FINN(COM) DAILY RECORD: TUESDAY, 02 NOVEMBER 2004
Compiled by J. Brock (FINN)
WOOL REPORT: for the week ending Friday 29th October 2004
Auctions
The Australian Eastern Market Indicator (EMI) has drifted again during the last fortnight. The EMI ended up four cents last week at 745 A cents. On Tuesday of this week the EMI dropped six cents, on Wednesday it recovered two cents and added four cents on Thursday. The EMI thus closed this week unchanged at 745 A cents. The American dollar’s weakness played a considerable role in dampening the market. “The phenomenon continues of subdued auction values failing to reflect generally good economic signals and the increasing return to favour of traditional worsted suits and woollen jackets and coats.” WRWMR
In New Zealand the Fine Indicator was up a cent to 1,007 NZ cents on the fortnight. The Medium Indicator was quoted up two cents on the week, nearly recovering last week’s three cent slip, at 498 NZ cents. The Strong Indicator was down a cent to 389 NZ cents after last week’s slide of eight cents. The Lamb Indicator was not quoted.
The South African Overall Merino Indicator lost 1.2% last week and gained 1.5% this week, to close at 2,644 SA cents/kg clean.
In Britain the “market opened well with most types in demand, this resulted in a clearance of 82%” and prices generally fully firm.
Currencies
The Australian dollar was trading stronger at A$2.44/£. The New Zealand dollar was a cent weaker on the fortnight at 2.66 NZ cents/£.
FWG Agency
Significant enquiries for new season wool were received this week. All additional supplies of wool in 2005 would be much welcomed by our customers.
The outline plan for my forthcoming visit to Camp, is to be on West Falkland during much of the last week of November and on East Falkland during the first week of December. I will endeavour to visit as many farms as possible - if you would particularly like a visit, please advise soonest.
With Best Wishes Robert
Vintage nuclear bomber for sale on eBay - Breaking - http://www.theage.com.au/technology/Welcome
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OPINION REVIEWS RESOURCES IT JOBS
Vintage nuclear bomber for sale on eBay
London
November 2, 2004 - 9:06AM
A British plane enthusiast has put his vintage nuclear bomber up for sale on the
internet auction site eBay.
"Vulcan bomber XL391 (Complete with engines.) Your chance to own a piece of
aviation history," reads the advertisement posted by flying instructor Brian
Bateson.
As the plane weighs 40 tonnes and has a wingspan of 100 feet (30 metres), it
also points out: "As is, where is. Buyer collects!"
Bateson, who had placed it at the entrance to Blackpool Airport in northwest
England for visitors to admire, decided to sell the plane so the airport could
expand.
The reserve bid of £6000 (€8600) was "not dissimilar" to what he paid for it in
1983, Bateson said.
"There's no way it would fit in my hangars and I just hope it goes to a good
home," he said. "People in the past have asked to buy bits and pieces of it for spares
or memorabilia but I hope it stays in one piece."
Vulcans were built in the 1960s to carry nuclear bombs during the Cold War, but were
later converted to carry conventional armaments.
Bateson's plane was stationed on Ascension Island in the South Atlantic during Britain's
1982 conflict with Argentina over the Falkland Islands, but was not called up to the front.
AFP
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GOVERNOR’S REPORT ON THE MEETING OF THE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL ON THURSDAY 28 OCTOBER 2004
Executive Council held its monthly meeting on Thursday 28 October at Government House.
Discussions have been underway for some time on the merits of introducing minimum wage and employment conditions. Executive Council considered a paper on the subject, which had been prepared following consultation with the Chamber of Commerce, the Rural Business Association, representatives of the Ministry of Defence and employers at MPA. EXCO concluded that there was no need at this point to introduce legislation on a minimum wage. The subject would however continue to be discussed with interested parties, and the situation would be reviewed in September 2005.
Executive Council considered four items of draft legislation. The Education (Amendment) Bill 2004 is designed to amend the Education Ordinance in order to enable the school summer vacation to begin closer to Christmas and to last a little longer. This is in response to a number of representations received from parents. The Taxes (Amendment) Bill 2004 introduces four amendments to the Taxes Ordinance 1997. These concern the taxation of forestry, the timetable for the provision of POAP end of year certificates, the maintenance of business records, and the taxation of government employees recruited in the Falkland Islands and working in the Falkland Islands Government Office in London. The Media Trust (Amendment) Bill 2004 raises the ceiling on the number of trustees of the Media Trust from five to nine. These three bills will be remitted to the meeting of Legislative Council at the end of November.
