response to the London newspaper's report of an Opposition attempt to have his salary slashed to $1.

"I should like to point out some facts you did not report in the article about Bermuda (News, last week),'' Lord Waddington said in the letter. "The Island was as usual quiet and peaceful last weekend.

"The two British Police officers will replace the Commissioner and his deputy who both retired. They are to serve for only three years and two years respectively, their first task being to train Bermudians to take over from them.

"The motion to cut the Governor's salary was a procedural device used by the Opposition to show their disapproval of the two officers' recruitment. The vote split on party lines.

"When members of the Opposition party came to Government House to present a petition against the appointment of the two Police officers, I did not say, `What I say goes and that's it', and `Like it or lump it','' the Governor said. "Those phrases were in fact taken from a speech by an Opposition member.

"The article contains an inaccurate account concerning the butler at Government House. I set out to Bermudianise the staff and did not renew the contract of the English butler who was in post when I arrived on the Island.

"In his stead I appointed a black butler, but at the end of his probationary period decided not to confirm him in his appointment. I appointed another black Bermudian in his place, who is working for us now.'' The Governor described the article as "a pack of lies'', and expressed anger that a reporter from The Royal Gazette shared the by-line on the story with a Times reporter.