of Bermuda has led to a mass resignation from the Chamber of Commerce.

Chamber real estate division deputy chairman Mr. Ted Gauntlett and Mr. Kevin Petty have left the Chamber -- and chairman Mr. Thomas B. Moss is believed to have resigned.

Mr. Petty, of Somers Realty, left some weeks ago over the merger of the real estate divisions and deposit companies of L.P.

Gutteridge and the Bank of Bermuda, which are to become Bermuda Home in June.

And chartered surveyor Mr. Gauntlett confirmed he had resigned after a meeting last week. He said: "We had a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce together with other realtors and it was supposed to be a meeting whereby people could express their opinions about the proposed merger.

"Instead it was orientated towards representing this merger as something that entirely nothing could be done about and we were told that we should approach it in a constructive manner.

"I was deputy chairman of the real estate division and I was not happy at the way the meeting was held. I could not continue my own opposition to this merger and still remain a member of the Chamber of Commerce.'' Mr. Gauntlett said he had a duty to members of the Chamber of Commerce and to his own business and there would be a conflict of interest.

He added: "I still believe that this merger is contrary to the best interests of the public. And I am still very concerned about it.'' However Mr. Gauntlett said another meeting has been called by the Chamber of Commerce to discuss the matter and he would be attending.

Minister of Works the Hon. Leonard Gibbons, who runs his own real estate business, feared he would have to resign from the Cabinet, to devote more time to his business, if the merger went ahead.

Last night Mr. Gibbons said he had heard Mr. Moss was considering resigning from the real estate division.

Mr. Moss could not be contacted to confirm his resignation last night.