demolished makeshift homes and a business to make way for a park.

Mr. Wilbur Lister, manager of Paveman construction, watched in rage as a backhoe tore down sheds he said have been part of his operation for seven years.

"They're trying to put me out of business,'' the 63-year-old said as heavy equipment levelled the site. "They've knocked all my stuff down.

"I'm trying to keep men employed on the Island as a law-abiding citizen and I'm doing my duty. Now, this is what gets done to me.'' But officials from the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Parks, which is developing the Mill Creek Park on 3.3 acres behind Tulo Valley Nursery, said Mr. Lister and others were illegally squatting on Government land.

A loud argument erupted between Mr. Lister and Parks Officer Mr. Craig Burt as Mr. Lister accused officials of dumping one of his vans near the Airport.

Mr. Burt said the van was a piece of rusting garbage, while Mr. Lister said it was in working order.

"I'm only trying to help you out,'' said Mr. Burt, as he explained how Mr.

Lister could recover other vans and possessions that Government tagged and impounded.

"You're helping me right out of business,'' Mr. Lister replied.

"How much rent have you been paying here?'' asked Mr. Burt.

"That's none of your business.'' "You've answered my question,'' Mr. Burt said.

Mr. Lister was told he would have to pay moving fees to recover the items within the next 30 days, but he estimated Government owes him about $60,000.

"I'm going to go and see a lawyer about it,'' he said.

But Mr. John Barnes, director of the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Parks, said Mr. Lister and five squatters who lived in sheds on the site were given eviction notices a month ago.

"If you don't belong there, and it's not yours, and you don't want to move, well, you'll get moved,'' Mr. Barnes told The Royal Gazette .

Beds, chairs, and other possessions inside the squatters' sheds have been tagged and impounded, he said.

The Department was implementing phase one of the Mill Creek Park Management Plan, he said. A soccer pitch and a public boat ramp on Mill Creek are among the plans.

While it is not clear how long the development will take, "we expect to see significant improvement over the next month,'' he said.

While at least one of the "squatters,'' Mr. William Bascome, is reportedly ready to fight his eviction in court, some are cooperating with the Government.

Mr. David Souza said he agreed to temporarily relocate nine horse stables.

Government will let him move the stables back and enter a rental agreement once the land is cleaned up, he said.

But Government's ownership to some of the land is disputed. Mr. Gary Smith, who has a repair business and is represented by Mr. Philip Perinchief, said he has legal claim to some of the land Government plans to develop.

SQUATTERS EVICTED -- Mr. Wilbur Lister watches in anger as Government levels sheds he said were part of his paving business.