FINN (COM) Daily Record for 07 July 2004

FINN(COM) DAILY RECORD: WEDNESDAY, 07 JULY 2004

Compiled by J. Brock (FINN)

FIBS NEWS DIRECT: 07 JULY 2004

NEW SENIOR MAGISTRATE NAMED:

The new Falklands Senior Magistrate is to be a lawyer from the Isle of Man, according to UK press reports.  Clare Folds, from Douglas, is said to be taking up the two-year post in mid September, although there has been no official announcement about it in the Islands.  Isle of Man Online reports this morning that Mrs. Folds husband, Ian, who edits Hansard, will stay on the Isle of Mann while she carries out the contract.  She’s currently a partner in a company called Collette, Bilton and Coe.

COURT NEWS:

Lee Hazell received a six-month conditional discharge in Court this morning and Gene Berntsen was bound over to keep the peace for a year in the sum of £300.00 after both pleaded guilty to assaulting one another.  Ros Cheek, prosecuting, told the Court that the two, who were in a relationship until last October, had gone to the trough separately on May the 15^th.  Mr. Berntsen had spoken to Stephen Arinder, who Miss Hazell was in a relationship at the time, about issues regarding her daughter.  Both said that conversation was amicable but it was alleged that Miss Hazell then mouthed obscenities and making obscene gestures at Mr. Berntsen.  She said Mr. Berntsen had then made derogatory and personal comments to her – an allegation he denies.  Miss Hazell then punched him twice in the nose.  Some time later, he admitted that he had flipped and rugby tackled her around the waist, knocking her to the floor then held her down with his hand over her mouth and nose.  Miss Hazell alleged that he punched her in the face at least twice, although he said he didn’t remember doing this.  Hugh Ferguson, defending Miss Hazell, said it was the first time she reacted this way despite similar provocation in the past.  Defending himself, Mr. Berntsen said that he admitted rugby tackling Miss Hazell but didn’t remember hitting her.  Chair of the JPs, Judy Summers, said the incident could only be referred to as brawling ordered both to pay £70.00 costs.

Also in Court today was Jeremy Clarke at MPA, who was fined after admitting falling asleep at the wheel of his vehicle on the MPA Road.  And, Graham Minto, whose Case was adjourned without plea until next Wednesday.

ANOTHER FISHING VESSEL CALLED INTO PORT:

Another fishing vessel has been called into port by fisheries authorities.  The Long-liner, Ipsa Kinto has been fishing in South Georgia and was alongside FIPASS for a number of days earlier this week for catch verification.  She left yesterday but was then called back in.  Harriet Hall, who oversees the South Georgia fishery, told us this morning that fisheries wish to discuss further with the company various issues relating to the recent fishing season.

STORM SWEEPS AWAY PORT HOWARD JETTY:

The jetty at Port Howard has been washed away by last night’s fierce weather and high tide.  Miles Lee told us this morning that three quarters of the jetty and two of the piles has been swept away, with water rising in the settlement as far as the store.  He and Bill Pole-Evans had been to check on the jetty around 2330 last night, when he said it was doing a Mexican Wave but, assuming the timed had turned, hoped it would hold fast.  Unfortunately, this morning they woke to find a section of the jetty nearest the shore had disappeared.

NEW INFANTRY COMPANY:

There’s a new Infantry Company in the Islands.  The Royal Gloucestershire, Berkshire and Wiltshire Regiment have just moved away from being the lead element of the spear-head battalion and were last deployed in Kosovo.  Based in London. They are commanded by Maj. Demmie and will be in the Islands for the next four months.

PAINTING:

The first ever painting of Antarctica, which had been hidden under another painting for 200 years, is going on public view in London.  The painting was the work of William Hodges, who joined Captain Cook’s second epic voyage in 1772.  The oil painting, which was later painted over with a view of New Zealand Harbour, is one of several of Hodges’ paintings on show at the Maritime Museum.  An x-ray of the painting is being shown to prevent damage to the artwork.  BBC Online reports that the painting has not been on public show since 1795.  Hodges was the son of a London Blacksmith when he joined the cruise to Antarctica.  Sir David Attenborough, who launched the public showing on Monday, called him, “undoubtedly the most unjustly neglected British painter of the 18^th century.

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