The PLP is continuing a probe into the hiring of non-Bermudian Mrs. Lori Limes as a kennel co-ordinator for the charity.

But SPCA official Mrs. Sue White claims the whole thing has been carried out in an "up-front'' manner.

And Mrs. White says the whole controversy has upset her and has been discouraging for Mrs. Limes, as a newcomer to the Island.

Mrs. Limes is a native of Boston who is married to a Bermudian, but Mr. Scott said there were Bermudians equally qualified to do the job.

Mr. Scott said: "While the shelter did, in fact, advertise for an administrator, reportedly, a Bermudian who worked in the shelter on weekends was informed on March 26 that her services were no longer required because there was a full-time employee starting on April 4.

"To add insult to injury, this employee was never offered the position and in fact was unaware that a full-time position was available.'' The shadow minister said the PLP investigation suggested that someone within the administrative structure of the SPCA intentionally "split the staffing requirement'' of the shelter into two.

He said one post had been advertised for an administrator. He said: "Along the way several `qualified Bermudian' applicants say that they were discouraged from taking the post by being told it was only an office job.

"Meanwhile the post of shelter co-ordinator/kennel coordinator/special skilled person was not advertised and qualified Bermudians, including a certified veterinary technician, who has completed her (syllabus) internship at the University of Pennsylvania, did not have her application considered.'' Mr. Scott then turned his attentions to Immigration Minister Mr. Irving Pearman. He said: "We continue to be offended by the apparent cavalier manner in which the Minister appears to have `rubber stamped' the application for a work permit of this non-Bermudian without conducting an investigation into this matter.

"Our files show how the spouses of other Bermudians have been given a difficult time.'' Mr. Scott believes a disturbing aspect of the controversy was the way applicants were told the administrator's job was just office work which turned many people away.

He said he had heard reports that suggest the matter has upset SPCA staff; brought disharmony amongst members; embarrassed Mrs. Limes, the spouse of a Bermudian, who has been unwittingly drawn into the controversy; and raised questions about the integrity of the SPCA.

He said: "The Immigration Minister was apparently told by the SPCA that `no qualified Bermudians applied for the shelter co-ordinator's post or there were no qualified Bermudians available'.

"If this is so the Minister has been misled and been made to use, quite inappropriately, his right to waive the necessity for the post to be advertised.

"Therefore, in our opinion the entire matter should be the subject of a full review by the Minister of Immigration and Labour.'' Mrs. White said no-one in Bermuda has Mrs. Limes' qualifications of 16 years in animal welfare and kennel care, having worked at the Animal Rescue Shelter in Boston.

She said that the administrator's job, essentially office work, had been taken before Mrs. Limes arrived, but they wanted to employ her as the kennel co-ordinator.

The SPCA had been informed of Mrs. Limes arrival and Mrs. White said: "She had extensive experience in animal care, including work with disease, adoption and fundraising. She was so highly qualified.

"I was told to write a letter and explain the circumstances to the Minister.

Everything was done in a very, very up-front manner. He granted us permission to employ her.'' Concerning the controversy surrounding the employment of Mrs. Limes, Mrs.

White said: "I have been told this whole thing has come about because of anonymous letters.

"I find it discouraging and shocking that somebody, who has just come to the Island as somebody's wife, can find their life upset by anonymous and nasty letters like these.''