-- it will be gone by the start of the new Millennium.

Yesterday Premier Jennifer Smith, Youth Minister Dennis Lister, and Mayor of Hamilton William Frith pulled a rope to pull a sheet off the New Zealand-made clock.

The Countdown to the Millennium Clock was unveiled at precisely 277 days, seven hours, 54 minutes, and 28 seconds before the turn of the century.

Millennium Committee chairman Jay Bluck said he was pleased to have the clock to remind the public how near the big date is.

"This is the first public happening for our committee,'' he said. "We plan to have a number of events in the lead up to the Millennium even though we do not officially take over until January 1, 2000.'' Mr. Bluck said the clock will restart on that day to count down the days remaining before the start of the real millennium, January 1, 2001.

Millennium Clock unveiled "There has been some discussion around the world and the Millennium starts on the first day of 2001,'' he explained. "But the world has decided that the big event is just 277 days from now.'' The Millennium Committee intends to host concerts, have original music composed and a play and several other events during the millennial year.

"The money Government gave us is not going to be spent on fireworks and the like,'' Mr. Bluck said. "But we will be spending it on something that will be beneficial to all of Bermuda.'' Before unveiling the clock Premier Smith said: "It gives me great pleasure to show the Countdown to the Millennium Clock.

"Much of what the Millennium Committee has been doing has been behind closed doors. It will be a reminder to the public of the exciting event and will get us all into the spirit.''