Dear Sir, It is with deep sadness that I am reading today's Royal Gazette to see a picture of one of Dolphin Quest's animals being left to fend for itself as Hurricane Gert bears down on the Island.

I pray that all four make it through this event and that none of them die. I cannot for the life of me agree with Dr. Rae Stone's comments that all avenues had been taken to ensure the dolphins' safety. If they had been they would all now be safe and not left to "weather the storm'', excuse the pun.

Everyone who is Bermudian knows quite well that no matter where a hurricane travels past this Island, the South Shore always takes the brunt. I would like to know how many times before this hurricane has Dolphin Quest tried to move their dolphins at short notice and how many times has Dr. Stone been through a hurricane on this Island. Trying to move the dolphins 24 hours before a storm is unforgivable. Dolphin Quest has been quite lucky up until now and has enjoyed its good fortune. Well now it is time to pay the piper. If any of the dolphins die and I pray that they don't, I would urge our new Government to think deep and long about allowing Dolphin Quest or any other money making venture concerning animals to open on South Shore.

I urge all concerned persons to boycott this business. It is quite apparent that their preparedness for events like Gert are slack! NICHOLAS SCAIFE Southampton `Bubbly' is irrelevant September 21, 1999 Dear Sir, I found Tom Vesey's article "Champagne for everyone'' (Bermuda Sun, Friday, September 17, 1999) quite amusing and interesting. I had been told the Premier had a taste for the "bubbly'' but never in a million years did I think that this was a matter for national concern or interest. I personally like Fernet Branca; Scotch and water; Grappa; Red wine; Amstel Light; and, last but not least, Martinis -- not too crazy about the bubbly stuff, but who cares? I am sure that if we made a list of the preferences of former Premiers, we would probably roll on the floor laughing our silly heads off. Come on Bermuda, don't we have more important things to think or talk about other than what Premier Jennifer Smith likes to drink??? We should be more concerned about whether or not she is doing a good job -- and if she is not -- we should be in there with constructive advice to help in the running of this Country.

The UBP were in power for 30 some years, and 30 years later, our children who are in the public school system are apparently getting the short end of the stick when it comes to education. We have a bunch of dummies who cannot read! Can we talk about that? Can we talk about affordable housing? Can we talk about the ever-increasing number of beggars in Hamilton? Can we talk about why we are finding more and more dead bodies in make-do shelters? Can we talk about why a rapist and/or child molester cannot be known to the public? Why their pictures are not plastered on milk cartons and in the post office for all to see so that we may protect our children and women from these predators? Can we talk about why after 30 years of UBP government, a judge still has to make all of his notations of a trial in long hand? This list could go on and on.

Who cares if Premier Smith likes champagne? I am surprised they haven't voiced their opinion on what sort of vegetables she likes; or if she sleeps in a baggy T-shirt or a satin nightie. As long as the Premier is not driving around in a limo sipping champagne and not hiccuping in people's faces -- who cares? I have listened to many snide remarks and comments about the "New Bermuda,'' and I have to wonder if these comments are being made because there are certain people who will never accept the PLP as the Government of this country. These people are picking on all sorts of petty issues and blowing them out of proportion.

Wake up and grow up Bermuda -- this is the same game, just different players.

If these new players do not play the game right by producing winners, we will just have to change the team again -- and who knows, maybe the next "team captain'' will like diet Dr. Pepper and prune juice mixed together in a champagne glass! But who cares? I certainly do not! P. FERGUSON Warwick An offensive introduction September 15, 1999 Dear Sir, All might have gone well with Gareth Finighan's review of the current show at the Crisson and Hind Fine Art Gallery ( Royal Gazette , September 13, 1999) if he had not at the beginning found it necessary to eclipse all the rest of African art. In doing so he not only exposed his vast ignorance but also his reckless arrogance.

To quote "I was under the impression that African art was a bit like Mexican food. A few fiery ingredients that, when mixed together, disappointingly produce nothing more than a bland mulch.

