As Governor Lord Waddington alighted from his horse-drawn landau for the annual Peppercorn Ceremony yesterday, a new face could be heard shouting the now famous "Hear Ye, Hear Ye'' followed by the clang of a bell.

Richard Elsom's voice boomed across King's square in St. George's signifying the beginning of a new era.

Mr. Elsom, the new Town Crier, was outfitted with his heavy 18th century brass clapper and full ceremonial garb.

He replaced the late Maj. Bob Burns who had welcomed various Governors to the old town for the past 20 years.

Since a replacement could not be found last year, that aspect of the traditional greeting was dropped.

During his welcoming address, St. George's Mayor the Wor. Henry Hayward said there had been "significant changes'' made in past year.

These changes included the tax structure, a new owner for the time-sharing property and a new cruise terminal at Ordnance Island.

Mr. Hayward said the current resurfacing of the St. George's streets and alleys would continue as well as the burying of power lines.

"These items will cosmetically improve the image which St. George's wishes to project,'' he said. "And that is one of an attractive, clean, safe, interesting, historic area which is alive and growing.'' Governor Lord Waddington meantime, after "demanding'' the unusual annual rent of one peppercorn for use of the State House by the historic Scottish Freemasons Lodge 200, delivered a terse address.

He praised the designers of the new Ordnance Island terminal for blending the requirements of modern design with the splendour of the Town.

And he commended the members of the Bermuda Regiment and the Police Service because he said "they serve Bermuda well and deserve the whole-hearted support of all our citizens''.

Peppercorn Ceremony Lord Waddington also took the opportunity to welcome new Police Commissioner Mr. Colin Coxall and he thanked recently retired commissioner Mr. Lennett Edwards for the "conspicuous service he gave'', while in office.

The traditional Peppercorn Ceremony originated in 1816, when the seat of Government moved from St. George's to Hamilton.

Use of the State House was granted to the Mayor and St. George's Corporation in trust for the Lodge 200 -- who had no meeting place -- for the sum of one peppercorn a year and provided it was made available to the Governor.

The nominal rent was agreed on because under British law one cannot give the use of land to "strangers'' without losing squatters rights, unless a rent is mentioned in the transfer document.

TOWN MEETING -- Scottish Freemasons Lodge 200 members greeted Governor Lord Waddington at the steps of the State House in St. George's yesterday after the annual Peppercorn Ceremony.