Re: Ex-inmates -- Dyer must go, front page today.

Although I am a visitor, I must heartly concur with what the ex-inmates are saying. Prisoners need to do meaningful work, and be taught meaningful jobs, or they will sink deeper into crime upon release.

People need to work, and be appreciated.

Through various circumstances in just the last three months, I have seen and experienced firsthand evidence of this. I was locked up for 5 1 days and I also was working with street people in (Spanish) Harlem, New York, USA.

NORM BALLIUGER Canada Our great memories February 22, 1999 Dear Sir, My wife and I have just completed a two-week holiday in Bermuda. My wife had been here 15 years ago but this was my first visit.

Everything my wife had ever told me about Bermuda turned out to be true. The friendliness of the people; the gentle pace of life; the beauty of the islands, gardens, the parks, churches, harbours and ocean -- all was as she had described to me many times.

We enjoyed our stay here very much and leave with a wonderful impression of Bermudian hospitality.

To get about we used buses and ferries and this proved a perfect way to see the islands. It also enabled us to see first-hand unfailing courtesy and professionalism of the drivers -- especially Mr. C.C. Smith who was so helpful.

When we were shopping, all the people with whom we dealt were so kind and willing to help, especially Mrs. Ming and her colleagues in Trimingham's.

Any visitor to Bermuda would be mightily impressed by the quality of life which Bermudians enjoy.

The peace and beauty and the very distinctive community spirit, combined with the living standard of people and the educational and employment opportunities, must make all the people here feel so fortunate.

Past generations have endowed the young people with a wonderful legacy and hopefully they in turn will strive to preserve the distinctive personality and character which makes Bermuda a unique place to visit.

JACK AND LILY GALLAGHER County Down Northern Ireland