the ship next calls in March 2006.
John Healy, Portland Port’s General Manager (Operations and Marketing) spoke for many others when he said that the Port was looking forward, once again, to working with the sole remaining Royal Mail Ship and renewing acquaintances with her Captain, officers and crew. “RMS St Helena and Saint Helenians are always welcome at Portland. We like to think that there is an affinity between the two islands and we hope to strengthen those links over the coming years.”
Section 6:
ELECTION NEWS: Weekend edition
ANGUS REID GETS IT WRONG
By J. Brock (FINN)
People who read Angus Reid’s Report from Canada might want to know that he got it wrong. There are eight seats up for grabs in the election and seventeen, not seven candidates for those seats.
SUMMERS A CLEAR WINNER IN STRAW POLL
By J. Brock (FINN)
Mike summers came in the clear winner in the straw poll that was taken at the public meeting that was held on Friday night in the Court and Council Chamber of the Town Hall. Coming in Joint second were Richard Cockwell and John Fowler. Fourth was Dr. Richard Davis, fifth, Janet Robertson, sixth, Mike Forrest, seventh, Dr. Andrea Clausen, eighth was shared by John Birmingham, Eric Goss and Jan Cheek. Phil Middleton came in eleventh and Kevin Ormond twelfth.
About 50 members of the public attended with 32 taking part in the poll
Candidates present at the meeting, moderated by Dr. Barry Elsby and Sam Miller were: Eric Goss, Richard Cockwell, Kevin Ormond, Richard Davis, Mike Forrest, Janet Robertson, Andrea Clausen, John Birmingham, John Fowler, Jan Cheek, Phil Middleton, Mike Summers and Richard Stevens, who came in from Camp.
A number of people chose to vote tactically by voting for one or two candidates, though voters could chose up to five candidates. Richard Stevens did not take part in the Straw poll because he is a Camp Candidate.
BRIEF PUBLIC MEETING REPORT
Part 1
By J. Brock (FINN)
A public meeting moderated by Dr. Barry Elsby and Mr. Sam Miller took place in the Town Hall Court and Council Chamber at 1930 hrs on Friday, 04 November 2005. Candidates for Legislative Council for the Stanley Constituency attended as well as one, Richard Stevens (RS), for the Camp Constituency. Also present were: Eric Goss (EG), Richard Cockwell (RC), Kevin Ormond (KO), Richard Davis (RD), Mike Forres (MF)t, Janet Robertson (JR), Andrea Clausen (AC), John Birmingham (JB), John Fowler (JF), Jan Cheek (JC), Phil Middleton (PM) and Mike Summers (MS).
The first question dealt with the MPA Road and a petition signed by 500 people who wanted something done about it.
PM: Thinks if we got the road surfaced we could have a Royal Opening in 2007.
JF: Five hundred is a significant number but it would be a bit silly to say yes or no on this issue.
AC: Doesn’t think reserves should be used to pay for surfacing the road
JR: Feels it needs to be addressed in detail but it’s too early to say yes or no about surfacing it
MF: Thinks it depends on what remains in the Consolidated fund and whether the amount spent would benefit the economy during these difficult times
RD: It’s a democracy and we need to listen to the 500 people but collectively he wonders if they know all that’s entailed in surfacing it
RC: He has a serious concern but feels we should look very carefully for the best surface
EG: He’s been down that road before (pun) but feels it would be a job for the next council to consider. He noted the fiasco when a previous attempt was made to surface the road.
JB: Feels that the consolidated fund should not be used to fund the project
JC: Feels that there should be an explanation to the 500 as to why money from the consolidated fund should not be used to surface the road
KO: Thinks he shouldn’t go with a yes or no answer but if 500 people want something done it would be wise to think of a way to do it.
MS: Thinks that petitioners need to take into account whether they have sufficient information to support it. A little publicity may be needed.
Question two dealt with Camp Roads. Should they continue to be built?
All candidates agreed that the project needed to go forward to completion.
The third question dealt with what portfolios the candidates wanted and why.
R S: Wanted anything but Education
PM: Education and Tourism but would take anything
JF: Education, Tourism, FIDC
AC: Feels it would be good to take on a portfolio he knows nothing about but Fisheries and Environment would suit
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