charity venture.

Twenty-seven local hotels and guest houses have been invited to "donate'' vacations as lots.

These will be up for grabs to television viewers in the Boston area -- with proceeds going to charity.

It is the second time Bermudian properties have been given a chance to take part.

Mr. Jack Harris, manager of Willowbank, yesterday voiced backing for the scheme.

"The good thing is that it will assist Bermuda. That is the important part, since we get a lot of solicitations,'' he said.

Several other hoteliers, however, were undecided over whether to lend support.

Mr. Barry Marquardt, general manager of Pink Beach Cottage Colony, virtually ruled out a donation.

"These kind of things are quite common, and as far as I know we never donate.'' Mr. Wilhelm Sack, manager of Horizons & Cottages, said: "I really can't say what we intend to do. We have not responded yet.'' The annual auction is being organised by the Rotary Club of Framingham, Massachussetts.

It will be broadcast on a Boston cable television network to viewers in the Metrowest Boston area.

Under the scheme a percentage of auction proceeds will go towards Hamilton Rotary Club.

Last year four local properties offered vacations -- including Horizons, Grotto Bay, White Sands, and Willowbank.

After Framingham Rotary Club netted around $20,000, a $600 cheque was presented to Hamilton Rotary Club.

Yesterday Mr. Owen Darrell, past president of Hamilton Rotary, said he was delighted by the donation.

And he voiced hope of a larger local involvement in the auction.

Mr. Darrell said the Island would receive two benefits: off-season publicity in the New England area; and a share of net proceeds for local charities.

"Fifty percent of proceeds from holidays donated by local hotels will to got the rotary club,'' he added.

Mr. Darrell said he understood most holidays would be auctioned off at bargain rates.

"I suppose it's possible there could be a bid higher than the actual cost of the vacation.'' Mr. Wilhelm Sack.