half-percent interest rate cut.

Bank of Bermuda president Mr. Donald Lines announced the cut on Monday, bringing the mortgate rate down from nine percent to 8.5 percent from December 1.

Mr. Michael Collier, chief general manager of the Bank of Butterfield, said yesterday: "We saw Mr. Lines' announcement in the paper and are having a look at our own situation.'' Bermuda Commercial Bank managing director Mr. Dick Francis said: "We're considering our position.'' ANIMAL RIGHTS ACTIVIST TO SPEAK ALS Animal rights activist to speak A top animal rights campaigner has been invited to speak in Bermuda.

Mr. Alex Pacheco, president of People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), has been invited by Miss Suzanne Ericsson, of Ocean View stables, and her fiance, local oil tycoon Mr. John Deuss.

Mr. Pacheco's trip is designed to boost awareness of the ill-treatment of animals, said Miss Ericsson. A major topic would be the problem of strays, and the dumping of unwanted puppies and kittens.

Mr. Pacheco will appear on ZBM television at 8.30 tomorrow and will give a talk at 6 p.m. on Friday at the Horticultural Hall in the Botanical Gardens. A video entitled "Changing Minds, Changing Times'' narrated by TV star Candice Bergen will also be shown and there will be a question and answer period.

He will also be meeting officials from the Society from the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Department of Agriculture.

IMMIGRATION TALK SET FOR NEXT WEEK IND Immigration talk set for next week The Committee for the Independence of Bermuda are to hold a public debate on immigration, with top political speakers.

The forum, on the question "Do we need a new immigration policy?'', is at St.

Paul's christian education centre, Paget, on November 9.

Speakers invited include: Labour and Home Affairs Minister the Hon. Irving Pearman, the Senate Opposition Leader Sen. Alex Scott, National Liberal Party spokeswoman Ms Cheryl Pooley, Portuguese-Bermudian Organisation spokesman Mr.

John Amaral and West Indian Association representative Mr. Archie Warner.

Moderator will be Mr. Walton Brown.

KBB TO HIRE PAID ADMINISTRATOR ENV KBB to hire paid administrator Keep Bermuda Beautiful will soon advertise for a full-time programme administrator.

The successful applicant will be the first full-time paid employee in KBB's 28-year history.

"The reason we need this person is because the movement has expanded so much,'' KBB president Mr. Barry Brewer said on Monday. "There are now about 1,500 members and eight different committees working on our commitment to the environment, and all that implies.

"We have laid out a five-year plan and need someone to coordinate our volunteer efforts.

"More importantly, we need one focus to pull our combined efforts together and create the maximum impact.'' The KBB has relied entirely on volunteer members -- many of whom have full-time jobs, and some secretarial and administrative help from Government.

But Government assistance has been cut due to increased demands on all Government staff.

BEACH THIEF TAKES SWIMMER'S WATCH CRM Beach thief takes swimmer's watch A swimmer had his watch, shades and shoes snatched from a Southampton beach yesterday.

The swimmer, a Pembroke man, emerged from the water at Church Bay at around 3.30 p.m. and saw a man near his belongings.

He approached but the thief ran off with his Omega watch, Revo sunglasses and Docksider shoes.

Somerset detectives appealed for information from anyone who saw a suspicious-looking white man, of medium build and with black hair, wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans.