I am writing in about BFAB (Bermuda Feline Assistance Bureau) and the issue of feral cats in Bermuda. While I am only a peripheral member of BFAB and, therefore, am not representing BFAB's views on the issue, I am very much aware of BFAB's trap -- neuter/spay -- release programme and the feeding stations they have constructed.

I feel it necessary to comment on the point of view and statistics set forth in Andrew Dobson's (president of Bermuda Audubon Society) letter, as well as other recent letters.

Cats are often scapegoats for direct human activities. Land clearing, land development, introduction (either intentional or not) of competitive, more adaptable species are all factors caused by people that are contributors to a species' decline.

Obviously, the Audubon Society is sadly aware that precious habitat for the bluebird and other species has all but disappeared with development in Bermuda.

Meanwhile, with BFAB's efforts over the last tenor so years, the number of feral cats on the Island has dropped. The precise figures may be difficult for BFAB to surmise because feral cats are not some separate species -- they are an extension of the domestic cat population! If people are unhappy with the number of feral cats in Bermuda, then they need to focus on the spaying and neutering of their own domestic cats, and their neighbours' cats, and so on. However, the success of BFAB's sterilisation programme is evident in the huge reduction in the number of kittens available for adoption (feral kittens are brought into the SPCA to be socialised for adoption). Also, I must say the studies of prey killed by cats that Mr. Dobson refers to extrapolate the results of a small geographical survey area to an entire state or country.

The result of this extrapolation can be deceptive in the impression of a huge number of small mammals and birds killed by cats each year, and many of these studies have been discredited.

Furthermore, the studies he refers to were performed in the US and Australia, therefore the results cannot be scientifically applied to Bermuda as the density and type of prey species available to cats is quite different in Bermuda. This is particularly true if the studies were performed in rural areas. Additionally, Mr. Dobson does not mention numerous studies performed over the past 40 years that show the composition of a feral cat's diet overwhelmingly consists of rodents. I am not denying that cats in Bermuda, or anywhere else in the world, hunt and kill prey! I am only suggesting that proper research and statistics specific to Bermuda be applied to this discussion. In the only relevant report I am aware of, "Bermuda's Delicate Balance,'' I believe David Wingate cited development as the key cause of bird populations' decline.

In addition, the Audubon Society reports in the "Bluebird Report 2000'' that the "aggressive and highly adaptable house sparrow is the biggest threat, after man, to the existence of the bluebird'' and the estimated number of bluebird fledglings is almost double that of 1999.

I sincerely hope the Audubon Society and BFAB will rationally work together to formulate an amenable solution. I am so excited when I see a pair of red cardinals on my morning run, and I am also relieved to see people caring for Bermuda's "unwanted'' cats. Focusing primarily on feral cats is a simplistic and myopic explanation of a very complex issue facing Bermuda's environment.

ALEXANDRA RECK Paget Big Brother is watching February 20, 2001 Dear Sir, We, the professional lobster fishermen of Bermuda, are subjected to a policy that only allows us to haul our traps on designated days. This policy was created by a group fisheries officers and sanctioned by the current Minister.

The purpose of this (policy) is to supposedly allow the fisheries wardens to come out (either in our boats or theirs) and monitor the haulage situation.

These wardens have not been seen by me monitoring haulage or anything else for that matter.

This reeks of people management and not resource management (and personally I don't think that these people are capable of managing a good "HOT'' in Goslings Warehouse).

This is an unpleasant "Orwellian'' situation and it would be very pleasing if big brother would climb back on his side of the wall.

To be told that one must haul one's gear on a designated day, that may just be blowing hard or have a very low tide or is generally threatening to life and limb and equipment (i.e. boat) is ludicrous.

We have enough wall sitters in this community without a Government Department creating more.

This situation only applies to the inshore fishery.

T. MARTIN DIXON KEMH a caring place February 20, 2001 Dear Sir, Last Thursday, I had occasion to check into King Edward Hospital Emergency Department, to undergo some tests, and was subsequently moved into Gordon Ward, until Saturday, for further testing.

From Dr. Edward Schultz and his emergency room group, to those who undertook the testing, to the staff on Gordon Ward, I was impressed by the caring attitude, compassion and professionalism displayed by those with whom I came into contact.

There were innumerable instances of positive interactions with the staff during the stay and I will illustrate two of them: My roommate was not able to fend for himself and it was very gratifying to witness the degree of compassion, concern for this comfort and well-being and the attention paid to his needs, by all those who dealt with him. The staff were always cheerful and caring when they were helping him.

I was unable to select the meal choices, due to being in there on short notice. In one case the entree was not something I enjoyed eating. When one of the nurses discovered that I had not eaten the food, she insisted, repeatedly, that she arrange for something else. She called the kitchen, offered me a choice of sandwich, then went down and picked it up and brought it to the room. This was really above and beyond the call of duty.

While no one really wants to stay in hospital and most of us are in a hurry to go home, I have to say that this group of wonderful people, encountered at King Edward Hospital during my stay, did their best to make sure I was well cared for. To all of those who tended to me at the hospital, I would like to thank you, publicly, for your efforts to work me through the process for which I was there and for your endeavours in making my stay as pleasant as possible.

May God bless you all.

JOHN CAREY Southampton I am disillusioned February 20, 2001 Dear Sir, I am becoming more and more disillusioned by those in whom I had some faith.

When I walked around the streets, shouted and cheered approximately two years ago, because I felt a change had come, I did so with a sense of pride.

However after being told recently that I'm employed at a "dumb'' institution my sense of self worth plummeted to the ground. If what I'm now hearing is true, I feel those in power should catch a "taxi'' to the nearest "ferry'' terminal and continue getting across from Nither to None. Maybe even become "suspended'' in None. While "suspended'' some real thinking might go on.

YOURS NON-JUBILANTLY Don't play down crime Dear Sir, I wish to express my concern in regards to the reporting of the recent spate of crime occurring on Pitt's Bay Road, against both tourists and locals.

The term bag snatch or purse snatch is usually an informal or slang term which is used internally among Police. The actual formal term for this crime is assault and robbery.

Using the informal bag snatch or purse snatch in reporting this crime minimises the seriousness, which can range from minor injury to death, depending upon the age and condition of the victim and the desperation and tendency to violence of the attacker. Failing to use the proper term, in reporting, can be misleading to the public and cause them to underestimate the potential for danger that is represented.

It is not only your responsibility to report the news, but also to warn your readers of the real potential danger of situations, and using the proper wording to describe crimes would go a long way toward encouraging your readers to use the proper caution.

Thank you for your time.

Name and address supplied Thanks to business February 26, 2001 Dear Sir, The board of directors of the Meet-A-Mum Association would like to sincerely thank all of the businesses in Bermuda that have been so generous in providing support and donations for our organisation.

The Meet-A-Mum Association has been a valuable resource for new families on the Island for more than 15 years. Through the generosity of numerous businesses throughout Bermuda we have been able to help make the day-to-day challenges of parenting a little easier for many new families.

We have also been able to extend that support to other Bermuda charities including the Friends of the Library. Thank you again for your support. The Meet-A-Mum Association Board of Directors and its close to 400 members sincerely appreciate all your help and assistance to our cause.

ELYSA LEONARD Meet-a-Mum Association