Unique Bermudian roses should not be uprooted at Camden House to build a "concrete pad'' for entertaining by Government officials.

In an anonymous letter to The Editor of The Royal Gazette , a concerned rose lover has challenged Environment Minister Arthur Hodgson to reconsider a decision to uproot the central garden bed outside the Premier's official residence.

Bermuda Mystery Roses, like the Smith's Parish Rose, are at the centre of the thorny issue as they are of interest in international rose growing circles.

But the acting director of the Agriculture and Fisheries Department yesterday said all of the plants will be replanted and those that were produced locally will still have pride of place in the Botanical Gardens.

Richard Winchell said: "The roses are of course an important part of the Gardens' collection, but it's also about people.'' "Two varieties of rose in the centre beds will be replanted in the side beds,'' Mr. Winchell added. "We want to have a more complete collection there. Other plants will be reused in the Gardens.'' Mr. Winchell said the department would be erecting a marquee not only for official Government functions, but it could also be rented out for private functions.

The Department would generate funds for the public purse from renting the area. Four rose beds to the east of the house will be grassed over, to provide room for evening dinner parties for dignitaries.

However the letter writer, who simply signed as "Bermudian Rosarian'', took issue with this and expressed sorrow to learn the centre beds will be dug up for use during official functions.

"Camden is a historical interesting house,'' Rosarian wrote. "And the rose garden is as important an attribute of the style as is the verandah and Cedar work.'' While crediting Mr. Hodgson with recognising the importance of old houses, Rosarian called for the decision to be reconsidered.

Rosarian added that the Minister could work to have the rose garden "made a point of pride and something uniquely Bermudian'', instead of yet another concrete pad in the Botanical Gardens.

Rosarian's letter can be found in today's Letters to the Editor, on Page 4.