government-run golf courses was published in the interest of public safety, Works and Engineering Minister the Hon. Clarence Terceira said yesterday.

Dr. Terceira was responding to calls by the Opposition to reverse the notice which appeared in the Official Gazette last Friday.

The notice stated: "The use of Government golf courses (Port Royal, Ocean View and St. George's) are for those individuals who have paid the requisite fees for the purpose of playing golf.

"Jogging, dog walking, the operating of any type of vehicle, the selling of golf balls etc. is not permitted and any such individuals using any of the above courses in any unauthorised manner will be regarded as trespassers.'' The notice was by order of the boards of trustees of the courses.

But Opposition MPs Mr. Julian Hall and Miss Jennifer Smith said the warning was harsh.

Mr. Hall said he would have understood if the notice was a warning to protect the public's safety from flying golf balls.

"But that is not the reason for it,'' he said. "A warning about public safety is one thing. But to tell people if they just walk their dogs, they are trespassing is not what open spaces are all about.'' Dr. Terceira said the notice was published after the managers of the three courses noticed an increasing number of people jogging and walking their dogs on the golf courses.

He said while the notice's "terminology was a bit strong'', it was necessary because there were quite a few people ignoring the managers' warnings.