raised over $19,000 for local charities last year.

And among those that will benefit from the club's efforts are Meals on Wheels, PALS and the Bermuda Cathedral which received $11,000, $3,000 and $1,000 respectively.

The Pilot Club of Hamilton, Bermuda, which has 40 members, is a branch of Pilot International, an organisation of executive business and professional leaders. "This has been a record year for us,'' said club president Mrs.

Elizabeth Jones Ashurst.

The club, which began in Bermuda in 1952, organises various events during the year to raise funds for local charities.

Events this year have included a "Light a Light'' Christmas concert at the Bermuda Cathedral and a cheese and wine evening at the Mariners Club.

When asked why she thought the club had done so well this year, Mrs. Jones Ashurst attributed the fact to the generosity of the local community. She also acknowledged that a substantial donation by a private international foundation for $5,000 had made a big difference.

"We are really pleased at how well we've done this year,'' she said.

GOING, GOING GONE . . .

MIL The US Navy's Defence Reutilisation Management Office (DRMO) will hold an auction on Saturday at the Naval Air Station Theatre starting at 9.30 a.m.

Today and tomorrow, from 9 a.m. until 3.30 p.m., auction items can be previewed at the DRMO building on the air station.

The DRMO is required to report to Customs purchases made by anyone who does not have base exchange and commissary privileges.

Items for sale include copper wire and cable, wind surfers, sail boats, computers, an X-ray machine, typewriters, vacuum cleaners, lawn mowers, audio equipment, bug zappers, stainless steel sinks, office equipment, shuffle board tables and building materials.

Anyone interested in attending the auction should contact Pamela Whitehurst on 293-6304, Edit Butler on 293-5246 or Ben Peters on 293-5631.

CONCORDE MAKES FLYING VISIT FLY The fastest plane in the world will fly into Bermuda from London on Monday with 100 passengers.

Most will be taking part in an "incentive trip'' that General Motors (Vauxhall UK) has arranged for its top dealers.

The Concorde travellers will be the second of two GM delegations visiting Bermuda. They will join a group due to arrive in the Island today on a regular BA flight.

Both GM groups will be staying at the Southampton Princess Hotel. The first will leave the Island on Tuesday and the second on July 2.

Monday's Concorde flight is expected to touch down at 2 p.m. Bermuda time after a refuelling stop in Shannon, Ireland. The plane will remain in Bermuda for about 24 hours.

KEEPING AHEAD OF THE GAME TOU Bermuda's 1994 tourism performance is keeping its nose ahead of last year's.

Some 229,929 people flocked to the Island between January 1 and June 19, according to Government figures.

This is 10,278 -- or 4.7 percent -- more than the same period last year.

For the week, June 13-19, 17,249 visitors arrived here -- eight percent higher than 1993.

Of last week's tally, 11,370 came by plane, and 39 by a combination of cruise ship and air.

RESTAURANT PLAN ON RIGHT TRACK EAT The Railway Station restaurant and nightclub on Front Street has been granted a provisional three-month restaurant and nightclub liquor licence.

The licence will be valid until mid-September by which time manager, Mr. Dean Jones, expects construction on the property to be completed. The restaurant/nightclub, which will feature a tapas bar, will be situated on the premises of the former Scandal nightclub.