historical replica.

John Barker, owner and manager of the Hole in the Wall boat shop in Sandys Parish, will build a life-size model of the bathysphere -- a spherical submersible which descended more than 3,000 feet -- used by William Beebe and Otis Barton in 1934.

"I am very excited about being commissioned to do this for the National Geographic, and honoured to be asked to do a job like this,'' said Mr. Barker.

Emory Kristof, a photographer for the Society, discovered Mr. Barker's reproduction skills when he visited the Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute.

One of Mr. Barker's bathyspheres is already on permanent display in the "Ocean Revealed'' section of the BUEI.

He will begin construction on his next model in the next two weeks and plans to complete work for a mid-June delivery.

The bathysphere will then be on temporary display in a sea exploration exhibit at the National Geographic Society in Washington D.C.

But it will eventually be housed in a new section devoted to land and sea explorers.

POLICE ACADEMY OPENS POL Police Academy opens Would-be detectives will have a chance to learn about basic Policing skills by enrolling in a special course.

Members of the public are now being invited to enrol for one of 35 vacancies on the Police Night School course, which begins on March 17.

The course consists of eight hour-long lectures which are held every Wednesday evening. During the course students will get to learn the skills of a wide variety of Police departments, including Scenes of Crime, Narcotics, Prosecutions, Community and Juvenile Services and a host of others.

The classes are free and open to all members of the public over 16 years of age.

If you would like to register for the course call the Crime Prevention Unit on 299-4286 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Registration confirmation forms will be available at all three Police stations and should be completed and returned by Wednesday, March 10.

TOBACCO BAY DECISION PAR EAT Tobacco Bay decision The winner of the race to run one of Bermuda's most popular snorkelling spots will surface on February 18.

Nine bidders have tendered their applications to operate the Tobacco Bay food stand in St. George's.

It emerged last night that they will know within two weeks if they can take over the stand, licensed by the Corporation of St. George's.

Town Mayor Lois Perinchief said the property committee would present its final decision to a full meeting of the Corporation on February 18.

Corporation councillor and defeated St. George's North election candidate Kenneth Bascome has managed the concession stand since 1980 with his wife Rochelle.

But the Corporation changed the terms of the lease from one year to three years to give operators an incentive to make improvements.

AMERICAN FACES TRAIL CTS American faces trial A US citizen will go on trial today in Supreme Court to face drug charges.

Ronald Henry Romandwicz, of Salem, Virginia, has denied charges of importing cannabis and cannabis resin on November 8 last year.

The 31-year-old -- represented by Mark Pettingill -- is also denying possessing and handling the drugs with intent to supply.

Chief Justice Austin Ward is presiding. Peter Eccles represents the Crown.

CAMPERS DUE TO MEET GVT Campers due to meet The Parks Department is reviewing recommendations and changes for the 1999 camping season.

They have therefore invited anyone who wishes to camp at Chaplin Bay in Warwick, Coney Island in Hamilton Parish, and at Ferry Point in St. George's to a special meeting today.

The meeting will take place at the Horticultural Hall in the Botanical Gardens, beginning at 5.30 p.m.