With a General Election due in just over a year, Executive Council also considered a Bill to amend the Electoral Ordinance. This addresses a number of issues which need to be resolved in good time before the next General Election. The Bill includes provisions covering the establishment of a polling station in Stanley for Camp residents when a by- election takes place in Camp only; the preparation of a “rolling” register of electors, instead of the annual preparation of the register at a fixed date; more generous provision to enable Falkland Islanders living temporarily away from the Islands to vote in a General Election (this will be a particular benefit to those who are obtaining experience in employment overseas); and provision for persons who are absent in the United Kingdom to send completed postal ballot papers to the Falkland Islands Government Office in London. The Bill will also appoint the Chief Executive as Returning Officer at future elections. EXCO considered this to be an appropriate arrangement because of the very heavy responsibility which the Returning Officer has to carry. It is also in line with the arrangements operated at elections in the United Kingdom. The Bill is being published for local consultation, and members of the public are invited to send in their views. The Bill will be considered further at the November meeting of Executive Council, and again if necessary at EXCO’s December meeting, with a view to its introduction in Legislative Council in late January 2005.
Next, an item of interest to anybody who frequents the pubs or bars in Stanley. Executive Council considered the case for amending the arrangements for licensing hours. They concluded that there was a case for the replacement of the existing Licensing Ordinance with a new Ordinance to be drafted by the Attorney General. EXCO noted, however, that there was a heavy programme of new legislation, and agreed to consider what priority should be given to drafting of a new Licensing Ordinance when they considered the legislative programme as a whole at the November meeting of EXCO.
The future arrangements for the management of the Falkland Islands Broadcasting Station have been under discussion for some time. EXCO considered a paper about the transfer of management of FIBS to the Media Trust. This has already been agreed in principle. At its meeting on 28 October EXCO reached three conclusions: first, it reaffirmed its commitment to maintain financial support to FIBS to enable it to continue its present role and function; secondly it agreed to request the General Manager of FIDC to provide assistance to secure the transfer of FIBS to the Media Trust by 30 June 2005 at the latest; and finally EXCO requested the Attorney General to prepare the necessary legislative amendments.
Work has been going on for some time on the application form and guidance notes for Falkland Islands Status. Final drafts were presented to Executive Council on 26 August. At that meeting members asked for further consideration to be given to the coverage of fluency in the English language and commitment to the Falkland Islands. EXCO considered a revised form at its meeting on 28 October and agreed to adopt the amendments proposed in the final version of the form.
Next, a couple of decisions concerning the Falklands Land Holding Corporation. EXCO agreed to authorise a ceiling of £250,000 on Falklands Land Holding’s overdraft until the end of the current financial year. EXCO also considered the structure of the FLH Board, and reached the following conclusions:
· The membership should include two Councillors, one of whom will be Chairman.
· EXCO appointed Councillor Richard Cockwell to be Chairman, and Councillor Mike Summers to be member;
· The Chief Executive should be Executive Vice-Chairman;
· The General Manager of Falklands Land Holdings should be a member;
· The members representing the farming community should be Ben Berntsen (Elephant Beach ) and Donna Minnell (Moss Side);
· Ron Binnie should represent the Rural Business Association on the Board.
There was just one shipping matter this month. This concerned a proposal that the MFV CHOKYU MARU 35, a combined jigger and long line fishing vessel, should be permitted to register in the Falkland Islands. EXCO agreed this proposal, subject to a number of conditions designed to ensure that the vessel meets local standards.
Next, an item for the younger generation. Executive Council recognised that there was a lack of facilities in Stanley for young people in the 13 to 17 age group. They therefore decided to offer the old telephone exchange building to the Community Centre Committee for use as a youth club, to be a run by a committee of young people with the support of some adults. It was agreed that a lease should be offered for a nine-month period until the middle of next year, at which point the arrangements would be reviewed in order to judge the success of the project.
And finally, EXCO chose the name of the new road running alongside the Infant and Junior School. Pupils at the Infant and Junior School had been invited by the Stanley Lands Committee to make suggestions and they produced some very imaginative proposals. EXCO agreed to accept the Lands Committee’s recommendation of Pencil Lane.
