of Mr. Thorold Masefield as Governor.

CIB chairman Walton Brown said yesterday that his organisation was displeased that suitable Bermudians had been overlooked for the post.

The CIB has sent the names of four Bermudians -- Sir John Sharpe, Arnold Francis, Hugh Richardson and Dr. Norma Astwood -- to the British Government.

The committee said that any of these persons could ably fill the position of Governor.

Mr. Brown said: "Under the Bermuda Constitution the British Government must appoint a Governor, but there is no requirement that the individual be a British citizen or indeed that British Dependent Territories Citizens -- which is the status we hold -- be excluded from this office.'' He said there was precedent for such an appointment, noting that Sir Rupert John of St. Vincent and the Grenadines was appointed Governor of those islands in 1970 and served until 1976. St. Vicent gained Independence in 1979.

Mr. Masefield, now the High Commissioner of Nigeria, will take up his appointment in June. Governor Lord Waddington is expected to leave his post in April.