Now that we are well into the New Year, perhaps we could have a stop to these ridiculous letters from people who claim that the new millennium won't start until next year.

Using their mathematical skills, the 1990s didn't start until 1991. More to the point, the 1980s didn't start until 1981. I think not. My Chesterfield was definitely not wearing a John Revolting disco suit in June, 1980 to (sic) my granddaughter's wedding.

It has long been proved that, that the monk who made the calendar without a zero, also messed up by 4 or 5 years. Therefore, using Christ's birth as the guide, the new millennium started several years ago.

If these people have nothing better to do than dally with the unimportant, then perhaps one of them could tell me if the Queen Mother is going to get a telegram from her daughter on the occasion of her one hundredth birthday. I'd like to know.

MILDRED MELLIE Paget West The Premier responds January 10, 2000 The following was sent to Ms Kimberley Mensah by Premier Jennifer Smith and copied to The Royal Gazette .

Dear Mrs. Mensah, I have today received your two letters regarding the public education system and employment opportunities for Bermudians after having first read them in the local daily.

I note that you have just returned to Bermuda, and therefore are perhaps unaware of the changes to the public education systems which began ten years ago under the former Government. At the time those plans were opposed by this Government while serving in opposition. You also do not appear to be aware of the changes made by this Government immediately following the General Election. Changes which we believe will result in addressing the concerns outlined in your letter.

With regard to employment practices, I have checked with the Government Employment office and they have no record of your information on file.

Additionally, the current Minister of Labour, Home Affairs and Public Safety has instituted a number of changes to protect the Bermudian worker. While some expect change overnight, it is our considered belief that the neglect and decline of decades under a former Government cannot be undone overnight. I am, however, convinced that we have set the proper and correct course for the benefit of all Bermudians.

You may rest assured that we shall continue to work diligently on behalf of all Bermudians.

I am taking the liberty of enclosing a copy of our 1998 General Election Platform, which sets out the plan of this Government for its first terms and it is this document which is consistently used by us as the benchmark for our progress. The promises contained therein are what constitute our mandate to govern, endorsed by a majority of the electorate.

I trust that the foregoing provides you with a better perspective of the initiatives of this Government and that you will register to vote, so that you may fully participate in the democratic process.

THE HON. JENNIFER M. SMITH JP, MP Premier A scientific mystery January 10, 2000 Dear Sir, The heaviest element known to science was recently discovered by investigators at a major US research university. The element, named "Administratium'' has no protons or electrons and this has an atomic number of 0. However, it does have one neutron, 125 assistant neutrons, 75 vice-neutrons and 111 assistant vice-neutrons, which gives it an atomic mass of 312.

These 312 particles are held together by a force that involves the continuous exchange of meson-like particles called morons. They are also surrounded by vast quantities of lepton-like particles called peons. Since it has no electrons, Administratium is inert. However, it can be detected chemically as it impedes every reaction with which it comes into contact.

Administratium has a normal half-life of approximately two and a half years, at which time it does not decay, but instead undergoes a reorganisation in which assistant neutrons, vice-neutrons and assistant vice-neutrons exchange places. Some studies have shown that the atomic mass actually increases after each reorganisation.

Scientists point out that Administratium is known to be toxic at any concentration and can easily destroy any productive reaction where it is allowed to accumulate.

Attempts are being made to determine how Administratium can be controlled to prevent irreversible damage, but results to date are not promising.

TAX PAYER Smith's Parish Hotels are over-priced January 10, 2000 Dear Sir, The statistics that produced your lead article, `arrivals plunge in November' Royal Gazette January 8, state that the cruise industry has again bucked the plunge, posting a further annual increase of 3 percent, despite the strictly controlled number of ships allowed in.

Why is it that the Tourism Ministry spends millions advertising, and has gone on all these fruitless promotion joyrides for over a year now, and yet fails to produce anything but ever increasing bad figures? Why, on the other hand, is it that we have to fight people off trying to visit Bermuda by cruise ships, the sector of tourism we tax at $60 a head, do not advertise, and spend nothing on? This proves that people really do want to visit Bermuda, providing they do not have to pay the air/hotel prices. What is the air/hotel sector doing that is so disastrously wrong? Could it be true that Bermuda can no longer sell a $200 room for $400? Why does a $200 room cost $400 anyway? This is not a matter of "better service'' or chocolates on hotel pillows -- this is heavy bucks, big money. This is not a `which is better for Bermuda, cruise or air' question, this is a question of why one is a complete failure, and the other such a roaring success that we have to discourage it.

Why does David Allen not sit down, stop talking, start listening and figure this out before we end up with no hotels and no air service either? PRESSING QUESTIONS St. George's Probe honours list January 6, 2000 Dear Sir, We are writing in reference to the list of people who were included in this years New Years Honours as published in The Royal Gazette .

With no disrespect to these people, it is noted with real concern that 40 percent of our population is represented by only 3.8 percent, while 60 percent of our population is represented by 96.2 percent of those on the New Year's list.

We suggest that this is something which the Commission for United and Racial Equality (CURE) should investigate immediately.

It should also be noted that, although Government would like to take credit for creating CURE, it is in fact the successor of a Committee formed some years ago by the UBP which was chaired by Mr. Arnold Francis.

JUST WATCHING Pembroke