against cruise ships.

The Caribbean Hotel Association, which includes Bermuda properties, is in a bitter dispute with cruise lines over whether ships should pay more taxes and compete more "fairly'' with hotels.

The CHA has appealed to local hoteliers for cash help in the battle.

But Mr. John Bell, CHA executive vice-president, said he could not recall any contributions from Bermuda. Around a dozen major properties in the region had so far chipped in, he said.

Mr. John Harvey, Bermuda Hotel Association executive officer, doubted local properties would respond.

"No-one from Bermuda is going to be contributing because it really is a Caribbean regional programme which they are dealing with themselves.'' DEVONSHIRE MAN GUILTY OF PROWLING CRM Devonshire man guilty of prowling A Devonshire man, already facing a charge of prowling, appeared in Magistrates' Court this week to be charged for the second time with the offence.

Colin Michael W. Simmons of Store Lane admitted to prowling around a Roberts Avenue home late on June 22.

Sgt. Rex Osborne, prosecuting, told the court how Jones, 36, was discovered peering into a bedroom window when the resident of the home attempted to close the shutters. She yelled at Jones until he ran away. She then called the Police.

Jones, who was described as self-employed, committed the offence while out on bail for an earlier charge on prowling.

Senior Magistrate the Wor. Will Francis ordered him to be remanded in custody until sentencing next month.

FINANCIAL BOOST FOR ARTS IN BERMUDA ART Financial boost for arts in Bermuda Arts in Bermuda has benefitted from more than $30,000 in grants from the Bermuda Arts Council.

The announcement came from the Minister of Community, Culture and Information, the Hon. Leonard O. Gibbons.

"The money is from the annual budget of the Bermuda Arts Council, whose primary goal is promote art in Bermuda by supporting those organisations and persons who would benefit most.'' Earlier this year, The Bermuda Arts Council presented parts of an annual grant of $75,000 to the Menuhin Foundation for its string music programme in sixteen primary and one secondary schools. The Bermuda Society of Arts also received $6,000 for the annual primary and secondary school exhibitions.

The most recent grants were given to The National Dance Theatre of Bermuda and The Bermuda Philharmonic. Eight individual recipients whose grants ranged from $1,000 to $6,000 will be pursuing programmes abroad in areas of dance, acting, music, singing, sculpture and drama.

Mr. Gibbons said that Government was keen to see the progress of the arts in Bermuda and was dedicated to helping artists excel in their chosen fields of study.

MAN ALLEGEDLY DROVE HIS CAR INTO BIKE CRM Man allegedly drove his car into bike An ongoing dispute between two Warwick men resulted in one of them allegedly driving his taxi into the other's motorcycle -- while he was riding it.

The incident occurred early this week on Orange Valley Road, Devonshire.

The 56-year-old taxi driver was arrested and the 37-year-old motorcyclist was taken to the hospital, where he was treated for cuts, bruises and swelling.

Police are investigating the matter.

DRIFTING EMPTY KAYAK SPARKS FEARS SLG Water-bound emergency services rushed to the East End when an empty kayak was spotted sparking fears that its owner was in trouble.

A St. George's woman spotted the kayak drifting off the shore and called Harbour Radio.

A spokesman said: "She told us it was a yellow kayak and was was not sure if someone had been on board.

"An alert was raised and the Government Pilot boat was sent to locate the vessel. They located the boat but could not get close because it was in the reefs.

"We thought that the kayak might belong to the Paget Island Outward Bound but we later learned that it belonged to the Bermuda Regiment. The possibility of a person in water was still unknown.'' The spokesman added that they later received word from the Regiment that there was no one on board the kayak.

"It had went adrift when it was left on the beach. The Regiment were on the beach exercising and had not secured the boat properly. It could have been rather serious.'' DIVORCE `CAUSED' ACCUSED TO USE DRUGS CTS Divorce `caused' accused to use drugs A traumatic divorce led a man to drugs, a Magistrate was told on Wednesday.

This was the explanation of Frank Joseph DeSilva, 29, when he admitted possessing cannabis and cocaine.

Sgt. Rex Osborne, prosecuting, told Senior Magistrate the Wor. Will Francis that after midnight on February 19, Police officers, acting on information, stopped and searched DeSilva in Southampton.

They discovered cocaine on DeSilva, who lives on Grape Bay Drive, Paget, and took him to Hamilton Police Station. There, they also found DeSilva in possession of cannabis.

DeSilva's lawyer, Mr. Richard Hector, explained that his client, who works as a waiter, had just returned from the United States where his divorce took place and that the event had led him to become involved in drugs.

Mr. Francis fined DeSilva a total of $250 for both charges of possession.

BRIDGE TO BE CLOSED TO MARINE TRAFFIC TRA Bridge to be closed to marine traffic Longbird Bridge will be closed to marine traffic starting Wednesday for approximately ten days, the US Naval Air Station announced yesterday. The shutdown will enable work crews the opportunity to perform regular maintenance for the swing bridge.

A Navy statement said periodic maintenance is required "to ensure proper long-term bridge operation.

"This maintenance will not affect vehicular traffic and we regret any inconveniences it may cause boaters over this short period of time.'' CARDBOARD LICENCE PLATE WILL NOT DO! POL Cardboar licence plate will not do! Police could not believe their eyes when they saw an auxiliary cycle with a licence plate -- made of cardboard! It started a high speed chase through Hamilton just after midnight Tuesday.

Two officers on mobile patrol duty near Spurling Hill noticed the cycle, but when they went to investigate the riders took off.

The officers followed the cycle to Par-La-Ville car park where the rider and passenger dropped the cycle and ran into the park.

The 19-year-old driver and 18-year-old passenger were apprehended by the Police officers in relation to offences connected with the cycle.

Enquiries are continuing.

GOVERNMENT SELLS BOAT CLUB GVT Government sells boat club The Mid Atlantic Boat Club has bought its own 0.35 acres of Bermuda after 34 years.

Government has agreed to sell the land in North Shore Road, Devonshire, it was announced by Works and Engineering Minister the Hon. Ann Cartwright DeCouto.

During its tenancy stretching back to 1959 the club has invested heavily in the property through the construction of a restaurant and games room.

Mrs. DeCouto said that the sale is part of Government's continuing programme to rationalise its real estate holding which includes the disposal of property surplus to requirements.

l