FINN(COM) DAILY RECORD: 27 FEBRUARY 2004

(With Relevant Articles from FIBS)

 

Compiled by J. Brock (FINN)

 

WELL EARNED CERTIFICATES PRESENTED BY GOVERNOR

 

By J. Brock (FINN)

 

NVQ Certificates were handed out to several individuals at Government House on Thursday evening.  Prior to handing out the certificates, H. E. the Governor Mr. Howard Pearce made a short speech.

 

“I would just like to say congratulations to everybody who has gained a certificate or an award this evening.  I know that a great deal of hard work always goes into obtaining these certificates and it’s a good symbol of the achievements, which you all have made.  It is particularly good to be able to give certificates to so many of you on this particular occasion.”

 

Those eligible for certificates were:

 

Administration Level 1:

 

Fran Biggs, Cherie Clifford, and Michelle Evans

 

Administration Level 2:

 

Cherie Clifford and Jeannie McKay

 

Administration Level 3:

 

Lynn Brownlee and Una Wallace

 

Information Technology Level 1:

 

Stephanie Middleton, Beth Reid and Leona Roberts

 

Customer Service Level 2:

 

Lindsay Bonner, Odette Bonner, Trudi Clarke, Eileen Davies, Imogen Didlick, Nigel Dodd, Liz Elliot, Susana Faria, Carla Francis, Rachael Freeman, Glynis King, Alan Henry, Tina Hirtle, Terri-Ann Jaffray, Susan Knipe, Tanya Lee, Cherilyn Mitchell, Jeannie McKay, Alex Sanders, Katrina Stephenson, Carol Thorson, Fiona Wallace, Alison Ward, Sylvia Watt, and Helene Williams.

 

Customer Service Level 3:

 

Val Padgett

 

D32/D33 Assessor Certificates:

 

Lynn Brownlee, Eileen Davies, Susan Knipe, Alex Sanders and Una Wallace

 

RSA Certificates were also handed out.

 

Staff Trainer and Internal Verifier, Trevor Wright was on his last professional visit to the Falklands and was presented by a full catalogue of Falklands Stamps by H. E. the Governor Mr. Howard Pearce.  The catalogue completes a collection Mr. Wright started last year for his grandson. 

 

 

WOOL REPORT: for the week ending Friday 27^th February 2004

 

 

Auctions

 

The Australian market’s Eastern Market Indicator (EMI) gained three cents on Tuesday, remained level on Wednesday and added two cents on Thursday.  The EMI thus closed the week five cents better (+0.65%) at 772 A cents.  Currency movements continued to dominate the trading environment this week.  Solid competition continued for sound, stylish wool. 

 

In New Zealand the Fine Indicator not quoted.  The Medium Indicator was quoted at 560 NZ cents. The Strong Indicator was 14 higher at 385 NZ cents, whilst the Lamb Indicator was seven better at 383 NZ cents.

 

The Cape Wools Overall Merino Indicator moved 3.5 percent lower from 3,221 SA cents of a fortnight ago to 3,108 SA cents.

 

 

Currencies & Interest Rates

 

The Australian dollar traded weaker again towards the end of the week at 2.41 A cents/£ whilst the New Zealand dollar was weaker and trading at 2.71 NZ cents/£.  The strength of sterling against the dollar currencies is having a material and negative effect on the sterling value of wool this season.  With the Sterling interest rate likely to rise again this year, the strength of sterling is likely to continue.

 

FWG Agency

 

With shearing almost complete, farms are politely reminded to maintain top quality control measures until their last bale is pressed.

 

Many thanks for all the bale specifications received of late.  All out standing bale specifications for the Anne Boye’s voyage 1 are needed as a matter or urgency.

 

With Thanks and Regards

 

FIBS NEWS DIRECT: FRIDAY, 27 FEBRUARY 2004

 

FISHERIES INCOME £3MILLION SHORT:

 

Fisheries income is likely to be £3Million short of the predicted £24Million for 2003/2004, the Standing Finance Committee heard this morning.  Cllr Mike Summers said he thought it was unlikely that unpaid fees would be picked up at this stage.  He told fellow committee members that given the way the Illex season is developing so far, even if they have taken up licences, they are not going to be paying bad debts.  The Committee, which met before Legco, also heard that the Charter Flight Ban had hit Customs income, which is likely to be around £200,000.00 short of expectations.  SFC were told that there had been problems finding someone to take on the role of certifying ships free from rat infestation.  The role has been dropped by the Medical Department but the Veterinary, Fisheries and Public Works Departments have all refused to carry it out.  There was also a short report about the Court case between the Chief Executive, Chris Simpkins and Sarah Davis.  Committee Members heard that there will be a cost to Government but the amount had not yet been calculated.

 

BUSIEST CRUISE SHIP DAY OF THE YEAR:

 

Saturday was the biggest cruise ship day of the year with more than 3.000 visitors coming to Stanley from four ships.  The Royal Princess, the Amsterdam, the Clipper Adventurer and the Explorer II were all in.  Stanley residents were asked to be patient with the influx of visitors, particularly in the Jetty Centre car park.  Falkland Islands Tourism, which manages the car park, is appealing to all motorists who have no direct business to do with the transportation of tourists to stay away.  They are asking all legitimate users to co-operate by keeping to their allotted zones and observing the new signs.   Manager, John Fowler, says all vehicles must now enter the car park by the south/east corner ramp and leave by the south/west corner.  John added that anyone who is unsure where there vehicle should be can get in touch with him at the FIT office and he will show them exactly where to go.

 

HARBOUR FISHING AND SHIPPING NEWS:

 

The Norwegian Crown was in port for the last time this season.  She arrived at 0800 on Friday with 989 passengers onboard.  The vessel was anchored in Port William and passengers were tendered into Stanley throughout the day.

 

HORTICULTURAL SHOW:

 

It’s time for the green fingered amongst you to get your trowels in hand and put the finishing touches to your gardens, ready for the first part of the Horticultural Society Show.  Saturday will see judges hit the streets in the Garden section of the competition, as Tim Miller (TM) explains.

 

TM:  First of all, we have the Gardens Competition.  That’s coming up on Saturday.  There are two separate classes, one for Flower Gardens and one for Vegetable Gardens.  We actually have split that into two types of gardens for several years now.  There are Established Household Gardens and the new home, Novice Gardens.  Obviously it’s a bit unfair to expect people who have just built a new house and a brand new garden – it’s a bit difficult to enter that and have it judged against a garden that’s been going for 20 years or so.  An established garden is a house that you have been in for more than 3 years.  The winners will be announced shortly afterwards and then they get their prizes at the main Horticultural Show.  That show is on 20 March in the Parish Hall with the same format.  In the next few weeks we will print programmes and they will be sent to everyone.

 

SG:  The competition is free to enter.  Contact Veronica Summers either in the Post Office or on 21198. Or you can call Alison Dodd on 21610.

 

GRAF SPEE:

 

After spending 60 years on the bottom of the River Plate, the range finder on the Graf Spee has finally seen the light of day.  The operation has taken 5 weeks and two failed attempts to get this far.  Falkland Islander, Mensen Bound, who is the Director of Archaeology on the project, said, “The problem is that it takes very little to set the 20-tonne hooking apparatus on our crane in swing.  Once it starts swinging it’d deadly dangerous for the ship and everybody around it.  The sea has to be absolutely slack.”

 

The operation lasted 5 hours and was smooth, slick and seamless from beginning to end.  Once the range finder was finally on the deck of the ship he said it looked more like some leprous dinosaur than sophisticated, precision made technology.

 

 

 

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