In response to The Royal Gazette headline on Wednesday, April 7th, I think it is important to draw your attention to the following: This issue is not about race and which race supports it more strongly, this is about the future of young Bermudians who, black and white, are studying abroad, or who wish to study and work abroad. I don't think that Bermudians working and living here may fully understand the implications for those of us studying in the UK or anywhere in Europe. Maybe those that are disinterested or just have a general aversion to an affiliation with the UK should take the time to consider how this attitude will damage the Island. The result will be that the younger generation of Bermudians will be denied the opportunity to have access to education, training, and work experience as well as general experiences in Europe.

I am a law student and will therefore highlight the problem from this perspective. Presently, there are more than 50 students in the UK studying law. All of us need to qualify in order to practice law in Bermuda. To do this, we must `article' with a firm. If a student is able to get their articles with a firm in London, not only is she/he able to return to the Island with international exposure, experience and good training, she/he is funded by the firm. This funding includes full payment of tuition, help with accommodation expenses as well as some spending money.

However, there is one enormous hitch which has, in effect, denied Bermudian students this opportunity. That is, the employment/trainee application forms ask you to tick a box if you require a work permit. Without UK passports, that's us! Moreover, applications with this box ticked are NOT considered.

(Any City firm will admit this as it is "firm policy''.) The result is simple, after the formal education, students must return to the Island with no international or "City'' experience and exposure. Why do we have this ongoing argument of "importing'' people with experience? That is because we don't make the right decisions when given the opportunity to give Bermudian students a chance to gain the right experience.

I hope that Bermudians will not be short sighted in their attitudes regarding this issue. Not only is it better to have options in life rather than no options at all, but there are only advantages to be had with this option. How can we go wrong having access to study, train, work, travel, learn languages, anywhere we choose in Europe and with such an opportunity, how can we choose to forfeit that for an independent Bermuda? Isn't life about broadening our horizons? Then why not allow us to bring to our country all our travelling, working and studying experiences to make this Island one full of Bermudians running the business community and service industry with top class experience? Finally it may be interesting to note that the group showing the most support in the poll, reported in the above-mentioned article, consists of the younger resident.

SARAH HAYCOCK Pembroke Great time had by all March 31, 1999 Dear Sir, I am writing on behalf of Meet-A-Mum Association. This is an organisation, formed in Bermuda in 1986, which exists as a support and resource group to assist new mothers. Social events are regularly held for mothers and children.

On Tuesday, March 30, 1999 we held our annual Easter Egg Hunt for the children, at Heydon Trust, Somerset. I am writing to express our gratitude to BGA for the donation of chocolates and to The MarketPlace, Somerset branch, for their donation of candy, for this event, for our children. Approximately 60 children attended the event, ranging in age from newborn and being carried by Mum in a baby sling, to about five years of age and running around madly hunting for Easter treats. A great time was had by all! MRS. WENDY GRIFFIN (On behalf of MAMA) Bluebird nesting season March 9, 1999 Dear Sir, I write today to pass on my sincere thanks to the many people who answered my letter to you last month. Young Robert has been well reminded of Bermuda as he has been inundated with dozens of postcards from your kind readers. Thanks very much to all. All the blue sea, pink beaches, colourful scenes and flowers, well, this had a good effect around here. Everyone who sees them asks for us to explain why we left.

Bluebird nesting season is underway now and I expect you've got your box up now, Mr. Editor. I hope one of your trusty reporters is keeping an eye on developments and will report in due course that you have a pair nesting in your garden. It behoves the Editor of The Royal Gazette to lead the way in fledging bluebird chicks into the environment, ain't that so? We have some activity in our garden. There's a lot of competition from the neighbours on who will get the robin's nesting, so my brother Barclay was over here a couple of weeks ago with Mike Shepherd hammering up boxes and feeders.

