through last night.

Party candidates and officers met to discuss the October 5 drubbing which wiped out the NLP's representation in Parliament. But one key figure was missing -- 70-year-old party leader Mr. Gilbert Darrell.

Mr. Darrell has flown off the Island for a long-awaited holiday with his son in the United States. He will be briefed on his return.

Last night's post mortem took place at the NLP's Reid Street HQ. A special committee was expected to be formed to examine the party's future.

Speculation has mounted that the eight-year-old party is facing the end. But former Smith's South candidate Mr. Graeme Outerbridge said a break-up was not on the agenda of last night's meeting.

"We will, among other things, be discussing debts incurred during the election.'' One source said the party may keep together to see how the Progressive Labour Party fares in Parliament. If the PLP makes a hash of things the NLP may be handed a chance to re-enter the political scene, he added.

The NLP had hoped to get three MPs out of eight candidates at the election.