MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Penguin News Update.

Headlines:
Young cricket squad takes on Chile; John Cheek comes home; Inquest opened; Clocks go back this weekend.

Young cricket squad takes on ChileTHE Falkland Islands is sending its first ever Under 17 cricket squad to South America this weekend, to play four matches in Chile. The squad has been coached and developed by Derek Reeves, the Cricket Association's Junior Development Co-ordinator and Coach. Full story on page 16. Pictured are (front row, left to right): Evan Reeves, David Phillips, Clovis Kilmartin, James Barrett, John Salmon (not on tour), Kyran Evans and Kent Reeves; (back row): Derek Reeves (coach), David Hewitt, Rhys Clifford, Aaron Clarke, Scott Reeves (Captain), Dave Barton, Joshua Peck (vice-Captain) and Duane Evans.

John Cheek comes home

THE Falklands-flagged trawler John Cheekis fishing in home waters this week after it was released by Argentine authorities at the weekend. Late on Friday, April 7, the ship's owners Petrel Trawling Ltd announced that the John Cheekhad been released following the "without prejudice" payment of an "administrative penalty." The vessel was arrested by the Argentine coastguard on February 20 for alleged illegal fishing in the Argentine zone. However Petrel Trawling remains adamant the ship was operating over half a mile outside the Argentine 200 mile limit, "...according to the advice then current and based on the co-ordinates issued from the UK Hydrographic Office through the Falkland Islands Fisheries Department." When asked whether the captain of the John Cheekhad been irresponsible to fish so close to the Argentine zone, Stuart Wallace of Petrel Trawling commented, "We consider the margin the Master had calculated adequate with the level of accuracy of positioning technology available today. The issue is more how the Argentines calculate their limit." According to the Buenos Aires press, Petrel Trawling paid US $400,000 for the release of the John Cheek;Mr Wallace did not confirm this, but instead described the administrative fee as "...considerable, particularly so when added to other costs incurred." He said lost fishing time may have added in excess of US $500,000 to the cost of the administrative penalty. Speaking on Falkland's radio early this week, Jan Cheek, director of Petrel Trawling, said she had been disappointed by Legislative Council's lack of public comment on the arrest of the John Cheek. She said, "I understand they were being extremely cautious, however since then we've had great co-operation from the Fisheries Department and Government House." Councillor Mike Summers said he and his colleagues had unanimously taken the view that to "politicise" the issue of the John Cheekwould not have been helpful, "...either to Petrel Trawling or the rest of the fishing fleet or the Falklands as a whole." He added, "Had we started making political comment, the Argentines would likely have sought to up the ante in other ways, and we considered it, therefore, better to refrain from publicly commenting." Acting Governor Harriet Hall was pleased to see the John Cheekback in Stanley this week. She said she was "very glad" the British Embassy in Buenos Aires and the Foreign Office had been able to help Petrel Trawling and added, "I'm glad it has all been resolved." The John Cheek is now fishing for finfish and illex squid.

Inquest oponed

AN INQUEST into the death of Russell James Smith was opened and adjourned on Tuesday. Mr Smith died following a single vehicle road traffic accident on the Stanley to Darwin Road, east of the North Camp turnoff on the evening of March 30. Leading Police Constable Gary Webb read his report into the accident saying that Mr Smith was a "bright energetic man who died in an avoidable accident." LPC Webb said that the cause of the accident will never be known, but added that it is thought Mr Smith was not wearing a seat belt and, "paid the ultimate price." Coroner Clare Faulds said that the inquest would be adjourned until she had seen a vehicle examiner's report, adding that there was reason to believe that a seat belt was not being worn. Mrs. Faulds expressed her thanks to Shona Strange and Robert Bartl who were first on the scene following the accident, the Fire and Police departments, and government surveyors Ross Chaloner and Patsy Robson for their work since the accident. She added that she would confine the rest of her remarks to the conclusion of the inquest and adjourned proceedings. Councillor Janet Robertson this week confirmed that the police will be exercising "reasonable enforcement" of the seatbelt law while decisions are made on some "controversial" issues. More on page 3.

Clocks go back this weekend

SUMMER time officially ends this weekend. Government clocks will be put back one hour, reverting to local mean time, at 2am on Sunday, April 16. Holidays Government departments will be closed this Friday, Good Friday, as it is a public holiday. Next Friday, April 21, is the Queen's Birthday and will be another public holiday. In recognition of this, as with this week, Penguin Newswill be on sale a day early, on Thursday.

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