One year ago, who could have foreseen that a car would be marooned in the water in front of Hamilton City Hall.

Who would have bet on the chances of a hurricane striking on the same day as the Referendum? And who would have believed that one day, it did actually rain money? Nineteen Ninety Five will be a year that made history -- a year in which Bermuda's future was shaped.

The military presence ended, Independence still awaits and the reign of one of the longest-serving Premiers in the western world came to an inglorious end.

Independence was the main talking point throughout 1995, but not far behind came the appointment of two senior British Policemen to the helm of the Bermuda Police Service.

Politics rarely left the spotlight -either through large pay rises, new faces at the helm or "naughty b*****'' jibes.

There were also happier times, landmark rulings, sporting achievements of the highest calibre, "sightings'' of (in)famous people and for some individuals, the lowest points of their lives.

The year started on a happy note with three bouncing babies coming into the world in JANUARY.

Glenn Simmons Jr. (to Mrs. Joella Simmons) Cyronna Ratteray (to Mrs. Nina Ratteray) and Sam Roberts (to Mrs. Amanda Soares). Sam was the first of the year, entering the world at 1.40 a.m. on New Year's Day.

Then at just eight weeks old, Ariana Caines had an operation to let her see for the first time.

She was born with glaucoma -- where fluid builds up in the eye causing impaired vision -- and her parents, Mrs. Tina Evans Caines and Mr. Glenn Caines flew to Washington DC where Ariana underwent an operation on both eyes at the Children's National Medical Centre.

On the downside, the furore continued over the 1994 decision to appoint a new Police Commissioner from Britain.

Progressive Labour Party leaders demanded that Government review its decision and well-known left wing British MP Mr. Bernie Grant became embroiled in the controversy.

He was contacted by Opposition Leader, Mr Frederick Wade -- but to no avail as the Governor, Lord Waddington, named Mr. Colin Coxall as the new Police Commissioner.

It was the start of a long year for Mr. Coxall.

Perhaps the Coxall controversy overshadowed another foreign arrival -- Barbados criminal lawyer Mr. Elliott Mottley arrived to take up the post of Bermuda's Attorney General.

And as those appointments were made, another foreigner was asked to leave -- Bermuda Football Association's Technical Director of Coaching, German Mr.

Burkhard Ziese, was sacked, just over a year after being hired amid controversy over the December arrests of Bermuda Under 23 soccer players in Miami.

January was controversial, but it was also marred by the year's first murder when Rochelle West was stabbed to death in front of horrified colleagues at the Chamber of Commerce building in Hamilton.

FEBRUARY saw the year's first mention of the topic that would dominate 1995 -Independence, as a Green Paper was tabled in the House of Assembly.

The 64-page document concluded that Independence would mean "some additional cost to the taxpayer but should not cause the dimunition of confidence within the international community''.

On another political front, Finance Minister, David Saul, set out what, with the benefit of hindsight, was to be his last Budget.

"It could have been worse'' was the reaction of many Bermudians. Among the items contained in the budget was a 27.9 percent increase in MPs' pay, to be spread over two years.

Then on other money matters...

The House of Assembly dissolved into uproar as the PLP proposed the Governor's salary be slashed to just $1 from $126,000.

Mr. Stanley Morton's motion was finally ruled out of order, but only after a wild exchange involving Premier Sir John Swan, and MPs from both parties.

The motion came after Mr. Wade presented the Governor with a 6,000 name petition protesting at the appointment of two overseas Police officers.

Mr. Morton alleged the Governor treated Mr. Wade with "contempt'' at the presentation. "It appears from his behaviour pattern that he (the Governor) despises Bermudians.'' In response the Governor said: "I have the greatest respect for Bermudian people and I also have the greatest respect for decisions taken by a democratically elected Government.'' He was referring to the decision to appoint Mr. Coxall made in agreement with the Government.

Bermuda's sportspeople were also in the news this month when for the first time since their arrest on December 9, 1994, the so-called `Miami Seven' were free to leave Florida.

