On Saturday, February 3, you published a letter from a Sri Lankan stamp collector.

The writer, Sarath Munasinghe specifically asks you to publish his/her address so Bermudians would be able to send one lovely stamp.

Did you omit the address on purpose, or did S. Munasinghe forget to include it in the published letter? -- Either way, it's not very helpful. Your many readers who would be delighted to send one stamp! Please rectify and thank you so much.

NAN BROWN Southampton Editor's note Unfortunately, Mr. Munasinghe did not put a return address on his letter.

Just the fax February 4, 2001 Dear Sir, Regarding The Royal Gazette's front page headline of Saturday February 3, ("Air arrivals hit twenty year low''), the following is the text verbatim of a fax received today.

It is self explanatory. I have been an owner/operator of a small guest house for over twenty years and I am despondent at receiving complaints such as this.

ROSANNE GALLOWAY Garden House Guest House Sandys Dear Roseanne, Will arrive Wednesday June 6th, via US Air flight 538 BTA 2.51 p.m. Bermuda.

Depart Wednesday June 13 via US Air flight 1057 3.45 p.m.

FYI -- got the ticket for $403.55 from Priceline -- but have to connect through Charlotte N.C. which is a bit of messing about.

On the other hand, they are asking minimum of $592 for flights to Bermuda mid-week and $640 on weekends. Your tourist board should do something about that -- cruises start at $695!'' Heritage worth the cost February 1, 2001 Dear Sir, In a January 29 letter from `Old Ruin', the writer expresses an opinion that as a result of historical listing, listed houses now have a reduced value and a limited market, presumably as a result of potential restrictions to their future development. This is a very narrow opinion.

As Bermuda fills up with the spoils of a successful economy, our heritage has and will continue to suffer from property owners with "more money than brains'' and developers wishing to exploit this state of affairs.

This situation is exacerbated by the remarkable willingness of our civil servants, public boards, ministers and national interest groups to continually bend the rules intended to protect our heritage and open space. Listing of houses provides a support mechanism through which our heritage has a much better chance of adapting to the evolution of Bermuda. But listing will only be effective if the homeowner receives an incentive to embrace their responsibility to protect the property.

I was pleased to have my house listed. I have little doubt there is a ready market for informed buyers and have had no difficulty in dealing with Planning on changes to the property. Elsewhere in the world, listed properties are a great source of pride to their owners and their community and are eagerly sought by buyers who are prepared to pay a premium to own a listed house.

In my experience, the Department of Planning has been supportive of my application and might only be criticised for their lack of expediency.

As Bermuda becomes more densely developed, listed properties become oases of Bermuda's more rural past and will no doubt be reflected in Development Zoning changes in the future. At this point, and perhaps it is already the case, listed property owners will bear a burden for the surrounding community in maintaining these oases.

There should be commensurate benefits for carrying this burden, such as zero land tax for listed properties or even tax credits for listed properties with land zonings which restrict future development. Perhaps our Government can work through the dilemma that some of the historic houses and protected lands are owned by people who may have a greater ability to pay tax.

The initiative to provide interest-free loans through the Bank of Butterfield and Government is welcome and should help offset the potentially higher cost of renovating historic houses in a sensitive manner.

However, for those of us who have already financed restoration work at our local banks (we are not permitted to refinance under the new facility), the benefit of a tax break going forward would be very valuable.

The National Trust has been largely quiet on the topic of listed houses since the initial identification of target properties, but then their agenda has been difficult to determine of late considering their wholesale sell-out over the destruction of Ridgeway and its surroundings woodlands.

One would expect a body like the National Trust to be more involved in intermediation between historic homeowners and the Government and working to ensure a creative and adaptive approach to retaining important elements of our environment and heritage.

I cannot see that listing reduces the value of property unless you consider land only as a commodity and place no value on your heritage or the attractiveness of your surroundings.

LISTED HOUSE OWNER Pembroke Catfight serves no one February 01, 2001 Dear Sir, I am writing in response to the letter printed on January 31, and written by Andrew Dobson, President of the Bermuda Audubon Society.

Before making any comment, I would like to make it clear that I am not a member of BFAB (The Bermuda Feline Assistance Bureau) or the Audubon Society, but am a cat and bird owner, an animal lover and a supporter of preserving a healthy environment for the present and future generations to enjoy.

Before criticising BFAB, I think it is important to look at the true facts concerning the number of feral cats, as it appears that Mr. Dobson has some of his facts wrong.

On viewing the Bermuda Audubon Society's website (which I found very interesting and educational), an article by Mr. Dobson stated that one of the many reasons that the bluebird's existence is threatened, is, and I quote: "There has been a dramatic increase in the number of feral cats, especially since the introduction of cat-feeding stations in the 1990s.'' From all that I have read and heard about BFAB's work, this is not the case.

Through their trapping and neutering programme and the euthanising of diseased cats, BFAB have reduced the number of feral cats by several thousand over the last few years.

Another fact on the Bermuda Audubon Society's website which gives food for thought is that the number of barn owls is diminishing and one reason given for this may be related to the use of `Talon', a powerful rat poison. When a barn owl eats a poisoned rat, it, in turn, is poisoned and dies.

Just imagine if legislation was passed, as suggested by Mr. Dobson, and no cats, including domestic cats were allowed outdoors. Bermuda would soon be overrun with rats and mice and we would be exposed to even more of these potentially dangerous poisons and it would not only be the barn owl which would suffer as a result of this.

I would like to suggest that Mr. Dobson and his executive committee meet with members of the BFAB executive. Obviously both of these groups are concerned about Bermuda's wildlife and environment and working together, they could help each other and Bermuda would benefit.

On a final note, I would hate to live in a society which dictated that my cat should be kept indoors. I feel she has as much right to enjoy being in our garden as any bird whether it be a bluebird or a "pesky'' sparrow.

If a bird does not use the two wings which the good Lord gave it to fly away when my cat approaches, surely (and sadly), it will suffer the consequences if there is nobody around to rescue it. There are certain laws of nature that we should not try to control.

In closing, I would like to congratulate members of BFAB and the Bermuda Audubon Society for the fine work they are doing.

MARIANNE HERBERT Smith's Parish Games of chance February 1, 2001 Dear Sir, I read with interest Mr. Ramadhin Smith's recent letter regarding a casino in Bermuda and a suggested referendum.

Having visited elegant casinos in Monte Carlo, Baden Baden, London & Las Vegas I support the suggestion of a referendum 100 percent. Something has to be done to improve our night life.

Right now the evenings are boring, boring, boring for our visitors. With strict controls, a dress code and the utilising of a major hotel (which was surely built with a casino in mind!) we could offer a great deal of enjoyment.

Government would benefit too, or perhaps charities, by receiving a percentage.

Don't let's just talk! Go for a referendum, and at the same time, give serious thought to a lottery.

TAURUS Warwick