Police officer, was brought to a halt yesterday, when a US visitor decided to snap a picture in Magistrates' Court.

The court, including the Senior Magistrate, the Wor. Will Francis, seemed stunned, when a middle-aged male tourist entered the court and took a picture of the Magistrate.

Cameras are not allowed in Bermuda's courts. "What, I wasn't supposed to take a picture?'' the visitor asked, almost as soon as the flash went off. "I don't think I would have the nerve to go into an American court, and take a picture of an American judge -- and with flash,'' said Mr. Francis who was dressed in an ordinary suit rather than wig or black gown.

The visitor apologised and quickly left the courtroom with his family, before the Magistrate could take action.

*** Visiting the Senate for the first time can be an eye-opening experience for even the most cynical reporter.

Therefore it was no surprise when a primary student, who chose to spend a career day at The Royal Gazette , returned beaming from the Senate's morning session.

The bright female student profusely thanked the news editor and the senior reporter who she accompanied to the Senate chambers.

"I really enjoyed going to the Senate,'' she later wrote. "It was great to find out how articles form and how to take notes for them.'' But the eager student was apparently far more impressed with the members of the Press rather than the members of the Upper House.

"I especially liked seeing (ZBM senior political correspondent) Mr. Jim McKey, in person.'' she wrote, never mentioning any of the senators.

So much for political appeal! *** The Senate concluded its final debate this week and our hardworking men and women from the hallowed and cloistered corridors of the Upper House commence their summer break.

But some senators may need the rest more than others.

Take for example our esteemed senator Larry Scott who seems to have a propensity for faux pas and other gaffes.

In fact Sen. Scott's proclivity for blunders has made him the leading contender for the Reporter's Notebook Hall of Fame.

During the debate on pensions in Wednesday's session the precocious senator attempted unsuccessfully to one-up his PLP counterpart Sen. Terry Lister.

Whether the good senator succeeded is anyone's guess but it was Sen. Scott's initial remarks that caused one Royal Gazette reporter who was busily taking notes during the proceedings, to pause.

Why? Sen. Scott said that Sen. Lister was trying to infer that the pension scheme was in bad shape. The rest of what was said was lost as the reporter digested this grammatical howler.

To some such a mistake would not be important, but it led the reporter to consider whether the good senator had some supernatural ability the rest of Bermuda does not have.

After all, only listeners or readers can infer (draw a conclusion) based on what a speaker or writer implies.

Right? Maybe this reporter missed what our eminent Senator was implying (or is it inferring?) when he made this statement. The jury is still out on that one.