the commission studying ways to beef up consumer protection, Community Affairs Officer Karen Marshall told The Royal Gazette .

Poor public response has haunted the work of the Plowman Commission, which is looking at ways to modernise Bermuda's consumer protection legislation. An earlier January 17 deadline was put back in an effort to encourage more input.

The Government-appointed committee is examining consumer protection in the areas of misleading ads, trade descriptions, consumer product safety, unfair practices and debt collection.

The committee, headed by Sir John Plowman, is expected to tender a report to Cabinet forming the basis of amended consumer protection legislation.

Anyone wishing to address the Plowman Commission is urged to call Ms Marshall at 292-1681.

CODDINGTON CHARGED CTS Coddington charged A 17-year-old will be tried in Supreme Court for a series of offences committed in the Warwick area during the last week.

It is alleged that Dwayne Coddington, of Whale Bay, Southampton, robbed Stephen Bailey of $153 in cash and jewellery on January 31 in Warwick.

Coddington was also charged yesterday in Magistrates' Court with assaulting Diana Chudleigh while attempting to rob her on February 1, and attempting to rob Gregory Smith on February 3. It was alleged that Coddington was armed with a knife during both incidents.

Coddington, who was remanded in custody, was not required to enter a plea to the offences.

CONTRACTOR CHARGED CTS Contractor charged Gringley Construction and its site supervisor, Michael Robert Picard, yesterday pleaded not guilty in Magistrates' Court to eight charges of failing to provide and maintain safe working conditions and equipment.

The charges stem from a May 15 accident at the site of the new senior secondary school. Construction worker Dennis Irving Bell was rushed to hospital with serious injuries after a 2,000-pound bucket laden with cement came crashing down on him.

Gringley Construction President Michael Gringley, represented by lawyer Justin Williams, pleaded not guilty to five charges filed under the Health and Safety at Work Act, 1982.

Former Gringley site supervisor Picard denied three charges of failing to provide the necessary safety standards, site safety and instruction and training.

Senior Magistrate Will Francis set a trial date for June 2.

IMPAIRED RIDER FINED CTS Impaired rider fined A Christmas Day collision resulted in a 47-year-old Pembroke man being fined $800 and losing his licence for three years in Magistrates' Court yesterday.

Gary Hart admitted operating a vehicle while under the influence and failing to comply with a request for breath analysis.

Senior Magistrate Will Francis heard that Hart was involved in a two-vehicle accident at the corner of Court and Dundonald Streets early on December 25.

Prosecutor Sergeant Anthony Mouchette told the court this was Hart's second such offence in less than two years.

PASSENGER SATISFACTORY HTH FLY Passenger satisfactory Adele Grollman is today in satisfactory condition in the Perry Ward of the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital after she was taken off an American Airlines Flight on Monday afternoon.

The flight was diverted to Bermuda after the 70-year-old passenger was found to be in difficulty.

STUDIO APPROVED PLN Studio approved Kevin Pantry's bid for a studio at 4-6 Stowe Hill, Paget, has been approved by planners.

He also got the go-ahead for a new pool, pavilions, laundry, verandah, breakfast room, store room, entrance gates and a boundary wall.

The Development Applications Board said Mr. Pantry should only use the art studio for hobby purposes.