S.Atlantic : Sartma Daily (28/09/05)
Submitted by SARTMA.com (Juanita Brock) 29.09.2005 (Article Archived on 06.10.2005)
A Brief run-down of South Atlantic News.
SARTMA DAILY (28/09/05)
Compiled by J. Brock (FINN)
CONTENTS:
Section 1: Breaking News
Section 2: Hydrocarbons News
Section 3: Public Meeting News
Section 4: Falkland Wool Growers Report for Week Ending 23 September 2005
Section 5: Committee News
Section 6: Announcements
Section 1:
GUILTY VERDICT IN WILLIAMS CASE
By J. Brock (FINN)
The trial of Brian John Williams ended today with a verdict of guilty on all three counts against him.
A full judgement will be written and circulated at a later date.
In sentencing the Senior Magistrate took into account that the incident was not planned, the girl was over 13 years old, the assault took place over a short period of time, there was no physical force, no injury, Mr. Williams had been of previous good character, had no previous convictions and that imprisonment would cause considerable hardship on his wife and five children.
For Count 1 – Sexual penetration (digital) without consent, contrary to Section 2(1) of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, that took place on 26 March 2005, Mr. Williams received 3 years imprisonment.
For Count 2 – Sexual activity in the presence of a person under the age of 16, contrary to Section 11(1) of the Sexual Offences Act 2003, that took place on 26 March 2005, Mr. Williams received a 1 year prison sentence to run concurrently with the 3-year sentence handed down for count 1.
There was no separate penalty for count 3 – Sexual touching without consent, contrary to Section 3(1) of the Sexual Offences Act 2003 that took place on 26 March 2005.
SHACKLETON FUND PROVIDES CATHEDRAL HAND CHIMES
By J. Brock (FINN)
For the past several months the Hand-chime group has been out of action because the donated hand-chimes set they were using was incomplete and in disrepair. The Shackleton Scholarship Fund has come to the rescue.
The Group now can resume meeting on Tuesday, 04 October 2005 at the Parish Hall from 1900 to 2030
There is a plea for new members and it’s easy to learn. Music canbe made without having to know how to read music.
The first performance should be at Christmas, so if you enjoy playing Christmas Carols, why not come along on Tuesday.
Section 2:
HYDROCARBONS NEWS:
FALKLAND OIL AND GAS: THE STORY THUS FAR
By J. Brock (FINN)
Mr. John Armstrong and Mr. Patrick Bird from Falkland Oil and Gas are presently visiting the Falklands and based in the Crozier Place Offices at the Falkland Islands Company. They gave a presentation to the Chamber of Commerce on Monday night, which will be the subject of a further story on the FINN(COM) Daily Record. However, as an introduction to that, a brief history of the story thus far is in order.
At the time of exploration in the North Falkland Basin in the late ‘90s, the South Falkland Basin was thought to be too deep for drilling but technology has improved and Falkland Oil and Gas have taken up the gauntlet, licensed acreage and done a 2D seismic survey. Now that over 130 areas of interest have been discovered, further 3 D seismic surveys will be carried out on those areas.
It’s an interesting challenge to name one Jurassic/Cretaceous/Tertiary sedimentary basin in the world that does not contain at least some commercial oil and gas. The real issue is whether the resource is tapped in large enough accumulations and held in sufficiently productive reservoirs to provide viable commercial reserves.
Falkland Oil and Gas Limited, (FOGL) was formed in May 2004 to invest in an offshore oil exploration programme south and east of the Falkland Islands. It was admitted to the London Stock Exchange’s Alternative Investment Market (AIM) in May 2004 raising £12Million. At the time, FOGL held a 77.5% interest over a 33,300 sq km area. Hardman Resources Limited holds the remaining 22.5% interest in these licences. In December 2004, the Company was awarded 100% interests over an additional 50,000 sq km adjacent to its existing licence areas. Later that year, FOGL commenced a 2 D seismic survey, which identified the previously mentioned 130 leads, far in excess of the 8 leads identified at the time of the IPO. Furthermore, the survey has suggested that some of the numerous possible drill targets could be of significant size.
FOGL plans to conduct further seismic surveys targeting all the leads but with particular emphasis on 50 of the most promising, with the aim of developing 20 high quality, technically sound and potentially economically viable drilling prospects. FOGL will then process an aggressive and focused exploration programme through the current 2 D seismic survey, possibly followed by 3 D seismic survey. The Company then intends to develop a multi well drilling programme aimed to begin in 2007.
