E. Michael Jones? first Peppercorn ceremony as the mayor of St. George?s ? and the 188th overall ? went off without a hitch yesterday ? except for a fainting spell by one Regiment soldier.

Various dignitaries were on hand including Governor Sir John Vereker, Acting Premier Dr. Ewart Brown and, naturally, St. George?s Mayor E. Michael Jones.

Mr. Jones took the opportunity to reflect on the challenges the Old Town has experienced over the past year ? including Hurricane Fabian.

?Fabian obviously felt St. George?s was the best part of the Island, as it chose to stay closer and longer (here) than the rest,? he said.

Mr. Jones also thanked Government for their support when ?St. George?s was independent for a short while last September?.

While the mood was generally light, Mr. Jones offer condolences, on behalf of the town, ?to the families of the four people who were lost on the Causeway?.

And he applauded the clean-up work that is still on going.

At Town Hall, he noted, they must still finish downstairs, continue working upstairs and have the roof taken off.

As the ceremony was launched, 17 booming shots from two cannons on the Bank of Bermuda roof failed move two pigeons from their perch.

They stayed put to watch the Governor?s arrival in a horse and carriage escorted by nine Police motorcycles. Sir John inspected the guard while the band played.

He also said it was good to see how well St. George?s had survived the storm ? that might have been even more fierce than the one that hit in 1609.

Sir John said traditions like the Peppercorn ceremony are important and valuable to society.

?They are ways of continuing with the past and ensuring that we have something to pass on,? he said.

But, he noted that, if British Prime Minister Tony Blair had been in St. George?s yesterday, the PM ?would have had no role in the ceremony?. It is the Governor?s duty ? as it has been for the last 188 years, he stressed.

?It might have been puzzling for [Mr. Blair, as someone used to seeing me in the world of Westminster, to see me dressed up as the Commander in Chief,? Gov. Vereker noted.

During Mr. Blair?s recent Island visit, he and his family were able to stroll around the square, relaxing and eating ice-cream, unmolested by anyone, except by those people urging them to be sure to enjoy the rest of their day, Gov. Vereker added.

And he said, while he was sorry Mr. Blair was unable to stay long enough to enjoy the ceremony, he was not sure ?what that would have done to his career?.

The ceremony takes place every April when members of the Masonic lodge pay one year?s rent to the Government with a solitary peppercorn.

From 1816 to 2004, the rent payment has covered a year?s tenancy in the Old State Hall ? Bermuda?s oldest stone building ? was constructed with turtle oil and lime mortar back in 1620.

A crowd of VIPs, tourists, schoolchildren and proud mothers lined the square to watch the Regiment band and drums march alongside the honour guard yesterday.

To close the ceremony, Gov. Vereker ordered that the Freemasons pay their rent ? offered on a silver platter atop a velvet cushion ? and allow the Old State House to immediately be used for a meeting of ?Her Majesty?s Council?.

Standing-in yesterday for Premier Alex Scott, who is attending the RIMS conference in San Diego, Dr. Brown told that he was ?happy the Premier gave him the opportunity to do something ceremonial on such a wonderful day?.

Private Fox was escorted to the side where fellow cadets helped him remove his hat and friends in the crowd reassured him the fall was not his fault ? he simply hadn?t had enough to eat.