I refer to The Royal Gazette of June 19. I think Mr. Wayne Perinchief's suggestions to reopen the Casemates Prison is a good one (no frills), but to put the record straight, Casemates was never a Royal Naval Prison.

H.F.S.

Paget The simple truth June 10, 2000 Dear Sir, It is certainly time for a comment from the community on oversized cars for a few select Government ministers.

The `debate' has gone from the sublime to the ridiculous -- the `debate' because as happens too often, a beleaguered Progressive Labour Party retreats into sullen silence or a few angry throw-away lines.

So now the PLP is trying to support a `black business' -- I did not know that the Astride-Sterling family were `black' -- they have some `white' and some `black' family ties, and I think specifically some Hispanic ties.

But, none the less there is no justification on any one buying a Peugeot 406 when the 306 is readily available and deservedly very popular in Bermuda.

Alex Scott comments some months ago that their cars could be sold overseas is patently stupid. By the time shipping and commissions were paid they would be sold at a loss. Further, as a principle of supply logic, it will not be possible to keep an inventory of spaces for only three cars -- so now that I have said this, I am sure Alex Scott will think he is justified in buying ten more.

It is rapidly becoming clear that the PLP is not about `doing the people's business', not about low cost housing nor dealing with drugs, crime and violence, nor dealing with our worsening tourism industry.

They are about the usual superficial materialistic personal benefits of large cars, larger spending allowances, more overseas trips, large mansions, and first class upgrades on travel -- oh yes and taking the Gombeys! With the single exception of Arthur Hodgson, the performance of the PLP Cabinet stinks, to put it simply.

It is your responsibility as elected representatives to talk to the community -- if this means talking to the press who then relay the information to the public, then do so.

I have tried to do my bit -- over the past 18 months I have asked for an appointment dozens of times with, the Minister of Legislative Affairs, the Minister of Transport, the Minister of Home Affairs and Mr. Terry Lister -- I can't remember the name of his Ministry. I would like to discuss some of my own concerns face to face with the above-mentioned.

Generally, I was relieved when the PLP was given a chance by the voting public, I did not agree with much of what the UBP was doing, (or not doing).

Caught on the dilemma of race politics, they as a mixed-race party, could not do many things that needed doing. You the PLP party, a black party (only, of course, because whites won't join) can deal with these issues -- but you haven't. All you have done is gone one better than the UBP on your personal comfort -- see the list above.

The petty bickering in the House of Assembly has reached a new low of all time. I would dearly love to be an Independent member of the House to sit in judgment just hand, but I think even I would walk out in fury or despair.

When asked a question by the UBP Opposition, answer it. You in the PLP haven't got the grace or good manners to answer my question. The words of, was it Dr.

Ewart Brown or Dame Lois Brown-Evans, still ring in my ears. When asked about their programmes -- "We are building a new Bermuda... Just you wait and see. I have waited long enough. I have seen too much.'' I have been embarrassed to admit that I voted for the UBP in Warwick East, especially in that Dale Butler sits for Warwick East. Within my deep antipathy for party politics, I think I made the better choice of the two evils.

SANDERS FRITH-BROWN Warwick A welcoming harbour June 20, 2000 Dear Sir, I am writing on behalf of the Jubilee Sailing Trust, a UK-based charity, which owns and operate the specially designed tall ship the Lord Nelson .

The Lord Nelson is the only ship in the world purpose built to enable both able bodied and physically disabled people to share the challenge of crewing a tall ship at sea on equal terms.

This is the first time a ship with a mixed ability crew has participated in the Tall Ships race and we were absolutely overwhelmed by the help and support the Lord Nelson received during our stay on your beautiful island during Tall Ships 2000.

A number of young Bermudians sailed on the ship into Bermuda and their network of family and friends took the Lord Nelson and its crew to their hearts and even supplied the younger crewmembers with beds for the night and a laundry service.

Thank you to Tanya Harding and Barbara Willis who were assigned to us as Liaison Officers and who worked tirelessly in the hot sun to make sure we had everything we needed.

Debbie and Mike Jones of the Bermuda Diabetic Association hosted a traditional Bermudian breakfast of codfish and potatoes in their beautiful home which was much appreciated.

HWP were our sponsors and they generously presented us with a check for $5,000 towards the costs of the Lord Nelson .

And finally a big thank you to Mr. Sandy Mitchell (President of the Hamilton Lions Club) who entertained the voyage crew and permanent crew of the Lord Nelson on our last night in Bermuda, and who has already tried to bribe me into getting him onboard the Lord Nelson on the next Tall Ships Race.

We hope we are back in Bermuda again soon.

BECKY PIERCE JONES Press & PR Manager Jubilee Sailing Trust Southampton, England St. David's misinformation June 20, 2000 Dear Sir, I spied in this past weekend's weekly a commentary on the proposed housing situation in St. David's.

A very well written article as usual, but unfortunately grossly misinformed.

Since our attackers have not come down to speak to us on the problem, here it is.

It has been said by some members of the Bermuda community as well as members of the House I might add, that we suffer from the NIMBY syndrome. Not so, we suffer from the NITS syndrome. This is `Not In That Spot' which is the basis of our objections.

We do agree that there is a need for housing in the Island and knew that once the former base land was handed back, it would be seen as a prime spot for such.

The problem is that we do not agree with the location of these 100 units adjacent to the Clearwater Middle School. There are other patches of land on the Southside where they would be better situated.

We wish that particular spot be created into another playing field for the school. Contrary to what may have been said, they do not have an adequate playing field. There is a basketball court and gym but the field existing is barely enough for a football field and not enough for a decent track or for cricket, something which was not on the curriculum of the Roger B. Chaffee High School.

