I have just learned that the residential Outward Bound programme has been cancelled for "bureaucratic reasons''. The day programme, while an alternative, can not match the rigour and fraternity of the residential programme.

The residential Outward Bound programme is ideal for children between the ages of 11 and 15 because it: 1) teaches leadership; 2) forces strategic thinking; 3) compels the children to work together; 4) pushes the child's mind to make his/her body endure and persevere; 5) catches children who are not star athletes; 6) strengthens the child's body; 7) motivates children who, in some instances, would otherwise "fall through the cracks''; 8) attracts capable kids who haven't found their sport at a time when many of their peers have; 9) is inexpensive; and 10) is convenient. For all these reasons and many others, the programme can be extremely helpful to guardians, and permanently inspiring to children.

I am writing this letter with the hope that the people who control the programme (administrate it, approve the costs and planned hires, etc.) will work hard, in advance, to make the residential Outward Bound programme happen in 2001 and future years in Bermuda. For the record, I am just a parent of a kid who did it last year.

JUDITH HOWE TUCKER Paget Stop abuse of GP cars June 13, 2000 Dear Sir, Please allow me a few lines to bring a valid point forward in the past few days I have heard complete rubbish reply from Transport Minister Hon. Dr.

Ewart Brown and Hon. Alex Scott, Minister of Works, in reference to GP cars, Government taxpayers' money cars, I may add.

These two MPs are fully missing the point on the whole issue and concerns of the matter.

Mr. and Mrs. Taxpayer are not concerned about who the elected Government by the people buys their Government cars from but the full abuse of utilising cars and the unnecessary oversize cars and abusing their privilege.

The Transport Act (law) calls for MPs' cars and civil servants to use these cars for official Government use only, not to be used to go to supermarkets, shopping for their personal family use or going to sporting events, partying in odd hours at night clubs or taking their children to school. All we taxpayers would love to have free fuel, cars etc., to do this but we have to pay and so should MPs and civil servants while not on Government business.

I can understand senior Police and Fire officers or senior Customs and Prison officers or district nurses because one never knows when a serious emergency may arise.

So please MP Scott, MP Brown, get real and deal with the true issue. Yes, there were complaints about the UBP and a past Government MP abusing his use of a GP Car and the PLP objected about the abuse and the Government Finance Minister and Premier clamped down and stopped unnecessary illegal driving of Government cars.

A TAXPAYING VOTER Warwick Let's keep on praying June 17, 2000 Dear Sir, "The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much'' (James 5:16) was used by NAR when we called for prayer throughout the month of May. On May 31 at our Prayer vigil on City Hall steps, we were urged to continue the call for collective prayer. We recognised the potential challenges. Even if we consider only those who profess to follow Christ there are many potential barriers in addition to denomination, race and gender. There are also formal and informal forms of worship; charismatic and structured forms of expressions; varying interpretations of scriptures, individual church or group agendas, and personal preferences.

We also know from the media that "endeavouring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace'' is hard work and a challenge even within the same denomination or group organisation. Yet Christ prayed "for them that believe on me that they all may be one'' (John 17:20). We also believe that we are all "one'' in our concern about the disturbing violence that continues to occur in our society, often due to the scourge of drugs. We also believe that there is a special effectiveness in coming together as a "nation'' or Community. The Old Testament in particular repeatedly makes reference to the relationship between God and the nation. Jeremiah repeatedly calls on the nation to repent in order to experience God's goodness. Perhaps we all need to repent of our own materialism which has made the acquisition of money and material consumption a significant temptation to those who decide to become involved in the drug trade. If national righteousness is a reason for God to exalt it or make it great (Prov. 14:34) then there is reason to believe national prayer will get His attention.

In any event NAR is encouraging all those who believe in prayer and who care about the prayer of Jesus that we all be one to join us to pray about this common concern which unites us remembering that it is "good and pleasant it is for Brethren to dwell together in unity'' (Psa. 133:1).

If there is truly "national'' or community-wide representation, with barriers being by passed, we will meet on the last day of each month until the end of the year, with the first session meeting in Smith's Parish at St. Mark's Church at 12.15, June 30th. We hope that those with cars will be able to spend a half hour or even twenty minutes and will bring others with them. Please see our advertisements on June 21 and June 28.

We may also meet at some time in the Park or St. George's Square, or Somerset.

If you are concerned about the impact of drugs, violence, or wish to join us at least three times before the end of the year please let us know by calling 293-2423, or writing to NAR, PO Box HM 2662, Hamilton HM KX.

NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR RECONCILIATION Give dogs a voice 19 June, 2000 Dear Sir, It was with utter horror that I read your front page article on Wednesday, June 14 concerning the state of the government dog kennels. I have long been aware of the negligence displayed by so many dog owners on the island, but had no idea that the Government itself was contributing to the problem with its lack of funding.

This is a serious situation, which can only get worse, and there are things that must be done.

Firstly and most importantly we need to educate people on the responsibility of owning an animal and caring for it properly. Schools should be visited regularly by societies like the SPCA, veterinarians and volunteers, in an attempt to reform the poor attitude that so many children display towards the animal population. Secondly, the law needs to be reviewed regarding the minimum standards for living conditions. It is nothing less than inhumane to tie or chain a dog and it only makes the animal more aggressive and resentful.

If people must keep their dogs outside, they should at least give them the freedom to run around a fenced -- or otherwise enclosed -- yard. The penalties for animal abusers need to be stepped up. These people are criminals who should be imprisoned and prevented from owning an animal in the future. If they are capable of harming an animal, they are capable of harming a human being.

Funding must of course be increased. To have only one dog warden and one assistant to attend to these animals and answer the many cruelty calls is completely unreasonable, and does not reflect well on our Government's allocation of funding.

Finally something must be done about the licensing system, which just doesn't work. All dogs should be required to be micro-chipped by law. At least this would do something to control the rampant over breeding that goes on.

I won't even begin to try tackling the dog-fighting situation, which I find the most sickening aspect of all. The people who indulge in this practice are not worth the paper this is written on.

I do understand that these problems are not going to improve overnight, but I would appeal to responsible dog owners out there to make their voices heard.

Please don't be silent any loner -- these are living, breathing creatures and we have a responsibility to give them a voice.

G. GALLANT Warwick Police to blame as well June 16, 2000 Dear Sir, No wonder so many of the kids in Bermuda drive like idiots on their bikes...they learn from the Police! On June 16, between 7.10 and 7.25 a.m., my wife and I saw the most ridiculous behaviour on Middle and Harbour Roads by police bikes 1072 and 1062. Such behaviour by any one of us would mean instant retribution by the same perpetrators: 1. Both bikes were observed exceeding the speed limit but obviously not going to an emergency.

2. Both bikes were overtaking on blind bends, other inappropriate places and weaving in and out of the line of cars going east on Middle Road.

3. One came roaring up behind us on Harbour Road at breakneck speed, putting one blue light on at the last moment (the other wasn't working), used his normal horn once when he was beside me, and overtook me and the car in front on a blind bend.

4. The other one came by about two minutes later at a dangerous speed, without his siren going, overtaking on the blind bends of Harbour Road.

When we came onto the straight near the Belmont, both bikes were there, booking a silver Mitsubishi. Both riders were laughing and joking, as if this was a big game, playing at Tonka Toys, or some other game at the public's expense.

As a normal, largely law-abiding motorist, I find this behaviour completely out of line, with a totally egregious disregard of the law, the public and normal driving standards. Why does it take two men to book one car? Why is it an "emergency'' for the second rider to join the first (the silver car's driver was sitting there quite calmly)? Why do the police motorcycle riders consistently ride with disregard for the law? Because I do not trust Police behaviour, I am signing this anonymously.

Equally, I do not imagine that anything will be done about these two.

MOTORIST Sandys Parish Don't wait too long June 3, 2000 Dear Sir, Just a few lines to our Government. Reading the other day that some people taking their money out of the Island they are only trying to intimidate you but I say don't "panic'' like they did this gay thing when a man in California threaten our tourism trade if we did not make it law, and we obeyed his wishes.

While we are on this gay thing, let me put some things straight. Lots are of the opinion that we are against the individual but not so, we have worked with all types of people. When I was a teen I heard a man say on a construction site that he was gay (not the same word) and I also heard his boss say that if he had another man like him he would take on more work.

My gripe is when you put it down as some special law which affects our spiritual heritage with the Lord Jesus Christ and our unborn babies, this abominable thing caused the children of Israel so many problems you wonder how they survived.

You read in the Bible of Abraham as he was settling down after wandering from place to place get news that his nephew Lot and family with the people of Sodom are captured, he rounded up some men and rescued them. Soon after this he was on his knees pleading with the Lord if he found ten righteous people there, would he spare it. He could not find ten. We had better take note of what it is doing to our Island when we see the heir to our estate on the streets selling his body for a pittance and other things. Don't wait like Abraham and find it's too late.

VIVIAN SIMMONS Somerset