I would be grateful if you would assist me in publicly acknowledging a recent act of honesty and kindness.

In the course of walking a few blocks with an envelope addressed to our firm, I managed somehow to lose the envelope. It became evident later that it had been found and turned in to the Police in very short order after I lost it. I am told that the gentleman responsible for this is Mr. Dick Ming, a security officer at Palmetto Bay Hotel.

Thank you Mr. Ming. You are obviously a man of integrity and a credit to your profession.

TERRY HUNTINGTON Russell J. Eddy Associates City of Hamilton Thanks for the help December 7, 1999 Dear Sir, During the early hours of Sunday, November 28, we suffered a terrible loss when our boat -- our home -- was blown onto the rugged rocks of Smith's Island during that "freak storm''. We felt we had lost everything but we came to find that though we had indeed lost a great deal, the kindness, warmth and understanding we received from all the people in St. George's kept us going and gave us the strength to pick up the pieces.

We owe a huge debt of thanks to the many people who helped us -- from the brave men who tried in vain to save us, the wonderful people who took time off on Monday to dive over her, pump her out and bring her into the yard and when the full extent of her damage was revealed, the kind men who helped me gather what could be saved, those who bought what was salvageable and finally to those who helped us to "bury her at sea''. Meanwhile, to everyone in St.

Georges who fed us, watered us and gave us hugs and clothes and shoes -- thank you.

I'd like to name everyone, but I'd hate to leave anyone out and with the shock and confusion I don't remember everyone's name, just the overwhelming sincerity of their kindnesses.

As my sister said, if one had to be shipwrecked, St. George's is the place to do it! We weren't the first boat to be shipwrecked on the "Isle of Devils'' during a Tempest and though I'd like us to be the last, I doubt it.

Rest assured that though we have gone off to start again we will return and look forward to seeing everyone again.

Thank you, everyone.

We will Float Again! JUDY Formerly of S/V Allegro Getting the vision right December 9, 1999 Dear Sir, For some three months I have been meaning to put pen to paper on this issue.

One of your reporters quoted Tim Smith, the Shadow Education Minister as criticising the PLP for not releasing information on illiteracy in Bermuda schools. Was the reporter looking for news? If I were Tim Smith (who by the way had not long been UBP Minister of Education) I would have hung my head for collective shame of the UBP. They had 35 years as an organised party to deal with literacy in Bermuda schools. In fact, they were the body politic that took over from the Forty Thieves who had run Bermuda Inc. for the previous 350 years.

I have often heard criticism of Dr. Marion Robinson or Dr. Joseph Christopher and the general attitude of the Ministry of Education. But certainly the buck stops at the Minister's desk. But, the Minister can really only be held responsible for not having the vision to take education to the community -- by creating homework or study ethic, creating PTA involvement etc.

Literacy is actually a fairly new issue of importance as Bermuda moves into the world scene. I was at Warwick Academy all through the 1950s. In that time perhaps no more than ten students went away to University -- one did not really need a university degree to work in 95 percent of Bermuda's institutions or businesses -- many of which were family owned and hence non-competitive -- the nepotism that is so much part of the Bermuda scene (often confused with racism by the black activist!) At present, and more so in the future, Bermudians must be able to command, not demand, positions commensurate with their vision of self importance. The Immigration Ministry for the next years must allow for the lag effect of getting Bermudians up to speed to be competitive with the world at large. We as a community must realise that we will not produce many rocket scientists over the next century. And particularly, the black activist community must stop stirring the black community to think there should be blame for our not educating our black student population through a public education programme over the last 50 years. The concept of cradle to grave care is a new thought, as is the concept of a broad-based education for all.

I have referred to this issue in previous letters and I won't repeat myself.

Thus maybe Tim Smith is not to blame for illiteracy -- but it was the UBP Ministry of Education's responsibility to set the tone and inspire the community and in that they certainly did not do enough (nor could they have done too much.) It is your turn, Mr. Milton Scott! SANDERS FRITH-BROWN Warwick Homeless deserve dignity December 13, 1999 Dear Sir, Let no-one be mistaken, the Salvation Army has done a lot for people here in Bermuda and worldwide but that does not mean that people should be humiliated by having to store their clothing in the bushes or carry their belongings wherever they go during daylight hours.

Can you imagine carrying your belongings to work so that they won't get wet or stolen? Not a pleasant sight is it? Not a good feeling either.

There are people who will say that they shouldn't have put themselves in the position of becoming homeless. No-one can say and know for sure that they will never become homeless and when you are homeless, you do not get a home overnight just like that.

In the case of the Salvation Army shelter, they know that most of the homeless people there will be back the next night, therefore knowing that the Army should treat them as human beings. Maybe it has something with the management at the shelter, I don't know but the management has to know of the goings on at the shelter.

So Bermuda, when you see a homeless person, look beyond them, look at why they are where they are and what is and is not going on where they are.

OBSERVER Pembroke Extend the deadline December 8, 1999 Dear Sir, In reference to the long-term residents card which had a cut off date of August 1, 1999, I feel that the cut off date should be looked at again or extended, until further policy is put in place. I have been resident for 21 years now and missed the August 1, date by a few months. I know of other people in the same situation.

Is it really fair to have long-term residents with cards and long term residents without cards? HOPING FOR CHANGE Warwick