The Norwegian Majesty cruise ship had a delayed departure last week due to a mechanical failure with one of its lifeboats and an unrelated medical emergency.

The ship's lifeboats are kept between the ship and the dock while it is berthed in St. George's and the lifeboats are lowered as part of the ship's standard procedures.

However, a Harbour Radio spokesman said: "As the vessel pulled away for the afternoon they could not lift the lifeboat back up. Maybe something tripped."

As the ship was returning back to the dock to pick up the lifeboats, one of its passengers had a heart attack.

An ambulance was called to pick up the passenger and during that time, staff onboard the ship were able to repair the fault with the lifeboat lifting mechanism.

With their lifeboat back on board and the sick passenger on his way to hospital, the cruise liner successfully set off, being delayed by about an hour.

TV and stereo stolen in school break-in

Saltus Junior School was broken into on Wednesday night by a thief who got into two classrooms and made away with a portable stereo system and a Panasonic TV/VCR unit.

On arrival at 8.55 a.m. on Thursday morning Police officers spoke with the complainant who stated that some time during the previous night an unknown culprit got into the classrooms and took 2 scales in addition to the stereo and TV. Inquiries into this incident are underway.

Government cashiers on the move

The cashiers who receive payment for social insurance contributions and hospital insurance premiums are moving to the second floor of the Government Administration Building today.

"The cashiers' move to the second floor of the building is only temporary to allow for ongoing renovations to the Social Insurance Department," a Government spokesman said.

Public Notices will also be posted in the lobby of the building, informing the public to pay upstairs.

"The Department of Social Insurance apologises for any inconvenience this may cause, and thanks the public for their cooperation at this time," the spokeswoman said.

Man denies theft

A 25-year-old Devonshire man denied stealing access to North Rock Communications and receiving a subscriber unit that he knew was stolen, when he appeared in Magistrates' Court.

Noel Stafford Brown, of Cedar Park Road, was represented by Darrell Clark.

Crown counsel Shakira Dill told the Court that the incident occurred sometime between February 2, 2004 and March 18, 2004.

Magistrate Archie Warner set bail for $2,000 and a trial date for November 1.

Development planned

Private developer Barbara Steede has submitted an application to construct an apartment house development in Pembroke.

The development includes an addition of second, third, and fourth units with a swimming pool and is subject to planning approval. The address for the development is 11 Whitney Avenue.