shareholder meeting of the IPC (Insurance Profit Centre) Companies, subsidiaries of Mutual Risk Management, at the Princess Hotel.

Faced with the largest attendance ever for such an occasion (350 mostly from the United States), Sir John highlighted the Government interest in working with the insurance industry, instead of dictating to it.

Insurance professionals heard just what they wanted to hear, a government leader that promises a government that would not be unnecessarily meddling in affairs that they may know little about.

After all, that is just one reason many insurers have sought to do business here, away from the meddling hands of the governments of their originating countries.

Sir John told them: "Coming out of the business world, I learned a long time ago that a partnership between Government and business works best for the Country. That is what I've tried to do for the last 12 years of my premiership.'' The Premier did go on to throw a bunch of statistics and figures at them for general consumption, after he told them that Bermuda was an ideal spot for computer related industries and we have such a good relationship with Washington, and that no matter what people had to say about the US, he was happy to be close to it.

*** The trials and tribulations of a new expat.

He was fresh off the boat, raw and green, without the understanding of how things work in Bermuda. No one had ever even told him that Bermuda was indeed another world.

Mistake Numero Uno. Airport arrival. Wrong side of the car. He was quickly forgiven, if still a little dazed.

First day at work. Arrives at 4.45 p.m. Wait a minute maybe this guy knows more about Bermuda than we have given him credit for. (Sorry, in all fairness, the flight did arrive at 1.15. And you know his Bermudian employer expects him to be in the office the day he arrives. No slacking off in George Somers' paradise retreat.) So, Bermuda's newest suit on the street, let us introduce you to our banking services. They are first rate. Oh a smart fellow, eh! You've already been to the bank. Should've known the first thing you'd do is get a cash card.

Too late. Three strikes and you are out when giving your pin number to that cold ATM.

Back in the office. We hear him muttering something about an unreasonable, bank machine that took his bank card, his first piece of security in his new home, that warm blanket ripped out of the innocent hands of Linus. No wait! Could it be a cash crisis for his first Dark and Stormy night? Not our intrepid hero, who is ready for several hours of Island night life orientation. Our boy scout came prepared.

By the time he cashed his first probationary pay cheque, he noticed our first rate bankers had spelled his name wrong in the bank book, although no where else in the banking system. After administrative red tape, and accusations from a cute Englishwoman of trying to cut in front of the line, he fell out of the bank exhausted at the near hour-long ordeal.

We don't want to build a case for incompetence at the bank, so we won't bother to tell you the tale of how he was invited to a related banking institution specifically at closing time and surprise, surprise. He was turned away empty handed.

You would think that most people would have shopped around for another bank.

But you don't know our diligent and loyal protagonist. On his only other occasion at the bank, he suffered his way to the front of the line only to be informed by the teller that the computers were down, and he'd have to wait for his cash.