As one of the worlds few un-drilled sedimentary basins, the extent and depth of the South Falkland Basin suggests that if it exists, the hydrocarbon resource would be of a major scale. Analysts have concluded, based primarily on a top-down view on the scale of the basin as interpreted from seismic, that the size of the prize in terms of future potential for oil discovery could be in the range of 8 and 24 billion barrels in FOGL’s licence area.
While the inherent risks in FOGL at this stage clearly remain high, the exploration story has advanced considerably since flotation with a significant increase in acreage under licence and highly encouraging signs from seismic.
Section 3:
PUBLIC INFORMATION
At the Public Meeting held on 21st September a member of the public complained to Councillors about the manner in which graves are backfilled and which was felt to be lacking in respect.
The Chief Executive made enquiries to the Director of Public Works who said the following:
“If filling was done directly into a grave by machine this was contrary to instruction. It is obvious that such action would cause offence and not be acceptable.
I have discussed this matter further with the Works Manager who will immediately reinforce instructions in relation to existing procedures and also look to see what changes can be made to any part of the operation to reduce the possibility of this occurring.
Looking at matters more broadly, it is disappointing that there had been no direct contact made with the Department on this issue by the person raising the matter at the public meeting, as feedback is welcomed”.
Gilbert House
Section 4:
WOOL REPORT: for the week ending Friday 23rd September 2005
Auctions
Starting the week at 681 A cents, the Australian Eastern Market Indicator (EMI) lost a cent on both Wednesday and Thursday. The EMI thus closed the week back two cents at 679 A cents.
In New Zealand, the Merino Indicator was quoted up at 920 NZ cents, whilst the Mid-micron Indicator was quoted down a cent at 547 NZ cents. The Fine Crossbred Indicator (33-35µ) was quoted up a cent at 355 NZ cents, the Coarse Crossbred Indicator (35.1+µ) was up three cents to 337 cents, whilst the Lamb Indicator was not quoted.
In South Africa the Cape Wools Overall Merino Indicator was quoted up 0.8 percent from 2,496 to 2,516 SA cents per kg clean.
Currencies
The Australian dollar was trading a cents stronger at A$2.35/£, thus giving sterling wool prices some support.
The New Zealand dollar was trading down a cent stronger at 2.58 NZ cents/£.
Background
“The tone was upbeat at last week’s fabric shows in Milan and Florence. Wool coatings and skirtings are a major story in the collections for autumn/winter 2006/07. Prato reports a revival of interest in fancy woollens.” WRWMR
FWG Agency
I am meeting Neil Judd in Bradford on Wednesday.
Another batch of statements is being 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 stocks remaining of the 2004/2005 season in FIPASS.
With Regards, Robert
Section 5:
COMMITTEE NEWS:
Please note that the following committee meetings will be open for public attendance during the forthcoming week:
Housing Committee - Wednesday 5th October at 1.30pm in the Liberation Room, Secretariat
Planning & Building Committee - Thursday 6th October at 9.00am in the Liberation Room, Secretariat
Stanley Lands Committee - Thursday 6th October at 1.30pm in the Liberation Room, Secretariat
Education Board - Friday 7th October at 8.30am in the Education Office, Ross Road
Members of the public can attend but not speak at Committee meetings.
Copies of the Agenda and Reports can be seen in the Secretariat at least three working days before the date of the meeting.
Section 6:
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
The Chamber of Commerce will be closed on Monday, 03 October 2005 due to Peat Cutting Monday being a public Holiday. DHL Freight arriving on the Lan flight will be available for collection between 1800 and 1830 on Saturday, 01 October 2005 from the Chamber of Commerce Office. The Office will be open as usual for the collection of DHL Freight on Tuesday, 04 October 2005 from 0930.
The Seafish Chandlary will be closed on Peat Cutting Monday, 03 October 2005 and will be open again on “Pop Up” Tuesday.
The Public Works Department are preparing to replace culverts and increase both the height and the width of the Corral Creek Crossing, west of Estancia. This is a major operation which will entail having to close the crossing to all traffic for a period of between 3 to 5 days to allow the replacement culverts to be installed. No easy alternative routs will be available but the closure will be kept to the absolute minimum. Precise dates for the works will be advised later but will be close to the week commencing the 10th of October. For further information, telephone the Highways section of PWD on 27387.
From Jock McPhee at Brookfield Farm: No fires are to be lit on Brookfield Ground, the beach or anywhere.
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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