Six of the players pleaded "no contest'' to drug charges and left Miami. They were - Meshach Wade, Kevin Jennings, Donnie Charles, Shawn Riley, Herbert Dillas and Keishon Smith.

The seventh, 17-year-old Tokia Russell, was given a judicial warning and also walked free after appearing in Miami's Family and Juvenile Justice Centre.

After the hearing, the players' lawyer, Mr. H.T. Smith, was asked if the players had got of lightly. "Man.'' he replied. Adding: "What was it the judge said? You've had a big break!'' On a different `sporting' front: Sales of the 1995 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue surely soared in Bermuda after supermodel Daniela Pestova appeared on the front cover of the issue, shot on the Island.

A caption on the cover said "Daniela Glistens in Bermuda''.

The sporting theme continued into MARCH - but this time it was scoring remarkable successes on the world stage.

Brian Wellman was a picture of joy and released frustration when he was caught on film celebrating winning the gold in the triple jump at the World Indoor Championships.

"That was a sign of 15 years of blood, sweat and tears. This is something I have worked for so long that when I put it together at a World Championships where it really counts I turned out the lights and let loose.'' Mr. Troy Douglas was equally emotional after finishing second in the 200 metres.

At the traditional flag raising ceremony for the presentation of the medals, he said: "When I saw the flag, tears welled up in my eyes.'' There were no tears when MPs voted themselves a pay increase of 27.9 percent, over two years.

Mr. Stanley Morton, having called for the Governor's salary to be cut, was quoted as saying of his raise: "I don't want 13 percent now and 13 percent later. I want it now. Twenty seven percent now.'' One Bermudian, at least, got his way when the Court of Appeal paved the way for conscientious objectors to avoid joining the Bermuda Regiment. The court said Governor Lord Waddington could grant total exemption.

It was a victory for lawyer Mr. Rod Attride-Stirling who appealed against a Supreme Court order that he serve in the Regiment in a non-combative role.

"It's a victory for human rights. The Court of Appeal has shown that on the question of human rights they take a liberal view,'' he said.

As if they ever went away -- the year's two big issues also cropped up again as MPs passed The Independence Referendum Act -- paving the way for the vote on independence. Millions of words were to be spoken on the issue in the months to come.

And meanwhile...Mr. Colin Coxall was sworn in at Government House, downplaying the controversy surrounding his appointment. "I'm just here as a professional Police officer doing the best I can for the people of Bermuda.'' In APRIL it started raining -- raining money and firefighter, Mr. Arthur Rayner, proved to be a model citizen.

At first he thought it was paper blowing about in the wind, but then realised it was $20 bills -- he and his wife collected $600.

"I jumped out of my car and started collecting the money. Five or six other people started picking it up and one woman came running out of a store saying `Let me get mine!' It was organised chaos, everywhere I looked there was money.'' He and one other person handed the cash into the Police, who said at the time there were no reports of lost money.

As it rained, the sun also set as centuries of British military presence on the Island came to an end.

Once it used to be said that the sun never set on the British Empire, but it came down in Bermuda as the white ensign of the Royal Navy was lowered for the last time at HMS Malabar.

"It is the end of a glorious chapter of 200 years of the Navy in Bermuda,'' said Commander Robin Bawtree. "What glorious years they have been.'' Not so glorious was the Government's Board of Inquiry report into soccer and drugs which was made public, in MAY, revealing startling evidence of drug abuse at games.

It said drug importers stacked up stocks for big games. "It is very bad and getting worse. Worse still, it is big business and treated by importers as such,'' said the report.

"One club president told us that he was `astounded and appalled' following inquiries to find that, without exception, his whole team smoked marijuana.'' Eight action points were raised by the Board to help clean up the game and it also suggested, without appointing blame, that the Miami Seven saga could have been avoided if team officials had heeded alarm bells.

Could the arrests have been avoided? "The answer is most certainly. It is surprising, admittedly in hindsight, that following the allegations and suspicions of drug use in Jamaica, it was not more obvious to the Head of Delegation and other team officials.'' In the courts two cases made the headlines.

