rise in hotel bookings.

July saw hotel occupancy levels jump to 74.2 percent.

This compares with percentage levels of 73.3 and 73.7 for 1992 and 1991 respectively.

And the upward trend is predicted to continue for the coming months.

Projected occupancy levels are: August, 65.7 percent; September, 45.1 percent; and October, 43.1 percent.

These are ahead of the levels forecast for 1992, and are on a par with those for 1991.

Yesterday Mr. David Dodwell, president of the Bermuda Hotel Association, drew encouragement from the forecasts.

He described them as a "positive sign'' when allowing for the pattern of late bookings.

WIRES CROSSED AT CITY JUNCTION TFC Traffic lights at the junction of Par-La-Ville Road and Church Street could be out of action another two days, drivers were warned yesterday.

The lights -- the most complex in Bermuda -- suffered a major breakdown on Friday.

Hamilton Corporation spokesman Mr. Roger Sherratt said: "A major problems has developed with the wiring and it requires a lot of work.

"I think we're going to have to tear up a little piece of road.

"We're hoping we can deal with it ourselves without bringing in overseas help, but it's possible it may take at least a couple of days.'' Technicians had been working all weekend on the hitch, he said. Mr. Sherratt said the Corporation apologised for the fault, and asked road-uses to drive carefully, particularly when a Police officer was not there to direct traffic.

VISITOR FINED FOR DRUGS POSSESSION CTS A 36-year-old Maryland man was fined $1,700 in Magistrates' Court yesterday after pleading guilty to possessing cocaine and cannabis.

Prosecutor Sgt. Rex Osborne said that on August 13, Frank L. Calcara arrived at the Civil Air Terminal.

"Customs officers searched Calcara's travel bag and found two plastic zip lock bags,'' Sgt. Osborne said. "In one bag there was 4.08 grams of cocaine and in the other there was 6.9 grams of cannabis.'' Sgt. Osborne said Police also found 5.1 grams of cannabis resin, two pipes and a razor blade in Calcara's luggage.

Senior Magistrate the Wor. Will Francis fined Calcara $700 for the cocaine, $700 for the cannabis and $100 for the cannabis resin.

He also fined him $200 for the razor and pipes.

THIEVES STEAL FROM VEHICLES CRM Police have warned drivers not to leave cash and valuables in cars following a spate of vehicle break-ins.

A St. Monica's Road resident told Police a thief forced open his passenger door during the early hours of Saturday and stole about $200.

Aerobics gear was snatched from a car parked on Washington Street after it had its tailgate forced.

And a car in Hamilton Parish was also broken open and $35 stolen. Police say if valuables must be kept in cars they should be put in the boot or covered up.

MUGGERS ROB MAN CRM Muggers robbed a man of around $300 after threatening him with a knife.

They pounced on the 22-year-old Pembroke resident as he was taking a shortcut home through a car park on Woodbourne Avenue.

The two youths demanded his money and threatened him with a knife, the man told Police.

The robbery was just before 5 p.m. on Friday.

Detectives at central CID, telephone 295-0011, are investigating.

SEARCH FOR VISITOR POL Police are searching for New York visitor Mr. Sean Duffy in connection with an "urgent family matter''.

Mr. Duffy, thought to be staying at a cottage apartment, is being asked to contact Somerset Police or the community relations office on 295-0011.