challenge.

It is hard to say exactly what has caused the increase, although it is possible that the successful "neuter and feed'' programme launched to contain the feral cat population may have contributed by taking away a natural predator.

Not everyone agrees there is a problem; some people seem to like the wild chickens and many people will balk at the idea of their being killed as part of a culling scheme.

But to others, the chickens are a nuisance and to farmers they are a costly menace causing thousands of dollars a year in damaged crops.

Feral chickens are not the only problem involving domestic animals which have turned to the wild. Feral cats are also a nuisance and a threat to bird life and there have also been reports of pigeons moving from the confines of Hamilton to the seashore and stealing longtails' traditional nests.

No-one likes the idea of killing animals -- especially "cute'' ones -- but there comes a point when, if population growth goes unchecked, they become an threat to other breeds and to people's livelihoods.

It has been claimed that if something is not done about the chickens, then farmers will take matters into their own hands. These are likely to be clumsier and more brutal than those which would be used by the Department of Agriculture.

Controlled culling, which already occurs with crows, should be extended to other feral populations which have moved from being minor nuisances to major menaces.

CABLEVISIONS EDT Cablevision The announcement that the fight over the ownership and control of Bermuda Cablevision has been settled puts an end to a long running row and could mean improved service for Bermuda's cable TV users.

But the arrangement, in which an American cable broadcaster and the owners of Bermuda Telephone Company control 80 percent of the company, will have to be watched carefully to ensure there is fair competition in the telecommunications field.

The need for supervision is not a question of regulating television but of ensuring there is fair competition in the Internet arena, where KeyTech Ltd.

owns BTC, Internet provider Logic Communications and now Cablevision.

This is important because TV cables could well become the best way of delivering the Internet to homes and businesses. This would leave KeyTech with control over much of the Internet, which is expected to grow and grow.

It may be that the Internet is best and most efficiently delivered by one provider, as has been the case elsewhere, for example Microsoft's dominance of computer software and some years ago, in video recorders (who remembers Betamax?).

Whether or not that turns out to be the case, Government needs to regulate the system carefully to ensure that monopolistic practices are prevented and that pricing and the quality of service meets the needs of Bermuda consumers and businesses.