to celebrate her election victory.

And the surprise move honours a promise the leader made in a speech just hours after the final ballot count on November 9.

"The people of Bermuda have honoured us by electing the PLP as their new government,'' Premier Smith said yesterday.

"It is only fitting that we honour them with a public holiday as we begin the New Year in our new Bermuda.'' Governor Thorold Masefield yesterday approved Ms Smith's request which raises next year's total number of public holidays to 11.

A PLP spokesman yesterday confirmed the holiday will not be held after 1999.

Both Opposition leader Pamela Gordon and Shadow Finance Minister Grant Gibbons were off the Island last night and unavailable for comment.

But John Barritt, Shadow Minister for Legislative Affairs, last night admitted he was surprised to learn of the new holiday.

"I think it is extraordinary,'' Mr. Barritt told The Royal Gazette .

"I'm not aware that it is with any precedent in any other country,'' he added.

And president of the Bermuda Chamber of Commerce Michael Smith pointed out that the new holiday fell during a traditionally festive -- but slow -- time of the year for business.

"Effectively people end up with a four-day holiday,'' he pointed out.

"The Island is generally slow at that time -- generally business is slow,'' he continued. "The impact will be as little as it could possibly be.''