BONFIRE NIGHT FRIDAY 5th NOVEMBER AT MARE HARBOUR
MPC will be carrying out a Fireworks display and Bonfire night on Friday 5th November. Admission to the event will be free and is open to everyone. Spectators should arrive at Mare Harbour at 1945 hrs where car parking will be available. The Bonfire will be lit at 2015 hrs and the Firework display will begin at 2030hrs. The display will be completed by 2100hrs. Soup will be provided from a kitchen through out the event
FIBS NEWS DIRECT: 02 NOVEMBER 2004
CRUISE SHIPS:
The streets of Stanley will be invaded today, when the first of the Cruise ships visit, carrying 1300 passengers. The M/S Amsterdam is due to call into Port William at 0900 and will put the newly trained tour guides and Maritime Security Officers to the test. One new feature set up for the season’s visitors will be shuttle runs of the recent renovated old Governor’s Taxi. The Museum and National Trust will be operating the Car, carrying tourists from the Jetty Centre to the Museum via Cartmell Cottage for £10.00 each, which includes the entry fee to both buildings. The next ship due into Stanley are the Professor Mulchanofski on the 11th of November and the M/S Explorer on the 14th.
HEALTH AND MEDICAL SERVICES COMMITTEE MEETING REPORT:
The future of Camp Dentistry is still undetermined from yesterday’s meeting of the Health and Medical Services Committee. The need to review the current system followed the sale of the Doctor’s House at Fox Bay, which is in an advanced state of disrepair. In addition, the equipment and facilities attached to the house have deteriorated have been deemed unsafe. In a report to the facilities have been declared unsafe for patients and dentists and do not meet modern clinical standards. Director of Health and Medical Services, Mr. Norman McGregor Edwards, told the Committee that he has sought advice from Scotland’s Chief Dental Officer and was assured a reply that unfortunately wasn’t received before yesterday’s meeting. He added that what was appropriate for other countries may not be deemed fit for the Falklands although access and cost-effectiveness problems are not unique to the Islands. It is hoped that a full report will be available for the next meeting of the HMSC.
Improvements to the patient waiting area at the hospital was discussed. John Birmingham told the Committee that he had received a few comments that the current waiting area was uncomfortable and wanted to know if there were any plans to deal with this. Mr. Norman McGregor-Edwards said that the original study at the time of the re-vamp, a number of proposals were looked at. The clear preference from GPs, administration and patients was to reduce the reception area and transform it to a more enclosed and comfortable waiting area. These plans have been pushed back a year as the capital funding was given up to support the elderly care project. When asked if the waiting area plans would be completed if funding became available, Mr. McGregor-Edwards replied that this is possible as the resources and materials needed are available within the Islands.
When discussing the Health of the Nation Paper there was much talk about the use of the Leisure Centre for taking off work for reasons such as bad backs. John Birmingham said that as FIG was the largest employer in the Islands, he wants to know if there is a connection between days off work and problems such as bad back as the Leisure Centre is not being used by certain age groups. Although people cannot be forced to use the Leisure Centre, the facilities can be made more available. He asked if there is much contact between the Leisure Centre and the Hospital. Mr. McGregor-Edwards said that there is considerable contact between the Practice Nurse, Doctors, and the Leisure Centre Manager.
There are a number of staff changes within the Hospital. Dr. Denise Hannon will be ending her four-week contract at the Hospital this week. Her replacement Locum will be South African trained Dr. Ameran Modley, who will be here for a month. Dr. Albert Basha, who is also South African Trained will then be replacing Dr. Modly at the beginning of December until the end of February.
OUTDOOR PURSUITS:
Year 10 students have recently returned from outdoor pursuits, which was practice run for the final expedition in February. The students left Cerases Corral to practice their bearings, compass readings and map work. Organiser of the event was Community School PE Teacher, Mark Lennon (ML). He tells us more.
ML: It’s our GCSE outdoor education hill-walking camp and craft expedition and from the corral we summated Mr. Usborne and camped the second evening at Black Tongue and then we walked out summating Mt. Usbourne II on fir front fact back to the busses. They had to cook their own meals. They were fully responsible for planning and cooking the meals, planning the camp sites, planning their routs and checking map and grid references, also their magnetic bearings. It was quite technical walking but they all did very well.
SF: Over all, how well do you think the weekend went?
ML: It was excellent. The kids had high morale but there was bruised egos and blistered feet but over all it was successful. It was done in good spirits and good teamwork amongst the existing groups and it was very good to see. Very well done for the students and thank you very much to Andy Hepworth, Steve Dent and Louise Taylor for giving their support for the event.
(100X Transcription Service)
