collection of convict carvings at Dockyard where they were salvaged by owner Mr. Chriss Addams.

Should Government opt to purchase the collection, Wedco have offered to house it.

"We would be very happy landlords,'' said Wedco spokesman Mr. Brian Darby.

"The carvings were found at Dockyard and it is logical they should be on display here.

"If we were given the opportunity to house it (the collection) here, we would bend over backward.'' He pointed out there were a number of empty buildings at Dockyard ideally suited to house the more than 2,000 piece collection.

As the only complete collection of 19th Century convict carvings in the world, the artifacts would be a major attraction for Dockyard.

It has been suggested the collection could be displayed inside a recreated prison hulk complete with prison cells.

Mr. Barry Capuano of Capcar Enterprises -- a promotional firm that has undertaken to sell the collection for its owners, said negotiations with Wedco had been going well.

"We had a meeting today to see if any site could be found for it. There is the feeling it should be kept in the East End. This is where it belongs,'' he said.

He added that Minister of Cultural Affairs Mr. Wayne Furbert had also met many times with Wedco to discuss the subject.

"It sounds very positive,'' Mr. Capuano said.

Mr. Furbert was unavailable for comment yesterday.

At a private viewing that followed on the heels of the Government presentation at Dockyard, politicians from both parties and other special invitees gathered around for a first glimpse of the carvings.

Engineering minister the Hon. Leonard Gibbons called the collection "unique'' and "obviously Bermudian.'' But while he said it would be nice if the carvings remained in Bermuda, he said Government had to take into account the cost of the collection and the expense of displaying it.

Others said they should be kept for Bermuda whatever the price.

"I think it's fabulous,'' said Mr. Steel Butz. "Here you have a whole era in a room.''