MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Penguin News Update.

Headlines:
Penelope goes back to her roots;
Meter reading revival as cards are withdrawn; Father of two killed in crash; Ambassador's rebuttal.

Penelope goes back to her roots

Two of Penelope'sformer skippers, Finlay Ferguson (left) and Michael Clarke (centre), spend time aboard with new captain, Bernd Buchner (right), before the vessel leaves the Falklands this week, bound for her original home country, Germany. After more than 70 years in and around the Islands, the 60ft auxillary ketch is now officially registered in Germany and has reverted to her original name of Feuerland. (Picture: Jane Cameron)?Turn to centre pages for the full story.

Meter reading revival as cards are withdrawn

PREPAID electricity ?meter cards' are to be withdrawn as Stanley householders are moved back to a metered system, the Public Works Department (PWD) has announced. Introduced in the early 1990s, approximately 850 households have the card meter system in place. Following discussion by the Public Works Committee, councillors on Standing Finance Committee agreed that all meters should be changed back to a credit setting. Director of Public Works Manfred Keenleyside said the decision to change was based on the ongoing difficulties being experienced in changing card meters over when prices went up, "...and the looming problem that we are likely to soon be unable to change the rate on about half of the card meters." However, he added, "...they will continue to function correctly in credit mode if changed to that mode before the programmers used to make the changes fail." In order to try and reduce the cost impact of having to read all of the card meters each quarter, meters will be read at six monthly intervals with intervening readings being based on either customer or assumed readings if the customer does not return a reading within a given period. A letter has been sent out to all affected householders. Customer reading forms will be sent out in alternate quarters, Mr Keenleyside said, "...and an interval of one month allowed for these to be returned, after which an estimated value invoice will be raised." The news appears to have angered a number of card meter users in Stanley; those who spoke to Penguin Newswere most concerned that the quarterly payment system might present financial difficulties to some groups. Paul Bonner described the move back to meter reading as, "ten steps backwards." He said he is concerned that after the winter months, people in the elderly community will have, "...huge bills which they won't be able to afford to pay." Terry Clifton agreed. He said he could remember that in the past £60,000 had to be written off by the government, "...because people quite simply refused to pay." A member of the public, who did not wish to be named, suggested the sale of a card that registers units instead of pounds and pence, "...so that the cost of a unit could be altered accordingly." He added, "...those on the breadline won't be able to manage their money and the tax payer will end up footing a bigger bill." Finlay Ferguson said he did not want to change back to meter reading "at all" because, "...I'm going to be left with a big bill." Tamara Short said she also preferred the meter card system as, "...you always know where you stand." The letter sent to consumers incorrectly cites Executive Council as the body authorising the withdrawal of card meters as an option for electrical consumers. The matter had been originally submitted to Executive Council for consideration of options, but the matter was submitted to the Standing Finance Committee, who considered and agreed the measure. Meanwhile, other means of generating electricity continue to be explored by the government. This week it announced that the Stanley Wind Farm project has moved a further significant step forward, following a site assessment visit by German wind turbine company Enercon. The team of two comprised project manager Eva Pompe and new technologies expert Rolf Rohden. The team from Enercon described the proposed Sand Bay site as "excellent". Manager of the Power and Electrical Department, Glenn Ross, said Enercon gave a detailed company and product presentation to the Wind Farm Working Group and met Section Heads and key PWD staff. "They are now working to provide PWD with detailed project cost estimates for the Enercon scope of the works, these are expected to be received by the end of the month."

Father of two killed in crash

THE Falklands is reeling following the death of an Islander in the second fatal road accident to occur in a month. Father of two, Russell Smith (36), was killed in a single vehicle road traffic accident on the Stanley to Darwin Road, just east of the north camp turn off on Thursday, March 30. He was pronounced dead at the scene and police confirmed no one else was involved in the accident. A funeral service was held in Christ Church Cathedral in Stanley yesterday afternoon, attended by hundreds of mourners. In a statement released by Gilbert House yesterday, Legislative Councillors extended their sympathy to families and friends of the recent victims of road traffic accidents and reminded the public about the move by police to enforce the law on seatbelts. Councillor Janet Robertson said, "Whilst joining the Islands in mourning the loss to the community of these much respected and liked young people, we would also like to support the police in urging everyone to take utmost care whilst driving and to ensure, above all, that seatbelts are worn at the very least according to current law." The working group on the Road Traffic Ordinance is due to meet soon and as part of this process, Councillor Robertson said, "...we would welcome any views on current seatbelt legislation from members of the public."

Ambassador's rebuttal

BRITAIN'S Ambassador to the United Nations, Sir Emyr Jones Parry, has reiterated his country's position on sovereignty over the Falklands. In a letter to UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan sent on Wednesday, Sir Emyr rebutted the sentiments of the Argentine Foreign Minister, Jorge Taiana, who stated Argentina's claim over the Falklands, calling on Britain to negotiate sovereignty, "with immediate effect". According to the UN, Sir Emyr made no mention of negotiations, saying the British government has "no doubts" about the sovereignty of the UK over the Falklands.

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