Ashley Gilbert Dowling, 31, of Cedar Heights Lane, Warwick, was the first person to be convicted under changes to the Criminal Code making it an offence for a person to have sex knowing they were HIV positive without informing the partner.

He was jailed for 14 years by the Supreme Court after pleading guilty to the charge.

The victim told Police in a statement: "I want to tell Ashley Dowling that what he did to me was wrong. He has not only hurt me, but my family also.

"My life has changed and people are treating me differently now because of this virus.'' Part II Conintued from page 7 1995: The year of tempests By Jeremy Deacon Swan: `I've had a wonderful 13 years as leader' Twenty six-year-old Veronica Leslene Dill, of Farmstead Lane, Somerset, was found not guilty of attempted murder and arson and grievous bodily harm with intent to burn after the Supreme Court heard how she was subjected to physical, emotional and sexual abuse.

She had admitted setting Graham Robert Stancliffe on fire using gasoline but claimed Stancliffe had sexually abused her.

A psychiatrist testified that Dill had been suffering from Battered Woman's Syndrome because of the abuse she suffered.

Then everyone knew. The announcement all had been waiting for was made.

Premier, Sir John Swan, set August 15 as the date for the Independence referendum. Little did he know...

JUNE started with a "Good Morning''.

USAir flight 599 became the first non-commercial flight to be guided into Bermuda under Bermudian control after the airport was taken over from the US Navy.

Jokes about air traffic controllers waiting for "Good Morning'' proved unfounded as the flight was smoothly guided onto the runway in the landmark occasion.

There was a "Good Morning'' but only in the context of "USAir 599 this is Bermuda Tower. Good morning. Please report your five mile final approach.'' As Bermuda took control of its Airport more than 50 years of United States military presence in Bermuda ended with all the pageantry and precision befitting the occasion.

At 10.59 a.m. on June 2, the United States flag was lowered over the US Naval Air Station. The folded flag was then handed to Base Commanding officer, Capt.

Timothy Bryan.

He said: "While this is a sad day for all of us, it is foremost a proud day.

For we must remember why this Base came into being to appreciate why its existence is no longer necessary and why we and those before us who stood the watch, today stand relieved.'' The closure of the Bases had serious implications for Bermuda in terms of loss of revenue -- estimated at $60 million annually.

As one source of revenue was lost, Marriott's Castle Harbour Resort announced plans to bring in more cash and tourists.

The $65 million plan included 46 luxury homes, as well as a health club, spa, equestrian and carriage centre, a shopping village and racquet and tennis clubs.

The announcement, made in conjunction with the hotel's landlord, Bermuda Properties Ltd., was only the start of that controversy.

What was beyond all controversy and in the best traditions of the Police were the actions of Sgt. Paul Singh who helped save the life of a seven-month old baby girl, lying lifeless and unable to breathe.

Sgt. Singh was the first officer on the scene at the couple's home, in Somerset and used resuscitating gear in his Police car to bring the child around.

"She blinked a bit and I knew we had got her. It was a great feeling to see the baby come round. I was very emotional. When the baby opened her eyes it was such a relief,'' he said.

Making a splash of another kind was Mr. Kenneth Harris. He put his foot down and drove his brand new car, a Pride LX, into the pool opposite the City Hall.

He had bought it the same day.

It also caused a few ripples when it was revealed that Dr. Ewart Brown MP was sitting in the House of Assembly apparently illegally -- having pledged allegiance to the United States in 1990.

Bermuda's Constitution says anyone who has pledged allegiance to a foreign power is not eligible to be elected to the House.

"I knew this position could be raised as a technicality,'' said Dr. Brown.

"If it is required, or if it is determined, that I can only serve in the Bermudian Parliament by resigning from my US citizenship then that's an easy decision for me.'' Dr. Brown's problem did not overshadow the 375th annversary of Bermuda's Parliament which was celebrated in JULY.

Former Speaker of the House of Commons Lord Weatherill told the House of Assembly: "Freedom is a fragile flower and needs constant care and attention.'' Meanwhile, a new parking voucher system was introduced in Hamilton -- expected to raise almost $800,000 a year.

