MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Penguin News Update.

Headlines:

Inquest into Antarctic death opens today; Sex case experts: Defence warns against waste of public money;
Murrel Rd: is Black Point the answer?; Parent's rep elected;
Toothfish farming takes first step; Busy cruise week; Tsunami Appeal still growing; Canadians leave tomorrow.

Inquest into Antarctic death opens today.

AN INQUEST opens this morning into the death of a British multi-millionaire who died in the Antarctic last week. The Coroner, Mrs. Clare Faulds, confirmed Stephen Glyn Tomas (51) died on January 13, during a visit to Antarctica. According to Cambridge NewsOnline, Mr Thomas had travelled south on his yacht, Magic Dragon. The news site, which describes Mr Thomas as a "popular businessman", reports that he was killed after falling into a crevasse. The inquest is due to begin at 10.00am today.

Sex case experts: Defence warns against waste of public money.

THE Defence Counsel in a sex abuse case, due to come to trial next month, believes that flying expert witnesses to the Islands would be, "...a monumental waste of public funds." In court on Wednesday morning, lawyer Richard Marlor, representing Mr Robert William Smith, told the Senior Magistrate, Mrs. Clare Faulds, the Defence was unable to agree to the Crown's medical evidence by Dr Roger Diggle, and respective expert medical and DNA reports from Dr Jane Watkeys and Ms Valerie Tomlinson. Mr Marlor told the court, "We cannot and do not accept the adverse conclusions suggested by Dr Diggle or Dr Watkeys, nor do we accept that Valerie Tomlinson's report as to DNA contains any findings capable of supporting the Crown's case." He said the Defence Counsel wished to stress, "...it should not be thought that we, the defence, have made their attendance here necessary." Mr Smith faces three charges relating to the assault of a child. His trial date has been set at February 9 and is expected to last for three days. Mr Marlor said the Defence has, "...served the Crown with our expert's report and we expect this to neutralise its experts. "If, notwithstanding this, the Crown persists in its desire to call Dr Watkeys and Valerie Tomlinson, we wish to make it clear that, whatever the outcome of this case, no criticism should be directed at the Defence for what I am sure Your Honour will, in due course, believe to be a monumental waste of public funds." Crown Counsel Rosalind Cheek responded by saying the requirement for the attendance of the two experts had been carefully considered and she had asked the witnesses themselves to consider whether they thought their presence was, "absolutely necessary." When in Stanley for the trial, Mr Smith, a resident of Goose Green, will be subjected to a curfew. From February 7 he will be required to remain at the home of a named family member during the hours of 9pm - 7am. He will not be permitted to enter licensed premises while in town.

Murrel Rd: is Black Point the answer?

IT LOOKS as though a compromise may be reached over the rerouting of the road to Murrell Farm. A petition was lodged late last year against the route first approved by Executive Council, which planned for the road to cross the Murrell River at Mastin's Point. The petitioners asked that the road be rerouted to cross the river at Drunken Rock. Since then, however, a third proposal has been aired which may solve the dispute. A meeting held on Friday, January 14 was attended by Councillors Stephen Luxton and Richard Cockwell, the Environmental Planning Officer, signatories to the petition and a number of other interested parties. Councillor Luxton said the meeting had been "quite productive" and resulted in another possible route, this time with a crossing at Black Point, being suggested. He said the Public Works Department is to look into the cost implications of having the road cross the river at Black Point. He said everyone involved seems to be, "...happier overall." Councillor Luxton said another development at the meeting was the acceptance of the need for, "...some sort of management plan to monitor fishing in the area and for the whole Common area." The options for the routing of the Murrell Road will be discussed again at the end of the month.

Parent's rep elected.

DR. BARRY ELSBY has once again been chosen to serve as the Community School's parent representative on the Board of Education. Director of Education Sylvia Cole confirmed yesterday that, following a parental referendum, the governor had ratified the appointment of Dr Elsby. Four people stood for the position on the Board of Education: Dr Elsby, Mr Phillip Middleton, Mr Steve Vincent and Mrs. Alison Ward.

Toothfish farming takes first step.

TWO Falklands fishing companies have announced the establishment of a joint study into toothfish farming. Consolidated Fisheries Limited and Fortuna Limited announced this week that they are working together to establish a pilot project to study the commercial, scientific and technical feasibility of producing farmed Patagonian toothfish ( Dissostichus eleginoides) in the Falkland Islands. The companies envisage the project will involve the establishment of a small scale hatchery, nursery, and a number of sea cages for grow-out trials. A spokesperson for the venture commented, "The proximity of the Falkland Islands to toothfish fishing grounds provides access within hours to juveniles and mature fish for initial brood stock. "However egg and larval development, together with juvenile rearing and production, clearly present significant challenges and risks." The companies say the project is at a preliminary stage with work being carried out on evaluating data, developing operational budgets and considering options for taking the project forward. In addition, the Falkland Islands Government's Fisheries Department is providing a degree of advice on sourcing scientific and technical expertise.

Busy cruise week.

ANOTHER busy week lies ahead for the cruise ship industry. Hanseatic (carrying approximately 154 passengers) will be in Stanley today (Friday) along with Bremen and Orion(76). Seven Seas Marinerwill be in Stanley on Saturday. On Tuesday, Stanley will be busy with visits from Infinity (1900) and Norwegian Crown (1200) and Grigoriy Mikheev(48) will call at Bleaker Island. Grigoriy Mikheev will head to Stanley on Wednesday while Clipper Adventurer (100) will visit Carcass Island and New Island.

Tsunami Appeal still growing.

THE Tsunami Earthquake Appeal fund in the Falklands continues to grow. The balance of the account on Wednesday reached £3,704.87. This is on top of £12,600 already sent to the Appeal and £2,000 sent to the Red Cross.

Canadians leave tomorrow.

A GROUP of visiting Canadian parliamentarians leave the Islands on tomorrow's Lan flight. The politicians will meet the Falklands press today. Report next week.

Categories: Falkland Islands.

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