"Name the baby kangaroo'' contest.

Two entrants submitted the winning name of `Harrington', reflecting BAMZ's location on Harrington Sound.

Sophie Froud, five, daughter of Tab and Pam Froud, and Jessica Hollis, eight, daughter of Wendell and Margie Hollis, suggested the name, and each will receive the "National Geographic Animal Encyclopedia,'' complimentary family membership in the Bermuda Zoological Society, and the opportunity to bring a group of ten to BAMZ for a behind the scenes tour, including a visit with the tree kangaroos.

About 300 entries were submitted to the contest by children aged 12 or younger, and names included Kanga, Roo, Hoppy, Hoppin John, Pal Joey, Somers, and Cedar.

Jack Ward, BAMZ principal curator said: "We liked many of the names and were very pleased by the outstanding participation from so many children, including entire classes from some of the schools.

"Ultimately we decided on Harrington because, in addition to being relevant to Bermuda, it's specific to BAMZ.'' Harrington was born as part of an international Species Survival Programme in which members of the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) including BAMZ, participate.

He will leave Bermuda in a few months to go to another AZA facility where he too will be bred.

The specis Survival Programme will determine when and where he will move and whether, someday, he may be introduced to the rain forests of New Guinea.

MINISTER CALLS FOR MORE PRIVATE FUNDING TOU Minister calls for more private funding Private funding and efficiency savings are the key to coping with the Tourism department's modest budget rise said Minister David Allen.

Tourism got a two-per cent increase and is still dealing with a $3.3 million cut in last year's funding.

Mr. Allen said: "We feel we have tools to do the job we need to do.''I am happy with the Budget and what it is going to do with tourism.

"When you talk about cuts we have been looking at a lot of different areas.

"It's a matter of being more cost efficient in a variety of areas. I wouldn't want to single any particular area out.

"Government can't be the big daddy to everyone -- the big government syndrome.

"We have a lot of people coming to us for grants and contributions. We feel that we are often not willing to match funds or provide half of it.

"We will jump start events but we are looking for private sector and corporate sponsorship as well.

"We have to put it out there to claw it back.'' "We have a lot of partners particularly with the jazz festival. With our tourism conference that will have a degree of corporate sponsorship, or the SATW conference.'' He said funds set aside for boosting airlift could be diverted.

Mr. Allen said: "Because we have fewer hotel rooms it's counter productive to get more airline seats until we have more hotel capacity which will come on line in the next two years.

"So we have been able to scale down some of the money for the airline strategy but there is still a significant amount, particularly with the development of the new route from Europe.'' Mr. Allen said high level meetings in the next few weeks indicated a new air route out of Germany was still on the cards.

"We have been working two years on this and things are reaching a critical mass and there are going to be some very high level discussions over the next two weeks.'' EMPLOYEE FACES THEFT CHARGES CTS Employee faces theft charges A Canadian-national is alleged to have stolen almost $100,000 from his employer last year and attempted to steal another $97,000 this year.

Andreas Dengler, a former Atlantic Indemnity Limited employee, is charged with stealing the money by forging signatures using a photocopy machine on several occasions last year.

The 30-year-old Hamilton parish resident was brought before Senior Magistrate Archibald Warner to face three charges of theft, one charge of attempted theft and four charges of making false documents.

Dengler is accused of stealing $90,960.34 in instalments of $32,000, $45,600.95 and $13,359.39 on November 17, 20 and 22 respectively.

It is alleged on February 16, 2001, Dengler tried to steal an additional $97,000 using the same photocopy-signature method.

Dengler will be tried in Supreme Court and as such, he could not enter a plea in Magistrates's Court yesterday morning.

Crown Counsel Dorien Taylor tried to have Dengler held in custody until his trial but defence lawyer Saul Froomkin successfully countered Mr. Taylor's arguments and the defendant was released on $15,000 bail with one surety.

In addition, Dengler, of Sunrise Drive, must report to Hamilton Police Station three times a week until March 12 when prosecutors will present papers to the court.

The defendant can decide whether he wants a short or long form inquiry at that time.