In the courts, Deborah Wallata Cole, daughter of reggae superstar Judy Mowatt, was found guilty of importing cannabis worth $160,000. She was jailed for six years.

And Human Rights Commission boss, Mr. Kenneth Dill, was cleared by a Magistrate of assaulting his former girlfriend.

Meanwhile, Police Commissioner Mr. Colin Coxall, unveiled his vision for the future of the Bermuda Police Service -- shaking it up from top to bottom. The ramifications were to be felt for the rest of the year.

"This is no quick fix,'' said Mr. Coxall. "It will take three or four years to put into effect.'' In AUGUST, Brian Wellman starred again -- this time winning the silver medal at the World Athletics Championships in Gothenburg, Sweden. His jump, though, was overshadowed by Englishman Jonathan Edwards who became the first man to jump over 18 metres in the triple jump.

That was the calm before the storm(s) -- Felix and the Independence Referendum, the latter being fuelled further by Premier Sir John Swan who announced he would resign in the event of a no vote.

After 13 years in power -- one of the longest serving political leaders in the western world put his job at risk, over a vote which all the polls told him he would lose.

"I would not call it blackmail. What I would call it is putting my neck on the line,'' said Sir John.

Then came something that even Sir John could not predict - Hurricane Felix, a storm that ripped up another storm after disrupting the vote.

Bermuda braced itself for the hurricane, battening down the hatches for its arrival on August 15 -- the planned Referendum day.

The storm stranded overseas Press reporters here for the vote, cut off St.

George's as it wrecked the Causeway and caused an estimated $2.5 million in damage.

"Even God does not want the Referendum,'' said Opposition Leader Mr.

Frederick Wade.

The Referendum was put off for 24 hours and took place on August 16 although the delay caused a storm that put Felix firmly in its place.

Questions were asked as to why the polling stations did not open on August 15 and rumours circulated that Government wanted the poll delayed even further.

Then the result finally came in -- an overwhelming NO vote. 16,369 voted against Independence and 5,714 voted in favour as Bermuda remained a dependent territory.

Sir John Swan kept his pledge and resigned and in so doing paved the way for a leadership battle with the "people's choice'', Mr. C.V. (Jim) Woolridge, then Tourism Minister, apparently a clear favourite.

But having remained "on the fence'' throughout the Independence debate, Dr.

David Saul suddenly put his hat into the leadership ring.

"I'm for a healing process. I can see a Cabinet that has people from both sides,'' he said referring to split in the UBP which developed during the Independence debate.

In the end, Dr. Saul, the former Finance Minister, won the race by the comfortable margin of 14 votes to seven.

"We are going to listen, attend to your welfare and take care of affairs. We are going to deliver. I promise you that,'' he said.

He also vowed to break with the past and pull the UBP together. "Work with us, believe in us, because we are going to deliver. We are a United Bermuda Party going to work for a United Bermuda. The days of little sniping have finished. You will see a united team.'' His defeated challenger, Mr. Woolridge said: "I am disappointed but still determined that we must go and build Bermuda for all of us.'' After the speculation over the new Premier, came the speculation over the new Cabinet.

Mr. Woolridge turned down a Ministry and four members of the UBP Group Against Independence Now, Dr. Clarence Terceira, Mrs Ann Cartwright DeCouto, Dr. David Dyer and Mr. Trevor Moniz, were also denied a Ministry.

Eventually at the end of a long and heated August a new Cabinet was named, but it was not to stay unchanged for long.

Sir John, leaving after 13 years in power, said: "I've no regrets. It is time we had a new leader, don't you think? I've had a wonderful 13 years as leader.

"I can look back on a very good time, but now I have to get on with my life.

Nothing lasts forever. It had to come to an end.'' It was all overshadowed by the Referendum, but Rudolph Leroy West was sentenced to death for the premeditated murder of his wife, Rochelle Marcia West.

The storms continued into SEPTEMBER -- first as Hurricane Luis edged closer to Bermuda and then as Hurricane Marilyn skirted past.

Luis failed to hit but the cost to tourism was high -- especially as misleading US weather forecasts, which continued to use Bermuda as a reference point for the hurricane's path, put people off flying.