"A bit of an ignorant opinion, perhaps, but one that's quite common judging by a quick poll around the office.'' I could not believe that I was reading this bilge from an art critic. The analogy to begin with is all wrong. It is also degrading and quite insulting.

The spirituality which dominates much of the art of Africa cannot be contained nor compared with that which serves merely to satisfy a culinary appetite.

Also interesting to me was Mr. Finighan's attempt to uphold his foolish, smug opinion "by a quick poll around the office''. This surely would be a dubious and unreliable source for enlightenment in today's world where much has been written about African art.

Too bad Mr. Finighan did not scrap the first part of his review. He probably regarded it as a clever, flippant introduction. Flippant it may have been.

Ignorant and offensive it was.

Mr. Finighan obviously liked the show on current Shona sculpture from Zimbabwe and reported on it with affluent superlatives.

It would have been to his advantage, however, to have described the current show without trivalising African art. "Bland mulch'' indeed! Unforgivable! DOROTHY C. PACKWOOD St. George's Africa owed an apology August 30, 1999 Dear Sir, This is part of a letter I sent to the United Nations on behalf of my essential nation of Africa, which was invaded by many nations years ago who did and took what they liked and my people had no say in the matter. It's time they apologise for the evil they did to them, and I will described some of them. First when Italy invaded Ethiopia, they had an organisation called the League of Nations it was there to protect small nations. Emperor Haile Selassie was a member, and he pleaded for them to help to protect his country but to no avail, even though they knew that these people had a history of violence. They were in charge of Israel when Christ was born and caused such havoc that Rachel lamented and wept continually from beyond the grave and at this time the leaders of the underworld were from there, Scarface, Al and others, and this invasion was because of vengeance, getting their own back in Europe. Hitler was watching the situation very closely and when he saw how negligent they were he decided to do his thing and the world did not smile for six years.

After the war Africans wanted their homes back or wanted to form a democratic government and all Hell broke loose, the killings and tortures went on.

Leaders had to flee. I will stop here and go back to my school days. Our history was always hinting that Africans were savages and cannibals and to top it off you would see a cartoon of an African with a European minister in his pot waiting for his supper.

Now that they want their homes back they are no more cannibals and savages but communist. Its more of a killing word, and they used it wherever Africans and their descendants were getting their rights. In the States a minister defended a lady who could not sit down in a bus. After paying his fare, he was branded a "commie'', even in this Island, in the formation of the former Government this word was used.

When at last the Africans were free, their conquerors thought they were going to take revenge, but our people put out the hand of friendship, that's why this apology is overdue. Thank you for your time.

VIVIAN SIMMONS Somerset What about Webster? September 17, 1999 Dear Sir, I just returned from a nice holiday in Bermuda. During my stay I read The Royal Gazette daily. In the September 14 edition, I was surprised to read a comment from a staff member of Bermuda College which stated that Bermuda College is the only institute of higher learning on the Island.

Since I was instrumental in the decision of Webster University to remain in Bermuda after the closure of the Naval Air Station, it shocked me to read the statement by the Bermuda College staffer. Webster University has been offering Master's degree programmes in residence on Island since 1981, first at the Naval Air Station, and now, on Gorham Road. Eighteen years on the Island should qualify the university to be an integral part of the Bermuda education community.

As a Webster University administrator I care about Bermuda and its wonderful people, but, the Bermuda College staff member needs to look up the meaning of the word, "collegial''.

LINDA NOTTESTAD Webster University St. Louis, Missouri Reduce use of GP cars September 20, 1999 Dear Sir, I'm calling on Government to put a stop to unnecessary use of GP vehicles on our roads by civil servants and Government Ministers. It is very noticeable here recently as these cars are being used for personal use, e.g. taking their children to nursery school, wining and dining and personal transport. The only GP cars on the road with 24 hours access are the Premier, district nurses, Minister of Health, Department of Aviation Manager and other emergency chief cars.

I'm also calling on the Government to have all Government vehicles kept with GP licence plates. Bermuda is not a communist state, so the electorate must know how their money is spent and used.

TAXPAYER Warwick