MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Falklands Governor prepares to leave at end of tour of duty.

Arrangements were announced today, Thursday, in Stanley, for the departure of the Governor of the Falkland Islands, Mr. Howard Pearce at the end of a tour of duty, which began in December 2002.

As the representative in the Islands of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, the departure of any governor is usually an occasion for ceremony and this will be no exception.

A Public Reception, for all members of the community, will be held in the Town Hall on the evening of Thursday 3rd August. During this reception His Excellency will respond to a farewell message from Councillor Mike Summers OBE.

On Friday morning (4th August) a short ceremony will take place near the Public Jetty with a Royal Salute and the Inspection of a Guard of Honour provided by the Falkland Islands Defence Force. The Governor will hand over his sword to the Speaker of the Legislative Council for safekeeping until the swearing in of the Governor Designate. This will be followed by farewells to Councillors, Government Officials and members of the public.

In keeping with a tradition of recent years that the Governor should leave Stanley by sea, after the ceremony at the Public Jetty - the site incidentally of the landing in the Falklands of two Dukes of Edinburgh, including the present Queen's consort, Prince Philip - weather permitting, the Governor will board a launch, which will take them out to the Fisheries Patrol Vessel Dorada.The Doradawill transport the Governor and his family to Mare Harbour. A 17-gun salute will be fired from the guns on Victory Green as the ship leaves Stanley Harbour.

Mr.Pearce, his wife and daughter Suzanna will leave the Islands on Saturday 5th August. on the LAN Chile flight of Saturday 5th August.

John Fowler (Mercopress) Stanley