Hail Chelsea!

 CONGRATULATIONS CHELSEA! 

"WE" ARE THE CHAMPIONS!

What a match! WOW! Please indulge me as I take time out to congratulate my favourite football team. When it comes to club football, Chelsea was, and still is my "home team" because I lived right across the Thames river from Stamford Bridge. I have supported Chelsea for many years, and I will continue to do so for many more.

T&T's First Time Home Purchase Programme

The issue of home-ownership being a privilege and not a right came up in a casual conversation; sooooo... this blog entry is not as a result of a question from one of the 50,000+ visitors to this website since 2010, but I thought it would be useful information for many who I'm sure do not know.

Taken directly from the government's website:
 
What is the First Home Purchase Subsidy?

The programme is designed for persons who would like to acquire their first house, but would not qualify for the mortgage because of limited finances.

Who can apply for this Programme?

Any citizen of Trinidad and Tobago who has identified a home for purchase and requires assistance to buy a home.


What are the necessary criteria?

• The applicant must not own any property for dwelling purposes
• Total household income must fall within one of the two income brackets listed below:

Annual income	Maximum Home value	Subsidy amount
$ 24,000.00- $40,000.00	$215,000.00	$50,000.00
$ 40,001.00- $65,000.00	$215,000.00	$35,000.00

(Please note the higher your annual income the lower the subsidy)



What are the documents to be submitted?

a.    Birth Certificate.
b.    ID or Passport.
c.     Evidence of citizenship (if applicable)
d.    Marriage Certificate. (if applicable)
e.    Certificate of title/ Deed.
f.      Recent pay slip and job letter, where people are self employed an affidavit attesting to their income would be accepted.
g.    Quotation for construction
h.    Affidavit stating that they do not own any property for dwelling purposes.

Do I have to repay this subsidy?

Yes.

Swords: Offensive Weapons?

Q: Good day, is it legal for someone to carry a sword on their person in public?


A: Firstly, I must say that this is the strangest question I have ever been asked.

To answer your question:

The Restriction of Offensive Weapons Act 1960 prohibits "the importation, manufacture, sale or other disposition of certain offensive weapons". There is no definition of an "offensive weapon".

The Prevention of Crime (Offensive Weapons) Act 1953 prohibits "the carrying of offensive weapons in public places without lawful authority or reasonable excuse".

The Act seeks to add clarity by including the following definitions:

• “public place” includes any highway and any other premises or place to which at the material time the public have or are permitted to have access, whether on payment or otherwise.
• “offensive weapon” means any article made or adapted for use for causing injury to the person, or intended by the person having it with him for such use by him.
  

This law is flawed because of the definition of an offensive weapon. "Adapted for use for causing injury" is subjective. Which is capable of causing more harm: a well sharpened pencil or a blunt sword?

The Act basically implies that a weapon is only offensive if the person in possession of the weapon has the intention of using it to injure. So technically, one can walk in public with a sword just for show and still fall within the remit of the law.

Regardless of this archaic, poorly written legislation, I would not advise you to walk around with a sword, or similar object, unless, maybe, it's sheathed and definitely not intended to be used as a weapon. However, the Police do the arresting, and I'm sure that you will be arrested for such an act.