A few days ago we read in your paper a list of figures apparently given out by the Land Valuation Office which states that there are 31,004 taxable units in Bermuda, of which there have been 924 objections to the new land tax, but 75% of that figure have no cause to complain because they received no increase in their taxes, and in a lot of cases were given reductions. Counting the 25% of us who have been discriminated against, that would leave a figure of 7,751 units, of which there have been 796 objections from owners of residential units, that would make a little over 10%, which is vastly different to 2.98%.

I see no reason at all why the owners of units that have not been hit by this horrendous tax should be included in the printed figures.

The Land Valuation Office also states that they are not responsible for discounts and pensioners relief, if that is the case then the person or persons who are responsible should come forward and explain why so much is being taken away from the pensioners, and do they intend to do something about it, or is this another case of brushing it under the carpet and hope it will go away? SEEING IT AS IT IS Pembroke `It's a load of hogwash' January 12, 2000 Dear Sir, Peugeot 406 for Mr. Alex Scott.

Government don't get it, do they? Do they think we are made of money? Why are we buying these large cars for Ministers and, I understand, maybe for other MPs when they are essentially second cars and were originally allocated on a `need to have' basis. We should be looking at a B or C class car at the most.

Is the Peugeot going to sit in the parking lot all day or will it be put into use by other MP's when Mr. Scott is not swanning around in it? (no pun intended, Sir John). Mr. Scott says that around $22,000 of the cost of the car was tax which would be allocated to Customs in a `paper' transaction between departments. If he had spent only $22,000 on the car, we would then have a lesser transaction of some $10,000 for the customs duty! It's no good Mr.

Scott trying to whitewash the purchase and saying what a good deal Continental Motors gave them by repairing GP1. Who is he trying to kid -- Continental Motors did not do that out of the good of their heart but on sound business basis that by doing this they would not only sell Govt. the car for Mr. Scott but goodness knows how many more to other Ministers and MPs.

At a time when Government departments have just been asked to cut their budgets it seems that the right hand once again doesn't know what the left hand is doing! It's a load of hogwash to say that it can be resold off the island and diminish the cost -- we didn't try and sell GP1 off the island, did we? Mr. Scott -- the money for this car does not come out of your pocket nor out of thin air -- if comes out of my and every other Bermudian's pocket as a taxpayer. As an average citizen, I certainly can't afford to pay over $40,000 for any car and as for paying this sort of money for a second car -- it's beyond comprehension -- as a servant of the people, really -- who do you think you are? MARGARET BARNES A Master worker January 10, 2000 Dear Sir, Please allow a small space to thank a very special Bermudaphile who visits the island, it seems not to vacation, but to volunteer! So generous in helping, it keeps Masterworks overheads down and viability up! Please Linda Brandon, come back, thank you for your time while vacationing?! TOM BUTTERFIELD City of Hamilton Bring a ray of sunshine January 7, 2000 Dear Sir, The Sunshine League Children's Home would like to extend a most sincere "thank you'' to all those who assisted in any way with our annual tag days held on Friday, December 3, 1999 and Saturday 4, 1999.

We especially wish to thank the taggers, many of whom braved physical challenges, for making time in their busy schedules and the members of the public who responded to them so generously with contributions which exceeded $19,000.00.

Thank you also to the managers/operators of the many businesses who permitted our taggers to use their premises, to the employers who allowed members of their staffs to tag and to the business operators/managers who, for many years, have provided refreshments for our taggers.

Our very special thanks to Mrs. Joan White, who for many years, has organised and been responsible for the banking of the Friday collection (assisted by a few trusty friends) and some of the Saturday collection.

May you all be blessed and prospered during the ensuing year.

MRS. BETTY HOWES Chairperson Sunshine League Tag Day Committee Not keeping posted January 11, 2000 Dear Sir, I read with interest your article of December 4, which contained Postmaster Clevelyn Crichlow's explanation of the current mail backlog. The Government of Bermuda must understand that if it is to attract world class business and keep existing businesses interested in staying here, it must be a world class jurisdiction. One critical element in operating my business and many others is the ability to send and receive mail in a timely fashion.

Today I received mail from the United States postmarked from the 6th through the 20th of December. I have been able to send mail from the US to Kazakhstan faster than this. Delays of this duration are unacceptable for the conduct of ordinary business.

I know that there are explanations, but clients and prospective clients don't want excuses that my competitors in New York and London don't need to make. We have bypassed the Bermuda Postal system to the greatest extent possible at substantial cost and inconvenience. Unfortunately, we have not been able to avoid it altogether.

Perhaps Bermuda's commercial prospects would be better enhanced by government figuring out how to get the mail delivered at home then by sending Gombeys and bartenders to Switzerland.

WILLIAM WILLIAMS Hamilton