service, Shadow Human Affairs Minister Ewart Brown told MPs on Friday.

In the House of Assembly, Dr. Brown read a letter he received from Mrs.

Dorothy Crane, 73, of St. George's, who was rewarded with a clock after retiring as St. George's Parish Home matron after 43 years of service.

She thought she might have received an ex gratia payment to supplement her old age pension.

Mrs. Crane, who retired two years ago, said during her years at the rest home she worked 21 years for the parish council and 22 years for Government.

"I worked seven days a week and was on the job 24 hours a day,'' she said.

She received no pay for public holidays, and when she went on vacation had to find someone to take her place and pay them out of her holiday pay.

"After 43 years of dedicated and loyal service, I was disappointed my service was only appreciated to the value of a clock,'' Mrs. Crane wrote.

Dr. Brown said that if Government was truly striving for "peace, tranquility and prosperity, we must begin to recognise and acknowledge the service of Bermudians to this Country, particularly our senior citizens.'' While the same applied to others, this woman "needs some assistance,'' Dr.

Brown said.

Premier David Saul said he would examine the facts and report back to Dr.

Brown.

Pensions and ex gratia payments were provided for in legislation, and the woman might not be entitled to either, Dr. Saul said.

But from what he had heard of the facts, "no stone should be unturned to assist this individual''.

The Royal Gazette reported on Mrs. Crane in April, noting that she was paid about $400 a week at the time she retired from the rest home.

She worked past retirement age, but was shocked to learn there was no Government pension awaiting her.

St. George's Parish Vestry head Mr. Pat Washington said Mrs. Crane was given the option of contributing to a pension plan, but she declined.

But longtime friend Mr. Cyril Dowling denied that.