Steven (Cookie) Brown face trial in January for allegedly assaulting a man.

Durham, of Sandys, and Brown of Devonshire, will be tried on January 4 on charges of common assault and causing actual bodily harm on August 29.

The men are free on $500 bail. Lawyer Venous Telford appeared for the men in court on Friday but argued with Magistrate Edward King over the trial date.

Mr. King insisted on setting the trial date for January over Ms Telford's protests that the men's lawyer, her boss Delroy Duncan, would not be available because he would be in the Supreme Court handling a trial.

"You lawyers want your cake and eat it too!'' Mr. King said. "When the prosecutors delay you want the case thrown out and then you want to delay or get it put back.

"The Court of Appeal has said there is no difference between the Supreme Court and Magistrates' Court when it comes to appearances. The Court of Appeal has said a man has a right to counsel -- if he or she is available.'' Ms Telford -- pausing to compose herself -- interjected: "Your Worship, we respectfully ask that the record be ammended to reflect that Mr. Duncan has a conflict.'' But Mr. King responded: "No, no, no! This isn't a trial so there can't be a record.

"(Senior Magistrate) Mr. (Archibald) Warner wrote the Crown prosecutors in the last two weeks saying don't bring them if you can't try them. We want to deal with these cases within three months. January is three months.'' Mr. Duncan is believed to be representing a man in a murder trial in January.

MOTORIST FINED FOR TRAFFIC OFFENCES CTS Motorist fined for traffic offences A Pembroke-man was brought to Magistrates' Court by Police, barefoot, to face a host of traffic charges.

Michael Francis Antonition, 39, pleaded guilty to charges of riding an unlicensed motor bike, no third party insurance, making false statements to Police and having no drivers licence.

Magistrate Edward King fined Antonition a total of $2,190 to be paid in instalments until Christmas.

Antonition of North Court Avenue, took his slip, walked out of the courtroom, and into Hamilton -- barefoot.

WATCHING THE BIRDIE CLB ALS Watching the birdie Bermuda birdwatchers are taking part in "World Birdwatch'' as part of celebrations of feathered friends.

The Bermuda Audubon Society is involved in this month's activities, that are coordinated around the world and involve educating people about their importance and survival.

Last year 99 countries took part and Bermuda managed to record 140 species.

For more information log on to the Bermuda Audubon Society's website at www.audubon.bm.

ISLAND A HIT WITH HONEYMOONERS NJ TOU Island a hit with honeymooners Bermuda is the fifth most-popular worldwide destination for honeymooners -- beaten from higher rankings by Hawaii, Jamaica, Mexico and Tahiti.

Honeymoon industry magazine, Modern Bride, asked over 3,000 travel agents what are the hottest destinations for newly-weds -- a travel market that generates more than $4 billion annually.

Hawaii is rated No. 1 overall as well as in the "most romantic''' and "best beaches'' category.

The top ten list, counting down from number one ranked Hawaii is: Jamaica, Mexico, Tahiti, Bermuda, St. Lucia, Aruba, US Virgin Islands, Italy and Las Vegas.