be the keynote speaker at the upcoming West Indian Association 20th anniversary banquet.

Mr. Thompson replaces former Jamaican Prime Minister Michael Manley who was unable to make the trip due to illness.

"We were upset and disappointed when we found out one week ago that he was not coming because of illness,'' WIA vice president Shurnette Caines said.

"That made it necessary for us to get a competent speaker which will be a good reflection of all of our islands.'' Foster Burke WIA immediate past president said that it was difficult to get Mr. Thompson but they received invaluable assistance from Kae Baxter-Collins Jamaican High Commissioner in New York.

"Mr. Thompson is a high calibre replacement,'' Mr. Burke said. "He is very renowned as a lawyer and so we know he will have little difficulty addressing the issues Mr. Manley would have covered.'' Mr. Thompson was born in Jamaica in 1917 and did all of his early schooling there.

He became a headmaster and then went on to the United Kingdom where he volunteered for the Royal Air Force and trained at the officer's training college RAF Cranwell.

Mr. Thompson is a Rhodes Scholar and was called to the bar in London from Gray's Inn in 1950.

Tickets for the October 26 banquet at the Marriott Castle Harbour, will be reprinted and sold for $65 at True Reflections, In-Between-Boutique, Jamaican Grill, Meyer Travel and Starlight in Somerset.

Those who have already bought tickets can get a full or partial refund if that is their preference.

Anyone wishing more information is asked to call Mrs. Caines at 295-2465 or Mr. Burke 299-4278.

CLUB CLB