The school supplements this with the grassy area at Stevens Circle. Why cannot this land be made into a new field for them and the new units be placed on the land formerly used for the wooden housing blocks, which were torn down?! When the rumours of the development began, some Islanders went to our MPs and asked that enquiries be made. They did as asked, only to ensure that their own company received the contract for the construction. So much for Islander loyalty.

It has been said that we act as if we are not part of the Island, well it is easy to think so when you are treated as such and are often the butt of ridicule and jokes from the other ends.

I am quite sure that most non-Islanders reading this know of a joke which begins, "Did you hear what the St. David's islander did when...''.

And when being referred to as `Mohawks' in reference to our ancestry, it is generally done in a mocking tone.

In the article our situation with the base lands was compared with what happened to the loss of black-owned land in Tucker's Town. Not the same. They were duped out of their lands but we had no choice in the matter, being told to pack up and leave as the house will be torn down.

There is no solace in undervalued payments or the knowlege that it would benefit the entire world eventually, for the loss of ancestral homes.

We have been referred to as simple people, that we are and we love this little piece of Bermuda that we have created, and wish it to remain that way.

We welcome new persons but only ask that they assist in retaining the simple Islander life. I can assure you that we will fight anyone who wished to change it for ill, to the death, with every drop of warrior blood flowing though our veins.

WENDELL BURCHALL JR.

St. David's Islander Grow up and out June 2, 2000 Dear Sir, The Royal Gazette recently ran an article about `Shrinking Open Spaces' in which it is stated that Bermuda has "3,032 people crammed into every one of its 22 square mile.'' The truth is that 22 square miles is an overstatement as to where Bermuda's 66,000 are "crammed into.'' Since approximately 50 percent of Bermuda's acreage is devoted to a combination of commercial use, roads and public works, golf courses, beaches, parks and recreational spaces, not to mention Kindley Field and other non-residential use, it would be more appropriate to say that there are 6.064 people crammed into every one of its 11 habitable square miles.

A square mile contains 640 acres; 11 sq miles equals 7,040 acres. Thus let's calculate 9 1/2 people per acre. An acre consists of 43,560 sq. ft. Thus each person has a claim to 4,600 sq.ft.

To maintain the status quo of population density, for each additional Bermuda baby or immigrant, after allowing for the death rate and emigration, in other words, for each net addition to the Bermuda population, Bermuda will have to find an additional 4,600 sq.ft.

What's the solution? Either horizontal or vertical. We take care of decedents by burying them underground. No problem. Cemeteries increase in size both vertically and horizontally, but at a slow pace.

As for the babies, whether planned or unplanned, and the surge of invaders from cyberspace, we need to plan for an additional 4,600 square feet per person. How to do this? A modest proposal: Estimating population growth at 1,000 per year, that means adding 4,600,000 square feet per year. That's merely 106 acres per year. One square mile every six years.

No big deal! Since most of the upwardly mobile immigrants from cyberspace want to work in Hamilton, we could begin filling in Hamilton Harbour, starting at the Dinghy Club and gradually put land-fill westward until Salt Kettle and Point Shares. After that, Harrington Sound. Both assume horizontal spread.

Vertically, the sky's the limit! Consider Dockyard, the Naval Annex, the Mid-Ocean Golf Course and the defunct Club Med as eligible building sites.

High-rise construction at a max of 600 feet would allow 50-storey apartment buildings to be constructed with footprints of 10,000 square feet each, adding, per structure, 500,000 sq.ft. of habitable space each.

Each year it would take only 91/2 such buildings to keep up with the population growth needs of 4.6 million square feet per year.

Surely the wise folks at the Bermuda Department of Planning and Population Accommodation will take my suggestions seriously as we enter this 21st Century era of blessed economic growth.

STWART MOTT Sandys Community pitched in June 19, 2000 Dear Sir, Please allow us the medium of your column to offer thanks in regard to Child's Wish.

On Tuesday June 13 the stars shone and the moon glowed over a perfect setting in Paget for an evening with the Ginger Pigs in aid of Child's Wish.

A generous crowd came together to enjoy a fabulous New Orleans style evening with refreshments kindly sponsored by Bacardi. The silent auction with 50 sensational donated prizes added to the fun and the funds raised for our charity.

Child's Wish is a registered Bermuda Charity, which exists to grant wishes and acts in the benefit of children experiencing some catastrophic event, life threatening illness or ongoing medical challenge.

Child's Wish aims to help children feel embraced by their community, believing that children require joy and laughter to maintain hope and that when a community shows a child they care, it embellishes their resilience and self esteem. Child's Wish is linked internationally with such organisations as Make a Wish Foundation, Grant a Wish Foundation and Give Kid's the World.

This evening was made possible by Kathy Herrero and her family and we cannot thank them enough. Bermuda's children and their families are recipients of such generosity due to the talent of two very special teenaged boys.

Pete and Tommy Gimbel, both of whom suffer from muscular dystrophy, flew into Bermuda to lend their talents. Pete sang with Ginger Pigs and Tommy designed signature t-shirts for the evening. Kathy's nephews are an example to us all and their input made our stars shine brighter last Tuesday.

SHIRLEY HIGGS, JACQUELINE HORSFIELD For the Board of Child's Wish Too much horseplay June 16, 2000 Dear Sir, I read with interest your `Taxi hit reveller' article, June 15, 2000. It states in the article "The victim was taken to hospital and is now stable''.

Medicine has come a long way since the first heart transplant! I say well done to the KEMH staff, but was the outcome not a miracle of medicine, but perhaps, the result of too much horseplay at the beach party.

J.P. COSTELLO Smith's Parish