Marilyn only skirted around Bermuda leaving the Island relatively unscathed.

However, September was dominated by alleged crimes: Court clerk, Shawn Granville Crockwell was charged with stealing heroin worth almost $600,000 and cannabis worth $160,000 from the Supreme Court safe.

And businessman Herbert Allan Williams was found guilty of allowing his house to be used to cultivate cannabis.

Williams was jailed for four years and Richard Graham Thomas who pleaded guilty to growing the cannabis plants was sentenced to four and a half years in prison.

Orion Tuzo was convicted of importing cannabis worth $12 million into Bermuda inside fruit juice tins and was jailed for ten years.

Then Police made an arrest as they hunted the killer of bedridden Mrs.

Maureen Parker, 67, who was found dead at her home.

The news was not all doom and gloom this month as the new Bishop of Hamilton, the Most Rev. Robert Kurtz was ordained and enthroned at St. Theresa's Cathedral.

It was the first time a Roman Catholic Bishop was ordained on the Island and he replaced the Most Rev. Brian Hennessy.

And to brighten everyone's spirits, Hootie and the Blowfish played an impromptu concert at the Robin Hood pub -- a far cry from the 15,000 strong audiences the group was used to.

Bermuda stopped in OCTOBER as a not guilty verdict came in the OJ Simpson saga. "OJ's got off,'' exclaimed one Bank of Butterfield employee, touching off a wave of chatter amongst the queue.

But that was not the end of it. First he was here, then he wasn't. Would the real Mark (Fuhrman) Furman please stand up.

The former Los Angeles Police Department Detective who figured so prominently in the OJ trial had apparently arrived on the Island -- at least the Government said so. Oooops.

It wasn't him. It was Mark Furman, a Boston attorney, on the Island for a week's holiday. The newly appointed Home Affairs Minister Quinton Edness, said a "very zealous'' officer at the airport had provided the information.

"I can only apologise to you (the media) and the people of Bermuda.'' Mr.

Furman was sanguine about his sudden burst of fame.

"It is humorous,'' he said. "I've lived my life in anonymity, but I would have preferred it was my own fame rather than someone else's.'' On a more serious note the moment arrived -- as the Moment of Consciousness was held to pass the message that Bermudians had to unite to win the war on drugs.

Dr. David Archibald, who proposed creating the National Drug Commission, said: "Above all else the strong will and determination of all Bermudians will be required.

"When Bermudians as a whole -- all races, all political persuasions, all socio-economic groups -- realise that they are dealing with a problem that is national in scope, and say with their collective voices `We've had enough! We're going to beat this problem' then and only then will the problem be brought under control.'' In order to counter another problem -- the loss of cash from the closure of the Base lands -- a plan was unveiled for their future development.

Finance Minister, Grant Gibbons, predicted that up to 3,000 people could find jobs on the bases over the next 15 to 30 years.

"We are very optimistic. We think that in the long run there is some extremely good potential here,'' said Dr. Gibbons.

As the Island looked forward to new Base uses, the Anglican Bishop of Bermuda, the Rt. Rev. William Down, looked back, bidding farewell to the Island after five years in the post.

Looking back, also, this time into what went wrong, a Commission of Inquiry started work to uncover the reasons for the delay in the Independence vote.

The House of Assembly got back to business in NOVEMBER as the Governor read the Throne Speech which emphasised fighting crime and drugs as well as racial harassment and discrimination, which would be made a criminal offence.

But the gloss of the opening soon wore off as Environment Minister Tim Smith became embroiled in a row over an off the cuff remark.

Forgetting the microphone was still on, he was heard live on the radio speaking to former Cabinet Minster, Irving Pearman.

He described the `gang of five' (UBP backbenchers) as nasty and wicked before turning to a planning appeal before him by Mr. Trevor Moniz, one of the five.

"He's got an appeal in to me for an illegal house. I haven't even looked at it,'' Mr. Smith told Mr. Pearman.

