to take over an empty East end hotel is set to be signed by the end of this week.

The Atlanta-based Camberley Hotel Company emerged late last year as the company the Tourism Department felt should take over the former Club Med site in St. George's.

Tourism Minister David Dodwell said officials from both sides have been in the process of negotiating the agreement for an option to lease period since late last year.

This agreement will give the department and Camberley a reasonable period of time to undergo the due diligence process.

During this period, Government will check out Camberley's credit and operational history plus its proposals for Bermuda while the hotel company examines the site's physical plant and Bermuda Tourism.

A final long term lease will be drawn up at the end of this period -- if all goes well.

Mr. Dodwell explained that the process of finalising this agreement was held up by the Christmas and New Year holidays plus the fact that both sides wished to hammer out some details that would normally dealt with during lease negotiations.

Camberley specialises in upscale hotel management and turning around under performing hotels. One of its clients is New York City's Algonquin. It also has three other hotels under development.

The company plans to blend the east end hotel into its surroundings including the forts and historic St. George's.

CLARIFICATION ON CHEAP AIR FARES FLY Clarification on cheap air fares A local travel agent moved this week to clarify an airline's recent announcement concerning low-price air fares.

American Airlines reported that they were offering return air fares to a variety of destinations as of January 13 which started as low as $187 for mid-week travel to Boston.

However travel agent Michael Cherry told The Royal Gazette that the information in Tuesday's paper was correct "to a point'' and had caused some misunderstanding amongst members of the public.

The prices reported by the airline did not include additional charges and taxes that accompanied all tickets. These additional costs pushed the price of a mid-week return trip to Boston up to $262.

Fares for other destinations would also experience similar increases once these taxes and charges were included, warned Mr. Cherry.

He added that other carriers were offering similar low fares at this time.

American Airlines' fares are valid for travel until April 30. Tickets have to be purchased by January 22 and carry minimum and maximum stay restrictions of three and 30 days respectively. Ticketing is seven days prior to departure or three days after the reservation is made -- whichever comes first.

Senior citizen discounts do not apply while a 25 percent discount applies to children between age two and 11.

Stopovers are not allowed and travel is restricted from Bermuda between February 21 and 23 and April 18 to 19. Travel is restricted to Bermuda between February 14 and 16 and April 10 and 12.

POLICE DEAL WITH SLIPPERY CUTOMER POL Police deal with slippery customer Police helped a taxi driver get his finger out on the job yesterday.

The 54-year-old driver requested Police assistance after one of his fingers became stuck in a round clip of his taxi's glove compartment.

A Police spokesperson said officers freed the man's finger with a little liquid Joy dishwashing liquid.

"The man's hand slipped free and all was correct on Police departure,'' the spokesperson said.