Self-proclaimed high priest Gershwyn Smith yesterday missed the chance to run in the Paget West by-election by minutes.

But seconds after he was told by returning officers he had missed the 1 p.m.

deadline, Mr. Smith vowed to complain to Governor Thorold Masefield -- because the clock at official polling station Paget Primary School read four minutes to one.

Mr. Smith said afterwards: "I will have to talk first to the Deputy Governor to see what is legal and if it's acceptable for the clock on the wall to have a different time.'' And he claimed: "They should all be fired for not addressing the clock on the wall.'' Mr. Smith added: "They weren't ready, they were raggedy and they expect the people of Bermuda to accept this raggedy politics.

"We're tired of these ragged politics -- we want it straightened out starting now.'' He was speaking just after Returning Officer Reginald Pearman said Mr. Smith had arrived too late to run -- by three to four minutes.

School clock lets candidate down Mr. Pearman added that all three officials at the nomination had synchronised their watches to ensure accuracy -- but not the clock on the wall of the school gym.

But Mr. Smith insisted: "It's an error, something which has been overlooked.

"I'm not late according to the clock -- this clock should have been right.

This should be redressed and my nomination papers should be accepted.'' Mr. Smith -- whose car tore into the school car park and screeched to a halt before he quick-marched into the nomination hall -- admitted he was not wearing a watch.

But he said: "I go by the clock in the polling station -- this wouldn't happen in London.

"I'm sure the Queen wouldn't accept a polling station where the clock didn't have the right time.'' But Mr. Smith -- a regular feature at elections although never notching up many votes -- said he would return to the political arena in the future.

He said: "It's just the PLP and the UBP running here and that's cool -- but let's get some Independents in there. It makes it more interesting.'' And he pleaded: "I'm a good stud -- let me run some more races.'' But Returning Officer Charles Gosling said: "For all three of us, he was past the time.

"And, unfortunately, the clock on the wall is Paget Primary School's clock.'' Mr. Gosling added: "He can pursue it in whatever manner he wants -- if he feels he's been unfairly treated, I would encourage him to pursue it.

"What we're trying to do is make sure it's all done fairly and without any prejudice.'' You're too late: Paget West by-election official Oda Mallory gives Gershwyn (High Priest Shiloh) Smith the news that he has missed the deadline for nominations.

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