MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Penguin News Update.

Headlines:
Memorial nears completion; Geo Pacific finishes seismic survey for Desire Petroleum; Illex closes April 14; Tourism round up; Coroner opens inquest; Governor's good news.

Memorial nears completion.

THE construction of the Argentine war memorial at Darwin is almost complete. The Regional Manager of AWG (Falklands) Ltd, the company contracted to construct the memorial says the company is at the, "...final stages of the works." The construction began on February 25. Now, Ken Mackenzie of AWG says the work is almost over "The memorial pieces are in place, the crosses have been installed and the plaques have been fitted. "There is some tiling work around the main cross, fencing and general tidying up still to be carried out." The memorial is expected to be officially approved by an architect representing the Argentine Families on or around April 17. AWG employed a core workforce of four people for the job but Mr Mackenzie says this increased from time to time, "...depending on the type of work being carried out. "When the units were being transported we had a crane driver and lorry drivers, an engineer setting out as well as our supervision. "The installation of all of the new crosses required an increase in numbers to carry out all of the hand excavations and concreting." The Argentine architect has been in the Islands since the materials for the memorial arrived. In addition, an engineer from Argentina also visited for two weeks. Mr Mackenzie says, "He was responsible for ensuring that the ground conditions were suitable for the type of construction method being adopted." A Clerk of Works representing the company to which AWG is contracted left the Islands last Saturday. Mr Mackenzie says his company experienced some "resolvable" problems during the construction. "The existing site is not as dimensionally accurate as was indicated on the drawings so the installation of a structure, which has been prefabricated and therefore dimensionally fixed, caused a few problems. The fact that the structures are curved and large required consideration as how best to transport them to the site. "All problems are however resolvable." Mr Mackenzie says that overall the project has gone smoothly. "We have been very fortunate with the weather. "The whole team involved, which includes our staff, the architect, the Clerk of Works, the haulage contractor, the crane operator and other sub-contractors, have all worked very conscientiously to ensure that the project has gone as smoothly as possible. "The result is a matter of individual opinion but from a construction point of view, we are satisfied with the overall result." Councillor John Birmingham called in to the Darwin cemetery at the weekend. He believes, "...it will look tidy and respectful. "If we must have a cemetery, then this is as dignified as you could probably get." Mr Mackenzie says he has "no knowledge" of when or if any inauguration ceremony will take place for the memorial. He said, "There has been no discussion with our company in that respect." His Excellency the Governor, Howard Pearce, yesterday said he was not aware that any representations had been made with regard to an inauguration ceremony.

Geo Pacific finishes seismic survey for Desire Petroleum

SEISMIC vessel Geo Pacifichas completed its 3D survey in the North Falkland Basin on behalf of Desire Petroleum PLC. A meeting of the Mineral Resources Committee heard yesterday that the vessel arrived in the survey area, Tranches F, C and D on January 20, 2004 and did not encounter many delays, apart from some kelp catching on streamers. The vessel and her chase boat Thor Supportermade two crew changes in Stanley during the survey. Desire Petroleum says it will be several months before the data will be processed and interpreted. The company will be seeking partners to initiate a second drilling campaign in due course. Also discussed at the meeting was the aeromagnetic survey being carried out over the Islands. The aeromagnetic survey over much of East and West Falklands began in the week beginning March 22. The Cessna 400 aircraft of Fugro Airborne Surveys NV is contracted to Falkland Minerals Limited to acquire data comprising lines at 1,000 and 500 metre spacing, with an allowance for higher density 250 metre spacing over areas previously considered of interest. Results from the survey are expected to be available in the middle of this year.

Illex closes April 14

STOCKS of illex squid have been assessed as low, prompting the Falkland Islands Government to announce the official closure of the illex fishery two months early. Director of Fisheries John Barton said the April 14 closure is being implemented for "conservation reasons". He explained, "The abundance of illex has been assessed as being low from research cruise results and this has also been reflected in commercial catches which have been the lowest on record." Dr. Barton said companies involved in the fishery have been informed of the early closure. "A decision on the level of refund due on licence fees will be made as soon as possible."

Tourism round up

TOUR operators are to have an end of season round up meeting this afternoon. Councillor John Birmingham said the meeting, which begins at 1.30pm, will be an opportunity for members of the tourism industry to discuss how the new traffic system at the Jetty Centre car park performed and, "...how Falkland Islands Tourism Ltd in its first few months of existence has been able to assist them."

Coroner opens inquest.

AN INQUEST has been opened into the death of Cheryl Paulette Backhouse who died at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital on March 19, 2004. The Coroner, Mr Nick Sanders said this week, "Identification evidence has been received and the inquest adjourned for further investigations." The funeral of Mrs Backhouse was held on Friday, April 2.

Governor's good news

HIS Excellency the Governor, Mr Howard Pearce is to marry his partner, architect and wildlife photographer Carolina Thomée. The couple plan to wed at Christ Church Cathedral on October 21.