Expansion of the Wilkinson Quarry could cause the collapse of Admiral's Cave and its waterways, cave explorers fear.

They are also worried about possible effects on endemic marine life in cave waters and intrusion -- which they claim has already occurred -- onto the cave from increased quarrying at Coney Island.

The concerns were raised at a public meeting on Monday night attended by more than 80 people.

One thing made clear during the meeting, over controversial plans to expand the quarry, was that residents were deeply concerned about the effect of such a development on the cave, environment and nearby homes and businesses.

"I want to know, before I take any more groups down there, is the cave roof going to fall on our heads?,'' asked Bermuda Aquarium and Zoo education officer Ms Mary Strong, who takes 300 schoolchildren a year to explore the Bailey's Bay cave.

Cave expert Mr. Robert Power asked if planners were aware Admiral's Cave extended at least 100 feet under water and went right under the existing quarry.

"I think any blasting effect on it is a very important issue,'' he said. "My main concern is pollution of the cave and possible collapse of it under water.'' Other spelunkers claimed the cave was already being affected by the intrusion of man and important endemic marine life, such as cave shrimp, were at risk.

Bermuda Perfumery owner Mr. Colin Curtis produced a photograph taken by helicopter showing there was "already an intrusion onto the cave'' by the quarry.

He further said that importing aggregate -- which Bermuda already does -- was "a small price to pay'' to avoid further destruction of the environment. Mr.

Curtis claimed that Environment Minister the Hon. Gerald Simons was wrong in saying there would not be a major reduction in the ridgeline of surrounding woodland.

Vegetation would be cut back some 70 percent, he claimed. The views of Bailey's Bay residents would be impacted and there would be greater wind damage, he said.

He said the expansion plans by Island Quarry owners should have been advertised and he had proof that the Planning Director had made such a request.

It was improper that Planning had not consulted Agriculture and Fisheries as was the practice, nor area residents and business owners.

Ducks Puddle Condominium Association chairman Mr. Michael Beckles said the 39 condo owners he represented were worried about devaluation of their homes.

They also feared further increases in noise -- already "horrendous'' -- dust and traffic levels form quarry activities.

"They can barely tolerate the quarry activities going on now,'' he said, adding that even water was being polluted by quarry dust.

He said greenery surrounding the quarry had been removed to such a point it was becoming an eyesore for condo owners.

They "felt cheated'', he said.

Defending the plans, quarry representative Mr. David Summers argued the land that quarry owners wanted to expand quarrying activities onto was zoned for industrial use.

There had been several public hearings over the zoning, but the few objections lodged had always been resolved.

Furthermore, the quarry existed long before Grotto Bay Hotel and Ducks Puddle were built.

Mr. Summers questioned the sense of the Housing Corporation building Ducks Puddle 10 feet from a working quarry.

He said some 120 people were employed in quarrying in Bermuda and the aggregate they were producing was being sold "at a fraction'' of the imported material.

"Think ... of how many people are going to be unemployed without it,'' he said.

He added one condition of the expansion was that no section of the quarry should be within 130 feet of any building at Ducks Puddle or within 60 feet of Admiral's Cave.

The industrial zoning was part of the Bermuda Plan for 1992, he said. And the Perfume Factory and other gardens would not be subjected to wind damage because the ridgeline of the quarry was some 24 feet above road level and the area will be planted.

The meeting was held at Francis Patton School and chaired by Shadow Environment Minister Rev. Trevor Woolridge.

MR. ROBERT POWER -- `main concern is pollution.'