I have to put on my glasses nowadays to see the different sorts clearly. Yes, I must be getting old, Mr. Editor, and there has been a variety of colourful birds; but do you know, we have only seen one sparrow so far. And no starlings. This cheered me up somewhat at first, because one of my last memories of Bermuda is that of witnessing these imported bullies swarming the Island worse than a Hitchcock movie. But now, believe it or not, I wouldn't mind a couple of sparrows nesting in my garden. Just don't tell that to the members of the Bluebird Society.

Finally, I wonder if there has been any word from the Ravers. It has been four years since our crew drilled longtail boroughs on Rabbit Island, and I wonder if David Wingate could tell you any good news. Ask your best reporter to follow up on that, Mr. Editor. Make sure if longtails do nest there that the Rantipoles don't eat them.

"When the last individual of a race of living things breathes no more, another heaven and earth must pass before such a one can be again.'' ---- William Beebe T.D. OUTERBRIDGE Aylesbury, England Dr. Brown off the mark April 1, 1999 Dear Sir, I can't believe the stunning silence from the population of Bermuda following the publication of the letter from Dr. Ewart Brown to a cabinet colleague (the Minister of Immigration) that racism be used as a qualifier in the granting of a work permit for a surgeon. If the only thing that "Dr. California'' has going for him is that he is blacker than the other applicants, then I wish his patients well (for the rest of their presumably short medical histories).

Dr. Brown, reality check please! And the response reminds me of Richard Pryor's famous line, "Who you gonna believe, me, or your lyin' eyes?' CURTIS A. DAWSON Pembroke Thank you, Mr. White April 7, 1999 Dear Sir, As one of Bermuda's long-term residents I wish to publicly thank Mr. David White, former editor of The Royal Gazette , for his strong editorials supporting our cause over so many years.

I am well aware that Mr. Quinton Edness was the UBP politician who finally presented a Green Paper on this thorny topic to the House of Assembly on December 5, 1997, and I will take this opportunity to thank him for doing so.

What I wish the public to remember is that the problem of Bermuda's long-term residents was not one, in my view, that any political party was really interested in solving. It was not a vote-catching issue. What were those long-term residents going to do about their situation anyway? Mr. White did not have to beat the drum for long-term residents but he did.

His was an important lonely voice out there pricking the consciences of those who had the power to try and sort something out.

VAUGHAN EVANS Hamilton Parish Divine right of pot users March 20, 1999 Dear Sir, Cannabis, hemp, marijuana was created by God, Mr. Editor, not man! So, who has the authority, what person, what organisation, what Government Mr. Editor, has the authority to overrule the almighty and ban one of God's most useful creations! Mr. Editor, who has the right to second guess God! DR. CLARK GODWIN City of Hamilton Eyesore in Paget April 5, 1999 Dear Sir, I have lived on Bostock Hill East, Paget for a number of years. During this time all homes and properties were kept in a good appearance. This road was chosen for the place where the recycling video was made when recycling was introduced because the houses and yards were well kept.

In September, 1996 a hole was dug to the South of No. 5. Some three months later makeshift fencing was erected around the hole. In 1998 the hole was enlarged and under the house was excavated leaving it looking as if it is in an unsafe condition. Later that year a wall was built around the hole.

Since that time the hole has become a dump for an old washer, old lawn chairs, wire, general trash and this week two air conditioners and a couch have been added to the heap of trash in the hole.

I thought that when planning permission was given, that the applicant had a set time in which to complete the project.

What can be done about this situation to improve the appearance of the property? Any advice would be appreciated.

DISGUSTED RESIDENT Paget Community togetherness April 8, 1999 Dear Sir, This letter is in reference to Good Friday at Ord Road. On behalf of the youth of the area we would like to thank our neighbours who tolerated the level of noise on Good Friday. Thank you for understanding.

The day was a great community togetherness. Our hats go off to African Pride, Sufferers Choice and the Back Bush crews for the variety of music. Thank you for helping with the community spirit.

I can say for all in attendance with the football, cricket, marbles and kite flying it was a great day enjoyed by all. Thank you Ord Road residents.

Looking forward for more community togetherness.

ORD ROAD SISTA Paget