collect the wharfage generated at the Bermuda International Airport, it has heard nothing from Government.

And that does not worry new Mayor Henry Hayward.

Former Mayor Lois Perinchief, along with other Corporation members, made the request at a presentation to Premier Jennifer Smith and a few of her Cabinet Ministers late last year.

But Mr. Hayward said the matter "is not urgent'' and added he will not be actively following up on it in the near future.

"I am taking a different approach,'' he said, "because even if we were to collect all the wharfage, it would still not be enough to cover our needs.'' Ms Perinchief in January warned the Corporation's financial situation was dire. She complained that the town's annual budget over the past few years was grossly inadequate for the work required.

"We work with just under $2 million a year while there are several small businesses with larger budgets,'' she said.

But Mr. Hayward said a more comprehensive approach to the problem was needed and described the previous effort as "piecemeal''.

"We have to decide that we have `X' number of dollars in revenue and that we need `X' number of dollars each year, then look at how we will make it available,'' he added.

Mr. Hayward was adamant that the issue is not a priority at this time.

"There are certainly other items that are a priority to us right now,'' he said. "This is not an urgent matter and we will be going at it step by step.'' ST. GEORGE'S PAR