through a relative's drawers.

For Mrs. Sewell, of St. George's, found a copy of The Royal Gazette from May 26th, 1835.

The Island's daily newspaper had only been established some seven years earlier in 1828.

The paper contained a number of interesting stories leading with misunderstandings between the Acting Governor, Mr. Henry G. Hunt, who played an active role in all Parliamentary matters in those days, and the House of Assembly.

It also hailed the establishment of rural police in the parishes of Bermuda.

The Royal Gazette in 1835 devoted its entire back page to news from England.

And the cost of the paper in 1835 was a princely sum of $6 per year.

Another paper in the file was from Wednesday, June 17, 1931, when the big news of the day was " MV Bermuda Gutted By Devastating Fire.'' It went on to attack the fire-fighting equipment as inadequate and stated that thousands watched the magnificent liner burn at the wharf.

The introduction to the story was: "The alarm of fire was once again heard this morning and very soon the whole community learned with profound regret that the magnificent liner Bermuda was ablaze and apparently at the mercy of the flames as she lay alongside the wharf.'' The newspapers were in the drawers of her 89-year-old mother-in-law Mrs. Joyce Sewell who had just moved into a rest home.

Mrs. Nina Sewell said: "I could not believe it. This old paper, which is 158 years old, is older than all of us put together. I have no idea who gave it to my mother-in-law.

"If any historical groups wants these papers then they can contact me.'' HISTORICAL DISCOVERY -- Mrs. Nina Sewell and the The Royal Gazette from 1835 she found.