I refer to your front page story of today's date concerning the recent jump in the pump price of gasoline.

Nowhere in that article is the price per gallon mentioned. Notwithstanding the fact that gas is sold by the litre here, most Bermudians and many other residents relate to the gallon price (as a comparison with the cost in the USA, for instance).

So, for the benefit of all and sundry, here are the real figures; One litre is equivalent to 1.056 liquid quarts. Thus a gallon equals 4.22 litres. So, with the price now elevated to $1.261 per litre, we shall now pay $5.32 for a gallon of gasoline.

Yes, $5.32 per gallon; that's the real figure to contemplate.

PETER J. WILLCOCKS Smith's Parish Trust says thank you March 16, 2000 Dear Sir, On behalf of the Bermuda National Trust I would like to thank all the volunteers, donors and participants involved in our recent series of events.

The events included: the Spittal Pond Children's Nature Walk during the schools' half-term break; the Plant and Bake Sale at Waterville last month; the Auction and Jumble Sale at the Botanical Gardens last week; and the Calcutta Tennis Tournament at Coral Beach Tennis Club this week. During these weeks, we also had a most successful raffle. This all required an enormous amount of work to organise and without the energy, creativity and time of our volunteers these events could not have taken place. We would like to send a very big thank you to everyone for their support.

Our Auction and Jumble Sale came back with a bang after a year's break, raising more than $36,000. The Plant and Bake Sale took in $8,000, while our raffle broke all records and brought in $33,000. This combined figure of $77,000 was raised with the help of many local businesses and individuals who donated services and prizes. This means that the money raised goes directly towards the cost of looking after the Trust's historic properties and open spaces.

All of those who helped, please accept our gratitude for your tremendous generosity. The National Trust -- and thus Bermuda -- has greatly benefited from your efforts.

AMANDA OUTERBRIDGE Director, Bermuda National Trust Need arrears task force March 15, 2000 Dear Sir, The figures which you have published turn a searchlight on the degree of delinquency which has existed for years with regard to the payment of taxes, pensions and health insurance contributions to the Government. Another report highlights the contempt in which the law is held by traffic offenders -- one person had accumulated $4,500 in fines for traffic offences, none of which had been paid.

The Task Force on Consumer Protection, of which I was Chairman, interviewed the Tax Commissioner and the Office Administrator of the Magistrates Court in 1998 and were left in no doubt as to the seriousness of the situation. Our Report stated "It is no kindness to allow a charge or tax to build up a serious debt month after month, so that it reaches a point where payment is an impossibility.'' The position has now been reached where the amount of overdue taxes is in excess of twenty million dollars, unpaid fines of at least three million, and there are 18,000 warrants in existence of unpaid fines, and offenders who have not replied to summons.

I suggest that the only way to deal with overdue payments is as follows:- (1) As from an agreed date -- say May 1, 2000, instruct staff that all overdue bills are to be dealt with as soon as they arise, and deferment should be permitted only in the most special circumstances.

(2) A temporary task force should be appointed to secure payment of the arrears.

(3) A monthly report should be submitted indicating the current position at the end of each month. This procedure would ensure the matter was kept under constant review and the necessary steps taken to deal with delinquents.

The Report also dealt with the debt collection process in the Magistrates Court which is as follows:- (1) The Plaintiff to whom the debt is owed must fill in a form.

(2) An ordinary summons is completed.

(3) A tentative court date is issued.

(4) The forms are sent to the Bailiff for serving.

(5) The summons is served -- frequently after more than one attempt.

(6) Both parties appear before the Magistrate.

(7) If the debt is disputed a trial date is set.

(8) If the defendant does not appear in court a judgment summons is issued.

(9) The judgment summons is served by the Bailiff, frequently after more than one attempt.

(10) If the defendant makes no attempt to pay, an arrest warrant is issued.

(11) If the defendant is brought before the Court and may be committed to prison, at which stage the debtor usually finds the money to pay.

Our enquiries revealed that the Court handles an average of 6,000 cases of new debts each year, totalling some 4 1 million dollars per year.

There are five Bailiffs who serve an average of 160 summons per month.

The Task Force recommended changes in the procedure to streamline the process and drastically reduce the time involved but so far no changes have been made.

Recommendation 7 of the Task Force stated:- "It appears the Magistrates Court computer system needs updating. At the moment the Court is unable to give adequate statistics, nor is it able to show how much an individual has paid into Court.

The problem is aggravated by the inadequate facilities in the Magistrates Court building, the outdated and totally unsatisfactory conditions in which the staff have to work, and the lack of modern systems. We are of the opinion that there is a clear need for a Small Claims Court with a streamlined procedure.'' The manner in which traffic offences are dealt with today leads to contempt of the law. It should be clearly indicated on these summons that if found guilty the offender will be fined and either the amount must be paid, or an acceptable surety submitted, before the person will be allowed to leave the Court premises. I believe that this procedure would have a salutary effect on the attitude which many people have today and which, over the years, has led to the situation which exists today.

Finally, the Government Auditor is to be congratulated on making public the facts as they are, which hopefully will lead to remedial action.

SIR JOHN PLOWMAN Paget