If five people started a pyramid and each sold to five, who each sold to five etc., these would be the figures roughly: 1 5 25 125 625 3025 15075 75,000 All of these (more than the population of Bermuda) in the bottom line (75,000) will lose their money.

It is no more complicated than that.

A true pyramid scheme does not have to have money filter back to the creator.

SANDERS FRITH-BROWN Warwick Gambling law is archaic February 2, 2000 Dear Sir, Please allow me space in your editorial page to respond in disbelief and amusement of the furore that has been created because of the gift clubs romping through the Island.

First of all to the uneducated and ignorant person or persons that commented that this is an attempt by the "white man to prevent the black man from making money'' I will have you know that I am a white Bermudian, albeit increasingly becoming unrecognisable. I do not own a house, car or big satellite, so there goes your theory.

One cannot blame the Police Service for creating a Task Force to catch our hard-nosed criminals that are creating these gift boards. They are only doing what they are instructed to do, even though I am sure they are a bit hesitant themselves. So here is a few suggestions to the lawyer that proudly sat on TV reading Bermuda the riot act and ensuring orange suits for everyone: Position Police Officers at our local clubs next to the Black Jack machines where I have witnessed hundreds of dollars being spent carelessly.

Position Officers in sports bars during major sporting events in particular the Super Bowl where they are sure to catch criminals betting on the "board''.

The next time one buys a raffle ticket for $10 in anticipation that they may or may not win a bag of groceries that includes a package of cookies and an apple (worth $75). Oh yeah, I forgot, that is legal.

How about arresting those that organise ridiculous bets like betting against Mike Tyson for $500 or betting against Tiger Woods not to win a Tournament in the course of a year.

Ban the use of computers in homes that are being used to trade online, surely we expect a return there.

And my all time favourite: Position Police on the 18th hole of every golf course in Bermuda to catch that seedy, underhanded, over tanned golfer who has a handicap greater than their playing ability, and arrest them as they collect unfair and illegal bets.

My point, Mr. Editor is simple. Where do we draw the line? If people of Bermuda wish to give their money to someone, knowing that there is a chance of a loss, why do we have to create a huge fuss over it. I know that the banks are not complaining because where do you think people have to put the money when and if they get gifted? I for one will not carry around that type of money especially now that I know the Police are too busy being instructed to create Task Forces which allows the real criminals to rob me blind on the street.

You may have noticed that these gift clubs have been going on for many years and in those times not one person has been murdered, raped or robbed because of gift clubs. The last time I checked, Bermuda was a democratic society and although it is allegedly illegal to create gift boards, maybe residents of this Island should petition to the illustrious leaders on BOTH sides of the House of Assembly. And as soon as they stop fighting over who has the biggest car, they can amend some of our archaic laws.

ALEX MADEIROS City of Hamilton Hospital is top of my list February 08, 2000 Dear Sir, After reading many attacks on King Edward VII Memorial Hospital, I must reply to some of them.

Being unfortunate over the last ten years to suffer from a neurological affliction, I have been sent to very expensive hospitals in Canada, the US and the UK.

I have always put KEMH on the top of the list for a few reasons.

The staff doctors have always been attentive & kind.

The kindest nurses to be seen are in the A&E & the wards. These are people rushed off their feet, but always have time for a patient.

We must not forget that on an Island as small as we are, we have such an Institution that offers so much.

On the last note, I would like to reply to the visitor who was complaining about the amount of money paid to the Dialysis unit for treatment. What other island of this size and with the small amount of occupants can provide full and comprehensive dialysis treatment? Medicine is not cheap -- wherever she goes.

JANN PEARCE Paget Scoutmaster to blame too February 5, 2000 Dear Sir, First of all, I do not condone the actions of the three boys who set a fire at the Harrington Sound School. However, nowhere in The Royal Gazette's reporting of the case nor in Magistrate Carlisle Greaves' well thought out ruling was there any mention of the Scoutmaster and his role.

The Scoutmaster must bear some of the blame since the three boys were in his charge and thus he should have been aware of the fact that the three boys were missing. Had he noticed that they were missing, then he should have immediately sent out a search party to find them.

Indeed in my day at Scouts, we were not allowed to leave the room with out the Scoutmaster's approval and we were kept so busy and interested that we did not wish to leave the room! Where was the Scoutmaster who was responsible for the wellbeing of all of the boys? A FORMER SCOUT Pembroke Safety is a hollow excuse February 10, 2000 Dear Sir, It would seem that the only people in Bermuda who need larger cars are in Government, perhaps to accommodate their large egos! It is ridiculous to state that the reason is for safety measures. I would love to know the number of injuries that have occurred to occupants of cars, given that the driving speed was reasonable.

It doesn't take much foresight to know that wider cars are more likely to cause accidents and injuries to the other party. Bermudians used to be known for their common sense. Because the roads are narrow, the cars are small, and the speed limit is low. I guess in my years away from the Island, I was unaware that the roads have all been widened.

JOE LIND0 North Carolina Law is inconsistent February 13, 2000 Dear Sir, There appear to be three official attitudes toward gambling in Bermuda: 1. Some gambling is illegal, e.g. lotteries and pyramids.

2. Some gambling is recognised as gambling but is condoned on special occasions and under certain conditions, e.g. Crown and Anchor and football pools.

3. Some gambling is legal, not recognised as gambling, and is openly promoted, e.g. bingo and raffles.

Now, let's reduce this issue to a simple mathematical discussion.

Imagine a pyramid scheme in which each participant contributes $50 with the potential of receiving $1,000 when his name reaches the top of the pyramid.

Bearing in mind that the scheme has no money other than the $50 of each contributor, there would have to be 20 contributors for every $1,000 winner.

This means that for every $1,000 winner there would be 19 losers. If the scheme were to produce 100 winners, there would be 1,900 people who get absolutely nothing! Imagine a bingo game in which 5,000 people contribute $50 dollars each. There would be $250,000 in the pool. If that game were to produce 100 winners, there would be 4,900 people who get absolutely nothing! What's the difference? The pyramid is called a scheme, and is illegal. Bingo is called a game, and is legal. In both cases money is voluntarily given up by a large number of people in the hope that they will be among the few who will benefit.

To me, there appears to be a glaring inconsistency either in the law or in the interpretation of the law.

LESLIE C.E. HOLDER Pembroke