droppings on Hamilton's streets -- shooting down Government's argument that the issue was not a major concern.

UBP Senator Wendell Hollis said the horse droppings issue had been "blown out of proportion'' and the convenience to the public of horses wearing diapers had to weighed against the annoyance it would cause the animals.

And Transport Minister the Hon. Ralph Marshall said horses defecating on the roads "hasn't really been a problem''. He noted the Corporation of Hamilton had only had about three complaints in the past few years.

But several people who spoke to The Royal Gazette during a lunchtime poll in the city yesterday agreed with Opposition Senator Trevor Woolridge that something should be done.

"We get complaints every single day from tourists,'' said Little Venice restaurant manager Mr. Costanzo Dimeglio, who has "given up'' complaining.

"For an Island this clean we should not be allowing horses to drop all over the place,'' he said. "It's a mess.'' City worker Mrs. Joycelyn Young said there had been so many droppings lately, she has had "difficulty finding a clear space to cross the road''.

And sympathising with the unfortunate tourist who skidded in a pile of the droppings this week and badly hurt himself, Miss Robyn Gaade said she nearly suffered a similar accident last week.

"It's not desperately offensive to me, but it's very easy to wipe out in,'' she said.

Mrs. Katrina Harrison, who works on Gorham Road, said she gets a whiff of the smell at 8 a.m. every day. "At that time in the morning it's a bit much,'' she said. "It should be picked up. It's not a difficult job -- and now someone has had an accident.'' Said photographer Mr. Scott Stallard: "It stinks. And we certainly ought to get something done about it -- as we should've years ago.'' Bank employee Mr. David Chew said he could not see why carriage owners are against diaper bags. "Surely the smell is part of the trade,'' he said.

Horse and buggy owners have complained that the use of diaper bags would attract flies and cause an offensive smell to them and their passengers.

But water trucker Mr. K.C. Daniels said: "I think diapers would be a good idea. It's most disgusting.'' Agreeing, Chamber of Commerce vice president Miss Carolyn Mello said: "It should be more controlled.'' "The way I look at it,'' said Harbourfront restaurant employee Mr. Copeland Smith, "is that the people who own the horse and carriages should clean it up. We have to inhale the stuff every day.'' Cabbie Mr. Archie Tucker complained: "Government encourages us to keep the Island clean. South Shore looks beautiful. Our homes look beautiful. But you come into Hamilton and the (sight of the droppings in the street) is most disgraceful.'' Customs officer Mr. Nile Smith 0believed the smell was getting much worse.

"When I was younger I could stand it,'' he said. "But it's much worse now.'' Miss Denise Correia said she owns a horse but still cannot "stand the smell''.

On a recent trip to Atlanta, Marine and Ports worker Mr. Norris Smith said he had noted the horses and carriages there were fitted with diaper bags. "Why can't they do that here?,'' he asked.

Trucker Mr. Douglas Willard recalled that he recently had to call the Corporation to remove a pile of droppings from the loading zone outside Frith's Liquors so he could park and deliver his goods.

Businessman Mr. Malcolm Williams said he did not find the "natural'' smell offensive but believed there "should be an effort to clear up the mess in the public interest''.

The horse droppings issue came to the fore this week after a tourist skidded while riding his moped along Front Street.

The tourist told The Royal Gazette he could not believe the Island did not have so-called "diaper bags'' like those seen in New Orleans and New York City.

Sen. Trevor Woolridge moved quickly to accuse Government of ignoring his horse droppings warning in the Senate last summer.