obstructing a Police officer but denied using offensive words when he appeared before Senior Magistrate Will Francis yesterday.

Gumbs, 16, of Middletown Lane, Pembroke, admitted the obstruction offence but denied using offensive words. Both offences are alleged to have occurred on September 29 outside the school.

Sgt. Phil Taylor did not read a summary of the evidence against Gumbs in light of his plea to the offensive words charge. Duty counsel Kim Wilson asked for a social inquiry report to be prepared in the event that the court found against Gumbs at his trial.

Mr. Francis acceded to Ms Wilson's request and set the trial for the offensive words matter to November 24. Gumbs will also be sentenced for the obstruction charge at that time.

Gumbs was released on $500 bail plus one surety.

TRAFFIC SURVEY NEXT WEEK SUR GVT PLN TFC Traffic survey next week The Department of Planning and the Corporation of Hamilton announced the start of a comprehensive traffic survey for the city, and are seeking the public's help in carrying it through.

Starting on Tuesday morning and running through to Thursday, teams from the UK consulting firm of Symonds Travers Morgan will be stopping private and commercial vehicles at all entry points to Hamilton during rush hour and asking motorists to complete then mail in a seven-question survey; no stamp will be required for the postcard questionnaires.

"We're requesting the public's patience and we're asking the business community to be tolerant and understanding if their staff should be delayed coming to work,'' Minister of the Environment and Planning, Irving Pearman, said.

The survey will be requesting information on the number of people per vehicle, type of vehicle, start and destination of journey, route of journey, and parking arrangements.

It will form the centrepiece of a three month traffic-flow study being carried out in connection with the new City of Hamilton Plan. Symonds Travers Morgan have just been contracted to carry out the $100,000 survey, Mr. Pearman said.

Peter Adwick, Assistant Director of Forward Planning for the Ministry, said once the study is complete, planners will be looking at all options in an effort to address Hamilton's traffic congestion.

The study is being jointly funded by the Ministries of Works and Engineering and Environment, and the Corporation of Hamilton.

Corporation Secretary Roger Sherratt yesterday told The Royal Gazette the study was essential to the new City Plan.

"It's definitely encouraging to see this level of cooperation (with Government) and I just want to stress that it's in everyone's best interest to cooperate (with the survey).

And to ensure that cooperation, Government is offering prizes of $100, $50, and $25 gift vouchers to be awarded to names drawn from the survey.