"I haven't even looked at it. I said I ain't looking at it for now. The naughty b*****. He built it anyway. Couldn't care less. They're a law unto themselves.'' Later, Mr. Smith apologised. Later still, he offered to resign. Premier Saul refused to accept it and instead switched him with Youth and Sport Minister Ms Pamela Gordon.

That was not a demotion as Dr. Saul said Youth and Sports and Education were "probably the two most important Ministries in the Country''.

There was also tragedy this month when a crane driver was crushed to death in a horrific accident at the Bull's Head car park.

Mr. Teddy Sewell, 39, of St. David's, was trapped in his cab and despite rescue efforts died.

The tragedies continued abroad as well, when Bermudian student Mr. Charles (Lyndon) Fubler, 24, was left fighting for his life after being shot in the head by a crazed gunman in America.

Police believed the Augusta College student was a victim of a maniac who opened fire in a jealous rage over his ex-girlfriend.

Then the son of a Bermudian Bishop was shot by Police in Florida. Mr. Orlando Outerbridge, 24, was gunned down after claims of an argument with his girlfriend.

Outerbridge, the son of Bishop Vernon Outerbridge, was armed with a knife according to Police in Forida when they called to reports of a domestic dispute.

Outerbridge allegedy lunged at a Policeman and was shot four times. He was subseqeuntly charged with attempted murder and two counts of aggravated assault.

In Bermuda, killer Rudolph Leroy West was saved from the gallows when the Governor commuted his death sentence for the murder of his estranged wife, Rochelle West, to life imprisonment.

Rochelle's mother, Mrs. Rhona Simmons, said: "Rochelle is really haunting him. He will never keep still. He said he took a life and did not want anyone to stick up for him. He will kill himself the first chance he gets and it will be over for him.'' Meanwhile...the first of Police Commissioner Colin Coxall's reforms started as Assistant Commissioner Wayne Perinchief and Superintendent George Rose were told they would be made redundant.

Shadow Home Affairs Minister, Alex Scott, said: "It's very much like having a war on crime and removing the generals.'' It was the first salvo in a long war of words that continued into DECEMBER with claims by Mr. Scott that Mr. Perinchief was a victim of racism.

While most pople looked forward to the season of goodwill, Christmas meant something else for lawyer Charles Vaucrosson who was found guilty of eight counts of stealing almost $400,000 from beneficiaries of a trust.

The 61-year-old former UBP Parliamentary candidate will hear if he is to be jailed when he reappears before the courts in January for sentencing.

Although an appeal against conviction was launched he was still remanded into custody, where he spent Christmas.

A soccer player was grateful to be alive for Christmas after losing consciousness after an on-field collision.

Somerset Eagles player coach, Mr. Gary Mallory's pulse stopped after an accidental collision with a Vasco Da Gama player and he was saved by a spectator who gave him the kiss of life.

Mr. Mallory jumped to intercept a corner, then collapsed, lying motionless in front of the goal.

Spectator Mr. John Bento came to the rescue but it appeared to be a close thing. "For a minute I thought we'd lost him,'' said a Somerset Eagles club official.

The Police and crime continued to dominate the agenda, but it was not all bad news as bike thefts fell -- although Colonial Insurance kept up the heat on the thieves by appointing a bounty hunter.

Colonial general manager Mr. William Madeiros said after the news had broken: "The phone hasn't stopped ringing. I've had more than 100 calls from people who think the idea is fantastic.'' Continuing the crime theme, a new offence was introduced when Senators passed the Criminal Code Amendment Act outlawing racial harassment and intimidation although doubts were cast as to how it could be enforced.

Meanwhile...the year was to end much as it started with Mr. Coxall and the Police dominating the headlines.

Mr. Scott's claims that Mr. Perinchief was a victim of racism were scotched by Mr. Edness who said the decision to axe the Assistant Commissioner and Mr.

Rose were irreversible.

Mr. Edness backed the streamlining of the force "to the hilt'', denied flatly any racist motive was involved and appealed to people to stop playing politics with the Police.

It seems certain the furore over the restructuring of the Force will continue into the New Year -- especially as the changes come into effect on January 2.