the weekend.

All three incidents involve girls, two of whom are under 14 years of age.

A Police spokeswoman said: "Police are concerned over the number of reports made this weekend concerning complaints of parents beating their children.

Three separate reports were made that will involve the investigative efforts of the Police Community and Juvenile Services Department.'' The reports some just days before the beginning of Child Abuse Awareness month, which starts on Wednesday.

"It is hoped that some public dialogue and discussion can result that will involve all segments of the community including Police and Government social agencies in effecting some resolutions,'' the spokeswoman said.

TIMMEL IS THE TOP HOTELIER AWD TOU Timmel is the top hotelier The Southampton Princess' Manfred Timmel is the Hotelier of the Year.

Tourism Minister David Dodwell presented Mr. Timmel with the Cedar Tree Award during Saturday night's glittering banquet at the Mid Ocean Club in Tucker's Town.

Mr. Timmell also received a Hotelier of the Year pin donated by Peter Komposch.

The Southampton Princess executive was not the only winner -- William (Cheese) Ray was presented with the Bermuda Sunshine Award.

Mr. Ray, selected from the four quarterly Sunshine winners, was honoured for his overwhelming hospitality towards two Canadian visitors.

Malcolm Johnston was bestowed with the Hospitality of the Year award while The Reefs Hotel picked up a plaque for the Hotel Olympics.

EXTRA TIME FOR HORSE CENTRE PLN RAH Extra time for horse centre The new National Equestrian Centre has been given a longer rein in its bid to develop its site.

A time extension until September 17 this year has been granted for the plan to expand the Vesey Street site by the Development Applications Board.

The plan to enlarge the Devonshire centre to include a race track and showjumping ring has been controversial so far, with objections from the National Trust, Save Open Spaces and the Audubon Society.

They fear it would be a loss of open space and woodland.

An alternative scheme for the area was presented by the Parks Commission, which involved turning it into a large recreational area -- enlarging already existing facility.

Youth and Sports Minister Tim Smith received that proposal and passed it on to the DAB, in order that they could then consider it along with other objections to the scheme.

Mr. Smith said the extension period would allow the National Equestrian Centre to hone its application in the light of the objections and the parks plan.

The DAB would then take all the factors into account when finally considering the scheme, he said.

BBSR'S VACATION SCHEME SCI BBSR's vacation scheme A new concept in holidays for divers has been launched by the Bermuda Biological Station for Research.

Called Sci-dive, the idea aims to give qualified divers the opportunity to see a little bit more than the usual shipwrecks and coral reefs in Bermuda's waters.

Those signing up for the all-inclusive vacations will be able to dive with two knowledgable scientists and enjoy lectures on various subjects connected with marine life.

Subjects covered will include mangroves, tropical marine invertabraes, coral reefs, pollution and marine habitats.

Education officer Helle Patterson said the new holidays were an idea that came from the many courses run by the BBSR for children and students.

"Adults frequently used to say I wish I could do something like that, so we thought we would try it,'' she said.

"So far we had very encouraging comments from people, the literature has been snapped up.'' The vacations, which will cost around $1,800 per week, are scheduled to run in September, October and November.

Participants will get the chance to become more involved with the environment they are diving in, and they will be able to draw on the expertise of the two scientists that are heading the project -- Dr. Kathy Coates and Dr. Doug Connelly.

There will be small groups, of up to 12 people. "That way they will get as much out of the course as possible,'' said Helle Patterson.

Divers from the US and Britain have already expressed interest in the vacations.